By Massimo Boavista2000, Boavista2000: on Boa Vista since 1998, more than 250 apartments built and sold with Daniele Rampini.
Published on 24 October 2026
In shortFerries between the islands of Cape Verde are now run by CV Interilhas. From Boa Vista (the port of Sal Rei) the ship usually calls twice a week on the route linking Santiago (Praia), Sal, São Nicolau and São Vicente: Sal is about 3 hours away, Praia about 7–8 hours. Timetables change often and rough seas can stop the ships: on holiday, flying is still the most reliable way to change island.
How it works today
Who runs the ferries between the islands
Since 15 August 2019, sea transport between the islands has been run under a 20-year concession by CV Interilhas, a company led by the Portuguese ETE group. The old company CV Fast Ferry, often mentioned up to 2019, no longer sells tickets in its own name: some of its ships, such as the catamaran Liberdadi, now sail for CV Interilhas.
This is the route that calls at Boa Vista: São Vicente – São Nicolau – Sal – Boa Vista – Santiago (Praia), there and back. According to the company’s schedule it is served by the ship Dona Tututa, twice a week.
São Vicente – Santo Antão, several times a day. Useful if your island-hopping trip goes through Mindelo.
Santiago – Maio and Santiago – Fogo – Brava, a few times a week, with the catamaran Kriola.
Fares and journey times
From Boa Vista to the other islands by ferry
Fares from the official CV Interilhas price list for foreign passengers, one way, taxes included (in force since February 2024). The euro amounts are rounded: 1 euro is worth about 110 escudos.
- Boa Vista – Sal2,500 CVEAbout €23. Journey time about 3 hours.
- Boa Vista – Santiago (Praia)4,880 CVEAbout €44. Journey time about 7–8 hours.
- Boa Vista – São Nicolau4,880 CVEAbout €44. Journey time about 7 hours, via Sal.
- Boa Vista – São Vicente5,250 CVEAbout €48. Journey time about 11 hours: for Mindelo, flying is better.
Departures from Boa Vista are often at night or at dawn. Fares can change: always check them when you buy your ticket.
Step by step
How to take the ferry from Boa Vista
- Check the timetableOn the website cvinterilhas.cv, under «Routes & Schedules», you will find the departures for the next few days and the schedule as a PDF. Check again shortly before you travel: times can change.
- Buy your ticketOnline on the website (Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Vinti4), at the ticket office or from the official agent Navex, which is also on Boa Vista. Tickets must be bought at least an hour and a half before departure: they are not sold on board.
- Bring IDTo board you need your passport, with the same name as on the ticket. Seats cannot be reserved.
- Get to the port in good timeCheck-in closes 1 hour before departure, at the port of Sal Rei. Hold luggage must be handed in at least 30 minutes before boarding.
- LuggageFree: 2 pieces of hand luggage up to 8 kg (55×40×25 cm) and up to 2 suitcases of 25 kg. If the sea is rough, take something for seasickness before you board.
The alternative
Flights between the islands
To change island during a holiday, flying is faster and less dependent on the sea. The airlines have changed several times in recent years: here is the situation today.
- Cabo Verde Airlines (TACV)domestic flightsIn 2024 the national airline returned to flights between the islands, from the airports of Praia, Sal, São Vicente and Boa Vista. Routes and times from Boa Vista should be checked on its website, caboverdeairlines.com.
- BestflygroundedThe airline that had taken over from Binter suspended its flights in April 2024 and, according to the information available, has not resumed them.
- Binter Cabo Verdeno longer fliesIt left domestic flights in 2021, when the company was sold to Bestfly.
It is wise to reconfirm domestic flights at least 72 hours before departure. To get to Boa Vista from Europe, see the page flights to Boa Vista.
Practical tips
- Don’t make your flight home depend on a ferry: leave at least one day’s margin.
- From Boa Vista to Sal the ferry is cheap and a small adventure, if you have time and the sea is calm.
- Bring water, a snack and a light jacket: night crossings can be long and cool.
- For a hassle-free multi-island trip there is our Cape Verde island tour.
Good to know
- In strong winds and rough seas, departures can be postponed or cancelled.
- In 2025 two catamarans of the fleet, Kriola and Liberdadi, were out of service for months after two accidents: connections can be suspended even for long periods.
- If the delay exceeds 3 hours, the company offers a meal; if the departure is changed and you do not accept, your ticket is refunded.
- Information: CV Interilhas, +238 350 03 30.
Several islands in one trip
Want to see Sal, Santiago or São Vicente too?
We help you combine Boa Vista with the other islands, with flights and transfers already organised.
Frequently asked questions about ferries in Cape Verde
Is there a ferry from Boa Vista to Sal?
Yes, on the CV Interilhas route linking Santiago, Boa Vista, Sal, São Nicolau and São Vicente, usually twice a week. The crossing takes about 3 hours and costs about 2,500 escudos (€23) for foreign passengers.
How long does the ferry from Boa Vista to Praia take?
About 7–8 hours. The ticket costs 4,880 escudos, about €44, for foreign passengers.
Where can I buy ferry tickets?
On the website cvinterilhas.cv, at the port ticket office or from the official agent Navex. They must be bought at least an hour and a half before departure: they are not sold on board.
Does CV Fast Ferry still exist?
It no longer sells tickets in its own name: since 2019 the inter-island ferries have been run under concession by CV Interilhas, which also uses ships from the old fleet.
Ferry or plane between the islands?
On holiday, the plane is better: it is faster and less dependent on the sea. The ferry is worth it for short crossings, such as Boa Vista – Sal, if you have time and the sea is calm.
Information updated October 2026. Sources: official CV Interilhas website (timetables, route schedule, passenger price list in force since February 2024, conditions of carriage), Italian Foreign Ministry travel advice for Cape Verde (Viaggiare Sicuri), Cabo Verde Airlines website, reports from the Lusa news agency and Observador on the concession and the fleet. Timetables and fares change often: always check them before you travel.