boa vista

Imagine standing on the shore by crystal clear emerald waters watching dolphins playing out at sea and groups of turtles coming to shore to lay their eggs. Or picture yourself sitting on the soft white sand dunes under an oasis of sweet date palm trees, the rhythms of a traditional Cape Verde morna ballad drifting by on the breeze... you are in Boa Vista, the fantasy island - a tiny piece of paradise that feels a million miles from home.

Despite being one of the most important areas for tourism in Cape Verde, Boa Vista remains quiet and peaceful and offers a haven for those looking to kick back and escape reality for a while. You won't be stuck for things to do though because Boa Vista offers a variety of activities whether it's relaxing on the beach, walking or quad biking through the dunes or diving in the beautiful clear sea - one of the island's greatest attractions - where you can discover a beautiful underwater world.

things to do:

• Diving - the waters surrounding the island are one of the biggest shipping cemeteries in the world, dating back to the times when ships sailed past from the new world. Many of the vessels transporting people, gold, silver and treasures from America to Europe sank here, leaving a slice of history for future generations of divers to discover.
• Watersports - the seas also provide perfect conditions for windsurfing and body boarding, with facilities and tuition provided by the larger hotels.
• Turtles - if you're interested in nature and conservation, visit the turtle beaches. After Florida, Cape Verde has the world's most important protected colony of the Caretta Caretta species of turtle.
• Culture- hire a car or set off on a walk around to island to meet the people and understand their way of life. Visit Sal Rei, the island's main town, or stop at João Galego and Fundo das Figueiras, areas which, despite being an arid island, produce fresh vegetables for the island. End your day out with a stop at the village of Rabil to see the locally crafted ceramics.
• Nightlife - the nightlife is relaxed and easy, a time when the locals can often be seen sitting outside, playing their guitars and singing morna, the traditional Cape Verdean style of song about love, loss and mourning.

when to visit:

Any time is a good time, the sun shines all year round. June to September are the more popular months for tourists with October to May being the most peaceful period.

how to get there:

Domestic flights to Boa Vista depart from Sal or you can travel by boat. From the UK, Thomson fly direct to Boa
Vista from Gatwick and Manchester.

climate:

Boa Vista is particularly dry, with year round sunshine and hot dry winds from the Sahara desert, just 350 miles away.

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