Boa Vista Island: Full-Day Wild Beaches & Viana Desert Experience
From ghost villages and oasis groves to sea turtle beaches and sweeping desert dunes
This Boa Vista island tour takes you across one of Cape Verde's most dramatic and varied landscapes in a single full day, combining off-road adventure, natural history, and coastal swimming into one carefully sequenced itinerary.
The route moves from lush oasis to abandoned fishing village, continues across rough terrain to a remote beach, and culminates at the Viana Desert, a protected expanse of white sand dunes stretching more than ten kilometres across the interior of the island.
A local guide accompanies the group throughout, providing context on the island's ecology, colonial history, and the agricultural traditions that still sustain small communities in the northeast. The day ends with drop-off at your accommodation.
Tour Highlights
Explore the Fonte Vicente Oasis and observe fig, almond, tamarind, and baobab trees alongside local fauna.
Walk through the ghost village of Curral Velho, deserted after centuries of drought and pirate raids.
Swim in the turquoise waters of Ervatão Beach, the island's most important loggerhead sea turtle nesting site.
Enjoy a traditional lunch in Fundo das Figueiras, a village celebrated for its locally produced goat cheese.
Walk the vast white dunes of the Viana Desert, one of Cape Verde's seven official natural wonders.
Travel sections of the route off-road to reach João Barrosa Beach, accessible only by 4x4 vehicle.
Itinerary
The day begins with pickup from your hotel and a drive to the Fonte Vicente Oasis. Your guide introduces the local flora, including fig, almond, tamarind, and baobab trees, and explains the ecological role this rare water source plays on an otherwise arid island.
The group moves on to the ruins of Curral Velho, a fishing settlement abandoned due to persistent drought and repeated pirate attacks. You will explore the remains of its former salt mine and hear the history of the community that once lived here.
An off-road track leads to the wild beach of João Barrosa, followed by a stop at Ervatão Beach, the principal loggerhead sea turtle spawning ground on Boa Vista. Weather permitting, guests are invited to swim in its clear turquoise waters.
The tour pauses in the small agricultural village of Fundo das Figueiras for a traditional lunch. The village is known across the island for its artisan goat cheese and its commitment to small-scale pastoral farming.
The final stop is the Viana Desert, where guests walk among white sand dunes stretching over ten kilometres. The group then returns to the hotel zone for drop-off at each accommodation.
What Is Included
Included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Professional local guide
- Off-road vehicle transport
- Lunch at Fundo das Figueiras
- Swimming opportunity at Ervatão Beach (weather permitting)
Not Included
- Personal travel insurance
- Gratuities for guide and driver
- Additional drinks beyond those included
- Personal expenses and souvenirs
Important Information
Ready to Explore Boa Vista?
Secure your place on this full-day island circuit and discover the wild coast, living oases, and desert landscapes that define Boa Vista's remarkable character.
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