Boa Vista South to Southwest Tour: Turtle Beach and Lighthouse

Walk a turtle nesting beach and climb to the island's first lighthouse in one morning loop

A full-day tour of southern Boa Vista starting at Fonte Vicente Oasis and moving through five stops: an abandoned village and salt flats, the island's largest turtle nesting beach with a biologist camp, virgin beaches near a giant baobab tree, a 154-meter lighthouse hike, and a farming village where lunch is served. The guide speaks English, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian and three other languages, and pickup is included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Boa Vista's natural and cultural sites

• Visit Fonte Vicente Oasis
• Explore Curral Velho village and salt flats
• Visit João Barrosa turtle nesting beach
• Relax at Ervatão Bay beaches
• Hike to Farol Morro Negro lighthouse
• Visit northern farming villages and Turtle Museum
• Shop for souvenirs

The experience

Fonte Vicente Oasis opens the day: the island's largest hydrographic basin, ringed with baobab, tamarind, coconut and date palms that survive in the arid landscape. From there the route moves through Curral Velho, an abandoned fishing village surrounded by salt flats and a conch graveyard that marks the area's former life. The contrast between the oasis and the emptied settlement frames how Boa Vista's terrain shifts within a few kilometers.

João Barrosa is the centerpiece: the island's biggest turtle nesting beach, where a biologist camp operates year-round. After that comes Ervatão Bay, eight kilometers of virgin shoreline with shallow water and another giant baobab tree anchoring the landscape. The hike to Farol Morro Negro, the island's first lighthouse, climbs 154 meters and delivers a view across the whole southern half of Boa Vista. Lunch happens in the only town still sustained by farming and fishing, where you'll also visit the Turtle Museum and have time to browse for souvenirs.

An air-conditioned vehicle carries the group, and the pace is built for moderate fitness. The lighthouse hike is the main physical demand. The tour runs five to six hours total, which compresses the distance and the stops into a single arc rather than spreading them across a longer day.

What’s included

• Air-conditioned vehicle with pickup from your hotel.
• lunch and one drink.
• a live guide in English, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian and three additional languages.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

AgesAdult (13 to 90 years) · Child (4 to 12 years) · Infant (under 4)

GroupUp to 32

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese and Dutch

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 15 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 7 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Spot Travel Tours

Is this one for you?Choose this tour if you're comfortable with a steep climb to the lighthouse viewpoint and want multilingual commentary. Book the version matching your language.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

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

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 12 years); Infant (under 4).

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 Fonte Vicente Oasis like on this tour?

Fonte Vicente Oasis is Boa Vista's largest hydrographic basin, where baobab, tamarind, coconut and date palms grow in the otherwise arid terrain. It opens the day and sets the contrast for the abandoned village and salt flats that come next.

How difficult is the hike to Farol Morro Negro?

The hike to Farol Morro Negro climbs 154 meters to reach the island's first lighthouse. It is the main physical demand of the tour and requires at least a moderate level of fitness. The operator does not recommend it for travelers with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health.

What happens at João Barrosa beach?

João Barrosa is Boa Vista's largest turtle nesting beach, and a biologist camp operates there year-round. The tour includes a visit to the beach and the camp, so you see the nesting site and the research work happening on it.

Does the tour include a meal?

Lunch and one drink are included. The meal is served in the farming village at the end of the day, where you'll also have time to visit the Turtle Museum and shop for souvenirs before returning.

What is Curral Velho?

Curral Velho is an abandoned fishing village surrounded by salt flats and a conch graveyard, marking the area's former economic life. The tour includes a stop to explore the emptied settlement and the landscape around it.