São Nicolau Northeast Coast Tour: Natural Pool & Lagoa

Drive the northern cliffs, swim in the natural pool, meet the locals of Carriçal

A full-day private tour of São Nicolau's northeast coast in Cape Verde, starting from Ribeira Brava or Tarrafal, with hotel pickup and drop-off. You drive through deep mountain creeks and the Fajã Valley, stop at Forte do Príncipe Real in Porto da Preguiça, swim in the greenish natural pool at Lagoa near Juncalino, and visit the fishing village of Carriçal. The tour runs seven hours and includes private transportation and a live guide in English, Spanish or Portuguese.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Northeast Coast and Lagoa Pool

• Pick up at accommodation
• Drive along northern coast road
• Visit Forte do Príncipe Real in Porto da Preguiça
• Swim at natural pool near Juncalinho
• Drive to fishing village Carriçal and meet locals
• Return to accommodation for drop-off

The experience

What makes this tour work is the route itself: you leave your accommodation and head out along one of Cape Verde's most dramatic roads, where the northern coast drops into deep creeks carved into the mountainside. The Fajã Valley opens up as you drive, and the landscape shifts from lush to stark as you push toward the northeast. The guide handles the navigation and the stops, so you're free to watch the terrain change.

The stops anchor the day. Porto da Preguiça holds Forte do Príncipe Real, built centuries ago to defend against enemies of the Portuguese empire and named for Pedro Álvares Cabral, who passed through on the voyage that led to the discovery of Brazil. At Juncalino, the natural pool of Lagoa waits: greenish water shaped like a prehistoric ax handle, sitting improbable and still in the dry eastern part of the island. You bring swimwear and a towel, and the pool is where the tour pauses. Then you drive to Carriçal, a working fishing village where the guide introduces you to locals and the day winds down before the return to your hotel.

Seven hours is long enough to move through the island without rushing, but short enough to leave the rest of your day open. Private transportation means no other travelers on the van, and the pickup from your accommodation saves the logistics of getting to a meeting point.

What’s included

• Private transportation in a van.
• hotel pickup and drop-off from Ribeira Brava or Tarrafal.
• a live guide in your choice of English, Spanish or Portuguese.
• access to the natural pool at Lagoa for swimming.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to12h before

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

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and Portuguese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 10 pickup points.

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

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effort

Operated by Bu Country Tours

Is this one for you?Seven hours leaves the rest of your day free if you're based in Ribeira Brava or Tarrafal, but it's a full commitment if you're staying elsewhere on the island. Private transportation means you travel alone or with your group, not with other tourists, and the guide handles all the stops and the route.

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and Portuguese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 11 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What is the natural pool at Lagoa actually like when you get there?

Lagoa is a natural pool of greenish water on the northeast coast near Juncalino, shaped like a prehistoric ax handle and surrounded by the dry landscape of that part of the island. The contrast between the water and the arid terrain is what makes it striking. You can swim there and the tour builds in time for a dip.

Does the tour include lunch?

Lunch is not included in the tour, so you'll want to bring food or plan to eat in one of the villages. The operator recommends bringing sandals, a towel, a hat, swimwear and sunscreen.

What is Forte do Príncipe Real and why does it matter?

Forte do Príncipe Real is a historic fort built in Porto da Preguiça to protect the Portuguese empire from enemies. It's also named for Pedro Álvares Cabral, who stopped here during the voyage that resulted in the discovery of Brazil, making it a landmark in both local and wider history.

How long is the full-day tour and what time does it start?

The tour runs seven hours. Pickup happens at your accommodation in Ribeira Brava or Tarrafal, and the guide will coordinate the exact time when you book.