Boa Vista Tour: Santa Mónica Beach, Shipwreck & Sand Dunes

A stranded boat, limestone caves and sand dunes that stretch to the sea

A full-day guided tour of Boa Vista departing from Sal Rei, visiting Santa Mónica Beach for swimming, Varandinha Cave, Morro de Areia sand dunes, Viana Desert and the Cabo de Santa Maria Shipwreck. The tour includes hotel pickup and drop-off, a guide in multiple languages, and a lunch break at a local restaurant in Sal Rei.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Boa Vista's natural wonders

• Visit Morro de Areia nature reserve
• Explore Varandinha Cave
• Swim and relax at Santa Mónica beach
• Discover Viana Desert sand dunes
• Lunch at local restaurant in Sal Rei
• Visit Cabo de Santa Maria Shipwreck
• Return to accommodation

The experience

The Cabo de Santa Maria Shipwreck has sat stranded for 50 years, and it anchors the second half of this tour. Before you reach it, you'll spend the morning moving through three distinct landscapes: Morro de Areia's sand dunes that slope down to the sea, Varandinha Cave with its limestone formations carved by erosion, and Santa Mónica Beach, where the water is turquoise and the sand is white. Swimming at Santa Mónica is weather permitting, and sea turtles appear in the water here. The cave and the dunes are the stops most travelers photograph.

After lunch at a local restaurant in Sal Rei, the tour drives to the shipwreck on the coast. The boat has become a symbol for local painters and photographers, and the visit gives you time to walk around it and understand why. The day ends with drop-off at your accommodation, and the whole route takes six hours from start to finish.

Your guide speaks English, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian or one additional language, and the tour operates as either a private booking or a shared group departure. Hotel pickup is included unless you're staying at the Hotel Riu Touareg, which requires an additional fee for transport. Bring a towel, sunscreen and swimsuit. Comfortable clothes work for the cave and dune walking.

What’s included

• Pickup and drop-off at your accommodation in Sal Rei.
• a live guide in English, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian or another language.
• transportation throughout the day.
• liability insurance.

Options for this experience

2 options

Shared Group TourGuide in 5 languages · 09:00Pickup is included

Private TourGuide in 5 languages · 09:00Private tour lasting 7 hours with private transportation, and 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 timesMonday to SaturdayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to10h before

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

GroupUp to 8

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, Italian and Portuguese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 2 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 10 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Bu Country Tours

Is this one for you?Choose the private tour option if you want to set your own pace at each stop and avoid a group schedule. Choose the shared group tour if you prefer to split the cost and meet other travelers exploring the island.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

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

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.

Can I swim at Santa Mónica Beach on this tour?

Yes, Santa Mónica Beach is the main swimming stop, and the tour includes time in the turquoise water and on the white sand. Swimming is weather permitting, and you may see sea turtles in their natural habitat here.

What is the Varandinha Cave like?

Varandinha Cave is a limestone formation sculpted by sea erosion over time, with textures and shapes that create strong photo opportunities. It's a walking stop on the route, not a long underground passage.

How long does this tour take?

The full tour runs six hours from pickup at your hotel to drop-off at the end of the day, including the lunch break in Sal Rei.

What makes the Viana Desert one of the seven wonders of Cabo Verde?

The Viana Desert is a landscape of rolling sand dunes with changing shapes and golden colors that create an almost unreal appearance. The tour includes time to walk and explore the dunes.

Is lunch included in the tour price?

Lunch is not included in the tour price, but the itinerary includes a break at a local restaurant in Sal Rei where you can order and pay separately.