Boa Vista Cape Verde - Discover Cape Verde

About

Boa Vista Cape Verde (Boa Vista means “good view” in Portuguese) is the most easterly island of the archipelago. Situated just 450km west of Senegal on the African mainland. Marine turtles and traditional music, together with extensive sand dunes are some of the main features of the island. Furthermore Boa Vista has 55 km of beaches, which many feel rival those in the Caribbean. Tourism on Boa Vista is a little more authentic than its neighbour Sal. Eating out is relatively cheap compared with much of Europe. Fish is widely available to buy and on menus and the local dish of cachupa (a stew with fish or meat) is popular. There are direct flights from many cities in Europe, so you can be on one of the lovely beaches the same day. Visitors will have the option to try out some of the many water sports. Alternatively, you can simply loose yourself on one of the vast beaches. Boa Vista is definitely worth a visit.

Beaches

Santa Monica beach (Praia de Santa Mónica) Boa Vista is one of the lovely beaches on this island. It has lovely pristine sands and stretches for over 22km. It is on the south west of the island, near Povoação Velha. It attracts a lot of tourists, but the beach is so long it never gets crowded. Many birds can be found here, hunting when the water is lower. Other beaches include Estoril, Chaves, Lacacão and Cabral. At the right time of year it is possible to see the turtles nesting in the sand dunes. These lovely creatures were threatened with extinction, but now they are protected. Visitors should be careful not to damage the turtles’ habitat. Organised turtle watching trips are the best way to enjoy these gentle animals. Whales can sometimes be seen between February and May from the beaches and around Sal Rei. Humpback whales feed around the islet off the town. There is more information on whales on our whale watching page.

Entertainment

Night life on the island includes bars and entertainment in the large hotels as well as smaller more authentic bars in the towns. Sal Rei is the main town on the island and there you will find a selection of bars, clubs, cafes and restaurants. Music is important to Cape Verdeans and many bars have live music and you may well find the locals are soon dancing. In common with all the Cape Verde islands, there are festivals on Boa Vista. There is normally a music festival in August. On 4 July they celebrate Santa Isabel, patron saint of the island, with processionals and other events. Carnival is also celebrated as is Santa Cruz.

Places to visit

Sal Rei is a quiet, sleepy town and is home to approximately half of the island’s people. The Praça de Santa Isabel is the main square, where you will find attractive flowers and pavilions. The church (Igreja da Santa Isabel) is by the square and has a light blue and sand coloured Baroque frontage. Visitors can also enjoy a stroll along the Avenida dos Pescadores, which runs along the waterfront. You can take a tour of the old harbour together with the boatyard. The village of Rabil is in the southwest of the island. Visits to the small pottery and also the church (São Roque) are worthwhile. Nearby, towards Estância de Baixo, you will find a small oasis of date and coconut palm trees in the valley. Also in the south west is Povoação Velha built around 500 years ago and which is the oldest village on the island. There is a small piazza and also an attractive little church (built in 1828) in this village. Povoação Velha is situated at the foot of Rocha Estancia, and was capital of the island until 1810.

Geography

Boa Vista is one of the Barlavento (windward) group of islands. The island is mainly flat with desert occupying a large part of the island. There are bare, rocky vistas, with occasional palm trees and deserted villages and ruins. There are, however, some low mountains. The Deserto de Viana is in the north eastern part of the island and is some 20km in length and up to 5km wide. The northern section of the desert is part of a protected area known as Boa Esperança Nature Reserve. There are ferry connections with other islands such as Santiago and Sal.

Travel to Boa Vista

Flights, ferries & more info:

There are a number of flights each week to the four international airports in Cape Verde. These airports are on the islands of Boa Vista, Sal, Santiago and São Vicente. You can fly to any of them and then use the local flights or ferries to connect with other islands. If you are staying on Boa Vista then it is better to fly direct, unless you wish to go island hopping.

Flights

CVsky
Domestic
TUI UK
International
TUI Deutschland
International
TUI Nederland
International
TUI Belgique
International
TUI Sverige
International
Neos Air
International
Smartwings
International
Luxair
International
Transavia
International
TAP
International
Edelweiss
International
Easyjet
International

Ferries

Ferry
Inter-Island
Port
Sal Rei

Info

Airport
Aristides Pereira
Visas
Required to enter
Tax
Tourist tax
News
The latest travel news

City flight connections

Click on the name of the city to show the Airlines and flight days. These should always be checked with the airlines, as schedules do change. Also, some routes only operate during the winter months and some don’t operate every week, or on varied days.

Last updated 27 May 2026

Frankfurt

TUI – Tuesday and Sunday in winter. Monday only in summer

Stuttgart

TUI – Thursday

Amsterdam

TUI – Tuesday, Friday and Sunday (Tuesday and Friday only in summer)

Birmingham

TUI – Sunday and Thursday

Luxembourg

Luxair – Wednesday and Friday (winter only)

Lisbon

TAP – Daily but not direct

Easyjet – Tuesday and Friday in summer. Thursday and Sunday in winter.

Toulouse

Transavia – Wednesday, Friday and Saturday in winter, but not direct

Hanover

TUI – Tuesday and Saturday (Monday and Friday in winter)

Brussels

TUI – Wednesday and Saturday

London Gatwick

TUI – Monday, Friday and Saturday in summer (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday in winter)

Paris

Transavia – Thursday, Saturday and Sunday (much fewer days in summer)

Zurich

Edelweiss – Monday (winter only)

Milan Malpensa

NeosAir – Wednesday

Copenhagen

TUI – varied days, winter only

Bergamo

Neosair – Wednesday

Bordeaux

Transavia – Monday

Düsseldorf

TUI – Wednesday and Sunday in summer (days may vary in winter)

Munich / München

TUI – Friday in summer. Monday and Friday in winter

Manchester

TUI – Monday, Tuesday, and Friday in summer (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday in winter)

Verona

NeosAir – Thursday

Rome - Fiumicino

Neosair – Thursday

Prague

Smartwings – Tuesday and Friday (not necessarily the same every week)

East Midlands

TUI – Wednesday (Winter only)

Porto

Easyjet – Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday (Sunday only in winter)

Nantes

Transavia – Monday (Winter only)

Local travel

Travel on Boa Vista is possible using taxis, aluguers (minibuses) or car hire. Taxis are less expensive than in most of Europe. We recommend agreeing the price before the journey. An aluguer is a minibus that operates on set routes. They are inexpensive and mostly used by local people, but are available to all. They normally only run when the bus is full. If you want a guided tour, then see the activities below.

If you prefer the freedom of travelling when and where you want, then car hire is a great option. Our partner Cabo Verde Rental Cars can assist you in finding a suitable vehicle.

Activities in Boa Vista

Activity – Kite Surfing

Boavista Kite

Boa Vista Kite offers tuition in kite surfing for all levels and standards from beginners through to advanced. The company is registered with the International Kiteboarding Organisation (IKO). The instructors design their lessons to provide excellent tuition in addition to maximum enjoyment and safety. The staff speak several languages including English, Portuguese, Spanish and also German. Boavista Kite can provide all equipment, including helmets, lifejackets and harness. The instructors use boats for tuition in order to give on-the-spot feedback. Children aged 10 or over can also be taught. Boavista Kite, in addition to kite surfing, offers windsurfing, surfing, whale watching, big game fishing and quad biking. They can also assist with accommodation in Boa Vista Cape Verde.

Activity – Tours

Calutours

Calutours is a local company providing a taxi service and island tours in Boa Vista, Cape Verde. They provide their clients with an informative tour, based on their knowledge of the island. A tour will provide the guests with an unforgettable experience. Tours are made in a 4×4 vehicle and will take the guests through the most picturesque places on the island- from the blue ocean to the beautiful little villages. English, Portuguese, Italian, Spanish and French are spoken by the guides.

Activity – Whale Watching

Boa Vista Tours

Whale watching tours usually start during the second week of March and continue until the end of May. The Humpback whales and their calfs travel along the coasts of Boa Vista. Whilst they can be seen from the beaches, they are normally too far out to sea to get a good view. A Whale Watching Tour will take you out on a boat to get a close up view.

Guests will be collected from their accommodation and taken to the port of Sal Rei. Once aboard the boat and following a briefing the experienced crew will go in search of the whales. A local biologist will answer questions about these animals. The tour will last approximately three hours. Guests will then be transported back to their accommodation. A full day (7 hour) trip is also available, which includes some light refreshments onboard.

Sightings can never be guaranteed.

Activity – Museum

Museum dos Naufràgos (Museum of Shipwrecks)

This is the first such building in Cape Verde that is of human and artistic interest. It was started by the Association Dos Naufragos and constructed using materials found on Boa Vista, with a particular emphasis on recycling. It houses a permanent exhibition presents the anthropological culture of Cape Verde together with its art and history through different approaches, giving visitors an insight into the individuality of the Creole culture. The exhibition follows a ‘castaway’ theme, using the sense of being lost at sea as an analogy of the human condition. There will also be temporary exhibitions of local and international artists.

Activity – Sailing

Salina Sails

Bay Cruise –

Have a fun-filled time discovering the turquoise waters of Boa Vista on Cape Verde’s most luxurious sailing yacht, Gelidonya. Soak up the sun on our tailor-made lounge beds, sip your ice-cold drink and get carried away by the waves and the best local and international tunes. Get mesmerized by the surprise performances while overlooking the beautiful bay of Chavez.

After a refreshing swimming and snorkeling stop and a delicious finger food buffet, the fantastic local animation team will make you want to shake your hips like a pro.

Whale Watching Deluxe –

Get aboard Gelidonya for an experience of a lifetime! Admire the humpback whales and their calves in their natural habitat along the West Coast of Boa Vista. Be amazed by their impressive acrobatic skills and their wonderful melodic songs.

A team of biologists leads the observations and explains everything there is to know about these majestic creatures. Our international crew offers the best services with an extensive all-inclusive package and waiter service aboard the most luxurious and comfortable boat of Cape Verde.

Ready for your dream trip? Book your whale-watching trip today!

Activity – Quad bikes

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Quad Zone

Quad Zone seeks to provide its guests with an unforgettable experience. They organise quad bike adventure tours on Boa Vista. The experienced guides will take you on the roads and through the sand dunes. there are choices of two hour and four hour excursions. There are two different two hour trips – one to the north and one to the south. You will visit a tropical oasis and the fabulous beaches and discover the beauty of the island. Safety is a priority. The team of local people, are very concerned not to damage the islands ecosystem, and observes the local laws and regulations to support sustainable tourism.When not in use the bikes are maintained and cleaned ready for the next customer. A driving licence is required for rental.

Electric bicycles are also available for rent.

Activity – Eco tours

Naturalia Eco Tours

Naturalia has been operating in Boa Vista since 2008. It’s aim is to restore the ecosystems on the island of Boa Vista and combine that with eco-tourism. Naturalia provides tours for turtle watching; whale watching; bird watching; star gazing and snorkelling. Its sister company, Strava Tours can also arrange other activities, such as island tours, kite surfing and general assistance with transport.

Activity – Eco tours

Naturalia Eco Tours

Naturalia has been operating in Boa Vista since 2008. It’s aim is to restore the ecosystems on the island of Boa Vista and combine that with eco-tourism. Naturalia provides tours for turtle watching; whale watching; bird watching; star gazing and snorkelling. Its sister company, Strava Tours can also arrange other activities, such as island tours, kite surfing and general assistance with transport.

Accommodation in Boa Vista

Sereia Azul Boa Vista Cape Verde

Bed and Breakfast in Sal Rei, Boa Vista Cape Verde

Sereia Azul, located on the beautiful island of Boa Vista, has been open since July 2019 and has 5 comfortable rooms. There are three double rooms and two family rooms. All rooms have free WiFi, ceiling as well as stand up fans and satellite TV with many channels in various languages. A travel cot and high chair are available and there’s a laundry service too. A delicious continental breakfast is served on the spacious rooftop terrace, where there are stunning views of Estoril Beach. The bed and breakfast is a five minute walk from the centre of Sal Rei and a stone’s throw from the beautiful and child friendly Estoril Beach.

The owners of Sereia Azul, who are originally from the UK and Belgium live onsite with their cats and dogs. They are on hand throughout the day to help in any way. Many types of excursions, water sports, vehicle rental, inter island travel and evenings out can be arranged at the reception…….along with any info or advice about the island.

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Spinguera Eco Lodge Boa Vista Cape Verde

Accommodation in Espingueira, Boa Vista Cape Verde

This attractive accommodation is located in the small village of Espingueira on the island of Boa Vista. There is a variety of accommodation from standard rooms to self-contained villas. The villas vary in size from one double bedroom to two double bedrooms and each has a kitchen, living room and terrace. The standard and superior rooms have double beds, but two singles can be arranged. There is also the Cá Cabra restaurant providing a fusion of Cape Verdean simplicity and Italian passion, full of natural ingredients and Mediterranean flavours, locally sourced where possible. Breakfast, lunch and dinner is available.

Spinguera Ecolodge is the result of several years of careful restoration work of an old village where local fishermen, farmers and goat breeders once lived, but was slowly abandoned between the 70s and 80s. The lodge offers you the opportunity to get away from the pressures of modern life and experience nature, simplicity and contentment.