BOAVISTA  ISLAND

 

The island of Boavista, which in Portuguese means 'good view', is the most eastern island of the archipelago and the closest to the African continent. It is the third largest island, after Santo Antao and Santiago, at 620 km2 with 4,000 inhabitants, is the least populated.

Made of sedimentary rocks, the island is very flat and covered in many areas with white sand dunes, which pile up on its western coast. The island is about 31km long from North to South and 29km wide. Its highest point is Pico Estancia at only 390m; other hikes include Santo Antonio at 379m. and the volcanic formations in Rabil and Fundo das Figueiras. Most of the population live in the capital Sal Rei, on the northwest side of the island, which houses a ferry port and an airport, found at 6km to the South.

VISIT BOAVISTA FOR:

• Its 55km of white sand beaches and emerald green water.
• Marine turtles.
• Windsurfing, diving and game fishing.
• Traditional music.  

 
                                                      Photos sourced from www.caboverde.com. Boavista stunning beaches.

HISTORY

When Boavista was discovered on 14 May 1460, it was first named Saint Cristovao.   The name Boavista, it is said, to have its origin in the triumphant exclamation "Captain, good sight! (Boa Vista!)" instead of the traditional "Land at sight", due to the joy of a storm-tossed sailor at the sight of land.

Little happened on the island for the first 150 years after its discovery; Boavista was only used for the grazing and breeding of cattle and goats. When a group of British sailors discovered Boavista's high quality salt, extraction started and an economy began in 1620, based at Povoacao Velha, its first village. From 1677 Boavista became victim of periodic sackings and attacks. The island continue to suffer pillages in 1815 and 1817; in 1818 the town was completely razed. To protect against such attacks, the Duque de Braganca Fort was built on the islet of Sal Rei, and with this protection Boavista began an era of relative prosperity, becoming an important cultural centre.

However, prosperity faded when the building of the port at Mindelo made Sao Vicente the new trading centre. In 1843, the Portuguese-British Commission for the Abolition of Slavery was founded on the island. In the last hundred years the island has suffered drought, famine and grasshopper infestation which has resulted in emigration.

AT THE AIRPORT & TRANSPORT INFORMATION

The airport is 6km south of Sal Rei, the capital of Boavista, just before the town of Rabil. To contact the airport: + 238 251 1313, Rabil.

Internal Flights

There are regular domestic flights with TACV Airlines between Boavista and  -Santiago (daily), - Sal (daily) - Sao Vicente (daily, mostly via Sal).

From The Airport

Aluguers and trucks from the airport to Sal Rei cost around 400$ to transport one person, 200$ each for more than one. Transport back to the airport can be found by lingering in the main square in Sal Rei, where the aluguers meet.

By Ferry or Hydrofoil  see 'Getting Around' Main Page for routes and timetables between the islands. The port is in Sal Rei.

Getting Around Boavista

-   TAXIS  Taxis come in the form of chartered aluguers, the charge is generally ten times the public fare.

-   ALUGUERS  Public aluguers run regularly from Sal Rei to Rabil for around 100$. To other destinations, be careful, do not get stranded! They leave Sal Rei in the afternoon and do not come back until the following morning.

-   CAR RENTAL  For more freedom to see the island, you can always rent a car. 4x4 is necessary, preferably with a driver. Many hotels can help you to organize the rental.

ACTIVITIES

Excursions

Local operators offer various excursions, from half-day and full-day tours into the dunes to trips to Santa Monica beach. Quadbiking is also proving increasingly popular. Listed below are some tours operators.

ATC Lda, MORENA TOURIST AGENCY and OLITUR can be found on the main square of Sal Rei. 

 
                                                          Photos sourced from www.caboverde.com. Sand dunes in Boavista.

 

Photos sourced from www.caboverde.com. AVOVE LEFT: Santa Monica beach, ABOVE RIGHT: Quadbike tour on the beach.

Windsurfing

The island of Boavista is getting international recognition for its windsurfing. In the north west part of Boavista, the presence of the island of Sal Rei opposite the bay makes an ideal spot for a wide range abilities. With an off shore wind, the bay is sufficiently protected for beginners (there is no choppy water, no current and the water  is from 1 to 2m deep), yet it is fully exposed to North West and North big swells of the Atlantic. Slaloming up and down the bay and races around the island of Sal Rei can be organised.

The BOAVISTA WIND CLUB can be found at Tortuga beach. Facilities include: Winsurf hire and lessons, Kayak, Surfboard, Kite school and Catamaran Dart.

Photos souced from www.boavistawindclub.com. TOP LEFT: Boavista Wind Club, LEFT: Windsurfing in the bay.

Diving and Fishing

There are many shipwreck dives to choose from in Boavista, although sea currents and wind may impair visibility. 

Game fishing is another activity to enjoy.

Wildlife

Numerous turtles have been spotted around Boavista in recent years.The main nesting areas are on the East coast where from late May to late October turtles lay their eggs. The baby turtles will hatch from late August to late December and make it for the sea on their own.

The loggerhead, hawksbill and green turtles, which call at the island, are categorized as endagered. Leatherback and olive ridley feed at the island too. "Marine turtles have been wiped out on almost all of the other Cape Verdean islands, but they have thrived so far on Boavista where human predation and pressure is lower,” says Dr Luis Felipe Lopez, a 64-year-old Spanish biology professor from Las Palmas University. Lopez is leading a local conservation group, Natura 2000, to protect the turtles’ nesting habitat at Ervatao beach, the third most important loggerhead nesting site in the world after Oman’s Massirah Island and the Floridian keys.                                                               Photo sourced from www.eurekalert.org. Loggerhead turtle with satellite tracker device attached.

Hiking

Even if Boavista gives the appearance of being one huge sand dune, with its flat and barren desert landscape, few hikes can still be done.

Satisfying hikes include:

• -  Rocha Estancia (354m).
• -  Santo Antonio (379m). 
• -  Pico Estancia (390m).

Beginning from Sal Rei, there are also few walks of interest:

-   To the wreck of the 'Santa Maria', which dominate the beach to the north of the island.

-   To Rabil, through Rabil lagoon and Estancia de Baixo to the south starting from Estoril beach down.                                                                                           Photo sourced from www.caboverde.com. Wreck of the 'Santa Maria'.

PLACES TO STAY OR VISIT

SAL REI

Sal Rei, which in Portuguese means 'Salt King' is the capital of Boavista and it is situated in the northwestern part of the island. Sal Rei is a delightful place, it has a nice port near the bay, turquoise water and the mounds of sand are a desert-island yellow. Recently, more and more hotels have being built and improvement work has been done to the town in order to accomodate the increasing number of tourists.

For 'Where to Stay' see Accomodation section or our Book Your Holiday page.

USEFUL NUMBERS & INFORMATION

 Hospital:  In the square, 251 1167       Pharmacy:  In the square       Police:  251 1132

Bank: Banco Comercial do Atlantico, on the main square.

 
                                                                           Photos sourced from www.caboverde.com. Sal Rei square.

DO NOT MISS:

Within walking distance of Sal Rei there are few places of interest:

-   Chave Beach, to the south of Sal Rei, beautiful and forever long.

-   The Brick Factory, from Estoril beach down to the south, this building is nearly entirely submerged by the sand dunes, you can just see the chimney poking out of the sand.

-   Rabil Lagoon and the Islet of Sal Rei, where the fort of the Duque de Braganca was built.

                                                                             Photos sourced from www.fuggire.it. Chave Beach.

                                                                             Photos sourced from www.fuggire.it. Brick Factory.

RABIL & POVOACAO VELHA

Rabil was the capital of Boavista until the early 19th century. The only attractions consist of the Church of Santo Roque, the oldest church in Boavista, built in 1801 and a pottery factory. Aluguers run regularly from Sal Rei to Rabil for 100$.

Povoacao Velha was Boavista's first village, it flourished in1620 with the salt production. Today, nothing much goes on, there are two main parallel streets with few shops. 

For 'Where to Stay' see Accomodation section or our Book Your Holiday page.

BOAVISTA BEACHES

To fully see the rest of Boavista, a 4x4 is almost a necessity. Hiring a quadbike with a guide is also possible.

Beaches worth a visit include:

• Praia de Curralinho, glorious and accessible.
• Praia de Santa Monica, named after the famous Californian beach for its beauty.
• Praia de Lacacao & Praia de Curral Velho, beautiful but exposed and remote.

 
                                                                     Photo sourced from www.fuggire.it. Praia de Curralinho.

 
    Photo sourced from www.fuggire.it. LEFT: Praia de Curralinho   RIGHT: Praia de Santa Monica.

Baia das Gatas is a bay situated in the northeastern part of the island, 7km from Fundo das Figueiras. It is named after the tiger sharks that have been seen. It is also possible to spot dolphins here.

Book Your Holiday With The Specialists!

To book your holiday to Boavista Island, please click on any of the following specialized travel operators, which also offer 'flight only' booking service:

Useful Websites:

 All you need to know about Boa Vista.