Activities in Cape Verde

Visitors to the islands will find a wide choice of activities open to them to suit all ages. Sal is renowned throughout the world as a windsurfing and kite surfing centre, thanks to its year-round ambient air and water temperatures. Conditions are also ideal for scuba diving, shark and deep sea fishing, particularly from Sal and Boa Vista. Also mountain walking and off-roading in beach buggies and 4 x 4s are common pursuits.

Sao Vicente has Cape Verde's liveliest and most beautiful city - Mindelo. The ships passing through might have something to do with the higher energy level. Certainly the bars are more numerous and the restaurants a cut above those in Praia. Sao Vicente's picturesque colonial houses are mostly pretty two-storey affairs with balconies and shuttered windows.

Tours of the volcano are available on the island of Fogo, which last erupted in 1995. Golf courses, complete with club houses, restaurants, bars and shopping facilities are on several developers' drawing boards, but are some time away, yet.