ATV Riding in Mindelo: Coastal Trails & Fishing Villages

You operate the quad bike yourself, not ride as a passenger.

ATV riding in Mindelo is a 4-hour guided activity where you operate your own quad bike along coastal trails and dirt roads, stopping at fishing villages, a swimming bay and volcanic rock formations. After a safety briefing and liability waiver, you ride in a convoy led by a guide, starting from the city viewpoint and looping through Salamansa, Baía das Gatas, Calhau and back through Mindelo's colonial center before ending at Praia da Laginha.

Step-by-step itinerary

Quad bike tour around São Vicente

• Complete administrative formalities
• Receive safety and driving briefing
• Start tour heading north from Mindelo
• View city, Monte Cara, Praia da Laginha
• Ride to fishing village of Salamansa
• Admire beach and cliffside views
• Drive to Baía das Gatas
• Swim and enjoy a drink
• Visit Calhau fishing village and rock formations
• See Viana Volcano and local crops
• Return to Mindelo via colonial buildings and fish market
• Visit Praia da Laginha
• End tour at the shop

The experience

You start at the shop in Mindelo with a safety briefing, driver's license check and liability waiver, then mount the quad bike and follow your guide in convoy formation. The ride heads north on dirt roads to a viewpoint above the city, where you get views of Monte Cara and Praia da Laginha before dropping down to the coast. From there the trail hugs the shoreline toward Salamansa, a fishing village set against white sand and sea cliffs.

The route continues to Baía das Gatas, where you stop to swim in the warm, clear water and grab a drink. Riding further along the coast, you reach Calhau to see the fishing village and the distinctive rock formations, with views of the extinct Viana Volcano inland. The return loop takes you back through Mindelo's colorful colonial buildings and the bustling fish market before a final stop at Praia da Laginha in the city center.

You can choose between riding solo on a single quad or sharing a double bike with one person driving and one as passenger. Helmets are provided, and guides speak English, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian and French, so you can ride with instruction in your language.

What’s included

• Helmet and quad bike rental.
• tour guide in English, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian or French.
• safety briefing and liability waiver processing.

Options for this experience

2 options

Single quad (one driver)Up to 1 people · Guide in 5 languages · 09:00Single quad (one driver)

Double quad (one driver plus one passenger)Up to 2 people · Guide in 5 languages · 09:00

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesMonday to SaturdayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to1d before

GroupUp to 16 · max 2 per booking

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, Italian and Portuguese

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

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

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Boavista Go - Tours & Expeditions

Is this one for you?Book the single quad to ride independently throughout the route. Choose the double to share driving duties and alternate between piloting and sightseeing.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, Italian and Portuguese.

What happens at the start before I ride the quad bike?

You complete a safety briefing at the shop, submit a copy of your driver's license and sign a liability waiver. The guide then covers road safety and accident prevention before the group sets out in convoy formation with the guide leading.

Can I swim during the ATV riding in Mindelo?

Yes. The route stops at Baía das Gatas, where you can swim in the warm, crystal-clear water of the bay and have a drink before continuing the ride.

What is Salamansa like on this route?

Salamansa is a fishing village on the coast with a long white sandy beach and dramatic cliffs that rise from the sea. You ride through it as part of the coastal trail loop.

What can I see at Calhau?

Calhau is a fishing village where you can see unique rock formations and views of the extinct Viana Volcano. The route also passes through Ribeira de Calhau inland, where you see local crops and the island's interior.

Do I need a driver's license to ride the quad bike?

Yes. You must bring a valid driver's license, a copy of which you submit at the start. A valid license is required to operate the quad bike.