Maio
the island of Peace

Maio belongs to the Leeward group of islands and is located south of the island of Boavista and east of Santiago.

Little Maio, which resembles a cotton ball in the blue ocean, with its white beaches and crystal clear sea, is an untouched paradise: time has stood still here.

ELECTED UNESCO BIOSPHERE RESERVE IN 2020

This mostly marine biosphere reserve is home to several endemic species, including turtles and cetaceans, as well as an abundance of fish, seabirds and marine reptiles.

How to get there

By plane: only from Santiago, flights to Maio only go 3 times a week and take 15 minutes.

By ferry: from Santiago.

Highlights

Vila do Maio and its salt flats

The pretty island capital is also called Porto Ingles, surrounded by expanses of salt, extracted and processed by hand.

Bitche Rocha

Heavenly beach with an expanse of fine white sand.

Ponta Preta beach

A very picturesque beach about 5 km long and characterised by a very wide shoreline of golden sand.

Salgada land

The largest Protected Area on the island of maio: an interesting ecosystem characterised by the presence of wide beaches, chosen by caretta caretta turtles for laying their eggs, and by migratory birds.

Calheta and its forest

A fishing village with an authentic atmosphere.
Here begins the largest forest area in Cape Verde with countless acacia trees that continue for kilometres.

Ribeira Dom João

In the south-east of Maio, about 10 km from the capital, there is a tiny village with an enchanting bay and a deeply turquoise sea.

Penoso mount

The highest point on the island with an altitude of 437 m, whose summit offers a wonderful view.

Best time to go

It is hot all year round. The wettest months are August, September until mid-October. The windiest months are from late November until mid-May, with the peak from mid-January to mid-March.

Free cancellation