Boa Vista, Cape Verde: Endless dunes, turquoise seas and whale watching!

Why choose Boa Vista?: Boa Vista is all about space, light and sea. This island is perfect for long, barefoot walks on quiet beaches, watching the sunset with a cocktail in hand, simple, flavourful food, fresh from the ocean and warm, friendly hospitality and a relaxed, unhurried feel. With fewer crowds than many winter‑sun favourites, Boa Vista feels like a real escape: just the Atlantic, big skies and time to unwind.

When I went to Cape Verde I stayed at the 5* Riu Karamboa on all inclusive and we loved it! It is a beautiful all inclusive hotel, right on the long and sandy beach, with two main buffet restaurants and three speciality restaurants, lovely bars, great entertainment area and gorgeous pools including a swim-up pool. Although this is an adult-only hotel it shares a small waterpark with the neighbouring family hotel. It has a gym, sauna, jacuzzi and spa, tennis, beach volleyball, watersports and a good evening entertainment programme.

Since I stayed it has undergone a total refurbishment and looks even more amazing and now features brand new rooms with private pools aswell as their standard rooms.

Things to do in and around Boa Vista:

Walk the sands of Praia de Salines: Start with the simplest pleasure of all: the beach outside your hotel. Praia de Salines stretches for miles, with soft sand and rolling Atlantic waves.

Discover Sal Rei, the island’s laid‑back capital: Wander the streets of the colourful capital lined with pastel‑painted buildings, browse the small shops for crafts and souvenirs, pause in a café for a coffee or a cold Strela beer or stroll the waterfront, watching fishing boats bob in the bay.

Explore the desert of Viana: A short trip inland brings you to one of Boa Vista’s most surreal landscapes: the Viana Desert. Here, Sahara‑style dunes ripple across the island, shaped constantly by the wind. Many local tours will take you out by 4x4 or quad bike, stopping so you can climb the dunes.

Watch the humpback whales: Between February and May, humpback whales migrate to these warm, sheltered waters to breed and care for their young. Boat trips create the opportunity to spot breaching adults and calves at play from a respectful distance.

Spot turtles and seasonal wildlife: Boa Vista is an important nesting site for loggerhead turtles at certain times of year. With the right, responsible local guides, you can join an evening turtle‑watching trip in nesting season to learn about the conservation work on the island. Outside of turtle season, you can still look out for birdlife along the coast or take a boat trip for the chance to see dolphins out at sea.

Please always choose ethical, conservation‑focused experiences that keep a good distance from wildlife and never involve touching or disturbing any of the animals.

Enjoy watersports and the Atlantic breeze: With warm temperatures and reliable trade winds, Boa Vista is brilliant for watersports. Here you can try windsurfing and kitesurfing with local schools along the coastline, kayaking or paddleboarding in calmer conditions and boat or catamaran trips to explore more of the island from the water,

The Atlantic can have a bit of a swell, so always follow local advice and flags when swimming.

Taste the flavours of Cape Verde: Although you can eat very comfortably within the hotels, it is worth seeking out local specialities when the opportunity arises, whether on an excursion or in Sal Rei. Look out for fresh grilled fish straight from the ocean, Cachupa, the hearty national dish made with corn, beans and meat or fish or Grogue, a traditional sugarcane spirit, best enjoyed in moderation as a post‑dinner drink. It is a simple, authentic cuisine that fits perfectly with the island’s unfussy, sunshine‑soaked character.

Is Boa Vista for you?: A stay at Riu Karamboa on Boa Vista is ideal if you are looking for winter sun or a year‑round beach escape, an easy, all‑inclusive modern hotel right on a beautiful beach, a quieter alternative to busier Canary or Caribbean islands and a mix of pool time, soft adventure and gentle exploring. If you love big city buzz and nightlife, this might feel too tranquil. But if your idea of luxury is space, sea air and someone else taking care of everything, Boa Vista is perfect.

We loved Boa Vista! With flights just under 6 hours from the UK it felt like we were staying somewhere a little more exotic without the long flight times! I would definitely return to this hotel or maybe try one of the other 5* hotels on the island of Sal.

My top tip: Cape Verde can be windy and is very deceiving! It is still very sunny and hot behind the wind and you could still get quite burnt (as we did!). 

Let me know if you would like more information on Cape Verde.