Desert Delight

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 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.

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.

Southern Boa Vista Four-hour Quad Tour by Quad Zone

Off-road adventure is the name of the game on this action-packed excursion. Spend four adrenaline-pumping hours carving up the sands and exploring the trails of Boa Vista's stunning south coast. You can choose whether you want your own quad or whether you're happier to be a passenger – and let your partner do all the hard work.

Desert Delight

For a truly celestial holiday experience, it's hard to beat this evening dinner in Boa Vista's Viana desert. We'll pick you at your hotel and bring you to the middle of nowhere, far away from light pollution, for an unrivalled view of the Milky Way in its full glory. What's more, there's also a tasty buffet dinner to enjoy.

Family-friendly 4x4 buggy tour of southern Boa Vista

Get behind the wheel of an off-road, four-seater buggy and explore the south of Boa Vista Island, in Cape Verde. Feel the thrill of ripping across the dunes of Morro de Areia and head past the towering chimney of the old ceramics factory at Chaves Beach. It harks back to the days when the area was an industrial hub on the island in the 19th century. You'll then ride to Verandinha and see its caves and arching cliffs, before stopping at Cape Verde's longest beach, Santa Monica. Then, it's on to see the ruins of Cabo Curral Velho, an old, abandoned fishing village, before finishing your tour with a look at Fonte Vicente's famous baobab tree.

Family-friendly off-road buggy tour of northern Boa Vista

Kick off your day with an adrenaline-pumping tour of northern Boa Vista in a four-seater, off-road buggy. The adventure begins with a rumble along Via Pitoresca, a stretch with sea views and palm trees aplenty, before reaching Ponta do Sol. From there, on a clear day, you'll see your next stop, the island's famous shipwreck, Cabo Santa Maria. The grand finale? A photo op in the sand dunes of the Viana Desert before it's back to the comfort of your hotel.

Buggy night tour in Boa Vista

Get behind the wheel of a 4x4 buggy on this night tour, zooming across the Viana Desert, stopping there to admire an unforgettable view of one of the seven wonders of Cape Verde. From here, you'll continue across Via Pitoresca, which means ‘picturesque route' in English – we think you'll agree it's worthy of the name – before making your way over the sandy paths to the restored chapel of Our Lady of Fatima. To round off the adventure, you'll zip through Sal-Rei – that's ‘king of salt' in Portuguese – which was named as a sign of respect towards the importance of salt production on the island.

Chaves Bay boat cruise in Boa Vista with swim stop

Set sail for some island fun in Boa Vista. After boarding the Zodiac ‘Ocean Blue' at Sal Rei Port, feel the wind in your hair as you enjoy a quick harbour cruise, heading out towards Chaves Bay and the dunes of Morro d'Areia. Get ready to snap up pics as you glide along this impressive coastline, soaking up those views. Before you know it, you'll arrive at the uninhabited islet, – Ilheu de Sal Rei – where you can easily disembark to explore its historic fort or take a dip in its calm waters.

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.