Private 4WD Tour Boa Vista: Dunes, Turtles & Santa Monica Beach

Boa Vista 4WD dune ride with sandboarding to reach exclusive spots

A private 4WD tour of southern Boa Vista with a certified guide, covering the dunes of Morro de Areia, Turtlebay, Varandinha caves and Santa Monica Beach. The tour includes sandboarding and sand sledding gear, private transportation, passenger insurance and an air-conditioned vehicle. Hotel pickup is available on one option. The route takes roughly four hours and suits all fitness levels, though it is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, poor cardiovascular health or during pregnancy.

Step-by-step itinerary

4WD tour through dunes and beaches

• Drive through Morro de Areia dunes
• Try sandboarding or sledding
• Stop at Turtlebay to see turtles
• Explore caves at Varandinha Beach
• Drive along Santa Monica Beach
• Swim in the Atlantic Ocean

The experience

You're picked up from your hotel and driven south into the dunes of Morro de Areia in a small private 4WD. The kind of vehicle that can climb and descend slopes a regular car cannot. The guides have been operating here since 2011 and know which routes reach the highest points and the most photogenic vistas. You sit on the open sides of the vehicle, which means you feel the wind and the scale of the landscape without being sealed inside. This setup is rare outside Cape Verde. At the top of the dunes, you have the option to sandboard or sled down the slopes using tested equipment from the USA: the guides bring boards and sledges for all ages and skill levels, and most people try it.

The next stop is Turtlebay, where you watch loggerhead turtles from above in their natural habitat. The guides point out the animals and explain their behavior and lifecycle. From there, the route continues to Varandinha Beach, where steep rock formations and sea caves invite exploration. The red-billed tropical birds that nest in the cliff face are often visible here, tending their young. The final stretch runs along Santa Monica Beach, an unbroken expanse of sand that stretches to the horizon. Depending on the swell and your preference, you can swim in the Atlantic. The guides carry fresh water and know the safe entry points.

The vehicle is air-conditioned for the drive between stops, and passenger insurance is included for the entire excursion. Guides speak English, Portuguese, Italian, French and one additional language. If you're traveling with infants or small children, they ride inside the vehicle where they're protected, while older children and adults can choose to sit on the open sides during the dune sections.

What’s included

• Private 4WD transportation with an air-conditioned cabin.
• passenger insurance during the excursion.
• sandboarding and sand sledding equipment.
• hotel pickup on the option that includes it.

Options for this experience

2 options

Sun&FunGuide in 5 languages · 09:00Includes pickup

Surcharge for Hotel Touareg Sun&FunGuide in 5 languages · 09:00Surcharge for Hotel Riu Touareg, 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 timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

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

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, French, German, Italian and Portuguese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 9 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 4 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Cabokaitours

Is this one for you?Book the option with hotel pickup if you're arriving without a rental car or prefer not to drive yourself. The tour operates as a private group, so the vehicle and guide are yours alone for the full four hours. If you want to arrange your own transport to a meeting point instead, the other option gives you that choice.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, French, 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 sandboarding like on the dunes of Boa Vista?

Sandboarding and sand sledding happen on the slopes of Morro de Areia after you reach the highest points. The guides provide tested equipment suitable for children and adults of any experience level, and most travelers try it at least once. No prior skill is required.

Will I see turtles at Turtlebay?

Turtlebay is where loggerhead turtles are observed from above in their natural environment. The guides explain their behavior and lifecycle, though sightings depend on the season and time of day. The stop is designed around watching the animals in peace rather than guaranteeing a specific number.

Can I swim during the tour?

Santa Monica Beach, the final stop, offers the chance to swim in the Atlantic depending on the swell and your comfort level. The guides know the safe entry points and carry fresh water. Swimming is optional and not part of every departure.

How does the open-sided vehicle work?

The 4WD has open sides so passengers can sit outside during the dune sections and feel the landscape without a barrier. Children ride inside the air-conditioned cabin where they're protected. This open setup is unique to Boa Vista and allows the vehicle to navigate terrain that closed vehicles cannot reach.