Santa Luzia
Cabo Verde's only uninhabited island — a pristine nature reserve.
Area
35 km²
Main town
(uninhabited)
Known for
Nature reserve
Santa Luzia
Photo: Wikimedia Commons contributor, CC BY-SA — Wikimedia Commons
The only island in Cabo Verde with no permanent population (it isn't counted among the inhabited islands). The whole island is a protected nature reserve and an important breeding ground for turtles and seabirds. Once inhabited, it was abandoned due to lack of water. There's no tourism development — it's a special place visited only on permitted research trips or limited boat tours.
✨Highlights
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Untouched nature
A rare, undisturbed ecosystem where turtles and seabirds thrive.
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Uninhabited
Cabo Verde's only uninhabited island, abandoned long ago for lack of water.
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Reserve
The entire island is a nature reserve; visits are limited to tours or research.