Scuba diving locations in Cape Verde:

Cape Verde is an important breeding site for many species of turtles, including leatherbacks and hawksbills which congregate and come ashore in May. Cape Verde is also a known breeding ground for humpback whales and sitings are common, especially in March. But, better than that, when under water, you can hear the strange, haunting sound of humpbacks singing, a sound so mesmerising it stops you in your tracks. What to see:

• The island of Sal hosts wrecks, reefs and cave diving. The deep Cape Verde waters offer volcanic lava shoals falling away to reveal caves full of tropical fish.
• Visit Santiago for wrecks. Beware of Fire Coral.
• In Sao Vicente the diving is very close to shore. See big schools of barracuda, mullet, goatfish and sturgeon. Look out for the colourful but painful bristleworms.

When to scuba dive in Cape Verde:

The water is very warm, between 25°C and 30°C, all year. From April to November, there is little wind and the water is very clear, apart from the build up of plankton, so visibility is up to 40m except during the September equinox. Be prepared for strong currents in the unprotected waters.

Local standards for gear:

The best scuba diving spots in Cape Verde:

• Cavala is the deepest of the regular sites, with the wall starting at around 20m and going beyond 40m. The stunning, colourful topography is complemented by schools of large pelagics. In season, listen for the strange, haunting sound of humpbacks singing.

• Choclassa is a ridge with big overhangs, smothered in bright yellow polyps and populated with surgeonfish, goatfish and parrotfish. The reef turns to sand at around 26m, where you can often see nurse sharks. At the north of the island is a bay where bull sharks come right in, sometimes as shallow as 1 to 2m.

• At Burracona in the North, there are caves at 22m, with two entrances. This natural grotto is made out of black basalt so the lighting efffects are fantastic.

• Selena's Arch at Ponta do Sol is a reef supporting a host of extremely large cornetfish.

The best snorkeling spots in Cape Verde:

• Murdeira Bay in Sal Island is a nice easy spot.
• San Pedro Bay in Sao Vicente has some nice thing to see.
• Try Estoril Beach in Sal Rei, Boavista, where fish of many different varieties are plentiful. Turtles are sometimes visible here.

Fun scuba Facts:

Country data:

Administrative details

• Currency: Cape Verdean escudo (CVE)
• Population: is about 567,000 (2010)
• Time Zone: CVT (GMT-1)
• Main languages spoken: Portuguese, Cape Verdean Creole ## Diveable overseas territories:

Cape Verdean diving federations:

FEDERACAO CABO VERDE DESPORTIVO SUBAQUATICO (FCVDS) is a member of Confédération Mondiale des Activités Subaquatiques (CMAS)

Local diving laws and regulations (and PADI-equivalent certifications):