Santo Antão has no passenger airport, so most visitors reach the island through neighbouring São Vicente.
The usual journey has three stages:
São Vicente airport or hotel → Mindelo ferry terminal → ferry to Porto Novo → road transfer to your accommodation in Santo Antão
For travellers arriving by air, it is useful to plan this as one continuous journey rather than focusing only on the ferry crossing.
If you are staying in Paul, Ribeira Grande, Ponta do Sol or another part of the north and northeast, Porto Novo is the beginning of the final road transfer rather than the end of the journey.
This guide explains how to organise the complete connection, choose a suitable ferry, travel directly from São Vicente Airport when the timings work, arrange the onward journey from Porto Novo and plan the return without putting an important flight at risk.
Operational information in this guide was checked in October 2026. Ferry schedules, fares and operator rules can change, so confirm the service available for your travel date before relying on a connection.
São Vicente to Santo Antão at a Glance
Nearest airport: Cesária Évora International Airport (VXE), São Vicente
Ferry departure: Mindelo / Porto Grande
Arrival port: Porto Novo, Santo Antão
Current operators: CV Interilhas and Nôs Ferry
Scheduled crossing: allow around 1 hour
Airport → central Mindelo: around 15 minutes by taxi under normal conditions
Porto Novo → many northern accommodation areas: allow roughly another hour
Current published CV Interilhas fare for non-national passengers: 1,500 CVE one way
Best source for departures: the operators’ live schedules
For the wider maritime network, see Cape Verde Ferries.
For flights to São Vicente from other islands, see Domestic Flights in Cape Verde.
The Complete Journey from São Vicente Airport to Your Hotel
For a traveller arriving by air, plan the connection as a sequence of transfers:
flight arrival → baggage collection → airport transfer → ferry check-in → waiting → ferry → disembarkation → Porto Novo transfer → hotel
If you are already staying in Mindelo, the first part disappears.
If you land at Cesária Évora International Airport and want to continue directly to Santo Antão, the arrival time must leave enough margin for baggage collection, the journey into Mindelo and the check-in requirement of the ferry you book.
After reaching Porto Novo, many visitors still have close to another hour of road travel before reaching the main accommodation areas used for hiking and touring in the north.
Count that complete block when deciding what you can realistically do on the arrival day.
From Cesária Évora Airport to the Mindelo Ferry Terminal
Cesária Évora International Airport lies about 5 km southwest of central Mindelo.
The road journey into the city is roughly 10–11 km and normally takes around 15 minutes by taxi under ordinary conditions.
If you are connecting directly to Santo Antão, ask to be taken to the ferry terminal rather than to central Mindelo.
A pre-arranged transfer is useful when the connection is time-sensitive because the driver can work around:
- your flight arrival;
- the ferry you intend to take;
- the correct terminal;
- any change to the planned connection.
If you are spending the night in São Vicente first, the connection becomes much easier to manage. Mindelo can also form part of the trip rather than functioning simply as a stop between the airport and the ferry.
See our São Vicente Travel Guide.
Can You Go Straight from São Vicente Airport to Santo Antão?
A same-day connection is possible when the flight arrives early enough to collect baggage, reach the port and meet the ferry operator’s check-in requirement.
Work backwards from the check-in deadline, rather than from the published ferry departure.
The current requirements differ between the two operators.
CV Interilhas currently requires passengers to check in at least one hour before departure.
Nôs Ferry’s current terms ask passengers to arrive 30 minutes before departure.
Check the requirement attached to the service you actually book.
For example, if your flight lands at 13:30 and a CV Interilhas ferry departs at 15:00, the current 14:00 check-in deadline leaves only 30 minutes from scheduled landing — before baggage collection and the road transfer to Mindelo are considered.
A later ferry may provide a comfortable connection.
If the timings remain tight, spend the night in Mindelo and take a morning ferry. You then arrive in Santo Antão rested and with much more of the day available.
Arrange My São Vicente to Santo Antão Transfer
Send us your arrival flight and accommodation. We can organise the airport pickup, ferry connection and onward transfer from Porto Novo.
Mhttps://capeverde-trip.com/contact/indelo to Porto Novo by Ferry
Ferries leave from Mindelo on São Vicente and arrive at Porto Novo, on the southeastern side of Santo Antão.
This is the standard passenger route to the island.
Two operators currently serve the connection:
- CV Interilhas
- Nôs Ferry
There are currently several opportunities to cross on many days, but departure times can change between operating periods.
For current services, use:
CV Interilhas – Routes & Schedules
Use the live operator schedules when planning the trip rather than a timetable copied from an older travel guide, forum or blog post.
How Long Is the Ferry from São Vicente to Santo Antão?
For itinerary planning, allow around one hour between the scheduled departure and arrival.
CV Interilhas also publishes a reference travel time of approximately 40 minutes for São Vicente–Santo Antão, while individual scheduled services may show roughly one hour between departure and arrival.
The crossing is short compared with many other ferry routes in Cape Verde.
Ferry check-in and the road journey after Porto Novo add considerably more time to the overall journey.
Choosing Between CV Interilhas and Nôs Ferry
Both operators provide the connection between São Vicente and Santo Antão.
When you are ready to book, compare:
- the service available on your date;
- departure and arrival times;
- check-in requirements;
- fare;
- ticket conditions;
- how the sailing fits with your flight, hotel or next activity.
The difference in check-in time can matter when you are connecting directly from a flight.
CV Interilhas
CV Interilhas operates São Vicente–Santo Antão as part of its wider inter-island network.
Tickets are currently available through the company website, ticket offices and authorised channels.
Passengers should carry valid photo identification, and the passenger details should match those on the ticket.
The current published rule requires check-in at least one hour before departure.
Nôs Ferry
Nôs Ferry also operates the São Vicente–Santo Antão route.
Its official website currently provides timetable information and online ticket sales.
Current terms ask passengers to arrive 30 minutes before departure.
For both companies, check the current conditions attached to your sailing before travel.
How to Check the Current Ferry Timetable
Check both operators once your travel date is known.
A practical sequence is:
- note your flight arrival or hotel departure time in São Vicente;
- check the available CV Interilhas and Nôs Ferry sailings;
- apply the check-in requirement for that operator;
- add the journey to the ferry terminal;
- choose a sailing with enough margin;
- arrange your transfer from Porto Novo after the ferry is confirmed.
For the return journey, repeat the process in reverse.
Schedules can change by operating period, so use the actual date rather than assuming the same departures operate every day throughout the year.
Ferry Tickets, Current Fare and Check-in
The current published CV Interilhas fare for a non-national passenger between São Vicente and Santo Antão is 1,500 CVE one way.
This fare was checked in October 2026 and may change.
Nôs Ferry publishes its own current prices and booking conditions.
For CV Interilhas, passengers currently need:
- a valid ticket;
- photo identification;
- passenger details matching the ticket;
- check-in completed at least one hour before departure.
Nôs Ferry has its own check-in conditions, including the current 30-minute arrival requirement.
Buying the ticket in advance can simplify the day of travel, especially when the ferry forms part of a longer airport-to-hotel connection.
For general information about ferry tickets, baggage and vehicle transport throughout the archipelago, see Cape Verde Ferries.
The Crossing and Sea Conditions
The ferry crosses the Canal de São Vicente between the two islands.
On a clear day, the mountains of Santo Antão are visible across the channel and become increasingly prominent as the vessel approaches Porto Novo.
Sea conditions vary with wind and Atlantic swell. A calm crossing one day can feel quite different from the same route on another.
Travellers who are prone to seasickness may want to:
- take their usual motion-sickness medication before departure;
- eat appropriately beforehand;
- remain hydrated;
- follow crew guidance about passenger areas.
Weather and operational conditions can also affect schedules.
Leave more margin when the ferry sits immediately before a critical flight or another connection that would be difficult to replace.
From Porto Novo to Your Accommodation
Porto Novo is the ferry arrival point, but many visitors stay in other parts of Santo Antão.
Popular areas include:
- Paul;
- Ribeira Grande;
- Ponta do Sol;
- villages and guesthouses in the Paul and Ribeira Grande valleys;
- accommodation close to hiking routes elsewhere on the island.
For many stays in the north, allow roughly another hour of road travel after Porto Novo.
Transport options include shared aluguers, taxis, private transfers and rental vehicles.
Shared transport commonly gathers around ferry arrivals and can be economical, although departure may depend on passenger demand.
A private transfer can be useful when you:
- have significant luggage;
- arrive later in the day;
- are staying away from a main town;
- want to make stops on the journey;
- have an activity arranged after arrival.
Include this road sector when deciding which ferry best fits your day.
Coastal and Mountain Transfer Options
The journey from Porto Novo to northern Santo Antão can follow two very different routes.
The modern coastal road is generally the faster transfer.
The old mountain road through Cova and Estrada da Corda takes longer and passes through some of the island’s most dramatic highland scenery.
For an early arrival, the transfer can become part of the first day’s programme:
Porto Novo → mountain viewpoints → Cova area → Ribeira Grande / Paul / Ponta do Sol
A scenic transfer can take around two hours or more when stops are included.
For travellers who want to reach the hotel efficiently, the coastal route is usually more practical.
With enough daylight available, the mountain route can turn the journey to the accommodation into the first sightseeing experience on Santo Antão.
Turn the Transfer into Your First Santo Antão Experience
We can arrange a direct transfer or a scenic route through the mountains according to your arrival time and itinerary.
Hiking on Arrival Day
An early ferry may leave enough daylight for a short walk, viewpoints or a scenic transfer.
For a demanding hike, include the road journey from Porto Novo and the available daylight before fixing the start time.
Many trailheads are another 45–90 minutes or more from the ferry terminal.
A practical arrival day might therefore be:
morning ferry → scenic transfer → viewpoints or short walk → hotel
followed by a full hiking day the following morning.
This works especially well on trekking-focused itineraries, where preserving the next full day is more valuable than forcing a major hike into the arrival afternoon.
Taking a Rental Car to Santo Antão
Vehicle transport is possible on suitable ferry services, but confirm two things before booking a vehicle space.
First, check that the ferry you intend to use can transport the vehicle.
Second, check the rental agreement.
The rental company decides whether its vehicle may leave São Vicente and travel to Santo Antão.
For many visitors, using separate transport arrangements on each island is simpler than taking the same rental car on the ferry.
Local drivers and transfers are also useful for point-to-point hikes, where the trail finishes far from where it started.
Planning the Return to São Vicente
Plan the return from Santo Antão before confirming the outbound connection.
If your international flight leaves from São Vicente, the complete journey home may be:
hotel in Santo Antão → Porto Novo → ferry → Mindelo → airport → international flight
Start with the flight departure time and work backwards.
Check:
- the ferry available that morning;
- the operator’s check-in requirement;
- road travel from your accommodation to Porto Novo;
- the transfer from Mindelo to the airport;
- the airline’s airport arrival requirements;
- what happens if the ferry schedule changes.
A same-day ferry and international flight can work when the flight departs sufficiently late and the timetable leaves a comfortable margin.
For a critical international departure, also compare that option with spending the final night in Mindelo.
For example:
Santo Antão → ferry → São Vicente → final night in Mindelo → airport next day
removes the maritime connection from the day of the international flight.
Our São Vicente + Santo Antão: 7-Day Itinerary follows this approach, returning to São Vicente before the final departure day.
Example São Vicente to Santo Antão Connection Plans
The actual hours depend on the live ferry schedule, but three patterns cover many trips.
Comfortable Same-Day Connection
arrive São Vicente → collect baggage → airport transfer → ferry check-in → Porto Novo → transfer to hotel
This works when the flight arrival leaves a generous margin before the operator’s check-in deadline.
Overnight in Mindelo
arrive São Vicente → transfer to Mindelo → overnight → morning ferry → Santo Antão
This can leave most of the following day available in Santo Antão while avoiding a rushed airport-to-ferry connection.
Starting from Mindelo
hotel → ferry terminal → Porto Novo → coastal or scenic transfer → accommodation
This is the simplest version and allows the sailing to be selected around what you plan to do after reaching Santo Antão.
What to Book First
If Santo Antão forms part of a wider Cape Verde trip, a practical sequence is:
- Flight to or from São Vicente – establish the fixed arrival and departure times.
- Ferry – choose a service that fits those flights and the rest of the route.
- Accommodation – decide where you want to stay on Santo Antão.
- Porto Novo transfer – arrange shared or private transport according to the location and arrival time.
- Hikes and tours – place fixed activities around the confirmed transport.
- Return connection – leave appropriate margin before the flight home or next stage of the journey.
Plan Your São Vicente & Santo Antão Trip
Getting from São Vicente to Santo Antão is straightforward once the airport, ferry and road transfer are planned as one journey.
Your arrival time, ferry check-in, crossing and final road transfer determine when you actually reach the accommodation and how much of the day remains available.
Send us:
- your travel dates;
- arrival and departure flights;
- accommodation, if already booked;
- number of travellers;
- luggage;
- hiking plans;
- whether you prefer private or shared transfers.
We can organise the airport transfer, ferry tickets, Porto Novo transfer, accommodation, guides, hiking days, tours and return connection around the services available for your trip.