17 Best Things to Do in Boa Vista, Cape Verde (2–3 Day Guide)
From the Viana Desert to the Cabo Santa Maria shipwreck, turtles and whales: 17 things to do in Boa Vista, Cape Verde, with a 3-day itinerary.
Contents
- Quick facts
- If you only have one day
- How to see the island: three loops
- Desert, dunes and quads
- Landmarks and villages
- Beaches and water sports
- Wildlife: turtles and whales
- Other activities to do in Boa Vista Cape Verde
- A 3-day Boa Vista itinerary, where I ate and where I stayed
- Where to eat in Sal Rei
- Where to stay: Sal Rei or a resort
- Planning your trip to Boa Vista
- Boa Vista FAQ
- Planning the rest of Cape Verde?
Boa Vista is the Cape Verde island for people who want space: dunes that look like the Sahara, a shipwreck on a wild beach and kilometres of sand with almost nobody on it. I came by ferry from Praia (about eight hours), rented a car because the quads were fully booked, based myself in Sal Rei and spent 2–3 days driving loops around the north, east and south. Together with Fogo, it was my favourite island of the trip.
This guide lists 17 things to do, grouped by type, then gives you three day-by-day loops, my restaurant picks and the practical details. I visited in January 2023.
Quick facts
| Island | Boa Vista, the third-largest island of Cape Verde |
| Base | Sal Rei, the island’s main town (I stayed at Ouril Hotel Agueda, a 3-star) |
| Airport | Aristides Pereira International Airport (BVC), about 5 km from Sal Rei |
| Time needed | 2–3 days for the highlights, more if you want water sports |
| Getting around | Rental car for freedom. Book quads and buggies before you land |
| Wildlife | Loggerhead turtles from June to mid-October, humpback whales from late February to May (peak in March and April) |
| Wind | Strong and steady. Good for kitesurfing, and bring a windbreaker |
If you only have one day
- The Cabo Santa Maria shipwreck at Praia de Atalanta.
- The Viana Desert dunes, at sunrise or an hour before sunset.
- Morro Negro Lighthouse on the east coast, which feels a world away from the resorts.
How to see the island: three loops
If you are short on time, pick one direction. This is how I split it.
- North and west: Fátima Chapel, then the shipwreck at Praia de Atalanta, then sunset at Praia de Cabral near Sal Rei.
- East: Fundo de Figueiras, then Morro Negro Lighthouse.
- South: Curral Velho ruins and salt pans, the Varandinha and Curralinho dunes, then a long beach day at Santa Mónica.
You can do these with a rental car, a taxi for point-to-point days, or a guided 4×4 tour. I preferred the car.
Desert, dunes and quads
1. The Viana Desert (Deserto de Viana)
A compact stretch of Saharan-looking dunes between Rabil and Sal Rei, often listed among the seven natural wonders of Cape Verde. The dunes move with the wind, so the view changes from one day to the next and footprints disappear fast. The best light is in the first hour after sunrise or the last hour before sunset, when it is also less hot. How I visited:
2. Varandinha and Curralinho dunes
Sculpted sand in the south of the island with an end-of-the-world feel, and very few people. They are easy to combine with a stop at Santa Mónica beach (thing 13).
3. Quad biking and buggy rentals
Quads are the classic Boa Vista activity, and they are fun on sand and dirt tracks. They also get fully booked, in my case before I could reserve one. If quads are on your list, book them before you land. If not, a rental car reaches almost everything at your own pace.
Landmarks and villages
4. The Cabo Santa Maria shipwreck (Praia de Atalanta)
A rusting hull on a wide, wild beach, and the image most people have of Boa Vista. The Spanish cargo ship Cabo Santa María ran aground on 1 September 1968 on a voyage from Europe to South America, carrying, among other things, four bronze bells for the cathedral of Brasília. Islanders still remember its cargo as a providential supply during a famine, and the wreck became a symbol of the island.
You can reach it in a regular car if you take the final sandy track slowly. Park well back from the water, don’t climb the wreck and watch the currents and the shorebreak. It combines well with Fátima Chapel and the dunes nearby.
5. Nossa Senhora de Fátima Chapel
A small seaside chapel with coastal views. It is a short stop, and a good one to pair with the shipwreck.
6. Sal Rei, the island capital
Most visitors base themselves here: there are beaches, shops, ATMs and restaurants within walking distance. I liked ending an active day with a walk on Praia de Cabral (thing 12).
7. Fundo de Figueiras
A village of pastel-coloured houses with a relaxed local rhythm. We had lunch at Restaurante Mansão, a cosy garden spot with simple, tasty food and very friendly service.
“We had lunch at Restaurante Mansão, a cozy garden spot; simple, tasty and very friendly.”
8. Curral Velho ruins and salt pans
An abandoned village and old salt pans on the south coast. We walked through the ruins in almost total silence. It is raw and beautiful.
“We wandered Curral Velho’s ruins in total silence; pure Cabo Verde.”
9. Povoação Velha
A sleepy, low-slung village with traditional charm, the island’s oldest. It is a good place for a coffee and a slow walk between south-coast stops.
10. Morro Negro Lighthouse
The east-coast cliffs feel a world away from the resorts. Go in the afternoon: the coast faces east, so there is no sunset, but the light and the emptiness are magic. The tracks are bumpy, so a 4×4 helps, and the views are worth every bump. It was a perfect place to fly my drone, but Boa Vista is very windy, so keep flights short.
Beaches and water sports
11. Praia de Chaves
Close to Sal Rei and the resorts, with easy access. It suits a relaxed beach day when you don’t want a long drive.
12. Praia de Cabral, for sunset
My favourite end-of-day walk near Sal Rei. We watched the sun drop and walked back into town for dinner. It felt easy and safe.
13. Santa Mónica beach
One of the longest beaches in Cape Verde, with around 18 km of sand in the south of the island. I closed my southern loop here with a long, quiet beach day. The road to the beach is bumpy and can be rough after rain, so a 4×4 helps. There are only a few beach bars, so bring water, snacks and sunscreen. The waves can be strong and there are no lifeguards, so be careful when you swim.
14. Kitesurfing and windsurfing
The wind on Boa Vista is reliable and is strongest in winter and spring. Launch points change with conditions, so ask at a school or shop in Sal Rei for the day’s best spot. Even if you don’t ride, watching the sails race across the turquoise water is a show.
15. Snorkelling and diving
Expect Atlantic conditions: clear water on calmer days, fish over rock and reef, and the chance of bigger animals in season. If diving is a priority, plan around the wind forecast and your operator’s advice.
Wildlife: turtles and whales
16. Loggerhead turtle watching (June to mid-October)
Boa Vista is one of the best places in Cape Verde to see nesting loggerhead turtles. They nest from June to mid-October, with the peak in August, and hatchlings head for the sea from September to early November.
Watch them on a guided night walk with an operator that works with the conservation groups. The rules protect the animals: only red light, no white light or flash, keep your distance, and never touch a turtle or block its path to the sea. Dress warmly for the breeze, bring insect repellent and water, and expect a late start and a slow pace. Book at least a day ahead in high season, because tours sell out.
17. Humpback whale watching (late February to May)
Humpback whales pass near Boa Vista from late February to May, with March and April the peak. Some boat trips last around four hours. Swell and wind can be strong, so pick a calm day and a reputable operator, and plan for seasickness if you are prone to it. Sightings are never guaranteed, but this is one of the best things to do here for families and wildlife lovers. ç
Other activities to do in Boa Vista Cape Verde
Visit other Cape Verde Island:
Do not miss the opportunity of visiting Praia (Santiago), Sal island, or Pico do Fogo, you have more information on this blog from my personal travels.
A 3-day Boa Vista itinerary, where I ate and where I stayed
This is how I covered the island from Sal Rei, one area per day.
| Day | Route | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1. North and west | Fátima Chapel, then the shipwreck at Praia de Atalanta, then sunset at Praia de Cabral | Dinner back in Sal Rei |
| 2. East | Fundo de Figueiras for lunch, then Morro Negro Lighthouse, then back to Sal Rei | A 4×4 helps on the lighthouse tracks. Evening drinks in town |
| 3. South | Curral Velho ruins and salt pans, then the Varandinha and Curralinho dunes, then Santa Mónica beach | A long, quiet beach day to end the loop |
The Viana Desert is not in my route, but it fits well at sunrise on day 1 or in the late afternoon on day 2. With two days, drop day 3 or combine the east and south stops.
Where to eat in Sal Rei
These are the three places I liked after several meals. A typical dinner cost me [[price]]
- El Mirador de Boavista: a Spanish touch and good seafood. We went back more than once, and it is worth reserving.
- Cabo Baby: small, partly Italian, casual and friendly.
- Porton di nos Ilha: a bigger menu, touristy, with seafood options.
Where to stay: Sal Rei or a resort
Sal Rei is walkable, with local food, sunset beaches and easy logistics. I stayed at Ouril Hotel Agueda, a 3-star with good quality for the price. Resorts on the coast give you comfort, a beach on the doorstep and tours from the lobby, but I would happily base myself in Sal Rei again for the restaurants and sunsets.
Planning your trip to Boa Vista
Best time to visit
It depends on what you want to see. Whales pass from late February to May, turtles nest from June to mid-October, and the wind is strongest in winter and spring, which suits kitesurfers. For calmer seas and beach time, aim for the shoulder periods. Check the local forecast, because conditions change fast on Atlantic islands.
How to get to Boa Vista
Most visitors fly directly to Aristides Pereira International Airport, a few kilometres from Sal Rei. If you are hopping between islands, flights save a lot of time. I took the ferry from Praia, which took about eight hours: scenic, but long. CV Interilhas is the main ferry operator, and ferry reliability varies by route, so check the schedule the day before you sail.
How to get around
Taxis work for point-to-point days, but I loved the freedom of a rental car. Take a 4×4 if you want to reach Morro Negro Lighthouse and Santa Mónica without worrying about the tracks. Quads and buggies sell out, especially in high season, so book them early.
Where to Stay (Sal Rei vs. All-Inclusive Resorts)
- Sal Rei: walkable, local food, sunset beaches, easy logistics. I stayed in the Ouril Hotel Agueda (3 star hotel); good quality and affordable.
- Resorts (e.g., south coast): all-in comfort, beach on the doorstep, tours from the lobby.
But I would happily base in Sal Rei again for restaurants and sunsets.
Boa Vista FAQ
Yes. You can self-drive in a regular car and take the final sandy track slowly. Park well back from the water, don’t climb the wreck, and watch the Atlantic currents and shorebreak.
Recommended. The approach includes bumpy tracks where extra clearance helps. If you don’t want to drive, book a 4×4 tour; the views from the lighthouse cliffs are the payoff.
Two or three days cover the highlights: the Viana Desert, the shipwreck and a day at Santa Mónica. Add a day or two for water sports. Whales (late February to May) and turtles (June to mid-October) are in different seasons, so you can’t plan to see both on one trip.
See the shipwreck, the Viana Desert and Morro Negro Lighthouse, or pick one of the loops in this guide. Rent a car for freedom, or join a full-island tour if you prefer not to drive.
Boa Vista has wilder beaches, dunes, fewer towns and more open space. Sal has a bigger town feel in Santa Maria, more nightlife and more water-sports shops. If you want space, choose Boa Vista; if you want cafés and evening buzz, choose Sal, or do both.
I felt comfortable driving and walking around the main areas and beaches in daylight. Use normal common sense at night, especially on empty beaches. Stick to lit streets in Sal Rei and keep valuables out of sight.
Planning the rest of Cape Verde?
Boa Vista and Fogo were my two favourite islands. Read my Fogo guide (Pico do Fogo) or my Santiago guide (Praia and Cidade Velha), or browse all my Cape Verde guides.
Have a question about routes, quads or turtle tours? Leave a comment and I’ll answer from my own trip.
Sources:
History and wildlife facts in this guide come from: Cabo Santa María (ship), Wikipedia; Boa Vista turtle reserve, Barceló Experiences; Whale watching in Cape Verde, Cape Verde Experience; Boa Vista, Wikipedia.
