Today, you’ll be introduced to a couple of truly Cape Verdean villages. You’ll drive to the ‘north’ of Boa Vista, which is actually the name given to the east of the island. João Galego is up first. This place is made up of dinky, one-storey-high houses painted in pastel colours. Have a chat with the locals, and you’ll hear how the village thrives off agriculture. Next, you’ll continue on to nearby Fundo das Figueiras. There are only 250 or so people in this tiny community, where hibiscus and bougainvillea blooms complement the brightly-coloured houses. The tour goes off road next, as you head towards one of the Cape Verde Islands’ most famous landmarks, the Santa Maria shipwreck. This steel freighter, which ran aground in 1968, is practically in the middle of nowhere, which is why so many tourists flock to see it – the striking contrast of white sands, blue seas, and a huge rusty wreck makes for a great photo opportunity.
This day out takes you on a tour of Boa Vista’s west side, interestingly nicknamed the ‘south’. It starts in Rabil, the former capital, and the second-largest town on the island. You’ll see the white-and-blue façade of St Roque church, built in 1801, and there’ll be a stop at a ceramic factory to see how the locals still use traditional pottery techniques. Later, you’ll bypass peachy deserts and an oasis of coconut and date palms en route to the oldest settlement on the island, Povoação Velha. The highlight of the day, though, is reserved for when you touch down on Santa Monica Beach. This 18-kilometre-long stretch of sugar-like sand is named after its Californian counterpart, and is often included in top 10 countdowns of the world’s best beaches.
This is your ticket to a romantic dinner under the setting sun, followed by a chilled-out party. You’ll be whisked to a beachfront bar-slash-restaurant, where you’ll start the evening by watching the sun dip behind the horizon while sipping a traditional cocktail called ‘ponche’. As the light dims, a bonfire is lit and African drummers start to provide a soundtrack. Then it’s time to sit down and enjoy a three-course dinner, with the choice of a meat, veggie, or lobster main and a couple of drinks of wash it all down. Afterwards, a DJ will play laid-back music for a couple of hours, so you can dance the night away with the sand between your toes.
more information soon ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
more information soon ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
more information soon ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
more information soon ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
more information soon ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
more information soon ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
more information soon ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
more information soon ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Watching whales in their natural habitat is a once in a lifetime experience. After being picked up from your hotel, you’ll have three hours sailing time around Cape Verde’s waters. As this is one of just two humpback whale breeding sites in the North Atlantic, it’s an ideal opportunity to spot these giants of the sea. March to April is peak season, so your chances are at their highest during these months. Humpback whales come up for air for minutes at a time, before raising their enormous dorsal fins out of the water as they dive back down to the depths. If you’re really lucky, you might see one breach – this is when they launch themselves into the air, before crashing back onto the surface with an almighty splash.
Climb aboard the truck for a tour of Boa Vista Island. The first stop is the giant sand dunes at Praia Des Chaves beach. See if you can stay upright as you slither down one on a sand board. You’ll get to cool off afterwards in Rabil, the former capital and second largest town on the island. Next, the truck ventures off road, around the foot of the east coast mountains and through the Fonte Vicente oasis. This will be the chance to see baobabs – these bizarre-looking trees, which are only found in the driest areas, have unusually thick trunks and pod-shaped fruit. Finally, you’ll whizz past the salt lakes of the Curral Velho region, and a turtle conservation area, before making a pit-stop for lunch.
There is no better way to relax than on board of a luxury Catamaran. Sail from Santa Maria bay along the west coast towards Monte Leon. Here you will stop, have time for a swim, snorkel or even a spot of fishing. A really enjoyable trip as you also have the possibility of seeing see turtles, dolphins, pilot whales that swim along the coast of Sal( depending on the time of the year).
This 2 hours excursion is starting on protected landscape region of the Salt Mines of Santa Maria and the Turtle Cemetery, we drive along the dunes on the coast, passing through Kite Beach where Kite and windsurfers contribute to an incredible scenery on windy days. Then the excursion passes near the old Poço de Santa Maria, where animals stop by to drink fresh water, from here we proceed to Baia da Murdeira. The next stop is the Oásis Algodoeiro. The way back goes through Ponta Preta, and the touristic expanding area of Cabocan. The excursion finishes arriving finally at the Quad office.