Boa Vista Island - Roteiro
Situated at the extreme west of the archipelago, Boavista Island is flat, similar to the neighbouring Sal and Maio islands. Dream beaches, spots with coconut and palm trees just like an oasis, and delicious wholesome food are all elements which provide an excellent visiting card. Boavista Island provides the perfect location for the traveler who wants to both explore and relax.
Sal Rei, the capital to the north-east of the island, is the first most likely destination for arrivals, with almost all the hotels nearby. Trips, pure relaxation, the inevitable interlude with the morna singing, and the discovery of profoundly entrenched traditions in a friendly population comprise the programme that visitors can expect.
The trip can begin in Sal Rei. Here sal, or salt, was really king (rei), principally in the 18th century, when it was an essential product for the economy of the regions where it was produced. The remains of the salt mines which still exist show the golden age of Boavista, a time of important demographic and economic development. Naturally, the island was sought after, even by pirates who ravaged these Atlantic waters. For this reason, in front of the town and on a small islet, the remains of the old Duque de Bragança Fort can be found, a military structure where cautious watch was carried out. Nowadays, the local attractions are the wonderful waters which surround it, rich in marine life and sublime underwater scenes which delight visitors. There is a long and shallow underwater platform which runs to the neighbouring islands of Sal to the north, and Maio to the south.
Sal Rei is a good place to appreciate the unmistakable colonial architecture, and to better evoke the passage of time. Not to be missed is a small Jewish Cemetery, a precious relic which reminds us of an active community which settled here, dominating the social and economic life of the island. It can be found next to the Marina Club Hotel, in front of the beach with same name.
From the small Old Quay, which is the origin of the other name by which Sal Rei is known, excursions may be made by boat, to the small islet opposite, to Chave, Santa Mónica, Curral Velho, or for a round-island trip. Snorkeling, diving and fishing are other activity excursions; an excellent way to get to know this island, which is flat and almost completely surrounded by splendid beaches.
Chave Beach was the first to develop hotels, then Cruz Beach. It already has over 2,500 hotel beds, with the arrival of a new unit with 750 rooms to Carlota Beach.
The expanse of sand to the north of the island, the Boa Esperança Beach, round Santa Maria Cape, although more exposed to the prevailing winds than the more sheltered beaches of the west and south, is a magnificent spectacle, as is the beautiful David Beach, opposite the chapel built by Benoliel, a name which has dominated life on this island for a long time.
Following on from Sal Rei to the south-west, going round the airport, and preferably following the picturesque route from one end to the other, among date and coconut trees and acacias, which cover innumerable dunes, reminding one of North Africa, one arrives at Rabil. Here we have the airport which is now international and receives flights from Europe. Rabil is also the name given to the sea bird usually known as fragata, which is threatened with extinction in Cape Verde. The São Roque Church which can be seen here is the oldest on the island and was built in1801.
One can visit the ceramic factory-school in Rabil,a special industry with profound African characteristics. One of the principal objectives of the institution is to preserve this type of handicraft which is so rich in local expression.
Between Rabil and the neighbouring township of Estância de Baixo, a little to the east, is a vast area of high dunes, a corridor of moving sands which the wind blows from NE to SW: an impressive landscape, which is called the Viana Desert. The Rabil valley is in a hydrographic basin, considered as one of the biggest of Cape Verde, although the water only runs for short intervals during the rainy season.
Arriving at the north and north-west of the island one can identify areas given over to agriculture. This activity complements the principal source of revenue of Boavista – fishing. Cabeça dos Tarafes, Fundo de Figueiras and João Galego are places where, often with very hard labour, the inhabitants subsist from the land. They complement this activity with animal husbandry, mainly goats, which graze freely all over the island. Their owners identify their own animals by tears in their ears. Return to the north and take a look at the villages of Espingueira, with an excellent hotel, near the Derrubado Beach, and Bofareira, more isolated, but with the reputation of having the most hard-working population on the island.
The sea, however, is the dominant element of Boavista, with its waters of a magnificent blue-green, full of fish and shellfish. Don’t be surprised, therefore, that these form the basis of a characteristic cuisine which is excellent, wholesome and tasty, contributing to the traveller’s unique experience. Apart from fish, always present at the table, and seafood, there is another speciality which is part of the culinary tradition of Boavista: botchada, which can be cooked with cachupa, or fish stew, as a side dish or fried with rice or other ingredients.
For moments of relaxation and leisure, Boavista is covered with beaches, considered by many to be the best in the world. They can be found all over the island, but the most famous is Curralinho / Santa Mónica, near Povoação Velha, the first settlement of the island, founded in the first quarter of the 17th century. Also a must to visit is the gorgeous Varandinha Beach. This continues with the extensive LacacãoBeach, where there is intensive construction of new hotels, which will open in 2011. To the east is Curral Velho and Ervatão… here, however, progress can wait. On a coast tens of kilometres long, there is beach after isolated beach, still virgin, which provide the traveller with sheer unspoilt pleasure. This is a privilege that does not exist in many other places in the world. The turtles are witness to this, choosing the south of the island to lay their eggs.
Protection of the turtles is taken very seriously. The caretta caretta is the species which most frequently chooses to lay its eggs here, from which thousands of new specimens are hatched every season. Children from schools within an international organisation of nature protection are involved in the preservation of the eggs. These are taken to a safe place, marked and followed until the hatching of the tiny offspring, which then make their way steadfastly to the sea.
Here is a place which is unforgettable for its relaxing swimming and water sports, especially diving and fishing. Boavista Island is an outstanding place in Cape Verde, and without doubt the one which can completely fulfil the promise of tourism linked to the sea.
Situated at the extreme west of the archipelago, Boavista Island is flat, similar to the neighbouring Sal and Maio islands. Dream beaches, spots with coconut and palm trees just like an oasis, and delicious wholesome food are all elements which provide an excellent visiting card. Boavista Island provides the perfect location for the traveler who wants to both explore and relax.
Sal Rei, the capital to the north-east of the island, is the first most likely destination for arrivals, with almost all the hotels nearby. Trips, pure relaxation, the inevitable interlude with the morna singing, and the discovery of profoundly entrenched traditions in a friendly population comprise the programme that visitors can expect.
The trip can begin in Sal Rei. Here sal, or salt, was really king (rei), principally in the 18th century, when it was an essential product for the economy of the regions where it was produced. The remains of the salt mines which still exist show the golden age of Boavista, a time of important demographic and economic development. Naturally, the island was sought after, even by pirates who ravaged these Atlantic waters. For this reason, in front of the town and on a small islet, the remains of the old Duque de Bragança Fort can be found, a military structure where cautious watch was carried out. Nowadays, the local attractions are the wonderful waters which surround it, rich in marine life and sublime underwater scenes which delight visitors. There is a long and shallow underwater platform which runs to the neighbouring islands of Sal to the north, and Maio to the south.
Sal Rei is a good place to appreciate the unmistakable colonial architecture, and to better evoke the passage of time. Not to be missed is a small Jewish Cemetery, a precious relic which reminds us of an active community which settled here, dominating the social and economic life of the island. It can be found next to the Marina Club Hotel, in front of the beach with same name.
From the small Old Quay, which is the origin of the other name by which Sal Rei is known, excursions may be made by boat, to the small islet opposite, to Chave, Santa Mónica, Curral Velho, or for a round-island trip. Snorkeling, diving and fishing are other activity excursions; an excellent way to get to know this island, which is flat and almost completely surrounded by splendid beaches.
Chave Beach was the first to develop hotels, then Cruz Beach. It already has over 2,500 hotel beds, with the arrival of a new unit with 750 rooms to Carlota Beach.
The expanse of sand to the north of the island, the Boa Esperança Beach, round Santa Maria Cape, although more exposed to the prevailing winds than the more sheltered beaches of the west and south, is a magnificent spectacle, as is the beautiful David Beach, opposite the chapel built by Benoliel, a name which has dominated life on this island for a long time.
Following on from Sal Rei to the south-west, going round the airport, and preferably following the picturesque route from one end to the other, among date and coconut trees and acacias, which cover innumerable dunes, reminding one of North Africa, one arrives at Rabil. Here we have the airport which is now international and receives flights from Europe. Rabil is also the name given to the sea bird usually known as fragata, which is threatened with extinction in Cape Verde. The São Roque Church which can be seen here is the oldest on the island and was built in1801.
One can visit the ceramic factory-school in Rabil,a special industry with profound African characteristics. One of the principal objectives of the institution is to preserve this type of handicraft which is so rich in local expression.
Between Rabil and the neighbouring township of Estância de Baixo, a little to the east, is a vast area of high dunes, a corridor of moving sands which the wind blows from NE to SW: an impressive landscape, which is called the Viana Desert. The Rabil valley is in a hydrographic basin, considered as one of the biggest of Cape Verde, although the water only runs for short intervals during the rainy season.
Arriving at the north and north-west of the island one can identify areas given over to agriculture. This activity complements the principal source of revenue of Boavista – fishing. Cabeça dos Tarafes, Fundo de Figueiras and João Galego are places where, often with very hard labour, the inhabitants subsist from the land. They complement this activity with animal husbandry, mainly goats, which graze freely all over the island. Their owners identify their own animals by tears in their ears. Return to the north and take a look at the villages of Espingueira, with an excellent hotel, near the Derrubado Beach, and Bofareira, more isolated, but with the reputation of having the most hard-working population on the island.
The sea, however, is the dominant element of Boavista, with its waters of a magnificent blue-green, full of fish and shellfish. Don’t be surprised, therefore, that these form the basis of a characteristic cuisine which is excellent, wholesome and tasty, contributing to the traveller’s unique experience. Apart from fish, always present at the table, and seafood, there is another speciality which is part of the culinary tradition of Boavista: botchada, which can be cooked with cachupa, or fish stew, as a side dish or fried with rice or other ingredients.
For moments of relaxation and leisure, Boavista is covered with beaches, considered by many to be the best in the world. They can be found all over the island, but the most famous is Curralinho / Santa Mónica, near Povoação Velha, the first settlement of the island, founded in the first quarter of the 17th century. Also a must to visit is the gorgeous Varandinha Beach. This continues with the extensive LacacãoBeach, where there is intensive construction of new hotels, which will open in 2011. To the east is Curral Velho and Ervatão… here, however, progress can wait. On a coast tens of kilometres long, there is beach after isolated beach, still virgin, which provide the traveller with sheer unspoilt pleasure. This is a privilege that does not exist in many other places in the world. The turtles are witness to this, choosing the south of the island to lay their eggs.
Protection of the turtles is taken very seriously. The caretta caretta is the species which most frequently chooses to lay its eggs here, from which thousands of new specimens are hatched every season. Children from schools within an international organisation of nature protection are involved in the preservation of the eggs. These are taken to a safe place, marked and followed until the hatching of the tiny offspring, which then make their way steadfastly to the sea.
Here is a place which is unforgettable for its relaxing swimming and water sports, especially diving and fishing. Boavista Island is an outstanding place in Cape Verde, and without doubt the one which can completely fulfil the promise of tourism linked to the sea.
