Boa Vista: Shark, Turtles, Cave, Sandboarding & Tasting Tour

Boa Vista packs a surprising amount into this half-day outing: sand dunes, wild beaches, sea turtles, caves, and local rum. The best part is the variety. One minute you are sliding down Morro de Arreia on a board, and the next you are scanning shallow water for a turtle or baby lemon shark.

I like the open 4×4 ride, which turns the trip between stops into part of the fun, and I like the final tasting in Povoação Velha. Guides such as Veronique, Joshua, and Cuckoo add local stories, humor, and useful wildlife tips. The one catch is simple: sharks and turtles are wild animals, so no sighting can be promised every time.

Key points at a glance

• Morro de Arreia sandboarding: Slide down Boa Vista’s big dunes, with a walk back up that takes some effort.
• Turtle Bay and Shark Bay: Look for green and loggerhead turtles, lemon sharks, and sometimes blacktip sharks in the water.
• Varandinha caves: A photogenic coastal stop with birdwatching potential.
• Santa Monica Beach: Enjoy a broad, quiet stretch of pale sand and open sea.
• Povoação Velha tasting: Sample different types of grogue and ponche with local snacks.
• Friendly 4×4 touring: Hotel pickup, return transport, photos, and guides speaking English, Dutch, or Portuguese are included.

Why this half-day tour works so well

This is not a single-purpose wildlife trip. It is a quick tour of several sides of Boa Vista, with enough activity to keep the morning moving but enough time at each stop to look around. For a first visit, that balance is useful. You get a taste of the island’s south without giving up a full day.

The experience costs about $70 per person. That includes hotel transfers, the 4×4 transport, a guide, the tasting, and photos taken during the outing. For a private or small-group trip, that is a fair package, especially if you want transport to remote coastal areas and do not plan to hire a vehicle.

You should know what you are buying. This is not a luxury vehicle tour, and the open pickup can be windy and bumpy on rough roads. One larger group found two vehicles a little cramped, so ask about group size if personal space matters to you. Smaller groups should feel more relaxed.

Pickup normally takes place between 8:00 and 9:00 in the morning, with a return around 13:00. The exact start time is confirmed after booking. At the Riu hotels, pickup is outside the reception area, not at the security office.

Rolling across Boa Vista in an open 4×4

The vehicle is part of the attraction. You ride in the back of an open pickup as the road gives way to sand, rough tracks, and wide views. The wind can be strong, especially on the way toward Turtle Bay, so bring a light jumper even on a warm morning.

The ride is not polished sightseeing. You may bounce over rough ground, and you should hold on carefully. That said, the open back gives you a better sense of the island than a sealed minibus. You can watch the terrain change and, at times, spot goats, donkeys, or wild horses along the route.

The guides make a real difference here. Veronique is often praised for her humor and warm way of bringing different nationalities together. Joshua is known for keeping the trip lively while explaining the island. Cuckoo has also been singled out for her attention to nature and history. The guide on your departure may be someone else, but the company’s style is clearly personal rather than formal.

Photos are included, with guides happy to take pictures at the stops. That is useful at Santa Monica Beach and the dunes, where it can be awkward to arrange a good shot of yourself.

Sandboarding at Morro de Arreia

The first major stop is Morro de Arreia, a broad dune area with one of Boa Vista’s most unusual settings. You get time to take in the sand and try sandboarding, also called sandsurfing.

The activity is simple. You sit or stand on a board, point downhill, and let gravity do the work. Guides give basic instructions and encouragement, making this a good first attempt for most reasonably mobile people. You do not need to be an expert snowboarder to enjoy it.

The hard part is climbing back up. The slope can be steep, and loose sand makes every step count. One useful detail from the experience: you can enjoy the stop even if you do not want to board. Some people watch, take photos, and enjoy the view while others make repeated runs.

For families, this is often the most active part of the morning. Children aged 8 and 11 have enjoyed it, but adults should judge the dune walk according to their own fitness. Wear clothes that can handle sand, and expect it to turn up in your shoes and pockets for the rest of the day.

Watching turtles in Turtle Bay

Next comes Turtle Bay, where turtles feed in the water throughout the year. The main species mentioned are loggerhead and green turtles. You stand near the shore and watch carefully rather than entering the water as part of the tour.

This stop rewards patience. The animals may surface briefly, and the guide’s trained eye helps you focus on the right part of the bay. Full sun can help with visibility. A practical tip is to watch one section of water at a time instead of sweeping your eyes across the whole bay.

The turtles are not presented as a staged attraction. You are looking at animals in their normal setting, which makes the sighting feel special but also means conditions matter. Cloud, wind, waves, and the animals’ own movements can affect what you see.

Some departures have seen several turtles, while others have seen only a few. If turtles are your main reason for booking, keep your expectations realistic. The company does not promise a sighting, though they say the animals are usually present.

Searching for lemon sharks at Shark Bay

Shark Bay is home to a lemon shark nursery, where young sharks can be seen at certain times. Blacktip sharks may also appear. This sounds dramatic, but the usual experience is observation from the shore, not a close encounter in the water.

When conditions are good, you might see baby sharks moving through the shallows or larger shapes farther out. When the sea is rough, cloudy, or affected by poor weather, they can be hard to spot or absent altogether. Several departures have seen turtles but no sharks, while others have seen both species clearly.

That uncertainty is not a flaw in the tour. It is the honest cost of watching wildlife in the open. A good guide will explain why visibility is poor instead of pretending that a distant wave is a shark.

The practical viewing tip is worth remembering: wait for full sun, choose one wave or patch of water, and watch it as it comes toward you. Scanning every direction at once makes the task harder. Bring sunglasses, but keep them clean, since glare can hide movement on the water.

The caves at Praia Varandinha

Praia Varandinha brings a change of mood. The coast here has caves and rock formations shaped by the sea, with plenty of angles for photographs. The stop is less about a formal attraction and more about walking, looking, and taking in the coastline.

Birdwatchers may find this especially interesting. The area can offer chances to spot coastal birds, though the tour does not promise specific species. Bring a phone or camera, but do not forget to look up from the screen. The caves are one of those places where the scale of the coast matters more than a checklist of sights.

Footing around rocky coastal areas can be uneven. If you have mobility concerns, tell the guide at the start. The staff have helped people with mobility limitations on past departures, but the terrain still sets practical limits.

Santa Monica Beach, Boa Vista’s big beach stop

Santa Monica Beach is the visual centerpiece of the morning. It is broad, quiet, and backed by open natural surroundings rather than a dense line of buildings. The scale is impressive, especially if your usual beach experience involves umbrellas, cafés, and crowds.

You get time to walk along the sand, take photos, and, if conditions suit you, go into the surf. Bring a towel if you want that option. The guides are happy to take photographs, and this is probably the best stop for a group picture.

Do not expect a beach club or a long lunch break. The appeal is the lack of development. You get a short chance to enjoy the shore before moving on, not several hours to settle in. If you want a full beach day, book a separate beach outing. If you want a memorable look at Boa Vista’s coast, this stop delivers.

The beach also gives the tour a slower middle section after the bumpy drives and sandboarding. You can simply walk, breathe, and enjoy the open view.

Grogue and ponche in Povoação Velha

The final stop is Povoação Velha, described as Boa Vista’s first village. It sits between two mountains and remains linked to fishing and farming. Here, you visit a small local bar or shop for a tasting of grogue and ponche.

Grogue is a Cape Verdean rum made from sugarcane. Ponche is a sweeter drink made in different flavors. The tasting may include several varieties, and local snacks such as rissóis are served. You can ask for alternatives if you do not want alcohol.

This ending works because it connects the scenery to daily life. Instead of returning straight to a resort, you spend time in an older village and try something made locally. The setting is relaxed, with music and conversation rather than a formal presentation.

Grogue can be strong. Sip rather than gulp, especially if you have already spent the morning in the sun. Some people enjoy the flavors enough to buy bottles afterward, which gives you a practical souvenir and supports a local business.

What the $70 price really includes

At $70, the tour is good value if you want several remote stops in one morning. Hiring separate transport to the dunes, bays, caves, beach, and village would be inconvenient, and you would lose the benefit of a guide who knows where to look for animals.

The value is also in the range of the outing. You are not paying only for sandboarding or only for wildlife. You are getting transport, guiding, photography, nature viewing, coastal stops, and a cultural tasting in roughly four to four and a half hours.

The price feels less attractive if you dislike group outings, rough roads, or short visits. You may prefer a private trip if you want to linger at Santa Monica Beach or spend longer watching the sharks. Private and small-group options are available, so this is worth checking before you book.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve without paying immediately. Those terms help if your plans on Boa Vista are still changing.

Who should book this Boa Vista tour

I would choose this for a first morning on Boa Vista, especially if you want a broad sample of the island rather than one long activity. It suits couples, families, solo visitors, and anyone staying at a resort who wants to get beyond the hotel grounds.

It is also a good choice if you enjoy nature but understand that nature does not follow a timetable. You may see turtles and sharks, or only one of them. The dunes, caves, beach, village, and wildlife search give the trip enough variety that one missed sighting does not ruin the whole morning.

You should think twice if you need a smooth ride, guaranteed animal encounters, or a long, quiet beach stay. The open pickup is exposed to sun and wind, and the roads can be rough. Bring water, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a jumper. A towel is useful if you might swim.

The tour is offered in English, Dutch, and Portuguese. Guides are friendly and conversational, and the strongest part of the experience is often the human touch: local explanations, help with photos, and a cheerful response when weather spoils the shark stop.

Should you book it?

Book it if you want a lively introduction to southern Boa Vista with wildlife, dunes, beaches, caves, and local drinks in one compact outing. The combination is hard to beat for the price, and the guides add much more than simple transport.

Do not book it expecting a wildlife guarantee or a luxury safari. Think of it as a flexible island sampler, with sandboarding as the active highlight, Santa Monica Beach as the scenic highlight, and Povoação Velha as the cultural finish. If that mix sounds right, this is one of the more useful half-day tours on Boa Vista.

FAQ

How long does the Boa Vista tour last?

The advertised duration is about four hours, or 270 minutes. Pickup is normally between 8:00 and 9:00, and return to the hotel is roughly around 13:00.

Are hotel transfers included?

Yes. Pickup and return transport are included. After booking, the company confirms your hotel and pickup details. At Riu hotels, pickup is outside the reception area rather than at the security office.

Will I definitely see sharks and turtles?

No. The animals are wild, and weather and sea conditions can affect visibility. Turtles and sharks are often seen, but the company gives no 100 percent guarantee for either sighting.

What animals might I see?

Turtle Bay is known for loggerhead and green turtles. Shark Bay is a lemon shark nursery, and blacktip sharks may also be seen.

What languages do the guides speak?

Guides are available in Dutch, English, and Portuguese.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, sunscreen, and water. A light jumper is useful because the open 4×4 can be windy. Bring a towel if you may want to enter the surf at Santa Monica Beach.