Ilhéu Raso Island

Ilhéu Raso is a small, uninhabited islet in the Barlavento (northern) group of Cape Verde, administered from the municipality of São Vicente. It is notable for hosting endemic wildlife and for being largely reserved for nature conservation.

A compact volcanic islet with steep shores, it is most important for seabirds and the Raso lark, which is restricted to this island. There are no visitor facilities and visits are rare, usually arranged for scientific or conservation purposes rather than tourism.

The islet has never supported a permanent civilian population; humans have visited primarily for fishing, hunting in earlier centuries, and later for scientific surveys and conservation work. Its status and the presence of endemic species have shaped protective measures for the island and nearby waters.

Ilhéu Raso lies off the northwest coast of the Cape Verde archipelago, close to the islands of Santa Luzia and Branco. The islet sits in open Atlantic waters and is reached by boat from other Cape Verde islands when permission is granted.

• Endemic wildlife: Home to the critically endangered Raso lark, a bird species found only on this islet.
• Access and protection: Part of a protected marine and bird conservation area and has no permanent population; landings are infrequent and typically require permission.

• Ilhéu Raso is an uninhabited, strictly protected islet-plan visits only as part of an organized, permitted expedition from São Vicente (Mindelo); independent landings are generally restricted and subject to park authority approval.
• Arrange any boat access during calm sea conditions and with a knowledgeable skipper from São Vicente, since rough Atlantic swells can make landings difficult and flights/regular services are not available.
• If you gain permission to land, prioritize time with local guides who know where seabird colonies and other wildlife concentrate-those natural features are what most visitors who do get ashore come to see.