Boa Vista island tour: Shipwreck, dunes and Santa Monica beach

Six stops in five to six hours, guided by someone who lives here.

Small-group tour of Boa Vista island with a local guide, covering the Cabo Santa Maria shipwreck near Sal Rei, untouched sand dunes, Santa Monica beach with swimming and lunch, Varandinha's rock formations and natural cave, and Morro de Areia's coastal dunes. Half-day (north or south route) and full-day options available; pickup included; air-conditioned vehicle; guide speaks English, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian and two additional languages.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Boa Vista's natural and historic sites

• Drive to Cabo Santa Maria shipwreck
• Visit souvenir shop and pottery factory
• See the first historic church
• Explore and photograph sand dunes
• Relax and swim at Santa Monica beach
• Have lunch at Boca Beach restaurant
• Explore Varandinha beach rock formations
• Stop at Shark Bay to observe wildlife
• Visit Morro de Areia for views and photos

The experience

What does a day on Boa Vista actually look like when you skip the big tour groups? This tour runs small enough that the guide (someone who actually lives on the island) can adjust the pace and stop longer at the places that matter to you. The route starts at the Cabo Santa Maria, a Spanish cargo ship that ran aground in 1968 and now sits on Praia Boa Esperanza about 6 km northeast of Sal Rei. From there you move through a local pottery factory and the island's first church, then spend real time in the sand dunes: the kind of untouched landscape that doesn't photograph well in a group rush.

Santa Monica beach is the centerpiece. You swim in the ocean and eat lunch at a beachside restaurant, which means the meal is not a rushed pit stop but part of the day itself. After that comes Varandinha, where you explore rock formations and a natural cave that overlooks the water. Before heading to Morro de Areia (a stretch of golden dunes meeting the ocean), the route includes a 20-minute stop at Shark Bay to watch for sharks and green turtles if they're in the area. The full day covers all six stops. The half-day options let you choose either the north or south route depending on what fits your schedule.

You travel in an air-conditioned vehicle with pickup from your hotel included. The guide speaks English, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian and two other languages, so the commentary is in whatever works for you. The tour runs five to six hours, which is long enough to actually sit at the beach and short enough to leave the afternoon open.

What’s included

• Private air-conditioned transportation with hotel pickup.
• a local guide fluent in English, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian and two additional languages.
• entry to the sites visited.
• lunch at a beachside restaurant on Santa Monica beach (full-day option only).

Options for this experience

2 options

North or South - Half-day TourGuide in 6 languages · No fixed timeA half-day island tour covering either the north side (the Shipwreck and colorful villages) or the south side (nature, swimming and beautiful scenery). It lasts 4 hours. Tailored tours are available on request. The northern itinerary includes the Shipwreck, Borrafeira Village, the northern villages (João Galego, Fundo das Figueiras, Cabeça dos Tarafes) and the Viana desert, traveled by 4x4 pickup. The southern itinerary includes Rabil, Santa Mónica, Varandinha, Shark Bay for watching green turtles, and the Dunas de Morro D'areia. Pickup is included.

Tours in Boavista - Full DayGuide in 6 languages · No fixed timeThis full-day tour combines the northern and southern routes, taking in both nature and striking landscapes. It lasts 8 hours, between 7 and 8 hours, and includes a bottle of water. Stops on the Full Day Tours in Boavista are the Shipwreck, Rabil, Viana Desert, Santa Mônica, Varandinha, Shark's Bay (where green turtles can be watched), and the Morro d'Areia dunes. Travel is by 4x4 pickup. Tailored tours are available on request. Pickup is included.

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 timesEvery day

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

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese and Swedish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 7 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 or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 15 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortWheelchair accessibleStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Calutours

Is this one for you?Book the half-day tour if you want to see the shipwreck and dunes without committing a full afternoon. Choose the full day if swimming and a beach lunch matter to you. The small-group format means the guide can linger at the spots worth lingering at, rather than moving the group through on a fixed schedule.

Traveler reviews

4.92★★★★★★★★★★

38 verified traveler reviews

5 ★35

4 ★3

3 ★0

2 ★0

1 ★0

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

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

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 11 years); Infant (under 3): 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.

How far is the Cabo Santa Maria shipwreck from Sal Rei?

The Cabo Santa Maria sits on Praia Boa Esperanza approximately 6 km northeast of Sal Rei, the island capital. The ship ran aground on September 1, 1968, and is now a landmark stop on the tour.

Does the full-day tour include lunch?

Yes. Lunch is at a beachside restaurant on Santa Monica beach, where you can order from the menu and eat after swimming. You choose what you want to eat.

What's the difference between the half-day north and south routes?

The tour offers half-day options running either north or south from Sal Rei, each covering different stops on the island. The full-day tour covers all six stops across both routes.

Can I get photos or videos from the tour?

The guide can take personalized photos and videos during the tour, but this service carries an extra fee beyond the tour price.

Is hotel pickup included in the price?

Pickup from your hotel is included in the tour. The vehicle is air-conditioned and seats small groups.