Diving in Cape Verde means discovering a unique and diverse mix of tropical and Mediterranean marine life. It is a place designed to provide fascinating experiences and discoveries for all divers.
Humpback whales occasionally visit the islands during their annual migrations, while rays, moray eels, turtles, some sharks, and large schools of fish are attractions year-round. For more demanding divers, caves, deep walls, and shipwrecks with an enormous abundance and variety of marine life are also a possibility.
What can you see while diving in Cape Verde?
There are different times for diving throughout the year. Between March-May, we can enjoy humpback whales, and between July-November, we might encounter the whale shark and devil ray.
There is no rainy season in Cape Verde, and we can dive all year round. The humpback whale can be seen from the shore, and it is common to see rays, moray eels, turtles, different types of sharks, and large groups of tropical fish. The walls feature different types of coral to explore.
Best dive sites in Sal Island
Without a doubt, Sal Island in Cape Verde is one of the best islands for diving. However, there are also other fantastic alternatives, such as São Vicente Island. In the following article, you can discover more beautiful diving spots in Cape Verde.
There are various dive sites, including 4 shipwrecks, wall diving, and cave diving. Some dives can also be done from the beach. Below, we show you the best dive sites in Sal Island, Cape Verde:
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Buracona
Buracona is a unique volcanic cove and the most well-known on the island. It is a natural siphon, and the collapse of a roof allows sunlight to shine through, creating a tranquil underwater setting with incredible light and sun rays.
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Regona
Regona consists of a labyrinth of caverns of various sizes, connected by horseshoe-shaped tunnels that eventually open to the open sea. The tunnels and caverns are populated by large fish and crustaceans.
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Langosta Verde & Dois Olhos
These are some of the most demanding dives and are only for experienced divers. The caves are rich in life, particularly crustaceans, with various species of crabs, green and red lobsters, giant lobsters, nudibranchs only found in these caves, along with rays and jacks.
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Morro das Pedras
Morro das Pedras is like a cathedral in the desert of a volcanic sandy seabed. It has a maximum depth of 32m and attracts a great variety of marine life, with shark sightings throughout the year.
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Ponta Preta Funda
Ponta Preta Funda is a sandbank with a maximum depth of 31m, located in the west of the island. Between January and April, you can hear the humpback whale song underwater and see the whales while relaxing on the boat. From June to November, it is common to encounter local turtles or spot Raggie sharks.
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Champignon
Champignon is another wall dive, 14m deep, located near Dumas. This is another great place to enjoy turtles, and at times, visibility can reach up to 70m. Rays and nurse sharks can also be found at this site.
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Farol
Farol offers multi-level diving with three distinct levels. It features cracks and gorges that invite exploration. It is full of varied crustaceans and many moray eels. It is also the perfect dive to spot frogfish.
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Pontinha Deep
Pontinha Deep is a wall starting at 14m and going down to a maximum of 30m. The dive can be split into two parts, one deep at around 30m and another shallower at about 20m. The wall is full of nooks and crevices that serve as shelter for many lobsters, moray eels, and rays. The slope at the bottom of this wall continues into the deep blue depths.
For more information about diving in Cape Verde or liveaboard diving trips, contact us without obligation, and our team will be happy to assist you.
