Wild beaches and desert in one day.

That’s why this full-day Boa Vista tour works so well: you get turquoise swimming time at Ervatão Beach (a key loggerhead sea turtle spawning area) plus a hands-on walk through the Viana Desert’s white sand dunes. I also like how the guide experience matters here—on-the-ground explanations from locals such as Damaris and Jayson can turn simple stops into stories about how people lived off the island.

One thing to keep in mind: parts of the route are on rougher terrain, and the day isn’t a fit for everyone. The tour is not suitable for pregnant travelers, people with back problems, or anyone with mobility impairments, so choose it only if you’re comfortable with uneven roads and walking.

Key reasons this tour is worth your attention

• Ervatão Beach swim in wild, turquoise water with turtle-nesting context
• Fonte Vicente Oasis for fruit trees and unspoiled nature stops
• Curral Velho ghost village history plus a look at the old salt mine
• João Barrosa adds another beach moment before the desert walk
• Viana Desert: over 10 km of white sand dunes, walked with your guide

A 7-hour Boa Vista sampler: beaches, villages, and dunes

If you’re short on time but want the “real Boa Vista” feeling—less resort and more island texture—this is a strong mix. The day is built around three types of experiences: a plant-and-water oasis, an abandoned coastal community, and then open desert sand stretching for miles.

What makes it more than just a checklist is the pacing. You’re not only rushing from one photo spot to the next. You’ll have time to swim when conditions allow, a lunch break in a local setting, and a proper walk through the dunes instead of a quick pass-by.

Also, the guide is a big part of the value. This tour runs with a live tour guide in several languages, and the better guides focus on how the island works—fauna, fruit trees, and the reasons people ended up in some places and not others.

Pickup at Rabil or Sal Rei: start smart, stay flexible

The tour starts with pickup from either Rabil or Sal Rei, then you’re dropped back at the end at one of those two locations. Pickup is included at your accommodation, and the driver will be holding a sign with your last name.

Here’s the practical bit: you should wait in the lobby about 10 minutes before pickup, because the driver doesn’t wait long after the scheduled time. If you’re staying at Hotel Riu Touareg, pickup and drop-off aren’t included in the standard tour price and you’ll need an extra fee.

Plan your clothing with the day’s rhythm in mind. You’ll go from vehicle ride to oasis walking to beach time, and later to sand dunes walking. Comfortable clothes and comfortable shoes matter more than looks.

Fonte Vicente Oasis: fruit trees, wildlife talk, and cool shade

One of the best early stops is Fonte Vicente Oasis, where the focus is unspoiled nature and what lives there. You’ll drive out and then explore with your guide, who helps you spot local fauna and fruit trees like fig, almond, tamarind, and an exotic baobab tree.

This part of the day is a nice counterweight to the later beach-and-sand sections. Even if you’re excited about swimming, the oasis stop gives you context for the island beyond the coastline. It’s where you learn why certain ecosystems are the island’s backbone—and why drought and water have shaped settlement patterns.

Practical expectation: this is a guided nature stop, so wear shoes you can walk in comfortably. You’re not touring a museum; you’ll be on outdoor ground, moving at a natural walking pace.

Curral Velho: a ghost fishing village and the salt mine story

Next comes Curral Velho, described as a settlement abandoned after a long drought and pirate attacks. The name alone makes you curious, but the value here is that you don’t just see ruins—you get the explanation for why the place faded.

You’ll get a guided visit and then explore what remains, including the former salt mine. Salt history is a big deal on islands, and this stop ties the island’s survival to the work people did when the environment allowed it.

What I like about this segment is that it breaks up the day’s “big scenery” moments. You’ll start noticing the island’s cause-and-effect: water availability, livelihood, and safety all changed the map over time.

A heads-up for your comfort: if you’re sensitive to uneven ground or lots of walking, you may want to pace yourself here and later on the dunes. This tour isn’t framed as a chair-and-coffee day.

João Barrosa and Ervatão Beaches: swim time when conditions allow

After Curral Velho, the tour shifts into beach mode. You’ll head to Praia de João Barrosa, with swimming time built in, then continue to Ervatão Beach, one of the key areas associated with loggerhead sea turtle egg-laying.

Two beach notes that affect your experience:

1. This is a wild beach setup, so bring your sense of adventure—and your sun protection.
2. The description says swim time depends on weather. That means you should be ready for a day where the water might be less swim-friendly than you imagined.

Still, even without a long swim, it’s an eye-opening stop. The point is turquoise-water feeling plus a chance to experience how the coastline looks when it’s not engineered for crowds. And because it’s a turtle spawning area, it’s smart to follow your guide’s cues about where to go and how to behave near nesting zones.

Ervatão is the highlight for many people for a reason: the day builds toward it. You get sandy dune walking later, so having a beach moment in the middle helps reset your body.

Lunch at Fundo de Figueiras: local food, plan for payment

You’ll get a lunch break at Fundo de Figueiras. The itinerary and highlights describe lunch as delicious and in a local atmosphere, but the tour information also lists lunch as not included in the price.

So treat it like this: you’ll be taken to the meal stop, but you should expect to pay for lunch there. If you have dietary needs, this is exactly the kind of day where it helps to ask your guide what options are available once you arrive—since the tour doesn’t promise any specific menu details.

Value tip: because lunch isn’t included, your real “all-in” budget is a bit higher than the headline price. It’s still typically worth it when you compare it to paying for transportation plus a guide for the full island route.

Viana Desert: 10+ km of white sand dunes and a real walk

The last major stop is the Deserto de Viana, one of the seven wonders of Cape Verde, with over 10 km of white sand dunes. This is where the day shifts from swim-and-sun to slow, sensory walking.

You’ll walk along the sands with your guide, taking in the desert scenery and the change in air and texture as you move deeper into the dunes. This is the part that many people remember because it feels different from the beaches—more space, more quiet, and a stronger sense of the island’s raw geography.

Practical reality: sand walking takes effort. If you’re comfortable with a moderate walk and you wear shoes that won’t instantly pack with sand, you’ll enjoy this more. If you’re not a sand-walker, you can still appreciate the desert, but you may want to manage your pace and hydration habits (even though water isn’t listed as included, you can still plan accordingly on your own).

Price and value: does $100 really add up?

At $100 per person for about 7 hours, this tour can be good value if you want three things in one package: guided nature and history, beach time, and desert dunes walking with transportation.

Here’s why the pricing can make sense:

• You’re paying for a guide across a full circuit of Boa Vista, not a short beach transfer.
• You get pickup and drop-off from Rabil or Sal Rei, which removes planning friction.
• You’re getting access to multiple zones—oasis, village history, beach swimming time, and the desert walk—without needing a rental car.

Your main costs to budget for are simple:

• Lunch isn’t included, even though it’s part of the schedule.
• If you’re staying at Hotel Riu Touareg, pickup/drop-off may cost extra.

If you want a “maximum variety for one day” itinerary, this is priced like a solid practical choice.

Who this tour fits best (and who should skip)

This tour suits you best if you want:

• A guided island circuit with explanation and context, not just driving past places
• A beach day with real water time potential at Ervatão
• An active component (walking) that’s manageable for most people who can handle sand

It may not be the right fit if:

• You have back problems, are pregnant, or have mobility impairments
• You strongly prefer smooth, flat walking surfaces
• You need a guaranteed long swim day—because swim time is weather-dependent

Group size can also affect your comfort. The tour offers private or small groups, and shared group options are subject to a minimum number of participants.

Guides matter here: explanations that turn stops into meaning

What consistently comes through is that the guide quality improves the day. People specifically praised a lot of explanations and a good, friendly vibe, with examples like Damaris and Jayson standing out.

That’s not a small detail. On Boa Vista, many of the “why” questions aren’t obvious from the view alone. When your guide connects the dots—fruit trees in the oasis, the abandoned village story, and why Ervatão matters for sea turtles—you end up with memories that feel fuller than photos.

Should you book this Boa Vista wild beaches and Viana Desert tour?

Book it if you want one day that mixes coast, history, and dunes with a real guide driving the story. The combination of Ervatão Beach swimming time, Curral Velho’s abandoned fishing history, and the Viana Desert’s long dune walk is exactly the kind of itinerary that helps you feel like you understood more than the resort strip.

Skip it—or at least think twice—if your body can’t handle sand walking or if you fall into the listed non-suitable categories like back issues, pregnancy, or mobility impairments. Also, if lunch cost surprises would stress you out, remember lunch isn’t included.

If your goal is a day that feels like Cape Verde beyond the beach chairs, this tour is a strong bet.

FAQ

What does the tour cost and how long is it?

The tour costs $100 per person and runs for about 7 hours.

Where do you get picked up and where do you get dropped off?

Pickup options are Rabil and Sal Rei, and drop-off happens at Sal Rei or Rabil.

Is lunch included in the price?

Lunch is not included in the tour price, even though the day includes a lunch break at Fundo de Figueiras.

What should I bring for the day?

Bring comfortable shoes, a sun hat, swimwear, sunscreen, and comfortable clothes.

What languages are the guides available in?

The live tour guide is available in Portuguese, English, French, Spanish, and Italian.

When is swimming available?

Swimming is planned at Praia de João Barrosa and Ervatão Beach, and at Ervatão it depends on weather.

Who is the tour not suitable for?

It is not suitable for pregnant women, people with back problems, and people with mobility impairments.