Sal Rei, Santa Monica Beach, Caves, Dunes & Shipwreck Tour

Boa Vista is famous for beaches, but this north-to-south day trip connects the dots fast: Santa Monica Beach stretches out, the dunes feel Sahara-ish, and the shipwreck adds a spooky, real-world twist. I like the very small group pace, and I like how a local guide ties the stops together so you are not just hopping from photo point to photo point.

One consideration before you book: you will spend a good chunk of the day in transit, and parts of the route can feel bumpy and tiring, especially as you get closer to the shipwreck area.

Key things that make this tour worth your time

• Small group touring with a guide who keeps the day moving without rushing you
• Certified, air-conditioned vehicles for the long island drives
• Varandinha Cave area and a calm beach feel with rock-cut sand
• Santa Monica Beach on foot, with seasonal chances to spot turtles and sharks
• Viana Desert walk through huge dunes and acacia oases
• Praia da Atalanta shipwreck, where the MS Cabo Santa Maria has been weathering the sea for decades

A North-to-South Boa Vista route that makes the most of 6 hours

This is built for efficiency without feeling like a checklist. In one day, you get a photo stop in a protected reserve, a cave and beach area in the southwest, then sweeping sand and sea views before ending back at Sal Rei and your hotel.

The order matters. The day starts with scenery that is easy to enjoy even if you are still waking up, then it moves into the big-sand sections (Santa Monica and Viana) when the mood is right for walking, taking in the horizon, and just letting your brain slow down for a bit.

Because it is a 6-hour tour, it is a good fit if you want real variety but you do not want to give up your entire day. It is also ideal if this is your first time on Boa Vista and you want to understand where things are before you start self-planning.

Pickup details: don’t miss the van outside the main entrance

Pickup is arranged for many hotels, including well-known Boa Vista properties like Hotel Riu Karamboa and Hotel Riu Touareg, plus other Sal Rei and beachfront options. The key practical point is where to wait: you should expect the guide or driver to be waiting outside at the main entrance, not in the lobby.

Plan for some waiting time at the start, because this kind of island routing depends on multiple hotel stops. Also, the day is long on paper, and you will feel it once you add pickup time and the ride back.

If you are staying at Riu Touareg, there is an extra note to know: the tour states you need to pay more 20€ for pickup and more 20€ for drop-off per booking on the spot to cover distance expenses. If you are not sure you are covered under the standard pickup list, ask before you go.

Morro de Areia Nature Reserve: a fast photo stop with quick context

The tour begins with a stop at Morro de Areia Nature Reserve for about 15 minutes. This is not a long hike, so think of it as a way to frame the day. You get a sense of the island’s sand-and-wind look right away, and it gives your guide a starting point for explaining what you will see later.

Bring your camera, but also bring your eyes. A short reserve stop is the kind of place where you learn how the coast and dunes connect, and that makes the later sand areas feel more meaningful.

Varandinha Cave and the sand-cut beach vibe

From the reserve, you head to the Varandinha Cave area. This is where the tour shifts from quick stops to real exploration.

Varandinha is described as a peaceful beach in the southwest, with rocks that break up the broad sand into smaller sections. That rock-cut layout is part of the magic. You are not dealing with one endless, uniform stretch. Instead, you get more privacy, more photo angles, and more chances to find a calm pocket near the water.

The cave itself is listed as a visit, so expect time on foot to look around and take it in. If you like slow beach moments, this is one of the stops where you can actually feel the island’s quiet side.

Practical tip: wear beach-friendly shoes. Some sand and rock spots can be uneven, and a comfortable step helps you enjoy the walk instead of constantly adjusting your footing.

Santa Monica Beach: barefoot sand, long views, and seasonal wildlife

Then comes Praia de Santa Mónica, and this is one of the headline stops. The beach is described as the most beautiful in Cape Verde, with an extremely long stretch of white sand. The best part is that you walk barefoot on the sand and have time to relax instead of rushing through.

A fun detail here is the seasonal chance to see wildlife close to shore. The information specifically mentions watching young sea turtles and sharks swimming on the coast during season. You should not count on sightings every day, but if you do see movement out near the water, this stop turns from pretty to memorable.

What I like about having Santa Monica in the middle of the day is timing. You get the long beach time after you have already warmed up to Boa Vista’s sand geography. And because the beach is described as deserted, it often feels like you have space to breathe, even in high season.

One more practical note: long sand stretches mean you can work up thirst. The tour states food and drinks are not included, so plan to buy water separately or bring what you are allowed to carry.

Viana Desert walk: dunes, oases, and Sahara energy without the hassle

Next is Deserto de Viana, the huge white sand dunes with small oases. The description includes acacia bushes and palm trees, plus coconut and date palms.

This stop is more than a view. It is listed as a walk, which is great because you feel the texture and scale of the dunes. It is also where the guide context matters. The desert is described as part of the Sahara desert extension, but it is on an island in the middle of the Atlantic. That contrast helps you understand how Boa Vista’s geology and weather create this unexpected desert feeling.

The value of this stop is simple: it gives you a change of pace from beach time. You trade water sounds for wind and sand, and you see the island’s interior character.

Bring sun protection. Even on a day that includes caves and beaches, the dunes can put the sun straight on you. If you are the type who burns easily, plan accordingly.

Praia da Atalanta and the MS Cabo Santa Maria shipwreck

If there is one stop that adds drama to the whole day, it is Praia da Atalanta and the MS Cabo Santa Maria shipwreck.

The information says the rusting cargo ship has been lying off Boa Vista for more than 50 years. Over time, the sea has gradually dismantled the vessel, and you can see how weather and water have taken their time. The shipwreck is described as a symbol for Boa Vista, and that is believable once you see it in place at the coast.

This is also the part where you might feel the day’s transit effort more. The route toward this stop is sometimes tiring, and one review specifically called out that pickups can be strenuous, especially toward the shipwreck area. You do not need to worry, but do set expectations: the view is worth it, yet you should treat the journey there as part of the experience.

For photos, stand where the sea frames the ship. The wreck is dramatic from several angles, and the contrast of rust against bright sand helps your pictures look instantly more interesting.

Sal Rei beach time, plus the beach lunch question

At the later stage of the tour, you get time in the city of Sal Rei, with an option to swim or chill on the main beach. This is a smart ending, because it lets you finish with something casual and refreshing before heading back to your hotel.

One detail in the highlights says you enjoy a local lunch by the beach. But the included list says food and drinks are not included. That mismatch is why you should confirm what is actually included for your booking, especially if you care about having lunch covered.

If lunch is included, great, treat it as downtime and enjoy it slowly. If it is not included, treat the stop as an easy moment to pick up a simple meal and keep the day comfortable.

Your guide matters, and the small-group pace helps

This tour runs with a local guide and offers multiple language options, including English, French, Portuguese, Italian, German, and Spanish. The goal is to make the day feel understandable, not just scenic.

A great example from real-world guidance: Nicole is mentioned as a guide who answers questions patiently, with a sense of humor. That matters on a tour like this, because you will want explanations. Why is the sand shaped the way it is? How did people use these beaches in the past? What makes the desert part of the island’s story?

The small group also helps. It makes it easier to pause for photos, adjust pacing, and keep you from feeling like cattle moving in a line. It is the difference between seeing places and actually absorbing them for a little while.

What you are really paying for: $94 and the value math

At $94 per person for 6 hours, the value comes down to what you avoid. You avoid the hassle of stitching together multiple taxis or self-drive legs across Boa Vista’s north-to-south sites. You also avoid the time cost of figuring out where to stop and how to structure it into one day.

What is included is practical: transportation, tour guide, liability insurance, and pickup and drop-off. Vehicles are described as certified and air-conditioned, which is an underrated comfort factor when you are spending hours on an island in warm weather.

What is not included: food and drinks (and pickup/drop-off from Riu Touareg has that extra on-the-spot fee). So even if you are hoping for lunch to be fully covered, keep a little flexibility in your budget or confirm before you go.

If you want a day that gives you breadth and context without the planning headache, this price can make sense.

Who should book this tour (and who should think twice)

This is best for you if you:

• Want a first-time overview of Boa Vista that hits Santa Monica Beach, the caves, the dunes, and the shipwreck in one day
• Like small-group days where your guide can answer questions
• Prefer a guided walk in the dunes over trying to find the right sand routes on your own

You might think twice if:

• You hate long drives or rougher riding conditions. The day includes transit, and the shipwreck area is a point where some people feel the route effort more.
• You are very strict about lunch being included. Because the details list food and drinks as not included, confirm your exact inclusions so you are not surprised.

Should you book the Sal Rei, Santa Monica Beach, Caves, Dunes & Shipwreck Tour?

I would book it if you want a high-value day that covers Boa Vista’s biggest “wow” moments without you doing extra logistics. Santa Monica’s long barefoot beach time, the Viana Desert walk, and the MS Cabo Santa Maria shipwreck are the kind of trio that works best when someone else handles timing and routing.

But do yourself a favor first. Double-check pickup timing for your exact hotel, confirm the Riu Touareg extra fee if you are staying there, and verify what is covered for the beach lunch versus what you will need to buy on your own.

If those boxes check out, this is a strong option for a memorable first week on Boa Vista.

FAQ

How long is the tour from Sal Rei to Santa Monica, caves, dunes, and the shipwreck?

The tour lasts about 6 hours.

What is included in the price?

The price includes transportation, a tour guide, liability insurance, and pickup and drop-off.

Is lunch included?

Food and drinks are listed as not included, even though the tour highlights mention a local lunch by the beach. I recommend confirming what exactly is included for your booking before you go.

What languages are the guides available in?

The live tour guide is available in English, French, Portuguese, Italian, German, and Spanish.

Do sea turtles and sharks get seen at Santa Monica Beach?

Sea turtles and sharks are mentioned as seasonal sightings along the coast near Santa Monica Beach, so sightings depend on the time of year.

Are there pickup and drop-off fees for Riu Touareg?

Yes. For guests from Riu Touareg Hotel, the tour states you need to pay more 20€ for pickup and more 20€ for drop-off per booking on the spot to cover distance expenses.