4x4 Tour Boa Vista: Rabil Pottery, Shipwreck & Sal Rei

Sip local grogue and stroll vibrant Sal Rei on a morning to remember

A four-hour guided 4x4 tour of Boa Vista visits the pottery workshop in Rabil where local artisans work in centuries-old Cape Verdean tradition, the 1968 shipwreck on Cape Santa María beach, Fatima's Chapel, the city of Sal Rei, and ends with local snacks and drinks at Sodade restaurant. Hotel pickup is included. The guide speaks English, Portuguese, Italian or French.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Boa Vista's culture and landmarks

• Visit Rabil pottery school
• Explore Cabo Santa Maria shipwreck
• Discover Sal Rei city
• Enjoy snacks and drinks at Sodade Restaurant

The experience

Four hours covers five stops across Boa Vista's interior and coast. The route starts at the pottery school in Rabil, a working studio where artisans make and sell pieces using methods passed down through generations. You can watch them work and buy directly if something catches your eye. From there the 4x4 heads to Cape Santa María, where the shipwreck of 1968 sits stranded on the beach. The itinerary notes that from June through October, loggerhead sea turtles nest here at night, hundreds of females coming ashore to lay eggs, though daytime visits show the wreck itself and the history it carries.

The tour moves through Sal Rei, Boa Vista's main city, walking its streets to see the mix of Cape Verdean, African and European, especially Italian, culture that shapes daily life there. A stop at Fatima's Chapel breaks up the city time. The final stop is Sodade, a restaurant inside a restored colonial house, where you sit down for local snacks and drinks: grogue and ponche, the homemade spirits of Cape Verde, plus other regional fare. The guide is live and speaks your choice of English, Portuguese, Italian or French. Hotel pickup is included in the booking.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup.
• four-hour guided tour in a 4x4 vehicle.
• entry to Rabil pottery workshop.
• visit to Cape Santa María shipwreck and Fatima's Chapel.
• walk through Sal Rei city.
• local snacks and drinks at Sodade restaurant including grogue and ponche.

Before you book

Days and timesWednesday and FridayDeparts at 09:00

AgesAdult (12 to 95 years) · Child (4 to 11 years) · Infant (under 4): free

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish, French, Italian and Portuguese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 16 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 14 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Boavista Go - Tours & Expeditions

Is this one for you?The fixed four-hour window and 4x4 vehicle suit small groups or families who want to see Boa Vista's mix of culture, history and coast without spending a full day on the road. The pottery stop and shipwreck are the draws if you're curious about local craft and maritime history rather than beach time alone.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, French, Italian and Portuguese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 11 years); Infant (under 4): free.

What is the Rabil pottery school like?

Rabil's pottery school is a working studio run by local artisans in the village. You watch them make pieces using Cape Verdean methods that go back centuries, and you can buy directly from the makers if you want to take something home.

Can I see the shipwreck up close?

The Cape Santa María shipwreck sits on the beach and is visible during the tour. It ran aground in 1968. If you visit between June and October, the beach is also a nesting ground for loggerhead sea turtles, though the turtles come ashore at night.

What does the tour include to eat and drink?

At Sodade restaurant, the tour includes local snacks and drinks: grogue and ponche, which are homemade Cape Verdean spirits, plus other regional food. Sodade is housed in a restored colonial building in Sal Rei.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes, hotel pickup is included in the tour price. The guide will arrange the time with you based on where you're staying on Boa Vista.