Discover Santo Antão: Day Trip by Car or Guided Trek
Overview
Available languages
Mobile ticket
Discover the beauty of Santo Antão with one of our flexible full-day excursions. Your local guide will take you on a full-day island tour, bringing the Island’s stories to life. You can choose from 4 different options to best suit your travel plans and activity level
2 Island Highlights by Car:
* From São Vicente: Includes harbor transfers and roundtrip ferry tickets.
* From Santo Antão (Porto Novo): Ideal if you’ve already booked ferry tickets or are staying on the island.
2 Trekking Options:
* From São Vicente: Includes harbor transfers and roundtrip ferry tickets.
* From Santo Antão (Porto Novo): Perfect for those already on the island or with ferry tickets booked.
Additional Info
Service animals allowed
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Please inform us of any special dietary instructions.
In the case of a group of less than 4pax, the local guide himself may be the driver
For open group tours your guide may speak more than one language if required
Driving through roads with high altitude
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
Private transportation
Pickup and drop-off at starting point
OPTION: *Ferry Tickets (roundtrip) included from São Vicente, excluded beginning in Santo Antão
Local Professional guide (English, French, Spanish, Portuguese)
Entrance: Grogue (Rum) distillery
Lunch
Personal expenses
Alcoholic Beverages
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
What To Expect
Option including Ferry Tickets: Begin with an early morning pick up at your accommodation in Mindelo, transfer to the Harbor for your adventure by Ferry to our neighboring island of the mountains, Santo Antão. On your ferry travel across the canal (up to 1 hour on ferry), you may stand on deck; if you’re lucky you will witness dolphins, pilot whales, flying fish, sea birds, and more, you can also relax on the comfortable seating inside. Check out the lighthouse on the rock in the middle of the ocean, Ilhéu dos Pássaros (Bird’s Island)!
Porto Novo
Option Excluding Ferry tickets: Arrive to Porto Novo, as you enter the Garemaritima terminal you will be met by your local guide who will take you to all the Island Highlights in one day by car! Begin your journey ascending through the mountains
Options
Trek Cova Paúl 3h, (Ferry INC)
Trek Cova Paul +/- 3h trek: Trek Volcano Crater of Cova de Paúl to Cabo d Ribeira, 3h Walking Distance: +/- 5 km
Total
Ferry tickets included: We need traveller passport details at least 24 hours before our excursion: Name, DOB, Country of issue, Doc number, Exp date
Duration: 11 hours: Elevation gain: +/- 115 m
Elevation loss: -/+ 948 m
Max Elevation: +/- 1,294 m
Min Elevation: +/- 415 m
Trail type: One wa
Visit grogue distillery : Have a tasting of our local rum at the distillery and see how it's made
Begins in Mindelo and returns : Begin with an early morning adventure to the Island of the Mountains on this most beautiful and invigorating trek
Harbor transfers in Mindelo: Let us know your pick up location and we will pick up and drop off at your accommodation
Pickup included
Highlights by car (INC Ferry)
Harbor transfers in Mindelo: One of the most beautiful valleys in the world, Paul! Be enchanted with a walk, meet the locals, taste local fruits, coffee..
Ferry tickets included: We need traveller passport details at least 24 hours before our excursion: Name, DOB, Country of issue, Doc number, Exp date
Duration: 11 hours
Visit Grogue distillery: Tasting of our local rum at distillery
Mindelo - Porto Novo roundtrip: Adventure begins at sunrise ⛰️ Get up and out for an exciting trip to Santo Antão from São Vicente A Must Experience!
Day Trip by car, can customize: You can pick you dates of return travel if you will sleep over Santo Antão. Contact us!
Pickup included
Trek Cova Paúl 5h (NO ferry)
Pick up at Porto Novo: Enjoy a refreshing trek into one of the most beautiful valleys on earth, connect with the lifestyle and people of Santo Antão
Walking Distance: +/- 11 km
: Total Walking Duration: +/- 5 hours Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation gain: +/- 231 m
Elevation loss: -/+ 1,450 m
Duration: 7 hours: Max Elevation: +/- 1,294 m
Min Elevation: +/- 7 m
Trail type: One way
Visit grogue distillery: Have tasting of our local rum at the distillery and see how it's made
Cova Paúl to Villa das Pombas: Descending into crater, be careful of areas which may be slippery if there is mist
Excludes ferry tickets
Starting point:
Gare Marítima porto de Porto Novo - ENAPOR, 2W9R+2CP, Porto Novo, Cabo Verde
Pickup included
Trek Cova Paúl 3h (NO Ferry)
Pick up at Porto Novo: Meet your local guide at Porto Novo, ready to join you on a refreshing trek into one of the most beautiful valleys on earth
Walking Distance: +/- 5 km
: Walking Duration: +/- 3 hours Degree of difficulty: Easy to moderate
Elevation gain: +/- 115 m Elevation loss: -/+ 948
Duration: 7 hours: From Porto Novo, transfer to Cova for trek, enjoy a lunch at local restaurant, return to Porto Novo (or your location)
Cova Paúl to Cabo d' Ribeira: Max Elevation: +/- 1,294 m
Min Elevation: +/- 415 m
Trail type: One way
Book your ferry for 07:00: Please book your ferry ticket to depart Mindelo by 07:00, to arrive to Porto Novo by 08:00. Tell us your drop off location
Starting point:
Gare Marítima porto de Porto Novo - ENAPOR, 2W9R+2CP, Porto Novo, Cabo Verde
Pickup included
Highlights by Car (NO ferry)
Meet at Porto Novo
Excludes Ferry tickets
Duration: 7 hours
Highlights of Santo Antão : Porto Novo, Old Road, Volcano Crater of Cova de Paúl, Walk Cova de Paúl Volcano, Ribeira de Torre, Xôxô, Ponta do Sol, Sinago
Mini bus
Book your ferry for 07:00: Please book your ferry ticket to depart Mindelo by 07:00, to arrive to Porto Novo by 08:00. Your guide will be waiting.
Starting point:
Gare Marítima porto de Porto Novo - ENAPOR, 2W9R+2CP, Porto Novo, Cabo Verde
Trek Cova Paúl 5h (Ferry INC)
Harbor transfers : Pick up and drop off at accommodation in Mindelo
Ferry tickets included : We need traveller passport details at least 24 hours before our excursion: Name, DOB, Country of issue, Doc number, Exp date
Duration: 11 hours: Duration: +/- 5 hours Walking Distance: +/- 11 km
-
Degree of difficulty: Moderate
- Elevation gain: +/- 231 m
Visit grogue distillery: Have a tasting of our local rum and see how its made
Route : Elevation gain: +/- 231 m
Elevation loss: -/+ 1,450 m
Max Elevation: +/- 1,294 m Min Elevation: +/- 7 m
Trail: One way
Important information: If there are any health or mobility issues who should know of, please inform
Pickup included
Reviews
82 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Amazing experience
299marcandr d,
Nov 17, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Thanks to our guide Raquel, she did a great job! It was an amazing day. Beautiful sights & calming. To eat fresh local food. It's something I would recommend for those who enjoy heights and walking.
The tour was great in...
Claire W,
Nov 16, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00The tour was great in itself, but what really stood out was the owner and guide on Santo Antao Madu. Both were just so friendly and elevated the tour and experience. Highly recommended!
Highly recommendable
329anikaf,
Nov 4, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This Trip was truly Amazing and Perfectly Balanced between a beautiful hike, local cuisine and a stunning view Along the Coast Ride Our Host Madu was absolutly georgious and very authentic
An unforgettable hike in Santo Antao
Laverdure1972,
Nov 3, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00A day of discovery of Santo Antao from Mindelo. Ferry, small bus to climb to the top of the volcano. Then 3:30 of magnificent hiking in a lush and unique nature in Cape Verde. Perfect organizational, pick up at our accommodation. Driver and guides pro and friendly, fluent English and French
The Best Guide
GoPlaces53720675924,
Oct 24, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The Madu is an amazing guide! Original Cover and always very helpful. The restaurant where we stopped for lunch serves even homemade food. We loved it and would do it all again!
I had a great day
oliviapB8566CS,
Oct 1, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I recommend 100% this agency! I booked my excursion only two days before the scheduled date, and everything was perfectly organized. I chose a day on the island of Santo Antão from São Vicente (ferry, guide and taxi included). They picked me up on time at my accommodation to take me to the port, then when I arrived in Santo Antão, my guide Maduino was waiting for me with a sign in my name. I had an exceptional day: Madu passionately conveyed to me his pride in his island, which made the experience even more rewarding. On the way back to São Vicente, Rachel and Paulo were waiting for me to take me home. It was a short trip, but full of beautiful encounters and kindness. I absolutely do not regret this experience and recommend it to all those who wish to discover Santo Antão in the best conditions.
The best tour on Santo Antao
jeremymY6929QY,
Aug 29, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The tour was breathtaking. Our tour guide has an almost endless wealth of knowledge about the island of Santo Antao, its inhabitants, nature, Cape Verdean culture and much more. Moreover, he was very interested in cultural exchange without showing any trace of intrusiveness. He is also a very good photographer, important for anyone who would like to be photographed in front of surreal natural backdrops. The nature in the mountains is indescribable and offers unique views of the green valleys below. With our excellent driver, the partly quite narrow, old cobblestone road was also comfortable to drive on. The short excursions on foot and the coffee in the mountains were my personal highlights, a certain sense of belonging was created by the locals and their open nature. Fresh fruit and other small items such as drinks and island typical food are also available at every corner. It is important to mention that the guide, whose name unfortunately came to mind, speaks very good English, which is not a given in the Cape Verde Islands. He also speaks Portuguese, French, and Spanish for those who prefer other languages. Also the lunch at the local restaurant was very varied and tasted excellent. I could still tell so much good, but all I have to say is that the tour was worth every penny and even more and that I will immediately recommend it to anyone who is planning to travel to this paradise place.
Fantastic!!!
Fátima P,
Jul 8, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I took the day trip to Santo Antão from Sao Vicente today and it was a fantastic experience. From the very first moment of booking, communication has been constant, with the peace of mind that this entails. They take care of absolutely everything (transfers, pick-up and drop-off at accommodation, ferry tickets, etc.). On the other hand, both the driver and the guide (Madú) make you feel part of the most beautiful island in Cape Verde.
Superb day with Madu!
Trail61666869912,
Jul 4, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Superb day spent with Madu! Great guide, kind who knew how to answer all our questions. We were very happy to have had a guide passionate about his island and especially passionate to pass it on to us and show us around! I recommend!
Wonderful hike
Bas G,
May 14, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Very beautiful hike and a very friendly and good guide. A much different island than the others in cape Verde, so a must see!
From €95.00
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