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Beaches of Cape Verde Islands

St. Helena to Cape Verde

Example 11 Day Cruise aboard MV Plancius
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Embark on an 11-day cruise from St. Helena to the Cape Verde Islands on the MV Plancius. Explore the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, a vast underwater mountain range. Discover Ascension, a volcanic island known for its wildlife, including sooty terns and green turtles. Watch Arctic terns and long-tailed skuas migrating north as you cross the Equator. Visit the historic Cidade Velha in Praia, with its hillside fortress built to fend off English raiders. Join this trip for a memorable journey blending nature and history.
Sunset in PraiaFishermen in the Cape Verde IslandsBirds of Ascension IslandThe dramatic landscape of Ascension IslandBeaches of Cape Verde Islands
Highlights
  • Sail and enjoy the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, a 16,000 km submarine range
  • Discover Ascension, a major habitat for the sooty tern bird
  • Hike Ascension, visit the shore, observe turtles laying eggs on the beach
  • Stroll the Praia streets and enjoy the variety of indigenous folk music
Places Visited
Activity Level: Variable
Activity options vary depending on destination and operator. Activity level is determined by the range and intensity of activities you choose to participate in. Discuss with your Trip Planner which options are best for you.
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Full Itinerary

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Day 1: St. Helena | Embark

Your journey starts in Jamestown, a uniquely situated city that offers much to see before you set sail. Enjoy the local British culture, tropical climate, and endemic birds of this remote volcanic island. You can visit Longwood House, where Napoleon died in 1821, and even walk the 699-step Jacob’s Ladder if you feel ambitious. If you have more time, you can also go on small hikes or snorkeling in the shallows, seeing multitudes of tropical and subtropical fish.

Day 2-3: Sailing the Mid-Atlantic Ridge

  • Ship
  • 2 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 2 Dinners
Today, sail along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, the sprawling submarine mountain range that runs about 16,000 km (10,000 miles) from the Arctic Ocean toward the southern tip of Africa. Join the crew for stargazing on the aft deck, where experts show you the many highlights of the equatorial sky. Weather permitting, these celestial wonders can be seen with binoculars or even with the naked eye.

Day 4-5: Ascension

  • Ship
  • 2 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 2 Dinners
This dry volcanic island is a major home for sooty terns (also known as wideawakes), whose colony here sometimes grows to over a million breeding pairs. You may get the chance to hike up to the richly vegetated summit of the island, and might also visit the beach to watch green turtles laying eggs.

Day 6-10: Crossing the Equator

  • Ship
  • 5 Breakfasts, 5 Lunches, 5 Dinners
Joining you across the equator are Arctic terns and long-tailed skuas flying their northbound spring migration. At this stage of the voyage, you hope for good weather as you attempt more stargazing on deck, observing how the polar star becomes visible on the northern horizon.

Day 11: Praia, Cape Verde Island | Disembark

  • 1 Breakfast
Arrive in the town of Praia on Cape Verde’s Santiago Island, disembarking later that day at 18:00 hours. Though no lunch will be served, you are free to stay on board or store your luggage until disembarkation. If you have the time, an additional tour is offered in and around Praia. Here you can visit the historic Cidade Velha and its massive hillside fortress, built to defend against English raiders. Other sights include the oldest Christian church in the tropics as well as the slave whipping post in the main square. You can also simply explore the streets of Praia, enjoying the folk music spilling out of tavern windows.

Ship/Hotel

MV Plancius

MV Plancius
MV Plancius

Dates & Prices

My Preferred Start Date

Per person starting at
$2,450
Quadruple Porthole
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Quadruple Porthole
4 cabins with private facilities, 2 bunk beds. (ca. 15 m2)
Quadruple Porthole
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Triple Porthole
4 cabins with private facilities, 2 bunk beds. (ca. 15 m2)
Twin porthole cabin
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Twin with Porthole
9 twin private cabins with porthole. Two Lower berths. (ca. 15 m2)
Twin with window
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Twin with Window
26 twin private cabins with window. Two Lower berths (ca. 15 m2)
Twin Deluxe
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Twin Deluxe
2 twin private deluxe cabins. Lower berths - two single beds.(ca. 15 m2)
Superior
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Superior
10 twin superior cabins. Lower berth - double bed. (ca. 21 m2)

Notes

- Rates are quoted in U.S. dollars and represent costs per person, double or triple occupancy. Request the Twin or Triple Share Program where you are matched with a cabin mate of the same gender. Even if a cabin mate is not found for you, no single supplement will be charged.
- Single occupancy: All cabins 1.7 times the share twin price
-Children between the ages of 3-15 will be discounted 40% in triple or quad cabins, one child per cabin.
- Due to the extreme nature of itinerary destinations, travel insurance is mandatory for all cruises aboard the Plancius - including medical, accident and repatriation/evacuation insurance.
Included
  • 10 Breakfasts, 9 Lunches, 10 Dinners
  • 10 Nights Accommodations
  • Accommodations as listed
  • Ground transportation as listed
  • Activities as listed
  • Meals as listed
  • Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
  • Program of lectures by noted naturalists and leadership by experienced expedition staff.
  • All Miscellaneous Service Taxes and Port Charges Throughout the Program
  • All shore excursions and activities throughout the voyage by Zodiac.
  • Free use of rubber boots and snowshoes.
  • All meals throughout the voyage aboard the ship including snacks, coffee and tea.
  • Comprehensive pre-departure material.
Excluded
  • Gratuities
  • Travel Insurance
  • Personal Expenses
  • Flight costs (please request a quote)
  • Additional excursions during free time
  • Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
  • Passport and Applicable Visa Expenses
  • Government arrival and departure taxes
  • Pre- and Post Land Arrangements
  • Fuel Surcharge - to be invoiced separately
  • Meals ashore
  • Baggage, cancellation and personal insurance (which is strongly recommended).
  • Excess baggage charges and all items of a personal nature such as laundry, bar, beverage charges and telecommunication charges.
  • Medical travel insurance, including emergency medical attention and evacuation coverage with a minimum of $100,000 of evacuation coverage is required.

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Our guide and driver were very good with their knowledge and were very helpful with our questions. It was a very pleasant visit that would have been impossible to do on our own. Hotels and restaurants were fantastic. The special places we got to go to, like the kitchens, were great. Enjoyed the entire trip!
Meyer Smolen

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