Diving & Travel Guide to Raso & Branco Islets, Cape Verde

About Raso & Branco Islets

The Raso and Branco Islets form a protected nature reserve in the central Cape Verde archipelago, offering some of the most remote and pristine diving in the entire Atlantic region. These two small uninhabited islets sit exposed in the open ocean between Sao Nicolau and Sao Vicente, accessible only by liveaboard vessel or multi-day expedition boats departing from the larger islands. Raso Islet features dramatic walls where Atlantic currents concentrate large schools of barracuda, jacks, and various shark species, while Branco Islet is renowned for its nurse shark populations and encounters with large pelagic species including tuna and wahoo. The nature reserve status has preserved these underwater ecosystems in exceptional condition, with healthy coral communities, abundant invertebrate life, and fish populations that have been depleted on more accessible islands. The islets serve as critical seabird nesting colonies, and the marine environment supports an extraordinary food chain from microscopic plankton to apex predators. Diving here requires expedition-level planning and experience, as the remote location means no nearby emergency services and potentially challenging conditions. For qualified divers willing to undertake the journey, the Raso and Branco Islets represent Cape Verde's ultimate diving experience with underwater environments that rival the best remote diving destinations anywhere in the Atlantic.

Highlights

• ✓Protected nature reserve with pristine untouched marine ecosystems
• ✓Large schools of barracuda and jacks at Raso Islet walls
• ✓Nurse shark populations at Branco Islet
• ✓Expedition-level remote diving in the open Atlantic
• ✓Critical seabird nesting colonies above healthy reef systems
• ✓Liveaboard access ensuring uncrowded conditions

Getting There

Raso & Branco Islets is accessible via domestic flights from Sal or Boa Vista international airports, or by inter-island ferry services. The island's dive sites are reached by boat from the main harbour, with most sites within thirty to sixty minutes of the departure point. Multiple dive operators run daily trips during the diving season, and the compact island size makes all sites easily accessible. The tropical climate ensures warm temperatures year-round with the best diving conditions from May through November when winds subside and visibility peaks.