Port information & tips for Sao Nicolau
São Nicolau is an untouched gem of the Cape Verde Islands, captivating visitors with its authentic serenity far from the major tourist paths. The island fascinates with dramatic mountain scenery, deep valleys, and a warm hospitality that immediately enchants visitors. Outstanding highlights include the majestic Monte Gordo Natural Park with its unique flora, the charming island capital Ribeira Brava with its grand colonial buildings, and the black sand beaches of Tarrafal, known for their healing properties. Cruise ships dock at Porto do Tarrafal, located directly in the coastal town of the same name. Thanks to its central location, it serves as the ideal starting point for exploration, with the picturesque town center within easy walking distance.
Arrival & Departure
Getting around
Highlights & Districts
Useful tips
Returning to the ship
São Nicolau in Cape Verde is a charming destination that welcomes its visitors with untouched nature and authentic culture. The cruise port Tarrafal de São Nicolau is the island's most important port for inter-island traffic and also serves as a port of call for cruise ships.
Airplane
Travel from the DACH region typically involves an international flight to one of the larger islands of Cape Verde, such as Sal (Amílcar Cabral International Airport, SID), Santiago (Praia International Airport, RAI), or São Vicente (Cesária Évora Airport, VXE). From there, you can easily take a domestic flight to Aeródromo de São Nicolau (SNE), also known as Preguiça Airport. This small domestic airport is located only about 3 kilometers south of the island's capital, Ribeira Brava, and about 12 kilometers from the port of Tarrafal. Short domestic flights usually take about 30 to 40 minutes, for example from Sal to São Nicolau.
Ferry
For travelers who enjoy island hopping, the ferry offers a charming alternative to reach the port of Tarrafal de São Nicolau. There are regular ferry connections from São Vicente to São Nicolau, which operate about twice a week and offer a travel time of around 6 hours. The Redonda Line also connects São Nicolau with other islands such as São Vicente, Sal, Boa Vista, and Santiago. A ferry crossing allows you to experience the impressive seascape, with a single trip between São Vicente and São Nicolau costing around 30 euros.
Transfers & Pre-Cruise Hotel
From Aeródromo de São Nicolau (SNE), you can easily reach the port of Tarrafal by taxi or the local shared taxis, known as "Aluguers". The journey from Ribeira Brava to Tarrafal takes about 20-30 minutes over a distance of around 9 kilometers. Given the potential irregularities with domestic flights and ferries, as well as the long journey from Europe, an overnight stay in one of the charming guesthouses in Tarrafal or Ribeira Brava on the day before embarkation is highly recommended. This ensures a relaxed start to your Cape Verde cruise experience.
Check-in & Embarkation
Please note that your travel documents will usually provide you with a fixed time slot for check-in, which is binding for your embarkation. Plan sufficient time for your journey to the port and take into account that the latest embarkation time - depending on the cruise line and destination - is usually scheduled about one hour before the planned departure.
The following also applies during the voyage: for shore excursions, you should be back on board no later than one hour before departure. Always pay attention to the current announcements and notices on board, as mooring and departure times can change at short notice.
