Cape Verde works well for families: a short-ish flight from Europe, reliable sunshine, no jet lag to speak of, and big all-inclusive resorts with pools and kids' clubs. For most families Sal is the easiest island, with safe swimming near the pier in compact, walkable Santa Maria. Wherever you go, choose the beach carefully: the Atlantic here is beautiful but not always safe to swim in.
The best islands for families
| Island | Family verdict |
|---|---|
| Sal | The easiest choice: compact, walkable Santa Maria, restaurants, resorts and safe swimming near the pier |
| Boa Vista | Quieter and wilder, big resorts, sheltered bay at Sal Rei, dunes and turtles |
| Santiago | Works with older children: history, the beach at Tarrafal and a real city |
| São Vicente | Mindelo is fun for a few days; Laginha beach is calm and in town |
| Santo Antão and Fogo | Wonderful, but long winding roads and serious walks: better with teenagers |
For a first family trip, one island is plenty. See Sal or Boa Vista? to choose between the two beach islands.
All-inclusive resorts with kids' clubs
Most family holidays to Cape Verde are built around an all-inclusive resort on Sal or Boa Vista. These six have a dedicated kids' club and children's pools. They are listed by what they offer children, not ranked.
Check the sea, not just the pool. All four Sal resorts here are a few kilometres west of Santa Maria town, on a more open stretch of coast than the beach by the pier. One family travel blogger staying at Riu Palace Santa Maria found the sea outside the hotel too rough for the children and walked to the pier, where it was calmer. Ask the hotel before you book whether its beach is usually swimmable in your month, and read what to do if the red flag is up.
Meliá Dunas Beach Resort & Spa
The only resort on this list with clubs for babies and teenagers as well as children: from six months to 17.
- Baby club (6 months–4), kids' club (5–12), teen club (13–17)
- On-site aqua park and splash park
- Beachfront, about 4 km west of Santa Maria
Riu Palace Santa Maria
A large, modern resort with the Splash Water World water park and a children's pool with slides.
- RiuLand kids' club for ages 4–7 and 8–12
- Splash Water World water park on site
- Beachfront, roughly 3.5 km west of the pier
Meliá Tortuga Beach
A family resort with a kids' club every day. One family with toddlers found little organised for very young children, so it suits school-age kids best.
- Kids' club for ages 5–12, seven days a week
- Two children's pools
- Beachfront, a five-minute drive from Santa Maria
Riu Funana
The family hotel in the RIU complex on Sal, next to the adults-only Riu Cabo Verde.
- RiuLand kids' club
- Children's pool
- 24-hour all-inclusive
Riu Touareg
A huge resort on its own on the south coast, near Santa Mónica. Plan on the pools: this is open Atlantic, and Sal Rei is about 35 km away.
- RiuLand kids' club daily, ages 4–7 and 8–12
- Children's pool and a separate infants' pool, heated in winter
- About 40–50 minutes from the airport
Riu Palace Boavista
Next to the adults-only Riu Karamboa, whose Splash Water World water park guests can use.
- RiuLand kids' club for ages 4–7 and 8–12
- Children's pool with slides and a small children's pool
- Water park at neighbouring Riu Karamboa
Facilities checked against the hotels' own websites and major booking sites in October 2026; we have not stayed at these resorts. Kids' club ages and opening days can change, so always check the room, board, photos and conditions on the booking site before you book. "Check prices" links go to Booking.com and other booking sites via our partner Stay22; we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. How this works.
Travelling without children? Riu Cabo Verde, Meliá Llana and Robinson Cabo Verde on Sal, and Riu Karamboa on Boa Vista, are adults-only. See all-inclusive in Cape Verde for whether it is worth it at all.
Safe swimming with children
This matters more than anything else on this page. Cape Verde's water is warm, but the Atlantic swell, currents and shore break are serious, and most beaches have no lifeguards.
| Good for children | Not for children |
|---|---|
| Santa Maria, at the pier end (Sal) | Ponta Preta and Kite Beach (Sal) |
| The bay at Sal Rei (Boa Vista) | Santa Mónica and the east coast (Boa Vista) |
| Tarrafal (Santiago) | Open-ocean beaches without shelter |
| Laginha and Baía das Gatas (São Vicente) | São Pedro (São Vicente) |
Ask at your hotel each morning, watch where local families swim, and keep young children within arm's reach. More detail: where it is safe to swim.
Things children love
Resort pools carry the mornings; these are the outings worth making.
- Catamaran and boat trips from Santa Maria, with a swim and snorkelling stop.
- Floating in the salt pans at Pedra de Lume: you cannot sink, and children find it hilarious.
- Lemon sharks at Shark Bay, wading in shallow water with a guide.
- Quad and 4x4 desert tours on Boa Vista, with the Viana Desert and the shipwreck.
- Wildlife in season: turtle watching from June to October and whale watching from March to May. Turtle tours run late at night, so they suit older children.
Family-friendly tours
Most operators take children; check minimum ages and pick-up times when you book. Prices are shown on GetYourGuide.
Catamaran trip from Santa Maria
- Sail along Sal's west coast
- Swim and snorkelling stop
- Pick-up available
Boa Vista island tour
- Full day with hotel pick-up
- Viana Desert, Curral Velho, Ervatão beach
- Swim stop and lunch break
Sal island tour with a local guide
- About 6 hours, hotel pick-up
- Buracona Blue Eye, Pedra de Lume salt crater, Palmeira
- Private option available
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Practical family tips
- Flights from north-west Europe take around six hours, with no significant time difference. See flight times.
- Sun protection: the breeze hides the strength of the sun. Hats, UV tops and reef-safe sunscreen, reapplied often.
- Shade is limited on most beaches; resorts have parasols, wild beaches do not.
- Water: drink bottled or filtered water.
- Medication: bring what your children need; pharmacies are limited outside the main towns. See health and vaccinations.
- Buggies and sand do not mix; a carrier is easier on the smaller islands.
- Car seats are rarely provided by taxis or aluguers; bring your own if that matters to you. See car rental.
- Food: resorts cater to children; in local restaurants, grilled fish, chicken, rice and chips are easy wins. See food and drink.
The best time to go with children
For a family beach holiday, November to March is warm rather than hot, though it is also the windiest period, which makes the sea choppier. May, June and October are calmer and quieter. August and September are hottest and bring the little rain that falls.
If your children are keen on wildlife, plan around the seasons: turtles hatch from August to November, humpbacks pass from March to May. See best time to visit.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cape Verde good for families with children?
Yes. Flights from north-west Europe take around six hours with no significant time difference, the sun is reliable, and Sal and Boa Vista have family-friendly all-inclusive resorts with calm swimming bays nearby.
Which Cape Verde island is best for families?
Sal is the easiest, with a walkable resort town and safe swimming near the pier. Boa Vista suits families who want a quieter, resort-based holiday with dunes and wildlife.
Which all-inclusive resorts in Cape Verde have kids' clubs?
On Sal, Meliá Dunas (with a baby club from six months and a teen club), Riu Palace Santa Maria, Meliá Tortuga Beach and Riu Funana all have kids' clubs and children's pools. On Boa Vista, Riu Touareg and Riu Palace Boavista have the RiuLand club for ages 4 to 12. Riu Cabo Verde, Meliá Llana, Robinson Cabo Verde and Riu Karamboa are adults-only.
Is the sea safe for children in Cape Verde?
Only in sheltered spots. Many open beaches have strong currents and are unpatrolled, so stick to protected bays such as the pier end of Santa Maria, the bay at Sal Rei, Tarrafal on Santiago or Baía das Gatas, and supervise closely.
Is there jet lag flying to Cape Verde?
No. The islands are within an hour or two of UK and central European time, so children usually settle straight away.
What can children do in Cape Verde besides the beach?
Catamaran and glass-bottom boat trips, snorkelling, floating in the salt pans at Pedra de Lume, quad and 4x4 desert tours, and in season turtle or whale watching.
Do you need vaccinations for Cape Verde with children?
There are no compulsory vaccinations for most travellers, but check routine jabs and travel advice with your doctor well before you go. See our health guide.
Is Cape Verde suitable for babies and toddlers?
Yes, with a resort base. Shade is limited on the beaches, buggies do not roll on sand, and specialist baby products are hard to find, so bring what you rely on.