Boa Vista Island: Full-Day Wild Beaches & Viana Desert Tour

This tour is interesting because it strings together three very different sides of Boa Vista in one day, wild shoreline, the Viana Desert dunes, and a couple of history and nature stops in between. It’s the kind of outing where your day feels like a quick sampler plate, but with real time at each place.

Two things I like a lot: you get guided nature and local context at stops like Fonte Vicente Oasis and Curral Velho, and you also get actual water time with a swim at the beaches near João Barrosa and Ervatão. The guides I’ve heard about firsthand, like Damaris, Jayson, and Jo, seem to keep it friendly and informative without turning it into a lecture.

One drawback to consider is that the day is not gentle. You’ll walk on sand, you might spend time in heat, and it is not suitable for people with mobility issues, back problems, or pregnancy.

Key Highlights You’ll Actually Feel

• Turtle territory at Ervatão Beach, known for loggerhead sea turtle spawning
• Two beach stops, including João Barrosa and Ervatão (swim depends on weather)
• Fonte Vicente Oasis with a guided look at fruit trees like fig, almond, tamarind, and baobab
• Curral Velho ghost fishing village, including a former salt mine visit
• Off-road beach access, so the scenery changes fast as the road leaves pavement
• A Viana Desert walk along white sand dunes, over 10 km of sand

A Day on Wild Beaches and the Viana Desert

Boa Vista is famous for big sand energy, but what I like about this full-day tour is that it doesn’t treat the island like one big photo stop. You start with nature and local life clues, move into ghost-town history, then shift to wild beaches where the ocean looks like it was filtered by the sky.

This is a 7-hour tour, so you’ll feel like you’ve covered ground, but not in the exhausting, “see it then sprint away” way. The route is built for variety: shade and trees at Fonte Vicente Oasis, salt-mine stories at Curral Velho, and then ocean time before you switch gears to dunes.

If you’re the type who likes a guide that points out what you’d miss on your own, you’ll probably enjoy this. The guides are set up to explain what you’re seeing along the way, and that matters here, because Boa Vista’s details are easy to overlook if you’re just rushing to the next viewpoint.

The Real Value: What You Get for About $100

The price is $100 per person for a full-day experience. On paper, that can sound “pricey” for a beach-and-sand day, but the value is in two areas: transport plus a guide, and a route that connects several places most people either skip or try to DIY with too few hours.

What’s included is practical and helpful:

• pickup and drop-off at your accommodation
• transportation for the day
• tour guide
• liability insurance

Lunch is the one item you should plan around, because it is not included in the tour price. You’ll stop at Fundo de Figueiras for lunch as part of the day, but you pay for it.

Also, this tour is offered as private or small groups. That can be worth it if you want a calmer pace, and if you’re traveling as a couple or family who’d rather not get packed into a big shared group.

Start at Fonte Vicente Oasis, Then Follow the Trees

The day begins with pickup from either Rabil or Sal Rei. From there, you drive toward Fonte Vicente Oasis, which is the kind of stop that gives context to why this island survives as it does. Instead of only showing you scenery, the guide focuses on local fauna and the fruit trees you’ll see there.

You’ll learn about trees like fig, almond, tamarind, and an exotic baobab. Even if you’re not a botany person, this is the kind of information that makes the landscape feel personal, because you start noticing what grows and why.

Two practical reasons Fonte Vicente Oasis works as a first stop:

• It breaks up the day before the long sun and sand later on.
• It gives your guide a chance to set the tone, so the rest of the day feels like a coherent route instead of random stops.

From Fonte Vicente Oasis, the tour moves toward Curral Velho, and that’s where the history flavor kicks in.

Curral Velho Ghost Fishing Village and the Former Salt Mine

Curral Velho is described as a ghost fishing village, and it earns that name. The settlement was abandoned due to endless drought and pirate attacks, so you get a real story of how conditions can change life, sometimes fast.

Your visit includes a guided tour, and the big draw here is what you get to explore beyond just looking at empty buildings. You’ll also see a former salt mine, which turns the story from vague sadness into something tangible.

What I like about this stop is the balance: the guide gives you the “why,” not just the “where.” Once you’ve heard why drought mattered here, the island’s later dune and sand story makes more sense.

One consideration: this is a moving day tour. Curral Velho is fascinating, but it’s not a slow, stay-all-morning place. If you love history above everything else, you might wish there were more time, but the rest of the itinerary is clearly built to keep the day flowing.

Off-Road to João Barrosa, Then the Ervatão Beach Swim

After Curral Velho, you head to the wild beach area, including Praia de João Barrosa and Ervatão Beach. The tour uses an off-road trip to get there, which is great because it keeps the day from feeling like it’s just “drive, park, walk 3 minutes, repeat.”

Praia de João Barrosa

João Barrosa is one of your beach swim moments. You’ll have time to get in the water, and the whole setup fits well for people who want that swim payoff without committing to a full snorkeling or boating activity.

If you’re sensitive to waves, go slow at first. Wild beaches can look calm and then change fast once you’re in.

Ervatão Beach, Loggerhead Turtle Nesting Area

Ervatão Beach is the tour’s headline water stop. It’s presented as the most important spawning point for loggerhead sea turtles, and the tour also notes turtles lay their eggs there.

Weather permitting, you can swim in the turquoise waters. If conditions aren’t great, you’ll still have time on the beach and time to take in the coastal views, but you may not get the same water time.

This is the kind of place where it helps to treat the shoreline with respect. Follow your guide’s instructions, especially around any turtle nesting areas. Even when you’re focused on taking photos or enjoying a swim, the nesting purpose of the beach should stay in the foreground.

After the beach time, you shift to a local lunch stop.

Fundo de Figueiras Lunch Stop, Then Desert Sand Time

Lunch happens at Fundo de Figueiras. It’s listed as a delicious lunch in a local atmosphere, and that’s one of the most repeated “good energy” points from past tour experiences.

Because lunch is not included in the tour price, treat this as a meal you’ll budget for separately. That also means you can choose what you feel like eating once you arrive, instead of feeling stuck with a set menu.

Once lunch is done, the tour’s final act is the Viana Desert, and this is where the day turns from ocean light to desert sun.

Viana Desert: Over 10 km of White Dunes on Foot

The Viana Desert is described as one of the seven wonders of Cape Verde. On this tour, you walk the sands and admire the incredible dune scenery with over 10 km of fabulous white sand dunes.

This is not a drive-by. You’re meant to walk, which is a big part of why the tour works. Dunes change with your movement. The same area looks different as you step, crest a ridge, and look back toward where you came from.

Here’s the best practical advice for the desert portion:

• Wear comfortable shoes you trust on sand.
• Bring a sun hat and use sunscreen, because there isn’t much shade once you’re on dunes.
• Pace yourself. Sand adds effort fast, especially if the heat is high.

This stop also tends to be where people either feel instantly happy or instantly exhausted. If you’re comfortable walking on uneven ground, you’ll likely enjoy the freedom of it. If you’re dealing with back issues or anything mobility related, the tour is not suitable.

What to Pack and How to Make the Day Feel Easy

The tour provides the structure. You’re responsible for comfort and sun protection. Based on what’s recommended, bring:

• comfortable shoes
• sun hat
• swimwear
• sunscreen
• comfortable clothes

I also suggest you plan your outfit for quick changes. The day includes both beach swims and desert walking, so you’ll want clothes that dry reasonably and don’t trap sweat.

One more thing that helps: expect a long day where the pacing is active. Even with a good guide, you’ll be moving between stops. If you’re the type who gets cranky without breaks, tell your guide. They can often adjust how you take photos or pause during walking time.

Who This Tour Suits Best, and Who Should Skip It

This is a great fit if you want a single day that covers beach, dunes, and local context with a guide who explains what you’re seeing. It’s especially good for people who like:

• swimming on wild beaches
• seeing turtle-nesting areas respectfully
• desert walking without needing a dedicated hiking guide
• a route that’s more than just “scenery, then leave”

It’s not suitable for:

• pregnant women
• people with back problems
• people with mobility impairments

That’s not just a legal note. The desert walking and beach access involve uneven sand and movement that you should not plan to force.

If you’re worried about swimming, remember that Ervatão swim is weather dependent. You can still enjoy the beach and the scenery even if the water conditions aren’t right.

Book It or Pass It: My Practical Verdict

I’d book this tour if you want Boa Vista in one concentrated day: a calm-start nature visit, a history stop at Curral Velho, beach time at João Barrosa and Ervatão, and a real walk through the Viana Desert’s white dunes.

I’d think twice if you’re sensitive to long sun exposure, if walking on sand is a problem, or if you don’t want to pay extra for lunch since it’s not included.

And if you care about guidance, this one’s a strong bet. The tour is set up so the guide matters, and you’ll hear stories and explanations from people like Jayson, Damaris, and Jo, which is exactly what makes the day feel more than just sightseeing.

FAQ

How long is the Boa Vista Wild Beaches and Viana Desert tour?

The tour lasts 7 hours.

How much does the tour cost?

The price is $100 per person.

Where can I be picked up?

Pickup is available from either Rabil or Sal Rei.

What is included in the tour price?

You get pickup and drop-off at your accommodation, transportation, a tour guide, and liability insurance.

Is lunch included?

No, lunch is not included in the tour price.

Where can I swim during the tour?

You can swim at Praia de João Barrosa, and at Ervatão Beach when weather permits.

What will I do in the Viana Desert?

You’ll walk along the sands and admire the white sand dunes, including stretches described as over 10 km.

What languages are the tour guides?

Guides are available in Portuguese, English, French, Spanish, and Italian.

Is the tour suitable for everyone?

It is not suitable for pregnant women, people with back problems, or people with mobility impairments.

What are the cancellation and payment options?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later.