Boavista 4x4 Tour: Sandboard, Sharks & Turtle Bay

You sandboard down an actual desert, then watch sharks hunt in shallow water.

A 4x4 tour of Boavista's west coast combines three separate experiences: sandboarding down the Mini Sahara dunes, wildlife spotting at Turtle's Bay and Shark's Bay where green turtles and lemon sharks swim in their natural habitat, and a tasting of local spirits and food in Povoação Velha, the island's oldest village. Hotel pickup is included, and the guide speaks English, Portuguese or French. The tour runs about four and a half hours.

The experience

The tour starts with a 4x4 pickup from your hotel and heads straight to Morro de Areia, the Mini Sahara: a stretch of high dunes that rise inland from the coast. You get a sandboard and slide down them yourself, which is the new activity on the island and nothing like a typical tour stop. After that rush, the driver takes you between the dunes and along the shoreline to reach Baía de Tartaruga, where green turtles feed and rest in the shallows. A few minutes further is Baía de Tubarão, where lemon sharks patrol depending on the sea level and tide.

The final stop is Povoação Velha, the first settlement ever built on Boavista, still home to farmers, fishermen and goat herders. You sit in a comfortable spot and taste local specialities: grogue (the island's rum) and ponche (a liqueur), along with snacks and drinks. The whole route is designed to mix adrenaline, nature and local flavor without feeling rushed.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup in a 4x4 vehicle.
• sandboard and instruction at Morro de Areia.
• wildlife viewing at Turtle's Bay and Shark's Bay.
• local specialities, grogue, ponche and drinks at Povoação Velha.
• a live guide in English, Portuguese or French.

Before you book

Days and timesMonday, Wednesday and FridayDeparts at 09:00

AgesAdult (16 to 70 years) · Youth (12 to 15 years) · Child (4 to 11 years) · Infant (under 4): free

GroupUp to 8

Live guideEnglish, French and Portuguese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 16 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 10 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearby

Operated by Boavista Go - Tours & Expeditions

Is this one for you?The tour is shared and led by a guide, so you're not driving yourself. You sit in the 4x4 and move through each stop as a group. This format suits travelers who want the experience without navigating the island's terrain, and it keeps the pace steady so you hit all three environments (dunes, coast, village) inside the afternoon.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, French and Portuguese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (12 to 15 years); Child (4 to 11 years); Infant (under 4): free.

What exactly is sandboarding and do I need experience?

Sandboarding is sliding down sand dunes on a board, similar to snowboarding but on sand. The tour includes the board and instruction, and it suits all fitness levels. No prior experience is needed.

Will I actually see sharks and turtles, or is spotting them rare?

Green turtles are regular at Turtle's Bay because they feed there, so sightings are common. Lemon sharks appear at Shark's Bay depending on sea level and tide, so spotting them is possible but not guaranteed on every departure.

Is the sandboarding stop the main event, or are the wildlife bays equally important?

The tour balances all three: sandboarding at the dunes, wildlife watching at the two bays, and the village tasting at the end. None overshadows the others. The route is built to combine adrenaline, nature and local culture in one outing.

What's included in the local specialities tasting?

The tasting includes grogue (local rum) and ponche (local liqueur), plus other local specialities and drinks. The exact menu varies, but both spirits are described as a must-try.