Boa Vista holidays

If you've spent time amid the natural landscapes of Spain's Canary Islands, you can picture what Cape Verde might be like. All of the islands were born from fiery volcanoes and, while some are lush and mountainous, others are fairly flat and punctuated by sand dunes and palm trees. Holidays in Boa Vista are spent within a landscape that rises to a few minor peaks in the centre, but is generally flush with the ocean and encircled by great swathes of perfect sands. Meaning “good view” in Portuguese, Boa Vista certainly delivers when it comes to stunning scenes. It's also known as a great place to view sea turtles. These amazing creatures find their way onto Boa Vista's beaches (and who can blame them?) every summer to lay their eggs in the sand. The east-coast beach of Ervatao is one of the best spots to see the turtles.

While the neighbouring island of Sal continues to grow as a holiday destination, Boa Vista remains a relatively unchanged island, where a select number of luxury low-rise resorts will take your fancy. All-inclusive holidays to Boa Vista are very popular in these sumptuous and comfortable hotels. The very best offer swimming pools, spas, excellent restaurants and bars and bundles of facilities for children and adults.

To find a fantastic deal on your break in Boa Vista, compare prices using TravelSupermarket and select the deal that suits you.

Santa Isabel's Day; July 4: This is Boa Vista's biggest holiday and visitors are welcomed at any of the events, which include horse racing, football tournaments, dancing, boat blessing and processions through the streets. 

Festival of Music of Praia de Santa Cruz; August:Usually staged on the third weekend of the month, you can join the locals to hear sweet sounds made by musicians from Cape Verde and around the world.  

Apart from taking time out to appreciate the island's beauty on the beach, there are a few other ways to spend your holiday in Boa Vista...

Kids and teens:  Take the family on a whale-watching expedition as the majestic beasts migrate between feeding and breeding grounds. The best time to see whales is during spring. 

Romance: Take a tour of the island's capital, Sal Rei, where pastel-coloured homes and churches surround public squares. Find a cosy café or bar by the water and wait to see the sun fading over the Atlantic. 

Relaxing: Sugar-white sands and shallow waters that dazzle like turquoise - Santa Monica beach feels like a never-ending homage to the Caribbean. There are miles and miles of it, so no shortage of spots to claim as your own for a serene siesta in the sunshine.

Active types: Wind and waves combine on Boa Vista to create the perfect playground for wind surfers, surfers, kite surfing and plenty of other adrenaline-inducing activities.

Free and cheap: The wreck of the 'Santa Maria', which met its end when the ship ran aground in the 1960s, can be found north of Sal Rei (a good two-hour coastal walk). Though time and the salty sea have eroded the vessel, it is still a haunting - and free - sight.