Discover Boa Vista · things to do
Tours and excursions on Boa Vista from the desert to the turtles
Honey-coloured dunes, dirt tracks, fishing villages and beaches where turtles come ashore at night to lay their eggs. Five ways to explore the island on land, with people we know and trust; and out at sea, whales, fishing and kitesurfing.
Choose your excursion
Unspoilt nature
Dunes, palm oases, empty beaches and loggerhead turtles.
Relaxing or thrilling
A sunset stroll or four hours on a quad bike across the dunes: it’s up to you.
Local guides
The tracks shift with the wind: go with people who drive them every day.
On the island since 1998
We only recommend partners we know personally, and we answer your questions ourselves.
The island beyond the resorts
Boa Vista is a big island and, outside its towns and villages, almost uninhabited. As soon as you leave Sal Rei you find sandy tracks, fields of black stone, green oases and miles of beach with nobody on them.
The Viana desert at sunset, the wreck of the Cabo Santa Maria on the north coast, the villages of Rabil and Povoação Velha, the endless sands of Santa Monica: almost every excursion on Boa Vista takes half a day, starting from Sal Rei or from the resorts.
And on summer nights there is the most beautiful sight of all: sea turtles hauling themselves up the beach to lay their eggs.
June – mid-OctoberTurtles at nightwatching them lay their eggs
You set off in the evening by 4×4 towards the beaches in the east. A licensed guide explains how to behave, then you wait in silence, with no lights, while the females lay their eggs.
- Evening until late at night
- Groups of 6–12
- Peak in August
All year roundQuad biking in the desertViana, the shipwreck, Santa Monica
You drive yourself, following the guide, across Sahara-like dunes, dirt tracks and the beaches of the south. The northern route goes as far as the wreck of the Cabo Santa Maria; the southern one to Santa Monica and Varandinha.
- 2 or 4 hours
- Morning or afternoon
- Car driving licence required
All year roundIsland tour by 4×4with a driver, no licence needed
A pick-up or 4×4 with a driver who knows every track: the Viana desert, the villages inland, hidden bays. Ideal for families, children and anyone who’d rather not drive.
- Half day or full day
- 1 to 4 people
- Tailor-made route
All year roundHorse riding on the beachbetween the dunes and the sea
A gentle ride along the shore and through the dunes, early in the morning or towards sunset, when the light is at its best and it’s cooler. Suitable for less experienced riders too.
- 1–2 hours
- Sunrise or sunset
- Beginners welcome
October – JuneOn footdunes, the lighthouse and the north coast
From Sal Rei to the Ponta do Sol lighthouse is about 7 km, through a lonely and atmospheric landscape. Or join a guided hike through the dunes and oases inland.
- About 2 hours
- On your own or with a guide
- Best in the morning
The best places to visit
Where the excursions take you: each place has its own page in our island guide.
At sea: whales, fishing and kitesurfing
The island’s two most moving wildlife trips only run in certain months. Boa Vista is also known for big-game fishing and for its steady winter winds.
They come to breed in the calm waters off the west and south-west coasts. Boat trips go out in the morning or the afternoon.
At night, with licensed guides, you can watch the females laying their eggs on the beaches. Part of the price goes to conservation projects.
Before you go
Four things we’ve been telling everyone for more than twenty years.
Frequently asked questions about excursions on Boa Vista
What are the best excursions on Boa Vista?
The Viana desert, the wreck of the Cabo Santa Maria on the north coast, the southern tour with Santa Monica and Varandinha and, in the right months, turtles at night and whale watching by boat.
How long does an excursion last?
Most last half a day, about 4 hours. The full island tour by 4×4 takes a whole day; turtle watching takes up the whole evening.
Do I need a driving licence for the quad bikes?
Yes, you need a car driving licence to drive a quad. If you don’t have one, you can ride as a passenger or do the same route by 4×4 with a driver.
When can you see whales and turtles?
Humpback whales roughly from March to May; loggerhead turtles lay their eggs from June to mid-October, peaking in August. These excursions only run with licensed guides.
Can I book excursions before I travel?
Yes: write to us with your dates, the number of people and where you’re staying, and our partner will confirm availability and price. Nothing is paid on our website.
Let us plan your day out
Tell us when you arrive and what you’d like to do: we’ll get back to you with availability and prices. You can ask about several excursions in the same message.
Choose the excursion, the date and how many of you there are: we’ll reply within 24 hours. You can ask about more than one in your message.