From its magnificent beaches to the most beautiful dunes of the Viana Desert, the island of Boavista is an enchanted pearl in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. It is for this reason that on this page we offer several options for adventure and adrenaline that can make your vacation very enjoyable and as much fun as possible.

Below, you will find diversified activities and services offered by different companies in these sectors, so that you can visit the various tourist spots on the island on trips to stunning places with complete safety and fun. Choose where to go and what places you are most interested in seeing and visiting, following organized or adventurous tracks. In Boa Vista it is good to get lost in romantic walks and immerse yourself in the wild nature of Cape Verde, as there are no wild animals (dangerous or poisonous). Each season has its attractions. Choose when to come to Boavista by comparing the excursions listed here and the seasons, but in case you have any doubt, come whenever you like as the sun is shining all year round.

Viana Desert
AN EXTENSION OF THE SAHARA IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ATLANTIC OCEAN

Boavista contains a real desert in the northwestern part of the island, the Viana desert. Just one kilometer long and about 5 km long, it is characterized by a light sand mixed with grains of black earth. The ocean winds continuously transport huge volumes of sand from the African continent, depositing them on the island of Boavista due to the conformation of the land and the proximity to the mainland. This sand creates real desert dunes, interspersed with a sparse vegetation and some very dark volcanic rocks. The result of this phenomenon is a rainbow of colors and the rapid passage of clouds projects onto the ground an alternation of almost hypnotic light and shadow.

The lunar landscape, amplified by the total lack of artificial sounds, makes this place an obligatory stopping point: it is possible to walk without difficulty, in the tranquility of being a few steps from civilization, without the danger of encountering poisonous animals or quicksand.

This little desert of sand in the ocean is protected by the Cape Verdean government, which prohibits the circulation of motor vehicles and promotes the construction of real “walls” stones to limit the movement of sand dunes, which seem annually to progress towards the coast. Living a desert adventure has never been easier!

Whale Watching
THE GREAT WHALES OF BOA VISTA

In Boa Vista it is possible to closely observe whales: groups of North Atlantic Humpback whales come to Cape Verde to give birth, normally in spring from March to May, but the period can vary according to the climate of the previous winter.

The boat ride along the shores of Boavista (catamaran or motor boat) takes about 3 hours and the probability of seeing the whales during this time is very high. Whale sightings in Cape Verde are frequent, but they seem to favor Boa Vista because of the currents that carry their favorite food: krill (plankton). Over the years, their number has increased, a sign that Boa Vista is a favorable environment for them.

Whale watching contributes to raising visitors’ awareness of the protection of these fascinating sea creatures. Whale watching is a very pleasant activity, without dangers, that is thrilling for both adults and children, because it allows total immersion in nature in complete safety

Stargazing
Dinner in the Boa Vista desert with stargazing

Just as the ancient sailors arrived on the coast of Cape Verde following the stars, you too can learn to recognize them: this incredible evening experience will make you rediscover the magic of being surrounded by the silent of the nature, under a starry sky with the assistance of expert guides.

With the help of powerful telescopes, lasers, tablets and the right latitude it is possible to learn how to recognize constellations and asterisms, planets and objects further away such as galaxies and nebulae. The moon will be photographable as you have never seen it, as well as Jupiter and Saturn (in their period), the Pleiades and much more. The darkness of the African night will make you express wishes whenever you see a shooting star!

The experience aims to intrigue you, with a scientific and a romantic view, with which you can go home and be able to recognize some objects of the sky, even with naked eyes, to impress friends and family with suggestive stories to tell about myths and legends of various cultures. In addition you will be taught how to use the astronomical applications on tablets and phones to repeat the experience at your home.

Although like a grain of sand in the ocean, Boavista is a place where you can feel “part of the planet”, with its animals, its volcanic earth, its sea, its climate and even its starry sky. The location without dangers, the convenience of transportation, an excursion suitable for all ages, exquisite dinner, pontch and local desserts, the ability of guides and a little technology will give you an evening full of memories. Enthusiasm is assured for everyone, while rediscover the beauty of the night sky, often taken for granted but always present throughout life.

Turtle Watching
A WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE

Cape Verde is the world third reserve for the number of Caretta Caretta turtle nests, after Omani and Florida. Boavista is the island where they nest more. The guided tours to observe the deposition of sea turtles take place at night from July to mid-October. August is the peak month of the spawning season.

The observation of the turtles contributes to the survival of these ancient creatures, showing to the inhabitants of the archipelago that a living turtle is worth more than a dead one. In fact, once they were very hunted and sold to the market for their bones and their meat. Unfortunately turtle eggs are still today a dish that is consumed illegally in some areas of the archipelago.

Often the turtles that reach the beach do not lay their eggs because they can’t find a suitable place on it. Sometimes just a noise, a type of sand too hard or an annoying light may them recede. However, the possibility of seeing at least one turtle during the summer season is almost 100% guaranteed.

Boat Trip
SAILING IN BOA VISTA

In Boavista you can take a boat ride to relax in the peaceful Sal-Rei bay. The boat ride along the coast (by sailboat or motorboat) takes about 3 hours and, for some boats, it is possible to go down to the Djeu islet beach. The sea is always calm inside the bay and there is always a stop to bathe in the crystal clear waters of Boavista.

Depending on the type of trip, it starts from the small city pier or from the industrial port, and with a small dinghy you get on board the boats. It heads for the dunes of Morro de Areia, then pauses for a while to relax in the sun. If the sea allows it, there is also the circumnavigation of the islet, where birds of various types are often seen and on board the crew celebrate with music and local dances. Relaxing trips are also available, for adults only, without entertainment, for sunbathing and relaxing with a cocktail and a good buffet. On the boats there is a photo service, which can be purchased directly on board.

Quad Tour
The experience of a quad ride through the golden dunes of Boa Vista, dirt roads full of clay, areas of volcanic eruptions, tropical oases and fabulous beaches is one of those things to do absolutely.

It is fantastic to be able to follow winding paths surrounded by nature, far from the city and everyday life. You will be immersed in the beauty of an uncontaminated island, in total safety, in the company of expert guides.

The guides speak all the languages, they will explain how to drive safely and they will tell you the wonders of Boavista, indicating the routes. During all the tours, active all year round, you can stop for a swim and take pictures (or roll in the dunes). During the tour you travel in single file, to avoid ending up in chasms or dangerous points. Cruise speed allows the driver to have everything under control.

SNORKELING, IMMERSE IN THE FABULOUS BIODIVERSITY ‘MARINA DI BOAVISTA
Cape Verde figures in the top 10 of the “Hot spots” for the biodiversity of corals, even if there are no real coral reefs, there are a number of sites rich in coral varieties. The bay of Gatas, on the NE coast of Boa Vista, perfectly combines natural conditions for both coral development and safe snorkeling.

“Gatas” refers to the local name of the feeding shark (a species not dangerous for humans). Aggregations of these shark species occur in this area during the summer. The coral community found in this bay is characterized by species of hermetic hard corals that support a particular diversity of marine life.

Snorkeling tours are only possible at high tide, because at low tide, the bay becomes very shallow and the coral heads almost protrude from the surface of the sea.

FISHING WITH BARBECUE, A NATURAL WAY TO GET THE LUNCH!

The Boavista island, like the whole sea in Cape Verde, is very fishy and lends itself easily to fishing from the boat or the beach. It is possible to catch various types of fish, with a certain ease, but this activity is thought to have fun and spend a very different day with your family or your friends. The islet of Sal-Rei, called Djeu or Ilheu (small island) is a fantastic spot for picnics and entertainment, usually on weekends and is a perfect place to camp with a table, a grill and a fridge full of ice-cold beer to enjoy the freshly caught lunch.

The beach of the islet is wonderful, quiet, where you can play or swim in total relaxation. A few steps from the beach, there is the old fort of the Duke of Bragança, a historical exhibit that can be visited by feet, where you can still see the cannons that were used in the past to defend Boavista from pirate attacks. Cooking a grilled fish is an experience that some of you have already tried, but fishing from a boat floating in the middle of a crystal clear sea, preparing it on a beautiful beach, sipping a glass of wine or a local beer, is definitely even more rewarding.

The fishing proposed here is not deep sea fishing, but fishing with rods from shallow water and directly with the wire on your hand (a very fun type of fishing), so there is no need to be already experts.

Santa Monica
A BEAUTIFUL BEACH WITH BRILLIANT COLORS

Santa Monica Beach in Boavista is one of the wonders of Cape Verde. More than 22km long, in the south-west area of the island, it attracts almost all tourists but, despite the continuous excursions, its dimensions allow any visitor to experience the feeling of being completely surrounded by unspoilt nature. Often the waves are powerful, the Atlantic Ocean here is mighty, much more than in Sal-Rei and many points on the coast offer perfect spots for experienced surfers. Especially in summer, the waves calm down and give a surreal panorama, a vastness difficult to describe, it seems almost to have the whole ocean for yourself.

Despite the lack of vegetation, it is always possible to see many types of birds that hunt where the water is lower and, when it is a period of whales (spring) it is sometimes possible to see humpback hops or puffs in the distance.

Very soon this beach will be a place of construction of large resorts, but for some time it is possible to visit it in its entirety as it was created. A small corner of paradise waiting to be explored and remembered as a pleasant experience.

Cycling in Cape Verde
Cycling in Cape Verde is represented by the Cape Verdian Cycling Federation (FCC), created on 25 November 2017, while on the islands it is represented by associations. It is also a sport widely practiced in all the islands of Cape Verde, with competitions held annually in different locations and islands, where cyclists from all over the archipelago and foreigners can participate.

On the island of Boavista, it is easy to take part in a cycling race. If you don’t have a bike, don’t worry, there are several places where you can rent quality bikes or even buy one, if you wish. For registration in the races or for more information you can contact the Regional Cycling Association of Boavista (see contact) or even the Boavista City Hall. (add link, photos and contacts of the places where bicycles are rented)

CAPOEIRA
Boavista has long been a multicultural island for welcoming people from all over the country and abroad, who bring with them their specificities, from their islands or country of origin. Euro-African emigration has influenced and generated some kind of impact on the island’s culture.

In this segment, capoeira is defined as an Afro-Brazilian martial art that combines elements of dance, acrobatics and music. It was developed by African slaves in Brazil at the beginning of the 16th century. It is known for its acrobatic and complex maneuvers, usually involving hands on the ground and inverted kicks. It emphasizes fluid movements instead of fixed postures, the ginga, a swing step, is usually the focal point of the technique. The most accepted origin of the word capoeira comes from the words tupi ka’a (forest) pau (round), which refer to areas of low vegetation in the Brazilian interior where fugitives were hiding.

Fishing in Cape Verde
Cape Verde is considered one of the best spots in the world by sport fishing lovers. Boavista Island stands out as one of the best in Cape Verde in the practice of the sport with fish that can reach hundreds of kilos, which makes the island a beautiful tourist destination in this practice, attracting sportsmen and women from all over the world, especially people who travel thousands of miles to fish the marlin.

Most boats are well equipped with fish locators and the captains respect the laws that allow larger fish to be returned to their natural habitat.

Drinking water is provided on the boats and, depending on your needs, you can bring your own drinks, if you like, to have a beer or a soda while you fish.

Sport fishing is a worldwide growing tourist product and consists of catching fish, not for trade or personal consumption, but for the pleasure of fishing. The fish, after being caught, weighed and marked, are generally discarded alive at sea.

It is a sport that can be practiced all year round in Cape Verde due to the favorable climate, but the main season for marlin fishing occurs in the hottest seasons of the year. Other fish appreciated by lovers of this sport that can be found in Cape Verde waters are: tuna, mountain and shark.

Boavista Island offers natural conditions as well as boat and equipment conditions for this kind of sport, which is increasingly present in Cape Verde.For More information can be found here on the page: FISHING AND GRILL EXCURSION

Football in Cape Verde
in Cape Verde football is the most popular sport and one of the most loved by Cape Verdeans. Practically all Cape Verdeans are fans of some European team. With these teams as the main reference and model, it is very common to find football teams with the same name and equipment as European teams in some islands of the country. It was first introduced in the country around 1910 first on the island of St. Vincent, later moved to the island of Santiago, then Sal.

Sport Sal Rei is the best known and oldest sports club on the island of Boa Vista, founded on 28 August 1951, won the first regional championship in 1994 and the first and only national championship in 2004. It has a total of 11 regional titles, 5 cups 3 supercups and 1 opening tournament. The equipment is similar in everything to that of Sport Lisboa Benfica, by initiative of a Portuguese citizen.

The Boavista Regional Championship is managed by the Regional Football Association. It is one of the main championships in the country and there are eight participating clubs. The Regional Championship was established after independence in 1978, with an Academic club winning its first title.

Boavista’s academy is the club with the most title in the regional championship, 18 in total and the second is Sport Sal-Rei Club with 11 and followed by Sporting da Boavista and Eleven Stars. The participating clubs are:

Academic and Worker Association
Africa Show
Sportive Estancia de Baixo
Northern Youth
Eleven Stars
Sal-Rei FC
Sanjoanense
Sporting

At National level, CS Mindelense based on the name of the capital of the island of São Vicente, is the oldest club in Cape Verde founded in 1919 and became official member on May 25, 1922, football was played for the first time, the second oldest is Ilha de Santiago first football club called Sporting Clube da Praia, later FC Derby founded on August 5, 1929, was founded, two years later in the same city, Vitoria FC was founded, two of the clubs were the first name of a Portuguese club. Official competition did not start until 1938 and Mindelense was the first club to win a regional title, the colonial title was then official. At the same time, the third island to have a football club was Sal, where SC Santa Maria was founded in the island’s capital, then later, in 1952, the fourth island to have a club would be Boa Vista with Esporte Sal Rei Clube.

Yoga is used to strengthen the body, focus the mind, and improve coordination, balance, flexibility, endurance, and sports performance. It is not only for young people, yoga is for all people regardless of age or physical conditioning.

Many famous surfers and windsurfers including Kelly Slater, Kauli Seadi, Francisco Goya and others practice Yoga daily while jumping, turning and twisting in all kinds of positions. What was once unknown and misunderstood by many is now captivating all levels of fitness enthusiasts around the world.

Yoga is believed to have originated in India more than 6,000 years ago, and as a consequence, there are many different ways to practice it. The most practiced (within Western societies) is Hatha Yoga. Iyengar and Ashtanga are among the best known forms of Hatha.

In Boavista morning classes are held on Wednesdays from 6:15am to 7:15am and consist of gentle warm-up exercises, sun exposure, stretching and some balancing exercises. Afternoon classes are held on Mondays and Thursdays from 7:15pm to 8:15pm. The idea of these classes is to warm up and tone the muscles, increase flexibility, relax the mind and help you start the day in the right way. Depending on ability, there are also more challenging stretches, which are based on central body strength, stability and a better sense of balance.

There is great potential for sports on the island of Boavista. Besides field and board sports, such as football, handball, volleyball and basketball, practiced by a large part of the population, the island presents resources for the development of new sports practices, the so-called extreme sports. Check out our sports page and see where you can insert yourself. Enjoy your stay in Cape Verde, especially on the island of Boavista, in a more active, dynamic and healthy way. Here you can find selected from everything, and all the sports that exist on the island.

Other sports activities such as Sport Fishing, Stand-up paddle, Diving and others have been introduced progressively over the years with the expansion and growth of the tourism sector on the islands.

Windsurf
It is a sport without limits, providing incredible sensations that will definitely make your stay on the island more fun. It is a sport accessible to all, both beginners and professionals, and you will find all the necessary equipment, both for learning in schools and for renting and enjoying a moment alone with the sea.

Professional or amateur? If you only need one piece of equipment, the island offers everything you need. If you want to venture out to sea for the first time, you can contact certified schools on the island that will be happy to give lessons for you.

There are really amazing waves in Cape Verde, that’s why you don’t have to worry about the weather conditions. Look below for information on windsurfing schools in Boavista and choose one according to the activities you like the most. Start windsurfing!

Kitesurf
Boavista is different from most other kitesurfing spots in the world. It’s the best island for kitesurfing, this is because first of all the island has many white sand beaches and a great variety of kitesurfing spots.

Secondly, it is not only perfect for beginners, but also the island offers great conditions for experienced kitesurfers.

Boavista’s kitesurfing conditions are almost perfect. Lots of sunshine and a comfortable temperature with an average of 25º, small and high waves and a constant wind of 16 to 22 knots during the kite season between November and May.However, this makes Boavista the perfect place to be and is the reason why many kitesurfers come here during the kite season.

Have you ever wondered if you can kite? If so, there’s incredible news for you. On this page you can find information you need to take your first steps in learning this sport. The schools available on Boavista Island are equipped with modern equipment for classes and to prepare you for this incredible experience.

Kitesurfing is a very popular activity on our beautiful island. Here you will be able to meet several people practicing this sport that will certainly help you in this practice. It’s good to meet new people and make new friends and companions. If you are a professional or have a lot of experience, you can rent professional equipment.

Surf
Surfing is a sport well known worldwide for the acrobatics performed by the enthusiasts of this sport, ripping the waves with their boards in a masterly way, exhibiting unique skills that make the observers enchant and glimpse with these skillful movements under the water.

In Cape Verde this sport is also practiced by several enthusiasts and tourists who come here to marvel at the weather and waters, especially the waves and winds that are very good for water and nautical sports, but although on the island of Boavista, these sports are practiced by several people, it happens that the waves the offshore winds of the island do not help to keep the waves open for a long time, but this will not prevent you from experiencing quite pleasurable.

Stand-up Paddle
SUP, or stand-up paddle, consists of rowing standing or kneeling on a board along the islet of Sal-Rei. A very fun way to explore the islet coast. It’s an impressive sport that will certainly make you feel a lot of adrenaline.

SUP tours are one of many ways to explore the slopes of the island. It is a very popular water sport because it is very easy to learn.

After a brief instruction on the beach, you will be ready to enter the water with your boards. It does not require any kind of previous experience in any kind of sport. The tour lasts about 3 hours with breaks at the beaches, caves or other points of interest.

Why do Stand-up Paddle? Besides exploring the clean waters of the slopes, wanting to take a swim or even snorkeling to observe the variety of colorful fish on the reefs, you can discover the coast from a unique perspective. The trip ends at “Ilhéu” beach, where you can visit the Duke of Bragança’s Fort, with a magnificent view of the bay of keys and the city of Sal Rei.

First time in Boa Vista? The Portal allows you to have an overview of what the island offers: beaches, entertainment or local sights. Explore the island on excursions, discover beaches like Santa Mónica and the caves of Varandinha, venture among the sand dunes of the Viana desert and relax in the Bay of Chaves. Let yourself be moved by a land where nature can be admired without disturbances! You can visit Sal-Rei, the island’s capital, get some souvenirs, do water sports or sunbathe in total relaxation. However, you may be tempted to rent a pickup and venture out on the island quietly and if necessary, you have access to the telephone network, practically everywhere, and if you use a local card, you will also have access to 4G!

African Nights

Staying in Boavista has never been easier! Choose from the various types of accommodation available in the gallery, relax in one of the resorts, which are ready to welcome you, offer you a pleasant holiday, or if you are looking for a more reserved solution and prefer the comfort of a home, there are several apartments and villas with sea views that you can rent. The more adventurous may also want to camp. The small temperature difference between day and night allows you to leave the house without needing large or heavy clothes. After a sunny day, it is normal to feel a little cold at night, but a light sweater or jacket solves the problem. On clear nights, you can see all the splendor of the Milky Way, falling into fairy tales expressing wishes under shooting stars and enjoying unforgettable sunrises and sunsets. For lovers of silence and for those who want peace, they will find each other. As well as for lovers of wild and untouched nature. On the portal, you can find all the information you need to select accommodation and what to do during the nights in Boavista.

Relax…No Stress
Boa Vista is one of the few existing paradises that still untouched and protected from invasive tourism. The services in the territory and its location make it unique for those looking for relaxation, as well as for those who want to be close to nature without great dangers. Sunbathing, relaxing, always eating in a different place, venturing out on walks that will remain in your memory, are activities for everyone, adults and children. The hotels’ equipped beaches are ready to welcome you and offer all kinds of comfort, as well as beach clubs on the coast and hotels in the city. Enjoy Cape Verdean cuisine in typical restaurants eating delicious dishes, if you miss home, order a pizza or something you are more used to. Excursions and outdoor activities will keep you closer to nature and, depending on the weather, will make you discover stunning views, wonderful animals and characteristic points of interest that will turn into beautiful memories. On the portal you will find everything you need to get excited!

A peaceful and harmless fauna
For those who love and know nature, know the various dangers that it presents in several countries. Although Cape Verde is an African country, it presents no dangers regarding to dangerous wildlife. The same goes for the island of Boavista, where there are no animals considered dangerous, such as snakes, crocodiles, scorpions or even lions and other wild cats. What we have here is an infinity of rare birds that attract observers from all over the world where many of them can be observed during excursions, including some species of eagles and hawks.

Depending on the period, the island of Boa Vista is one of the favorite destinations for migrating whales and for spawning turtles. The ocean has an explosion of colors among fish, dolphins, turtles and whales. And don’t worry about sharks: the abundance of fish in these waters keeps them away and there are no real dangers for swimmers and fishermen. Get to know on the site all the information you need to observe and fall in love with these animals.

A dinamic culture
On the portal you can learn a lot about Cape Verdean culture. From the days of the slave routes until the declaration of independence, Cape Verde has had to develop, in its ten islands, different cultures, which today are rooted and mixed. Creole is the mother tongue originally from Portuguese, while this, is the official language. Among the local population, there are hundreds of people from the Senegalese and Guinean communities. About 90% of citizens are Catholics and there are churches and religious buildings across the island. The historical and geographical section is full of details, photos and documents. The local handicrafts are quite small, most of them are originally from the African coast, but the true Cape Verdean tradition resides in music. Many Cape Verdean artists, such as singers, writers and painters, are in international markets and periodically return to their homeland for exhibitions, shows or concerts. Check the island’s calendar to see if there are any special events during your vacation. Find it on the homepage of the website or in the official app for smartphones and tablets!

Counties of Ilha Boa Vista
Boa Vista known as “the fantastic island” or the island of morna, is very peaceful and composed of zones, villages with the same vibe as an island of sea, sun and wind, its municipality is formed by: Sal Rei, Bofareira, Rabil , Estância De Baixo, the North area composed of three small villages together João Galego, Fundo das Figueiras, Cabeça dos Tarafes and Povoação Velha that the locals call “Stancha”.

Sal Rei is the only city on the island, composed of salt pans around it, which derives its name Sal Rei, formerly very important not only for raising cattle but collecting salt, as well as the island of Sal. beautiful and incredible beaches for walks and family baths like Estoril and Cabral beach.

In front of the Sal Rei bay you can see a small islet with a fort named “Duque de Bragança”, built by the Portuguese in colonial times to protect the bay from attacks by pirates. Most of the important structures on the island are centered in Sal Rei, on the whole a quiet village, most places can be reached on foot since the city is not very big.