What to do on Boa Vista Island?

Boa Vista Island

The heavenly place you’ve always dreamed of

Boasting extensive white sand beaches, the island of Boa Vista is a fantastic place where natural beauty can be enjoyed calmly. There, we lose track of time, and sometimes it seems to stop.
The sands that travel through the wind from the Sahara Desert to Boa Vista make it have dunes, something rare in Cape Verde, and white sand beaches (such as on the island of Sal)
Quality hotels complement the offer, making it the paradise we all dream of, one of those idyllic places in the middle of the ocean.

How to get to Boa Vista Island?

Boa Vista Island has one of the 3 international airports in Cape Verde, Rabil Airport, Boa Vista, so you shouldn’t need many stopovers to reach the island.

Visa for Cape Verde: how to obtain?

Obtaining visas for Cape Verde depends on your country of origin and length of stay. Citizens of some countries may be visa-free, especially for short periods. For longer periods you may need to apply for a visa in advance, and others may need to apply on arrival. Find out at https://travel.gov.cv/ or contact your consular representation in advance to find out the best procedure, taking into account your case.

How to get around Boa Vista Island?

There are several ways to move around the island of Boa Vista. If you are leaving the hotel zone, you can go on an excursion. The best thing to do, if you want to have a car to drive around at your leisure, is to rent a 4×4, whether it’s a car, jeep or quad, to go around the rough and sandy terrain that is characteristic of some parts of the island.

How to buy in Boa Vista Island?

The local currency is the Cape Verde Escudo (CVE). It might be a good option to exchange some money for this local currency, to buy anything you want, especially outside the more touristic area.

What to take to Boa Vista Island?

• Sunblock
• Warm-weather clothing – but bring some more sweaters for the evenings and colder days.
• Comfortable shoes
• Camera
• Smartphone with GPS Map
• Cape Verdean Escudos
• Water to stay hydrated in the heat
• Make the most of it and visit different beaches. Each one is different and special in its own way. After all, it’s not every day that those who love the beach are in paradise.

What to visit in Boa Vista Island?

Viana Desert

Located to the north of Boa Vista Island, and close to Rabil, the Viana Desertiis a combination of volcanic rocks and white sand. At first glance, it’s an unlikely combination, right?
However, there is an explanation: the sands of the African continental coast are carried by the wind and mix with the gray sand, of volcanic origin, to create a visually fantastic effect.
Some vegetation grows between its dunes, which change location frequently “at the whim of the wind”. This small desert, only 1 km wide and 5 km long, is a must see on Boa Vista Island.
Bring water (to stay hydrated) and food. If you don’t know the place, it’s best to go with a Local Guide or on an excursion. Otherwise, use a 4×4 to explore the place, avoiding getting stuck in the sand, and take your phone in case you need to communicate with someone.

Wildlife on Boa Vista Island

Many people visit the island of Boa Vista for the opportunity to observe animals in their natural habitat, such as turtles or whales.

Turtle watching

The conditions of the beaches that exist in Boa Vista and the act of preserving much of their wild state, allow the turtles to find an ideal place to lay eggs, burying their eggs in the sand.

If you are in Cape Verde in the specific months when this phenomenon occurs, it will be an opportunity to observe turtles on Boa Vista Island. The ideal is to do it in the presence of a biologist, who will be able to explain the phenomenon, and guarantee that human intervention in the process is minimal.

Whale Watching

Whale watching on Boa Vista Island is another of the opportunities, in terms of nature tourism, that the island offers. Humpback whales, which usually go to Cape Verde between March and May to give birth, can be observed on a boat or catamaran trip, on excursions organized especially for this purpose. With the possibility of taking children from 6 years old, this can be an opportunity to enjoy a family experience that you will certainly not forget.

Beaches on Boa Vista Island

Some of the best beaches in the world can be found on Boa Vista Island. Although access is often difficult, through sandy roads, and they are almost deserted, this is also where their magic lies.

Atalanta beach

This is a postcard-worthy place. From the beach, which has small dunes and other details that make it beautiful, it is possible to observe the oxidized remains of a shipwreck in the late 60s of the last century.

To get to the beach there is no well-defined road, so it is important to go with someone who knows the way (such as a guide) or on an excursion.

If you choose to go by your own means, to have more time to explore the place, prefer a 4×4, to avoid getting stuck in the sand dunes.

Chaves Beach

After overcoming several dunes on the way to the beach, the reward is well worth it. Ideal for a walk, or to enjoy a beautiful sunset, it is also often the quiet place you sometimes need to empty your mind.
The sea is quite rough at Praia de Chavesand must be respected. But Chaves beach is one of those works of art that nature has given us, and that you will certainly love, among the many dream beaches that you can find on Boa Vista Island.

Santa Monica Beach

Considered one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, Santa Monica beach retains much of its wild aspect untouched. The fine sand where your feet sink into, the turquoise blue sea and the water at a fantastic temperature make this paradise on Earth a place not to be missed when visiting Boa Vista.

Curralinho Beach

This beach stands out, essentially, for the rocks that can be found on it. These rock formations complement the landscape. Discover Praia do curralinho.

Cultural Events on the Island of Boa Vista

Music is an important element of Cape Verdean Culture. Boa Vista has, during one weekend of the year, one of the most important festivals in the archipelago.

Festival Praia d’Cruz

The Praia D’Cruz festival, which usually takes place in mid-August, brings nationally and internationally renowned artists to the island, and is an opportunity to enjoy Creole rhythms.

Eat, Sleep and Socialize

What to eat?

In Boa Vista, there is a huge contrast between the offer in tourist areas, where there are several restaurants offering different types of food, and the rest of the island, where the offer is quite limited, even next to the beautiful beaches described above.

in the tourist area you can find traditional dishes, such as cachupa, or international food.

Where to sleep?

As already mentioned, there is a hotel offer, whether you are looking for something of high quality or something simpler to stay. Usually people stay in hotels in Sal Rei and explore the island from there.

Where to live together?

Enjoying the island’s tranquility and having the opportunity to live with the locals is, without a doubt, something special. And there are several places to hang out, most of them inside the hotels, but also outside them.

Now you know some of the reasons why you should visit the wonderful island of Boa Vista. Are you already preparing your trip?