A drift in the Atlantic Ocean, one of the attractions of the Cape Verde islands is the water sports: surfing, windsurfing, diving and fishing. Travellers are also lured to the islands by the promise of scenic hikes around the dramatic terrain of these volcanic outcrops. Many off-the-beaten-track highlights are provided to help explorers discover the hidden treasures of this magical archipelago, from beautiful bays with whaling history and beaches teeming with turtles to botanical gardens and cobbled paths leading to summits high above sea level.