Island of Boavista

Boavista is the third largest island in Cape Verde and is the nearest to the African coast.  Boavista means “beautiful sight” and is thought to originate from sailors crying out when they finally caught sight of land after arduous voyages at sea. When the island was originally discovered in 1460 it was called Sao Cristovao.

Like Sal, tourism is now the main source of income for the 5000 islanders. Most of whom live and around the main town of Sal Rei, or near Rabil where the airport is located.

The island is about 31 km (19 miles) from north to south, and 29 km (18 miles) from west coast east. There are 55 km of white beaches around the island.

Sal Rei

Sal Rei is the main town of the island and the remains of a fort, Duque de Branca, built to protect the island from pirates can be seen in the bay. The streets are wide and cobbled and planted with attractive trees which provide useful shade. The main square is large and surrounded by a few cafes.

Chaves Beach

This spectacular beach is about 12 km long and stretches down the west coast of Boavista. The remains of a former brick factory can be seen in the sand with its tall chimney rising out of the dunes.

Estoril beach

To the south of Sal Rei is Estoril beach which is slightly more sheltered because of the small islet, Ilheu de Sal Rei so this is one of the better beaches if you are new to windsurfing.

Santa Monica beach

The 18 km of long white sand and are best reached by a 4×4 which are available for hire. It is well worth the effort - but it is remote and has no facilities so take all you need - food, water, everything.

Turtles

No mention of Boavista would be complete without mentioning the turtles. There are seven different marine turtle species and six of them can be found in the seas around the islands of Cape Verde.

The Marine Conservation Society believes that Cape Verde may be the home to the largest loggerhead turtle nesting population in the Atlantic Ocean.

The nesting sites are on the east coast of Boavista and from May to October the beaches are visited by the mother turtles looking to lay their eggs. The mothers then return to the sea and any time from late August to late December the eggs hatch and the baby turtles crawl back to the sea by moonlight.