Boa Vista tour: Beaches, shipwreck, pottery school

Discover hidden limestone caves and savor lunch with a sea view on Boa Vista

A full-day guided tour of Boa Vista, Cape Verde, visiting five beaches and coastal landmarks with a live guide in English, Spanish, Portuguese or Italian. The route covers Morre dareia's dune views, the limestone caves at Varandinha, a longer swim stop at Santa Monica, the Cabo Santa Maria shipwreck on the north coast, a pottery school in Rabil, and lunch at a local restaurant in Sal Rei. Pickup is included. The tour runs about 7 hours.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Boa Vista's beaches and sights

• View dunes over Chaves Bay
• Visit Varandinha limestone caves
• Stop at Santa Monica beach for swimming
• Attend pottery school and shop souvenirs
• See Cabo Santa Maria shipwreck
• Walk in Sal Rei and have lunch

The experience

You get picked up and spend the day moving along Boa Vista's west coast and inland, stopping long enough at each place to do something rather than just look. The dunes at Morre dareia open onto a view of Chaves Bay. Varandinha has limestone caves you walk through, and the beach itself is a swimming stop. Santa Monica, further south, is where the tour lingers. You can swim, walk the dunes or just sit. The route then turns north to the Cabo Santa Maria shipwreck, a rusted ship on the shore that has been there for years. The guide explains what happened and why it matters locally.

In Rabil, you visit a pottery school and watch the handwork happen, with a small shop where everything sold comes from Boa Vista. Lunch happens in Sal Rei at a local restaurant with a view of the coast and Praia de Chaves. After eating, you have time to walk the market, visit the church or browse the fishing port before heading back. The drive itself moves through hill and dale. The terrain is part of the day.

A live guide travels with the group and speaks English, Spanish, Portuguese or Italian. Hotel pickup is included in the booking.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup.
• a live guide in English, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian or one additional language.
• lunch at a local restaurant in Sal Rei.
• stops at Morre dareia, Varandinha, Santa Monica, Rabil pottery school, Cabo Santa Maria shipwreck and Sal Rei.

Before you book

Days and timesMonday to SaturdayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to8h before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (under 12)

GroupUp to 12

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, German, Italian and Portuguese

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 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 14 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Rotcha-Tours

Is this one for you?This tour suits a traveler with a full free day and a mix of interests: beaches, local culture, and a bit of history. The 7-hour length and the mix of stops mean you are moving regularly rather than settling in one place, so it works best for someone who wants to see several sides of Boa Vista in one outing.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

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

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (under 12).

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 Santa Maria shipwreck like when you get there?

The Cabo Santa Maria shipwreck is a rusted ship that has been on the north coast of Boa Vista for some time. The guide explains when it arrived, why it came to rest there, and what it means to the local community. It is treated as a landmark and a story rather than just wreckage.

How much time do you get to swim at the beaches?

Santa Monica is the main swimming stop where the tour makes a longer pause. Chaves and Varandinha are also swimming stops, though Santa Monica is where most travelers spend the most time in the water.

What happens at the pottery school in Rabil?

At the pottery school in Rabil, you watch artisans at work and see the handcraft process. There is a small shop attached where you can buy souvenirs and finished pieces, all made locally on Boa Vista.

Is lunch included, and what is it like?

Lunch at a local restaurant in Sal Rei is included. The restaurant has a view of the coast and Praia de Chaves, and after eating you have free time to walk through the market, visit the church or explore the small fishing port.

How long does the whole tour take?

The tour runs about 7 hours from pickup to drop-off, covering six stops across the island's west coast and interior.