Boa Vista 4x4 tour: Viana desert, shipwreck & beachfront lunch

Rally the Sahara's sand dunes, then eat where the ocean meets the shore

A full-day 4x4 tour of Boa Vista takes you off-road through the Viana desert, across sand dunes blown in from western Africa, to the rusting Cabo de Santa Maria shipwreck on Santa Maria beach. You'll stop in Sal Rei village and Povoaçao Velha, the island's oldest settlement, before lunch at a beachfront restaurant. A local guide leads the route. Transport and all meals are included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Boa Vista Island by 4x4

• Drive through Viana desert dunes
• Visit Cabo de Santa Maria shipwreck
• Stop at Sal Rei fishing pier
• Enjoy beachfront lunch
• Explore Povoaçao Velha village
• Relax at Santa Monica Beach

The experience

Sal Rei is your starting point for eight hours of off-road driving across Boa Vista. The Viana desert dominates the first stretch: a 4x4 rally up and down massive sand dunes that were blown in from western Africa. The landscape is raw and spare. The dunes shift and roll without warning, which is why the vehicle matters. You'll stop at the Cabo de Santa Maria shipwreck on Santa Maria beach, a rusting hull that sits as a symbol of Boa Vista's maritime history. Roberto, one of the local guides, notes there are roughly 150 shipwrecks scattered across the Cape Verde islands, but this one is the most mysterious.

After the wreck, you move into the settlements. Sal Rei is the capital: a quick stop at the fishing pier to see the working boats and the rhythm of the port. Then comes Povoaçao Velha, the oldest hamlet on the island, where you can walk through the isolated streets and watch how life moves at a different pace. The final stop is Santa Monica Beach, a 15-kilometer stretch of white sand and dunes that has landed on lists of the world's top beaches. Lunch happens at a beachfront restaurant partway through the day, using locally sourced ingredients, so you eat without leaving the island's rhythm behind.

The tour runs eight hours total, which means you leave early and return with daylight still left. Bring bathing gear and sunblock. A towel, hat and sturdy footwear are essential. Children from age one are welcome, though infants must sit on an adult's lap. The guide speaks English, and pickup from your accommodation is included in the price.

What’s included

• Transport in a 4x4 vehicle.
• a local English-speaking guide.
• lunch at a beachfront restaurant.
• hotel pickup.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day except Monday and WednesdayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (4 to 11 years) · Infant (1 to 3 years): free

GroupUp to 30

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 8 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Destination Services Cape Verde

Is this one for you?The 4x4 format and eight-hour duration suit travelers who want to cover multiple landscapes and settlements in one day without arranging separate transport between stops. Small groups work well here because the vehicle seats everyone together, and the route is built around what a single guide can show you: the desert, the wreck, the villages and the beach all in sequence.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 11 years); Infant (1 to 3 years): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is the Cabo de Santa Maria shipwreck like when you get there?

The Cabo de Santa Maria is a rusting hull on Santa Maria beach that has become a symbol of Boa Vista. It's one of roughly 150 shipwrecks across the Cape Verde islands, but this one is considered the most mysterious, and it's a popular spot for photographs.

How much of the day do you spend driving in the 4x4?

The tour runs eight hours total, with the Viana desert dunes taking up the first stretch. You'll also drive to Sal Rei, Povoaçao Velha and Santa Monica Beach, so most of the day is spent on the road or moving between stops.

Can I swim or wade at any of the beaches on this tour?

Santa Monica Beach is the final stop, a 15-kilometer stretch of white sand where you have time to swim or wade. Bring bathing gear and sunblock. You'll want both. The shipwreck stop at Santa Maria beach is shorter and focused on viewing the wreck itself.

What is Povoaçao Velha, and how long do you spend there?

Povoaçao Velha is the oldest settlement on Boa Vista, an isolated hamlet where you can walk through the streets and see local life as it happens. It's a brief stop on the itinerary, enough time to explore without rushing.

Is lunch included, and where do you eat?

Lunch is included and served at a beachfront restaurant partway through the day, using locally sourced ingredients. You'll eat by the sea without leaving the island's rhythm behind.

What should I bring for this tour?

Bring bathing gear and sunblock for the beaches. A towel, hat and sturdy footwear are essential for the desert driving and walking through the settlements. The 4x4 kicks up sand and sun exposure is intense.