Sal Rei on Boa Vista
On Boa Vista's northwestern coast, Sal Rei lies in the eastern part of Cape Verde. The town serves as the administrative seat of Boa Vista municipality. The island of Boa Vista covers about 620 square kilometres; about 5,800 inhabitants (2010 census).
The bay and the islet
Ferry services operate from Sal Rei's port in the bay. Facing Sal Rei's port lies the small islet of Ilhéu de Sal Rei, with the ruins of Forte Duque de Bragança. Archaeological work by the University of Cambridge has excavated part of the fort. Pirates raided the island between 1815 and 1817.
Boa Vista tours: Viana Desert and Rabil
The Viana Desert and expanses of dunes are features of Boa Vista's landscape. The desert is east of Rabil and Sal Rei, with Bofareira to its east. The Viana Desert does not itself have protected area status. Rabil lies 6 km to the southeast of Sal Rei and formerly served as the island capital.
A Boa Vista 4x4 tour to Viana Desert and a shipwreck lasts 3 hours. It includes transport throughout, a guided visit to Rabil village and its handicraft centre, visits to the Viana Desert and Cabo Santa Maria shipwreck, and a stop at the Chapel of Our Lady of Fatima.
The Boa Vista full day tour of wild beaches and Viana Desert lasts 7 hours. Included are a professional local guide, transport in an off road vehicle, lunch at Fundo das Figueiras and an opportunity to swim at Ervatão Beach if the weather permits.
Beaches and the Morro de Areia reserve
Praia de Chaves stretches for several kilometres on western Boa Vista, near Rabil. Its southern section falls within the Morro de Areia Nature Reserve. The reserve extends along the island's southwestern coast. It was created to safeguard the movement and dynamics of dune sands. Boa Vista's beaches provide important nesting grounds for loggerhead sea turtles and birds. Praia de Santa Mónica is a sandy beach in the southwest of the island.
The Boa Vista day trip with sand dunes, a shipwreck and sea turtles lasts 6 hours. It includes a local guide who speaks English, vehicle transport, lunch at a local restaurant in Sal Rei, a Morro de Areia reserve visit, stops at Turtle Bay and Shark Bay, exploration of Varandinha Cave, and visits to Santa Monica Beach and Viana Desert.
A guided 4x4 tour to Santa Monica Beach on Boa Vista lasts 4 hours. Included are 4x4 transport throughout, a professional local guide, a visit to Rabil's handicrafts workshop and entry to Santa Monica Beach.
Island history
Boa Vista's first settlement, at Povoação Velha, dates from the early 17th century (usually given as 1620); the capital later moved to Rabil, then to Sal Rei. Salt gathering and date cultivation once sustained Boa Vista's inhabitants.
Airport and climate
Boa Vista's Aristides Pereira International Airport lies approximately 5 km southeast of Sal Rei. Sal Rei shares the desert climate of the rest of Boa Vista. February is the coolest month, at about 22 °C, and September the warmest, at about 27 °C.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Sal Rei?
Sal Rei occupies Boa Vista's northwestern coast, in eastern Cape Verde.
What is on Ilhéu de Sal Rei?
Facing Sal Rei's port lies the small islet of Ilhéu de Sal Rei, with the ruins of Forte Duque de Bragança.
How long is the Viana Desert and shipwreck 4x4 tour?
The Boa Vista 4x4 tour to Viana Desert and a shipwreck lasts 3 hours.
Where is Praia de Santa Mónica?
This sandy beach lies in southwestern Boa Vista.
How far is the airport from Sal Rei?
Aristides Pereira International Airport is approximately 5 km southeast of Sal Rei.
