Snorkeling in Ribeira da Barca: Cave swim and beach BBQ

You swim into a sea cave and snorkel its clear water before eating lunch on the beach where it was cooked.

A full-day snorkeling activity in Ribeira da Barca, departing from Praia, combines a traditional fishing boat ride past volcanic rock formations with cave swimming at Àguas Belas and a beachside barbecue. Hotel pickup, guide, snorkel gear, life jacket and a two-course meal are included. The boat operator's fee of €25 per person is paid on the day. Choose between a private tour or a shared group departure.

The experience

The day starts with pickup from your hotel in Praia and a drive west across the island, with a photo stop in Assomada before you reach Ribeira da Barca Village. From there, a 30-minute traditional fishing boat ride takes you past Pilon de Achada Leite: one of Cape Verde's seven natural wonders, a rare rock formation surrounded by small crabs and shaped by the island's volcanic past. The boat itself is part of the experience: you're on the water the way local fishermen work it, not on a tour vessel.

The main event is Àguas Belas, which means "beautiful waters." If sea conditions allow, you swim and snorkel inside its caves, moving through the water with your own equipment while your guide and staff are on the beach preparing lunch. You get to know the local marine life at your own pace. The cave and the water are yours to explore. A life jacket and full snorkel gear are provided, and the guide speaks English, Spanish, Portuguese or French depending on your group.

After snorkeling, you come ashore to a freshly grilled barbecue: a two-course meal with appetizer, rice, vegetables, fish and water, eaten on the black-sand beach. The cooler with ice, water and soft drinks stay with you throughout the day. Once you've finished, the boat returns you to Ribeira da Barca and your guide takes you back to your hotel. A boat operator fee of €25 per person is collected locally on the day. This covers the boat rental, its driver and assistant, and is separate from the tour price.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in Praia.
• a professional guide speaking English, Spanish, Portuguese or French.
• snorkel equipment and life jacket.
• a 30-minute traditional fishing boat ride.
• a two-course barbecue meal with appetizer, rice, vegetables and fish.
• water and soft drinks throughout the day.
• liability insurance.

Options for this experience

2 options

Shared Group TourGuide in English, French or Portuguese · 10:00Lasts 7 hours; pickup is included

Private TourGuide in 4 languages · 10:00Lasts 7 hours; 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 10:00

Book up to10h before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Under 3: can't be booked

GroupUp to 8

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French and Portuguese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 18 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.

Paid on siteUS$ 57

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Bu Country Tours

Is this one for you?Choose the private tour if your group wants the boat and guide to yourselves. The shared group option works well if you're traveling solo or with one other person and don't mind joining other snorkelers. Either way, the boat fee of €25 per person is paid locally on the day and covers the boat operator, driver and assistant. Budget for that separately from the tour price.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French and Portuguese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 11 years). Children under 3 can't be included in the booking.

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.

How long is the snorkeling activity in Ribeira da Barca?

The full day runs seven hours from pickup at your hotel to drop-off, including the 30-minute boat ride, snorkeling time at Àguas Belas, lunch on the beach and the return journey.

What's included in the snorkeling trip?

Pickup and drop-off from your Praia accommodation; the guide in your chosen language; snorkel equipment and life jacket; the traditional fishing boat ride; a two-course barbecue meal with appetizer, rice, vegetables and fish; water and soft drinks; and liability insurance. The boat operator fee of €25 per person is paid separately on the day.

Can I snorkel inside the Àguas Belas cave?

Yes, if sea conditions permit. You swim and snorkel inside the cave at Àguas Belas while your guide and staff prepare lunch on the beach. Rough seas can make entry unsafe, in which case the activity is adjusted or rescheduled.

Is this snorkeling activity private or shared?

You choose at checkout: book a private tour for your group alone, or join a shared group departure with other travelers.

What happens if the weather is bad?

In rough conditions, the operator reserves the right to cancel or postpone at short notice. You'll be offered an alternative date or a full refund.