Skip to main content
The smarter way to book
Find your holiday
Search

Boa Vista Holidays

Sand beach with waves from above on Cape Verde’s island Boa Vista

Boa Vista holidays bring sun, quiet beaches and wildlife.

Quieter island

Boa Vista is known as Cape Verde’s quieter island, compared to neighbouring Sal. Holidaymakers love its year-round warmth, and quieter beaches that aren’t packed with tourists. The flight to Boa Vista is just six hours from the UK and Cape Verde’s only two hours behind, so jet lag is minimal and you gain a bit of time when you land. The island suits nature lovers – watch local turtles laying their eggs, spot whales in the Atlantic surf, or chase some thrills by taking your pick from a number of pulse-raising watersports.

Boa Vista’s beaches and island landscape

With an average temperature of 28°C, Boa Vista guarantees warm weather for most of the year. The beaches stretch for 55 kilometres around the perimeter of the island, including some less crowded spots. Praia de Chaves, the main beach, is known for its clean Saharan sand and space to roam or to spread out. Then, the in-land Viana Desert is a striking series of sand dunes that’s ideal for daytrips.

Wildlife and activities in Boa Vista

If you plan your trip between June and October, you’ll have the opportunity to watch local turtle-nesting. Boa Vista is home to one of the world’s most important nesting sites for Loggerhead turtles. You can also watch whales breach the ocean surface between March and May, off Sal Rei islet. Meanwhile, kite and windsurfing are popular off the coast between October and May.

Best places to stay in Boa Vista

Here are the top places to base yourself on a holiday to Boa Vista.

Top Boa Vista holiday deals

Why we love Boa Vista

Here are some top tips from our team

Boa Vista FAQs

Yes – the best hotels in Boa Vista are often All Inclusive, especially if you’re staying in Praia de Chaves or on the South Coast. This island’s less developed than Sal, with fewer restaurants, bars and shops, so staying at a bigger resort with more facilities gives you more options.

The best time to visit Boa Vista is November to June, as this is the peak time for reliable weather. November to February is warm, dry and breezy. From March to June, expect calmer winds and warm water, then the heat ramps up from July to October.

Yes. Big, safe beaches, quiet resorts and nature activities are great for a relaxed family holiday. Sal is much more developed for a livelier break.

Boa Vista and Sal are both good-value Cape Verde destinations, but they suit slightly different trips. Boa Vista is better for a quieter, more remote beach break, with wide undeveloped scenery and All Inclusive resorts designed for staying in. But Sal is the better choice if you want more to do, including a livelier town, more restaurants and easier daytrips and activities.

When you click through to book your holiday, we’ll supply the exact travel requirements for your chosen destination through our partner, Passolution. In the meantime, check the FCDO for the most up-to-date information on entry requirements and health and safety information.