Boa Vista

Unspoilt expanses of beach and sea.

Boa Vista is home to some of the most dazzling beaches on the archipelago covering a staggering 55km.

Closest to the African mainland, Boa Vista is not only renowned for its stunning beaches but its marine life too. Nightlife here is very low key and quiet with just a scattering of local restaurants and bars.

More About Boa Vista

Boa Vista is quite literally covered in sand and many buildings have been completely absorbed leaving an endless blanket of sand. A great example of this is on Praia da Chaves, an old ceramic factory covered in sand is still intact with machines in situ! Sahara like dunes in the interior of the island with sprouting date palms are an impressive sight and well worth a visit.

Depending on the time of year you may even spot some turtles on the islands southern beaches. Boa Vista is thought to be third most important loggerhead nesting site in the world, with the favoured time of year for turtles to nest usually being during the months of June through to September.

The miles of unspoilt coast line are excellent for you to enjoy uninterrupted walks as well as being a popular location for windsurfing enthusiasts. Other watersports are available in addition to quad biking tours and line and deep-sea fishing.

Festivals

There are a few festivals on the island including the common music festival that takes place on Santa Cruz in August. The other main colourful festival is:

Santa Isabel (Municipality Day) 4 July - The day of Santa Isabel, the patron saint of the island. Celebrated with processions, swimming, horse racing, tours and a public ball.

Hot Tip

In addition to turtles on the beach you may catch a glimpse of whales in the islet of Sal Rei, a feeding ground for humpback whales and a magical sight if you are lucky enough to experience it. Whale sightings usually take place from December through to February but are gone by the spring.