Where the Atlantic meets the island's wild eastern edge. This dramatic coastal point offers sweeping ocean views and marks the beginning of our journey along Boa Vista's most authentic shoreline—the side most tourists never see.
Step into a ghost town that time forgot. Once a thriving salt-mining settlement where families lived from the sea and the salt flats, Curral Velho now stands silent—its crumbling stone walls and abandoned salinas telling stories of a harder time. But life hasn't left entirely: from June to October, loggerhead turtles return here under cover of darkness to lay their eggs in the same sands where children once played. History and nature, side by side.
This is why they call it Turtles Beach. Golden sand stretches endlessly, turquoise waters lap gently at the shore, and there's not a soul in sight—just you, the ocean, and the knowledge that beneath these sands, new life is waiting to hatch. It's a place that feels untouched, unhurried, and utterly magical. Perfect for a quiet walk or simply sitting in wonder at how pristine nature can be.
One of Boa Vista's most important nesting beaches for the endangered Caretta Caretta loggerhead turtles. Isolated and peaceful, accessible only by 4×4, this remote southeastern stretch feels like the edge of the world. Between June and October, you might witness tracks in the sand—evidence that ancient rituals continue here, as they have for millennia. Bring your snorkel; the water here is impossibly clear.
Standing tall and white against the deep blue Atlantic, this lighthouse has guided countless ships safely past Boa Vista's eastern shores. The landscape here is dramatic—barren, windswept, and hauntingly beautiful. Climb to the viewpoint for panoramic views of endless ocean meeting rolling dunes. This is Boa Vista at its most raw and real.
Leave the coast behind and venture inland to where locals still farm the land and live the traditional Cape Verdean way. Fundo das Figueira is a quiet, authentic glimpse into island life away from the beaches—where goats wander freely, vegetables grow against all odds, and time moves a little slower. This is where you understand that Boa Vista isn't just beaches; it's a living, breathing community.
No, not that Route 66—this is our own legendary road through the island's stunning interior. Wind through towering sand dunes, past traditional villages where life hasn't changed in decades, across landscapes that look more Sahara than Atlantic. This is 4×4 adventure territory, where the road itself becomes the destination and every turn reveals something unexpected. Hold on tight.
Duration: Full day (7-8 hours)
Terrain: Mixed—coastal, desert, rural villages
Best for: Adventurers, nature lovers, turtle enthusiasts, photographers
What to bring: Camera, sunscreen, sense of wonder
This is Boa Vista unfiltered. This is the island we call home.
