Sandy white beaches stretch along this Cape Verdean island's 55-kilometer coastline. A center for sea turtle nesting and whale watching between February and May.
Boa Vista, Cape Verde's easternmost island, stretches along 55 kilometers of white-sand coastline. Walk up to the rusting hull of MS Cabo Santa Maria shipwreck on Praia da Atalanta, or watch humpback whales breach near Sal Rei from March to May. In the island's center, quad bikes zip across the Viana Desert's rolling dunes, while at night, loggerhead turtles crawl onto Ervatão Beach to nest between July and September.
Getting to Boa Vista
Aristides Pereira International Airport connects Boa Vista with European cities through a 5-6 hour flight. Regular ferries run from the port of Sal Rei to other Cape Verde islands. The airport sits 5 kilometers southeast of Sal Rei, with taxis and hotel shuttles available for transfers.
Beaches Along the Coast
Santa Monica Beach stretches for 18 kilometers along the southern coast, with powdery sand and clear waters. Windsurfers and kiteboarders head to the northern Praia de Chaves and Praia do Estoril for consistent winds. At Praia da Atalanta, you can walk right up to the MS Cabo Santa Maria shipwreck, which ran aground in 1968.
Wildlife Watching Experiences
Join guided night tours between July and September to watch loggerhead turtles nesting on Ervatão Beach. From late February to May, four-hour catamaran tours depart from Sal Rei port to spot humpback whales. The waters around Sal Rei islet attract these marine mammals as a feeding ground.
Exploring the Desert Interior
The Viana Desert spreads across the island's center, with sand blown across from the Sahara. Rent a quad bike or join a 4x4 tour to cross the dunes. You'll pass abandoned settlements and date palm groves on your way to Rocha Estância mountain, where you can look out across the desert landscape.
Life in Sal Rei
In Sal Rei's restaurants, try cachupa (a slow-cooked stew) and fresh seafood. The white-washed Igreja de Santa Isabel church dates from the 1800s. Local musicians play morna songs in bars each evening. At the town's market, vendors sell locally-produced salt and grogue (sugar cane spirit).
Festivals and Events
On July 4th, the Santa Isabel festival brings horse races to the beach and swimming competitions to Sal Rei's waters. The Santa Cruz music festival in August fills the streets with Cape Verdean and international musicians, celebrating the local "Morabeza" culture of hospitality.
Climate and When to Visit
The island stays warm year-round with cooling ocean breezes. Most visitors come between November and April when temperatures remain mild. July to September brings higher humidity but ideal conditions for turtle watching. Strong winds from December to March create perfect conditions for windsurfing and kiteboarding.
