Things to Do in Boa Vista

Boa Vista sits as Cape Verde's third-largest island, though you might be surprised by how undeveloped it feels compared to its more popular sister islands. The landscape here is genuinely striking - vast stretches of golden sand dunes that roll into some of the most pristine beaches in the Atlantic, with surprisingly little development cluttering the coastline. The island has this almost Saharan quality to it, which makes sense given its proximity to the West African coast, but then you'll stumble across these incredible blue lagoons and turtle nesting sites that remind you you're definitely on a tropical island. Most visitors tend to stick around Sal Rei, the main town, which honestly feels more like a large fishing village than a proper city, but that's actually part of its charm.

The dining scene on Boa Vista is refreshingly unpretentious, focusing heavily on fresh seafood and traditional Cape Verdean dishes like cachupa (a hearty stew) and grilled lobster when it's in season. You'll find the best local restaurants clustered around Sal Rei, where family-run establishments serve generous portions of catch-of-the-day fish for around €12-18 per meal. Many of the beach resorts offer international cuisine, but honestly, you're missing out if you don't try the local grilled tuna or octopus salad at places like Sodade or Bahia. The island also produces some surprisingly good local cheese and has a growing number of Italian-influenced restaurants thanks to the expat community.

The dry season from November to June offers the most reliable weather, with temperatures hovering around a very comfortable 24-28°C and minimal rainfall. July through October brings the rainy season, though 'rainy' is relative here - you might get occasional downpours, but it's hardly the monsoon conditions you'd find elsewhere. Interestingly, the summer months are actually when turtle nesting occurs, so there's a trade-off between perfect beach weather and unique wildlife experiences. Winds tend to pick up between December and March, which can make some beaches less pleasant for swimming but creates excellent conditions for windsurfing and kitesurfing if that's your thing.