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Mindelo (Sao Vicente Island Cape Verde)

Cruise Port schedule, live map, terminals, news

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Mindelo cruise port

Region
Africa - Indian Ocean Islands

Local Time
2024-11-24 18:34

min: 73 °F (22 °C) / max: 76 °F (25 °C) 76°F
24.2°C
Wind: 20°/ 7.3 m/s Gust: 7.1 m/sWind: 20°/ 7.3 m/s Gust: 7.1 m/sMod. breeze
7.3 m/s
Min / Max Temperature76 °F / 25 °C
73 °F / 23 °C
  Port Map

Port Mindelo cruise ship schedule shows timetable calendars of all arrival and departure dates by month. The port's schedule lists all ships (in links) with cruises going to or leaving from Mindelo, Sao Vicente Island Cape Verde. To see the full itineraries (ports of call dates and arrival / departure times) and their lowest rates – just follow the corresponding ship-link.

DayShipArrivalDeparture
4 May, 2025
Sunday
Crystal Cruises Cruises cruise lineCrystal Symphony08:0018:00

Porto Grande/Mindelo Port is Cape Verde's largest seaport located on Sao Vicente Island - one of the Barlavento Group's Cape Verde Islands. Sao Vicente is located between Santo Antao Island and Santa Luzia Island.

Mindelo Port (locode CVMIN) is usually visited by international cruise shipping companies which vessels make stops during seasonal Transatlantic crossings between Europe and South America (RepositionCruises.com).

Sao Vicente Island has a total population of around 80,000, land area of 227 km2 (88 mi2), length of 24 km (15 mi), width of 16 km (10 mi) and highest elevation point (Monte Verde) 725 m (2379 ft).

The island was discovered by the Portuguese in 1462 - on the St Vincent's Day (January 22) after who it is named. Due to the lack of fresh water, it was initially used only for grazing cattle by proprietors from the Santo Antao Island. Mindelo's natural harbour attracted pirates, which led to building a port fortification in 1734. Until 1795 the island was practically uninhabited. In the mid-19th century was established its first settlement - Nossa Senhora da Luz, in 1819, the village was renamed Leopoldinha. In 1838 was once again renamed to Mindelo,

In 1838, in Porto Grande was established a coal deposit to supply Transatlantic ships on their crossing routes.

Sao Vicente was the first Cape Verde island to abolish slavery.

In 1874, were established telegraph lines (via Madeira Island) connecting the island with Recife Brazil.

In the early 20th century, diesel ships started to replace steamships. The island's importance as a coal deposit port fell, and its economy declined.

As Sao Vicente lacks rain and natural resources, its current-day economy is mainly based on commerce and services.

There is an islet/small isle called Ilheu dos Passaros (north of Mindelo Bay), at ~2 km (1 mi) from the mainland.

Mindelo cruise terminal

Until 2024, cruise ships to Mindelo anchored off Porto Grande (on Sao Vicente Island's west-northern coast) and their passengers were transported/ferried ashore via the ship's tender boats.

In 2024 was completed the Mindelo Cruise Terminal. The modern facility features a large Quay (length 400 m/1312 ft) with max draft/water depth 11 m/36 ft that allows simultaneous berthing of two large vessels. The Terminal's Welcome Building is sized 900 m2/9688 ft2 and has a Reception Hall and a separate part for administrative services.  The facility is also fitted with shore power equipment allowing docked ships to turn off their diesel engines nad connect to the city's power grid, thus reducing noise and pollution.

The Mindelo Cruise Terminal project was co-funded by ORIO (financed by the Netherlands' Ministry of Foreign Affairs) and the OPEC Fund for International Development (1976-established by petroleum exporting countries finance institution).

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