Go desert island dreaming on Ilheu de Sal Rei
You get the full-on Robinson Crusoe experience on this desert island. Catch a boat from Sal Rei and, in 10 minutes, you’ve got a square kilometre of paradise pretty much to yourself. It’s uninhabited – so it’s just you, deserted sands and the crumbling 19th-century Duque de Branganca fort.This pale sweep of sand, which curves around Boa Vista’s north coast, is named after the Spanish ship that ran aground on its shore in the Sixties. There aren’t any beach bars or restaurants here, so it’s a good idea to bring a picnic if you’re planning on staying the day. Pack a snorkel, too – the marine life around the wreck is worth a closer look.
Read MoreBack in the Sixties, a colossal Spanish freighter, called Cabo Santa Maria, run aground on the beach that has since been named after it. The metal hulk of the ship has remained untouched ever since, and it’s wedged into the shallows like a corroded whale. The walk alone is worth it for the views of Monte Estancia, the island’s tallest peak.
Read MoreSet just off the coast of Boa Vista, this uninhabited islet is edged with deserted beaches that offer up complete solitude. Catch a local fishing boat over to the pretty coves and, when you’ve had enough of sunbathing, check out the Duque de Braganca fort. Set on the island’s southern tip, this 19th-century garrison was originally built to ward off pirates.
Read MoreIt’d be a crime to come to Cape Verde and not spend a day out at sea. Join an excursion and you’ll cruise along the island’s coast at a tortoise-like pace. Most boats anchor at untouched beaches as you go. Plus, loads of them stop off at the isles’ best-known beauty spots, so make sure you pack a camera.
Read MoreThis sweep of sand in Boa Vista stretches on for miles. It’s washed by warm water with a barely-there current, so it’s great for families. It’s also really good for diving, plus you’ll find plenty of beach bars and restaurants just footsteps away.
Read MoreIf sand dunes get your vote, head to Boa Vista's mid-west, where they come super-sized. They go on for 10 kilometres on Praia de Chaves Beach, so grabbing a spot for yourself is a cinch. The beach is backed by a handful of new hotels, but other than that, it’s just you and the never-ending golden hills.
Read MoreIf you’ve got a getaway planned in spring or early summer, keep your eyes on Boa Vista's horizon. Giant humpback whales – who come here to breed – can often be seen slapping their tails on the waves. And between June and September, you can spot loggerhead turtles on Ervatao Beach.
Read MoreIt’s worth the desert drive to reach Cape Verde’s best beach. Named after California’s famous sands, it’s in a sheltered spot on Boa Vista’s south coast. You’ll most likely have the place to yourself – all 18 kilometres of it are untouched and pretty much deserted.
Read MoreSaint Isabel, Boa Vista's patron saint, gets her very own day of celebrations every year. The whole island bursts into life, with float-filled parades, horse races, live music, and even a football tournament. It's finished up in style, with a public ball in Sal Rei.
Read MoreCape Verde benefits from the breeze of the trade winds, so windsurfing conditions couldn’t be better. The winter winds here – which attract national teams – are a steady Force 4 to Force 5, which means exhilarating slalom runs aren’t hard to come by. Tortuga Beach is your best bet – it inspired top windsurfer Francois Guy to set up shop there.
Read MoreVerandinha Beach looks nothing like the rest of the beaches on Boa Vista. Its smooth golden sands are backed by bizarre rock formations that have been carved by crashing Atlantic waves over the years. Because of its setting on Boa Vista's westernmost point, it can get pretty windy, making it a favourite with the island’s wind and kite-surfers.
Read MoreDeep valleys, tropical plantations, and dramatic black-sand beaches – that’s what you’ll find on the island of Sao Nicolau. Make sure you spend a bit of time wandering around the capital, Ribeira Brava. It’s a colonial town filled with cobbled alleys and tiny shops and restaurants. The mountains here have got some great hiking routes, too.
Read MoreThe combination of volcanic landscapes and crystal-clear waters on the island of Sal make it a dream come true for scuba divers, and there are lots of PADI courses for beginners. Drift around silent rock tunnels, weave your way through spooky wrecks swarming with parrotfish and lobster, and float over reef walls crowded with yellow polyps, trumpet fish and barracuda.
Read MoreRolling dunes plumped up like pillows, sun-scorched trees bent by trade winds, and miles of wind-rippled sands – Mother Nature pulled out all the stops to create Boa Vista’s Viana Desert, so it’s only right you pay homage. Join a quad bike safari, go hiking, or hire a 4x4 to explore under your own steam. Time your visit for sunset to get the best views.
Read MoreBack in the Sixties, a monster-sized freighter called the Cabo Santa Maria was shipwrecked along the 10-kilometre beach on the north of the island. Follow the sands north from Sal Rei and you can’t miss it. It’s still intact and stuck in the sand like a giant metal whale. The walk alone is worth it for the views of Monte Estancia, the island’s highest peak.
Read MoreThe beaches of Boa Vista's capital, Sal Rei, have got it all going on – beach bars, watersports huts and a submarine diving centre. And because the island of Ilheu de Sal Rei shelters the waters here, it’s great for kids and novice windsurfers. The more you walk, the more remote it gets. Keep going and you’ll eventually reach the dunes of Praia de Chaves.
Read MoreThis music festival in the north of Sal Rei is a biggie – it goes on for a couple of days and pulls in performers from the other islands, as well as other countries. Artists from Boa Vista kick things off on a big stage set up on the beach, before Cape Verde's chart-toppers take to the stage and boot things up a notch.
Read MoreThis 16-kilometre sweep of white sand on Boa Vista's south coast is as standout as anything you'd find in the Caribbean. There's not much here other than peaceful sand and turquoise waters, so it's great if you want a spot to yourself.
Read MoreFishing is still very much a way of life for the locals, thanks to the rich waters around Cape Verde that are teeming with life. If you want to join in, there are fishing schools that'll teach you the basics, along with deep sea excursions for the pros. While you're out at sea, you might land some biggies like tuna or blue marlin.
Read More