Cape Verde, Africa (continent)November 11, 2025, by Carmen Esselink

Boa Vista Cape Verde is more than just beaches: from sharks to shipwrecks to bumpy roads

Cape Verde, Africa (continent), November 11, 2025, by Carmen Esselink

Boa Vista Cape Verde is more than just beaches: from sharks to shipwrecks to bumpy roads

Boa Vista boasts 55 kilometers of coastline, wind that flattens your wrinkles, and sand that penetrates even your underwear. But this Cape Verdean island is much more than just beaches: it gets under your skin. Here you'll stare into sharks' eyes, watch turtles shuffle into the sea, drive along "Route 66 of Boa Vista," and encounter cliffs, shipwrecks, and churches that defy time. These are the seven activities you shouldn't miss during your trip to Boa Vista.

Drive Route 66 from Boa Vista

The name might be a wink, but the feeling is spot on. This road cuts straight through the island and feels endless, dusty, and deserted. No neon signs or diners like in America—which (sadly) isn't—but a horizon where one mountain blends seamlessly into the next. Just you, the road, and the silence; as if the island has you all to itself for a moment. It's a drive that takes you off the map and places you right at the heart of the island.

You can travel this route with a (rental) car, but you can also do it on quads.

For the sharks at Praia das Gatas

Imagine: you're standing with your feet in the sand, your gaze fixed on the water. The surface seems calm, until suddenly a fin slices through. A lemon shark, in the seawater just offshore. The water is so clear you can see every movement. Exciting? Absolutely. But that's precisely what makes it unique: from this remote beach in the east of the island, with a bit of luck, you might even spot a shark.

Extra: conch shell cemetery

That's not the only reason this beach is so special. Just a few meters away is a conch shell cemetery: A kind of cemetery of pink and white spiral shells. These shells—which once housed a species of mussel-like animal—were likely left there by illegal fishermen. As grim as it sounds, it makes for a strikingly beautiful and intriguing sight.

Spot humpback whales

Not enough sharks for you? The waters around Boa Vista are also breeding grounds for humpback whales. Between March and May, you have the chance to see them breaching, or spot a fountain from your boat. The deep call of a whale pierces the silence – goosebumps guaranteed.

Slide into the sea with turtles

On the south coast of Boa Vista, the ocean reveals its powerful side. The surf crashes hard and rhythmically against the sand, with waves that sometimes seem to crash and then gently roll back.

Sea turtles also come ashore in the same surf to lay their eggs, especially during summer nights. NGOs like Tartarugas Boa Vista protect the nests from poachers and keep watch. During nesting season, you can take a guided tour and, with a bit of luck, witness a tiny turtle hatch from its egg and slowly shuffle toward the vast ocean—the beginning of a lifelong journey.

Visit the wreck at Praia de Atalanta

Off the north coast of Boa Vista lies the wreck of the Spanish freighter Cabo Santa Maria, half-swallowed by sand and sea. Rusty plates, crashing waves, seagulls circling above: it's almost surreal. As if nature is slowly reclaiming what was once steel.

Escape to Capela de Nossa Senhora de Fátima

If you're in Sal Rei and want to get away from the main street for a bit, walk towards the small church to the north. The walk is short, but just long enough to escape the hustle and bustle. The air smells of salt and wind, and the only sound you hear is your own footsteps. Before you lies a deserted, white church overlooking the ocean.

Choose a boat and snorkel combo

Boa Vista from a different perspective? The answer lies in the sound of an engine, the smell of sea salt, and the wind that blows everything away. Yes, a fishing boat or catamaran. During a boat trip around the island, you'll see Boa Vista in a slightly different light.

Along the way, you'll pass fishermen bobbing around, hauling in their nets, and various snorkeling spots. Hello, Cape Verde's underwater world.

Boa Vista Cape Verde is more than just beaches: from sharks to shipwrecks to bumpy roads