Boa Vista essentials

Boa Vista is characterized by the expansive Viana Desert, where Saharan sands create shifting dunes across the landscape. The island’s coastline features the 1968 shipwreck of the Cabo Santa Maria and the 18-kilometer stretch of Santa Mónica beach. Cultural landmarks include the colonial-style Santa Isabel church and the Museu dos Náufragos, which documents the maritime history of the region. From the volcanic heights of Morro Negro to the quiet chapel of Nossa Senhora de Fátima, the island offers a mix of geological wonders and historical remnants.

Boa Vista Essentials — Map

A

Santa Maria

The rusted remains of the Spanish cargo ship Cabo Santa Maria, which ran aground on the northern coast in 1968.

Ingo Wölbern / Public domain

B

Viana Desert

The Deserto de Viana is a sand desert in the northwestern part of the island of Boa Vista, Cape Verde.

C

Praia de Santa Mónica

An 18-kilometer stretch of white sand on the southern coast, known for its turquoise waters and wide, undeveloped shoreline.

D

Praia de Chaves

Wide sandy beach featuring large dunes that merge into the coastline near the main town of Sal Rei.

Hugo Nascimento / CC-BY-SA

E

Santa Isabel

Colonial-style Catholic church in Sal Rei featuring a distinctive pastel blue and yellow facade.

Cuenqui / CC BY-SA 4.0

F

Ilhéu de Sal Rei

Ilhéu de Sal Rei is an uninhabited islet near the coast of Boa Vista Island, Cape Verde.

G

Farol de Morro Negro

Lighthouse situated on the easternmost point of the island, standing on a 150-meter-high volcanic hill.

H

Museu dos Náufragos

Museum in Sal Rei showcasing maritime artifacts, shipwreck remnants, and traditional Cape Verdean crafts.

I

Nossa Senhora de Fátima

A small, restored chapel located on a rocky hill north of Sal Rei, offering views of the surrounding coastline.

Ingo Wölbern / Public domain

J

Boa Vista Island

Boa Vista, sometimes incorrectly spelled Boavista, is a desert-like island that belongs to the Cape Verde Islands.

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Boa Vista's Best Sights Hidden Gems of Boa Vista Best Beaches Historic Churches