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Boating in Cape Verde: entry, transit log and island hopping

On the Atlantic circuit Cape Verde is the last stop before the crossing to the Caribbean for many crews. Arriving on your own boat means entering only at Sal, Praia or Mindelo, receiving a transit log and reporting every departure to the maritime administration. This page sums up Cape Verde's leisure boating law.

Emergency132UKW 16[1][6]

Alcohol limit?check locally

Liability covercheck locallyshow policy on request[3]

Licenceflag state rules[2]

1 The boat enters only at Sal, Praia or Mindelo. 2 At the first port the maritime administration issues the transit log, which the skipper completes and signs. 3 Before every island hop he reports departure and the authority signs off the log.

Best time to go: Mindelo

Mindelo: going by warmth, rain days and wind, May, June and July are the most pleasant months. Bars show the average daily high, the line the sea temperature, below them rain days and days with wind of 6 Beaufort or more per month, averaged over 2015 to 2024.

Air, daily high (°C) Sea (°C) best months

Rain days7.77.24.84.03.91.01.05.58.14.58.16.4

Days with wind 6 Bft+4%4%1%0%0%0%0%0%1%0%0%1%

Weather: NASA POWER (MERRA-2 reanalysis, grid values rather than station readings).

Sea temperature from NOAA satellite data. More cruising areas compared: Best time to sail

Entry and island hopping

Private boats and sailing yachts may only enter through the ports of Sal, Praia and Mindelo. Breaches are fined.[1]
In port, foreign leisure boats are checked by the maritime administration, port administration, customs, the maritime and border police and the health authority.[2]
At the first port the maritime administration hands the skipper the transit log (livrete de trânsito), which he completes and signs; the authority enters the arrival.[2]
At further ports, with no foreign port in between, only the transit log is checked. Report every departure from a Cape Verdean port to the maritime administration.[2]
When leaving for abroad, also report departure to customs and the maritime and border police.[2]
Anyone who stays in the country or leaves another way declares this to border control and has an entry stamp put in the passport.[3]
Foreign leisure boats may stay in Cape Verdean waters for at most six months within a year, after which they must be exported or imported for good.[3]

Passport and boat papers

German citizens need no visa for up to 30 days but register online with the police up to five days before travel, for a fee. Whether this also applies to arrivals by yacht is not stated; check before you go.[1]
Passports must be valid for three more months on entry; an identity card is not accepted.[1]
On request the skipper shows, where applicable: boat registration, licence, liability policy, proof of taxes and fees paid, list of persons aboard, crew list, radio station licence, operator certificate and life raft service certificate. Missing items can be produced within 48 hours.[3]

Licence

For foreign-flagged boats, Cape Verdean rules take account of the flag state's rules on crewing, safety and command. There is no separate recognition procedure for visiting yachts.[2][3]

Liability and insurance

Owner and skipper are jointly liable, regardless of fault, for damage caused by the boat unless the injured party is solely to blame.[3]
The liability policy is among the papers the authorities may ask for. Whether insurance is compulsory for foreign visiting yachts is not clear from the law; check before you travel.[3]

Port fees

Leisure boats in ENAPOR ports pay CVE 15 per square metre occupied, length overall times maximum beam, per 24 hours or part. Ask ENAPOR how the 20 square metre limit in the tariff is applied.[4]
Maritime administration fees are set in the fee schedule of the Instituto Marítimo e Portuário.[2]

Fishing and navigation

Recreational fishing needs a paid licence. At most three hooks, no crustaceans, and no fishing in marine protected areas or busy harbour zones. This also applies to foreign boats.[3]
Spearfishing only between sunrise and sunset, without breathing apparatus and at least 200 metres from bathing beaches.[3]
Navigate, anchor and beach only in line with Cape Verdean charts, notices and aids to navigation.[2][3]
Cash above CVE 1 million needs central bank confirmation for import or export.[1]

Emergency

Ambulance 130, fire 131, police 132.[6][1]
The maritime administration IMP lists duty numbers: Barlavento +238 974 71 74, Sotavento +238 959 85 35. We found no separate rescue centre number; at sea, call on VHF channel 16.[5]

In Cape Verde keep the transit log, boat registration, licence, liability policy, list of persons aboard and radio papers on board, and report every departure to the maritime administration.

NAMMERT customers can get their liability confirmation in English.

Request a certificate (Cape Verde)

Get a quote Check your trailer rig Trailer route planner Boat papers checklist

Questions

Where can I enter Cape Verde by boat?

Only at the ports of Sal, Praia and Mindelo. Entering elsewhere can be fined.

What is the transit log?

The livrete de trânsito issued by the maritime administration at your first port. It is checked in every further port and each departure is recorded in it.

How long may my boat stay in Cape Verde?

Six months at most within any one year, in one go or in parts.