Boa Vista: Quad Tour to Shipwreck & Viana Desert with Pickup

Quad biking from Sal Rei to Cabo Santa Maria’s shipwreck and Viana Desert sands

You’ll race across Boa Vista’s wild trails on a quad bike with a local guide, stopping at Cabo Santa Maria’s haunting shipwreck and gliding over Viana Desert’s white dunes. Feel salt spray on your face and sand under your boots before heading back with new stories — and probably some sand still stuck in your socks.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop off in Sal Rei, all quad biking equipment like helmet and goggles (so you don’t have to worry about packing extra), bottled water along the way, plus fuel costs covered so you can just focus on riding instead of logistics.

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Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Boa Vista quad tour and sightseeing

• Start quad tour from Sal Rei
• Follow guide along scenic trails
• Visit Cabo Santa Maria Beach
• See iconic Shipwreck of Spanish cargo
• Continue ride through Viana Desert
• Explore white sandy dunes and landscape
• Return with hotel transfers

The Experience

The first thing I remember is the salt in the air, sharp and clean, as we kicked up dust leaving Sal Rei behind. Our guide, Paulo, had this way of grinning over his shoulder whenever someone hit a bump — not mocking, just kind of proud. The quad felt heavier than I expected but after a few minutes my hands stopped clenching so much. We followed these sandy tracks that seemed to melt into the horizon, and then suddenly there it was: the shipwreck at Cabo Santa Maria, rusted bones jutting out of the surf like something from an old film. I didn’t expect it to feel so lonely out there.

Paulo told us how the Spanish cargo ran aground back in 1968 — he said locals still tell stories about it when the wind gets wild. Standing close, you could hear waves slapping metal and smell seaweed baking in the sun. I tried taking a photo but honestly, it never looks like what you see with your own eyes. Someone in our group tried climbing a dune and slid right back down, laughing so hard she almost dropped her helmet. There was sand everywhere by then — inside my shoes, stuck to my lips.

The Viana Desert came next. It wasn’t what I pictured; no endless Sahara, more like soft white dunes rolling under a sky so wide it made me dizzy for a second. The quiet got me — just our engines humming and this odd hush between gusts of wind. Paulo pointed out tiny green shoots poking through the sand (he called them “miracles,” which made me smile). By the end I was sunburnt and gritty but weirdly peaceful. The ride back felt slower somehow, or maybe that was just me wanting to stretch out those last minutes before we were dropped at our hotel again.

Top questions

How long does the Boa Vista quad tour last?

The quad tour lasts approximately 2 hours from start to finish.

Is hotel pickup included for this quad adventure?

Yes, pickup and drop off at your hotel are included in the tour.

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts from Sal Rei on Boa Vista island.

What do you see on this quad tour?

You visit Cabo Santa Maria Beach with its famous shipwreck and ride through the Viana Desert dunes.

Is equipment provided for riding quads?

Yes, all necessary equipment such as helmet, goggles, and overall are provided.

Are there any physical restrictions for joining?

The tour isn’t recommended for pregnant travelers or those with spinal injuries.

How many people can ride one quad?

The total weight limit per quad is 220 kg (485 lbs).

Is bottled water included during the trip?

Bottled water is included for participants during the tour.