The Most Beautiful Beaches of Boa Vista in Cape Verde

The most beautiful beaches of Boa Vista: our guide to discovering the island

White sand as far as the eye can see, dunes plunging into the ocean, small bays near Sal Rei, and almost deserted wild beaches: Boa Vista has some of the most spectacular beaches in Cape Verde.

The island features about 55 kilometers of beaches, with very different landscapes depending on the coast. Some are perfect for spending a day by the water, while others are worth visiting for their scenery, rock formations, wildlife, or history.

If you are planning your vacation and looking for the most beautiful beaches in Boa Vista, here is our selection of must-see spots during your stay.

This selection is not an absolute ranking: each beach has its own character, and the best one will depend mainly on what you are looking for.

Santa Mónica: the iconic beach of Boa Vista

It is impossible to talk about the beaches of Boa Vista without starting with Praia de Santa Mónica.

Located in the southwest of the island, it stretches across an immense expanse of pale sand facing the Atlantic. The official tourist portal of Boa Vista describes a beach of over 11 kilometers, surrounded by a largely unspoiled natural environment.

What impresses most at Santa Mónica is the incredible sense of space. When you step onto the beach, the horizon seems almost endless: sand, dunes, and the ocean.

It is a particularly pleasant place to walk, take photos, and enjoy the natural beauty of Boa Vista.

However, the ocean can be powerful in this part of the island, and the waves are sometimes significantly larger than in the bay of Sal Rei. Local tourism authorities therefore recommend taking conditions into account before swimming.

Praia de Chaves: dunes, sand, and long walks

On the west coast lies another key beach: Praia de Chaves.

Its character is different from Santa Mónica. Here, massive sand dunes gradually join the coastline, creating a landscape where the desert and the ocean seem to meet.

The Cape Verde tourism office describes Chaves as a particularly pleasant beach for relaxing and taking long walks. It is also popular for various water sports, including kitesurfing and stand-up paddleboarding, depending on conditions.

For families, the national tourism portal notes certain sections of Praia de Chaves for their relative tranquility and shallow waters, while reminding visitors to always consider the actual state of the sea.

Chaves is a great option if you are looking for a spectacular beach without necessarily traveling to the far south of the island.

Varandinha: the most photogenic

While Santa Mónica impresses with its vastness, Varandinha captivates with its shapes.

Located in the southwest of Boa Vista, the beach stands out for its rock formations that divide the coastline into several areas. The site also features a natural cave opening onto the sea, one of the most photographed features in this part of the island.

The result is very different from the vast, completely open beaches of Boa Vista.

The sand, cliffs, and rocks form a wilder setting, particularly appealing to travelers seeking beautiful landscapes and photography opportunities.

Varandinha is also known among kitesurfers and windsurfers, although these activities naturally depend on the wind and ocean conditions.

Praia do Estoril: the ideal beach from Sal Rei

You don't always need to cross the island in a 4x4 to enjoy a beautiful beach.

Praia do Estoril is located right near Sal Rei. The official tourism portal of Boa Vista lists it, along with Praia de Cabral, among the beaches surrounding the island's capital.

Its location is one of its main advantages.

You can spend the morning exploring Sal Rei, have lunch nearby, and then walk to the beach without planning a full-day excursion.

Estoril also offers more services than the isolated beaches of the south or east. Several establishments and water sports centers are set up along the shoreline. The national tourism portal mentions it as a beach well-suited for families and activities such as boat trips and snorkeling under favorable conditions.

It is also from Praia do Estoril that Marina Travel Tours organizes some of its maritime activities, including boat departures.

Praia Diante: Boa Vista at the rhythm of Sal Rei

Right next to the center of Sal Rei, Praia Diante offers a different experience altogether.

This isn't the beach you choose to be alone on miles of sand. Its interest lies elsewhere: it allows you to observe the daily relationship between Sal Rei and the ocean.

The Cape Verde tourism office describes Praia Diante as a small, quiet beach where you can watch fishermen return from their sea trips. The spot is also recommended for enjoying the late afternoon light.

It is an interesting beach if you want to experience Boa Vista beyond the postcard landscapes and observe a piece of local maritime life.

Praia da Atalanta and Cabo Santa Maria: the most unusual beach

In the north of Boa Vista, a metallic silhouette emerges from the ocean: the Cabo Santa Maria.

The Spanish cargo ship ran aground on Praia da Atalanta in September 1968. Slowly eroded by corrosion and waves, the shipwreck has become one of the most recognizable symbols of Boa Vista.

The beach itself has a very unique atmosphere.

The wild landscape, light sand, Atlantic waters, and rusted ship structure create one of the island's most striking backdrops.

People come here mainly to discover the site and take photos rather than for a typical beach day.

The wreck is old and continuously decaying due to the ocean. It is best to admire it from a distance and avoid climbing on its metal structure.

Lacacão: a wild beach in the south of the island

Located near Santa Mónica, Praia do Lacacão continues the sequence of long beaches characteristic of southern Boa Vista.

The official tourist portal describes it as a beach with miles of fine sand, while the national tourism office highlights its wild nature and the potential power of the ocean here.

Lacacão is therefore ideal for travelers seeking wide open spaces.

It is also a great example of what makes Boa Vista unique: the island's most beautiful spots are not necessarily those with the most services or infrastructure.

Here, the landscape is the experience itself.

Ervatão: an essential beach for sea turtles

On the eastern coast of Boa Vista, Ervatão holds special importance.

This part of the island is located within protected areas for the nesting of loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta). The Boa Vista tourism portal identifies the main nesting period between June and October and highlights Ervatão as a key area for reproduction.

This completely changes how the beach should be visited.

You don't come to Ervatão just to admire the landscape: you must also understand that you are entering a delicate natural habitat.

During nesting season, turtle watching must be conducted in compliance with local rules and with authorized guides or organizations. Never touch the animals, shine lights directly at a turtle, or disturb their movement.

Morro de Areia: where dunes meet the ocean

This natural reserve in southwestern Boa Vista is characterized by miles of dunes and coastal landforms reaching straight into the Atlantic. The national tourism portal lists it among the island's grand landscapes, while the official Boa Vista portal highlights the spectacle of dunes descending into the ocean.

Morro de Areia is less of a "lay your towel all day" beach and more of a stunning natural landscape to discover.

For photography enthusiasts, it is easily one of the most compelling spots on the island.

Which is the most beautiful beach in Boa Vista?

It all depends on how you travel.

For an unmatched sense of vastness, Santa Mónica is hard to beat.

For dunes, choose Praia de Chaves.

For photography and rock formations, Varandinha is particularly fascinating.

For a beach day without leaving Sal Rei, Praia do Estoril is by far the most convenient.

To discover a beach rich in history, head to Praia da Atalanta and the wreck of Cabo Santa Maria.

And for travelers seeking untamed landscapes, Lacacão, Ervatão, and Morro de Areia showcase another side of Boa Vista.

It is precisely this diversity that makes the island's beaches so special.

Can you swim at all beaches in Boa Vista?

No, not all beaches in Boa Vista should be considered equal for swimming.

Boa Vista is situated in the middle of the open Atlantic Ocean. Swell, wind, and currents can vary significantly depending on the beach and the day.

The official Cape Verde tourism portal recommends choosing areas where the sea is calm and identified as safe. It also reminds visitors that not all beaches have lifeguard supervision.

A sea that looks calm from the shore may still have strong undercurrents.

If you are unfamiliar with a beach, check locally before entering the water and always follow instructions from local guides and professionals.

How to visit the wild beaches of Boa Vista?

Estoril and Praia Diante can easily be reached on foot from Sal Rei.

However, reaching Santa Mónica, Varandinha, Cabo Santa Maria, Ervatão, and other secluded beaches involves dirt tracks and remote areas away from urban centers. Local tourism authorities recommend that first-time visitors to isolated spots opt for guided excursions with licensed professionals.

Be sure to bring plenty of water, sun protection, sunglasses, and a hat. On remote beaches, do not expect to find shops or restaurants.

Beaches and ocean: discover Boa Vista from the sea

While the beaches are breathtaking from land, Boa Vista reveals another side of its character from the water.

From Praia do Estoril in Sal Rei, you can head out to sea to explore the bay, go snorkeling, or travel to other coastal areas.

Marina Travel Tours offers several water activities from Boa Vista, including snorkeling, seasonal whale watching, taxi boat transfers to Djeu, and sea fishing.

After exploring Santa Mónica, Varandinha, or Chaves by land, a boat trip offers a fresh perspective on the island and the surrounding Atlantic Ocean.

Respecting the beaches of Boa Vista

The landscapes of Boa Vista are spectacular, but several areas also hold great ecological importance, particularly for sea turtle nesting. The eastern coast includes protected zones established to preserve these habitats.

Do not leave trash on the beach, do not disturb wildlife, respect protected areas, and avoid driving off designated paths.

Preserving these places is essential so that the beaches defining Boa Vista's beauty today remain wild tomorrow.

The beaches of Boa Vista: much more than white sand

It would be easy to reduce Boa Vista to postcard images of white sand and turquoise water.

Yet when you truly explore the island, every stretch of coastline tells a different story.

Santa Mónica showcases vastness.

Varandinha reveals the force of erosion and rock formations.

Chaves merges dunes with the Atlantic.

Estoril highlights the close bond between Sal Rei and the ocean.

Atalanta preserves one of the island's most famous maritime stories.

Ervatão serves as a reminder that these beaches are vital ecosystems for wildlife.

So, which is the most beautiful beach in Boa Vista?

The best answer is probably not to pick just one.

Take the time to explore several. By traveling along the island's different coasts, you will truly understand why beaches play such a central role in the identity of Boa Vista.