Boa Vista is the third largest island in Cape Verde and the easternmost of the archipelago. It is also the flattest, with desert landscapes resulting from its proximity to the Sahara—a striking contrast to more mountainous islands like Santiago or Santo Antão.
How to get there
Boa Vista has its own international airport, located near Praia de Chaves, with direct flights from Europe and domestic connections via Cabo Verde Airlines from Praia and other islands.
What to visit
Santa Mónica Beach is the island’s signature sight: over 11 kilometers of white sand and crystal-clear water, considered one of the most beautiful and longest beaches in Africa. It’s common to find long stretches nearly deserted, even during peak season.
Deserto de Viana covers roughly a quarter of the island’s surface, with white sand dunes stretching for several kilometers. It’s one of the seven official natural wonders of Cabo Verde and a popular buggy or quad-bike excursion.
Sal Rei, the island’s capital, is small and relaxed, with colorful streets, the Duque de Bragança Fort, a local market, and a waterfront promenade where residents spend their afternoons — great for an unhurried stroll and a feel for local life.
The Cabo Santa Maria shipwreck, a cargo ship run aground at Atalanta Beach (also known as Costa da Boa Esperança), is one of the island’s most photographed sites and a regular stop on island tours.
Morro de Areia Nature Reserve, near Praia de Chaves, combines spectacular dunes that meet the sea directly.
Wildlife: turtles and whales
Boa Vista is one of the main sea turtle nesting sites in the Atlantic. Nesting season runs from June to October (peaking in August), and it’s possible to witness this moment on nighttime tours organized by local conservation associations. Between March and May, humpback whales can also be spotted off the coast.
Practical tips
- “Full island tours” (usually combining the north and south routes) are the most efficient way to see the main sights outside Sal Rei in a single day.
- Renting a car is a good option for travelers who prefer to explore at their own pace, though organized excursions are more common.
- Tourist infrastructure is concentrated mainly in Sal Rei and the resorts near Praia de Chaves — outside those areas, the island retains a fairly rustic, authentic feel.
- The currency is the Cabo Verdean escudo (CVE), pegged to the euro at a fixed exchange rate.
Who Boa Vista is for
Boa Vista is the ideal destination for travelers seeking endless beaches, desert landscapes unlike anywhere else in Africa, and close encounters with nature — perfect for combining relaxed beach days with dune adventures and coastal excursions.
