Santo Antao , A breathtaking Garden of Eden with dramatic mountainous scenery and terraced valleys.

As you arrive on the ferry from São Vicente, the island of Santo Antão takes your breath away; a cross between Morocco and the Himalayas with its immense volcanic walls, seemingly inaccessible ravines and perfectly farmed terraced valleys.  The walking in the North East is superb and mostly along miraculous cobbled paths which link the fertile valleys with the traditional mountain villages.  This is an island of dramatic contrasts all too apparent on what must be one of the world’s great road trips on the route across the island from Porto Novo to Ribeira Grande.  A journey which takes you from the dry and barren capital up to the lush farmed crater of Cova do Paul in the centre of the island with its pine and eucalyptus forests and then descends on narrow, precipitous roads with 600m drops on either side through terraces, farms of all descriptions and small villages clinging precariously to the mountainsides.  Cloud sweeps in regularly and hangs in the air creating a cool, almost alpine feel – but as the clouds disperse and lift you are offered tantalising views of the valleys below. 
Most of the scenic highlights of Santo Antao can be reached by our driver guides, so even if you aren’t a keen walker, you can still appreciate this wonderful island. 

Take a trip in our traditional wooden fishing boats and discover lost beaches, caves and dramatic cliffs, deep gorges and remote villages only accessible by sea.

Again, these trips go out in traditional wooden fishing boats and there are some wonderful fishing spots where you can find Amber Jack, Black Jack and even Wahoo (up to 100kg). Our guides cater for all levels of experience although they try to put similar levels in the same boat. Spear fishing in caves is a real highlight!

Exploring this spectacular island in a Defender 4X4 allows you take in the varied scenery in a relaxing way - from leafy forests to deserts, waterfalls, deep valleys and craters.

With 20 different scuba dives ranging from depths of 8 to 30m, there is something to suit all abilities. You will have the opportunity to spot the 10 endemic fish species, corals, caves, drop offs and even a wreck from 1919. All trips depart from this PADI school on the north east coast either straight from the harbour there or out in traditional wooden fishing boats to the offshore site. In the company of our Spanish Instructor, you can even do a trial dive in the tempting turquoise sea which stays at a comfortable temperature of 22-27 degrees throughout the year. All equipment can be provided and dives are a maximum of 35m.

Wind your way up and down the wonderful cinder and cobble tracks that criss cross the island and take in the fantastic views of Tope de Coroa (1979m) in the west where much of the biking is. Another route will take you around the Espadana crater rim with its spectacular views and knife edge ridges. The best place in Cape Verde for biking, routes can be tailored to suit all abilities and guides are all experienced.

With almost 50 canyoning routes bolted and with waterfalls ranging from 3-200m, this must be one of the most exciting undiscovered canyoning destinations in the world. The ‘wet’ canyons tend to be in the east of the island, especially around the Paul valley and there are lots of dry canyons too on the east coast around Lagedos. Although the plunge pools are generally too shallow to jump into, the canyons hide fertile oases of papaya and mango trees in truly spectacular scenery. You are accompanied by 2 experienced guides on all trips and canyons are chosen after assessing client’s ability and interests.

One of the best islands for walking with lots of choice from circular valley walks and coastal walks to walks over passes and round crater rims.  Paths tend to be on the old cobbled tracks that link the villages and the range of scenery is quite spectacular, from high arid ridges to fertile farming land full of sugar cane, mango, papaya and banana trees. Not forgetting the odd grogue factory!

Kindergarten in a remote village
Based at the Belgian owned Casa das Ilhas guesthouse in the beautiful Paul valley, this kindergarten offers young children in the area the only opportunity for education for miles around. The guesthouse uses one of its rooms every morning as a kindergarten for the young children in the area. There are usually 10-12 children who attend and ongoing funding is needed for transport, materials and equipment.

As a company, we contribute annually to this kindergarten, but we also offer the facility to our clients to make a donation (if they feel it is appropriate) when they are on Santo Antao.

Sao Vicente - Cape Verde Institute for Children and Adolescents

Fogo - Medical Centre in Cha das Caldeiras

Santiago - Education project for children

Boavista - Turtle project