Things to do in Boa Vista

Boa Vista full-day 4x4 island tour with beachfront lunch

Off-road through luscious landscapes and be charmed by Boa Vista's untouched beauty on this action-packed 4x4 tour. Roberto, one of our local guides, says, ‘The Viana desert is Boa Vista's very own chunk of the Sahara. Its sand is blown in from western Africa, creating huge dunes, which we'll rally up and down.' Leave no stone unturned as you visit the shipwreck on Santa Maria beach, before stopping in Sal Rei village and Povoaçao Velha. Plus, there's lunch by the sea in a beachfront restaurant.The fun kicks off in the Viana desert. Feel the wind in your hair as you rumble over the sand dunes in a 4x4. Then, you're off to discover the rusting shipwreck of Cabo de Santa Maria – a symbol of Boa Vista. Roberto says, ‘There are about 150 shipwrecks on the islands of Cape Verde, but this one is the most mysterious of all. It's a great place to snap a selfie, too.' You'll have a quick stop in Sal Rei for a glimpse at the capital's fishing pier, before a locally-sourced lunch is served at a nearby beach restaurant.Next up is a pit stop in Povoaçao Velha – the oldest settlement on the island. Have a poke around this isolated hamlet and enjoy a look into local life, before our final stop, Santa Monica beach. Boasting 15km of white sand and undulating dunes, it's no wonder it was voted one of the world's top 10 beaches. The perfect place to end the tour.

Half-day southern Boa Vista 4x4 tour with Viana Desert

This fun-filled tour gives you the chance to delve into some of Boa Vista's top spots. Spend a morning exploring inland villages and roaming the Viana desert in a 4x4, before ending up on one of the island's most pretty beaches. Roberto, one of our local guides, says, ‘It probably wasn't their intention but the souvenir shops of Povoação Velha and Rabil have become unwitting social media stars. Their colourful, kitsch and carefree displays are massive Instagram hits.'This morning-long adventure kicks off with a visit to Rabil – Boa Vista's second-largest town. From its vibrant streets to traditional architecture, the town reflects the island's tough yet resilient spirit. Here, you'll visit a ceramic factory, where you'll see the handiwork of local artisans and might be able to grab yourself a souvenir of local pottery. You'll also get to taste Cape Verde's national dish, catchupa, a rich stew of corn, beans, pork and vegetables – through ingredients change, not just from island to island or village to village, but house to house.Next, hold on tight as you zoom through the dusty landscape of the Viana desert. Our next stop is Povoação Velha, the oldest settlement on the island. Wander its rustic streets before kicking back on the 11km-long Santa Monica beach. Its sugar-white sand contrasts against fluorescent blue waters like an image from a postcard. If you're an adventure seeker, you can even try your hand at sandboarding.

Sal Rei Sightseeing Tour with Local Speciality Tastings

With its blend of African, Brazilian and European influences, Cape Verde's unique culture is one to experience. On this tour, taste traditional food, visit the vibrant local markets and take a guided tour of Sal Rei, the capital of Boa Vista.

Adults-only Boa Vista 4x4 island adventure with local guide

You'll feel like you know every corner of little Boa Vista island after this adults-only off-road adventure. With a knowledgeable guide to show you around, you'll find out about the history and culture of the area, too. Leave no stone unturned as you visit Viana desert and the shipwreck at Cabo de Santa Maria, before exploring Povoacao Velha. Plus, there's lunch at a beachside restaurant to enjoy. Manuel, one of our expert local guides, says ‘The beach with the shipwreck is a very evocative spot, one of the most beautiful on the island. The ship ran aground in 1968 and has been here ever since.'Setting off towards the Viana desert, prepare to be charmed by Boa Vista's untouched scenery on this action-packed 4x4 tour. Feel the wind in your hair as you rumble over the sand dunes in a 4x4. Then, you're off to discover the rusting shipwreck of Cabo de Santa Maria – a symbol of Boa Vista. Chamine de Chaves is our next stop, before we slow things down with lunch in a beachside restaurant.Next up is Povaocao Velha – the oldest settlement on the island. Have a poke around the small town and take a glimpse into local life, before we head to our final stop, Santa Monica beach. If it's dreamy Caribbean colours and empty sands you are looking for, you've found it. Have your camera ready because this blissful beach is one of the most photographed spots on the island. Boasting 18 kilometres of white sand and undulating dunes, it's no wonder that the sandy strip was voted one of the top ten in the world.

Boa Vista Catamaran Cruise with Beach Afternoon and Lunch

Relaxation is the name of the game on this downtempo nautical excursion. Spend a morning exploring the west coast of Boa Vista and the islet of Sal Rei aboard your catamaran before heading for a beach restaurant lunch. Then, spend an afternoon on the golden sands of Praia da Chaves.As your skipper steers you out of port, you'll sail to the islet of Sal Rei and around it before gliding back to port – spending about three hours at sea. You'll then be transferred to the virgin sands of Praia da Chaves on the west coast of Boa Vista – just in time for lunch.You'll be served a tasty lunch at the popular Perola de Chaves Beach restaurant. The rest of the afternoon is dedicated to relaxing on the beach, soaking up the sun and swimming in cool and calm waters.

Barbecue Night at Perola de Chaves

This night out features all the extra touches to make your holiday extra special. Spend an evening at Perola de Chaves, which serves up an indulgent barbecue dinner on the beach, with a side order of live music and entertainment. Upon arrival, you'll be greeted with a typical welcome drink, before it's time to feast on an unlimited barbecue dinner on the beach. Savour an array of expertly grilled meats, fish, and vegetables and accompany your meal with a variety of freshly made desserts that will leave your tastebuds tingling.As the sun sets, the atmosphere intensifies with live music that beckons you to the dance floor. Immerse yourself in the vibrant rhythms of Cape Verde as you dance the night away around a roaring bonfire. The combination of delicious food, enchanting music, and the serene beach setting makes for a truly magical evening.

Boa Vista Snorkelling Experience

The underwater world of Boavista is a marvel. Cape Verde is a hot spot for coral biodiversity, and although there are no reefs, there are several sites rich in different varieties of coral. Combining calm conditions for safe snorkeling with the perfect habitat for coral to thrive, the coast of Boa Vista makes an excellent place to explore the underwater world.You'll see a diverse range of species, from tropical fish and crustaceans to – if you are very lucky - marine turtles. First, you'll be picked up for the transfer to Sal Rei fishing port, from where a small boat will take you to the waters around Sal Rei Islet.Prepare for your snorkeling experience with a comprehensive safety briefing, then it's time to don your mask and discover the vibrant marine ecosystem, guided by professionals. After snorkeling, you'll visit the historic Duque de Bragança fort on the islet itself. Finally, relax on a serene white sand beach with calm, clear waters.

Boa Vista Horse Riding Experience

Galloping along the golden sands of Boa Vista's beaches is as exhilarating as it gets. You can choose from an hour-long horse ride for beginners, or a 90-minute adventure for intermediates. It's an experience that gets you back in touch with nature the environmentally-friendly way.

Santa Maria Beach Two-hour Quad Tour by Quad Zone

With innumerable sandy dunes and a fairly desolate interior, Boa Vista is heaven for quad bikers. Spend two hours blasting along the island's deserted trails, with some memorable pit stops in between. Take the wheel yourself or choose a double quad and you can relax as the passenger.

Boa Vista Death Valley Two-hour Buggy Adventure

This thrilling off-road adventure takes in Cape Verde's Death Valley on Boa Vista Island. Begin with a briefing at base before setting off to explore the rugged terrain of the valley, rumbling through Rabil village and calling at an oasis. Visit Fonte Vicente and the iconic Baobab Tree before returning to the starting point where your adventure wraps up.

Beginners’ scuba diving session in Boa Vista

The waters around the island of Boa Vista, in Cape Verde, are teeming with wildlife and reefs. Don't miss the chance to see them up close with this introductory scuba-diving session, which is run at a professional dive centre with certified guides. Transfers are included, so you'll be picked up and dropped off at your hotel. You can choose from morning or afternoon sessions – each one consists of a safety briefing and two dives, including one in open water.

Northern Boa Vista Two-hour Buggy Adventure by No-Limits

Rev up for adventure with this buggy safari exploring Boa Vista's rugged north. Leave the beaten path behind as you race along dusty trails and paths, uncovering viewpoints and landmarks along the way. You'll pass through Via Pitoresca to reach Miradouro Ponta do Sol, offering iconic views of the south. Next up is the historic shipwreck at Cabo Santa Maria, before rounding off grabbing pics and exploring the Viana Desert.