The Island of Boa Vista is perfect for a relaxing holiday surrounded by nature and for lovers of the sea.
The island is 31 km from the northern tip (at Ponta Antônia) to the south, and 29 km from east to west, giving a total area of 620 km²; it is the third-largest island in the Cape Verde archipelago.
The landscape has undergone gradual desertification, and there are two desert areas: the Desert of Viana (sandy) and the Desert of Santo Tirso (rocky). On average it rains 72 hours a year, usually in September.
For windsurf and kitesurf enthusiasts, the best months are January to March, when the wind is ideal for this type of water sport. September is the hottest month and the least pleasant, due to the accumulation of clouds and rain.
The highest point on the island is Monte Estância (387 m); other uplands include Santo Antônio and Monte Negro, wonderful for excursions guided by local shepherds.
Boa Vista was one of the least-populated islands of Cape Verde, but the opening of an international airport in 2007 has led to an exponential growth in tourism. Indeed, the island is becoming increasingly popular as a destination, thanks to its constant dry climate and its political and religious stability, but also because of its proximity to Europe, with direct flights taking approximately 6 hours.
The airport is in Rabil, about 7 km from the island's main town Sal Rei. Sal Rei consists of a central square surrounded by colonial-style houses. This attractive and picturesque square is a meeting point for local people and tourists alike. Here you'll find bars, restaurants and souvenir shops selling handcrafts and food products.
Just 2 minutes from the square, for those seeking a bargain and typical Cape Verde atmosphere, is the fish market, an early-morning visit not to be missed. Threading your way through the narrow streets, you'll come to the splendid Estoril beach. The turquoise sea is perfect even for small children, as a strip of land breaks the waves, forming a natural pool.
Dotted along the Estoril beach you'll find several restaurants, each with their private beach area with sun beds, typical banana-leaf parasols, toilets and changing rooms. Entry is free to those using the bar or restaurant. The beach is uncrowded and uninvaded by boats or jetskis. On Boa Vista you can swim all year round, thanks to the constant mild climate!
A short distance from Sal Rei lies the gorgeous and as yet little-visited Cabral beach, made up of several small coves; where a residential area is being constructed, which according to the plans will be the island's crowning glory.
The island offers numerous possibilities for excursions and activities. Not to be missed from June to August is the egg-laying of loggerhead turtles (carretta carretta). Thousands of these turtles arrive during the hours of darkness to lay their eggs; it's a unique and very special sight! You'll be guided by experts, as the eggs are protected. From March to May you can admire the humpback whales who come here to give birth. They can be observed close up from boats and catamarans.
Besides spending your days relaxing by the sea, adventure-lovers can take an excursion by quad bike, for a day of pure fun among the dunes.
Boa Vista is also one of the most sought-after destinations for deep sea and beach fishing. At sea you can fish for tuna, dolphinfish, barracuda, amberjack, marlin and, if you're lucky, you might even hook a shark.
40 minutes from Sal Rei is the impressive beach of Santa Monica, which stretches for fully 18 kilometres. It's another popular destination for quad bikes or on foot, and for shore fishing to catch ombrina, bone fish, tiger shark and many others.
To experience the best of all this and discover the wonders of this fabulous island, we advise you to stay in small guest houses or apartments, which are supplied with everything you need and available for rent by the week. It would be a pity to shut yourself away in a tourist resort, far from town and with beaches directly exposed to the open sea.
