Discover the beautiful & enchanting island of Boa Vista

A fast growing destination for an unforgettable beach holiday

A fascinating history

The island was discovered in 1460 and was called San Cristovào, until after a long voyage a sailor said 'Boa Vista', which means 'good view', indicating that there is land in sight.

Christopher Columbus visited the island in 1489. Until 1600 the island was inhabited by about 50 inhabitants of Cape Verde and then by a group of goat hunters. However, when Boavista's prestigious salt was discovered, commercial activity increased and the island's first proper village arose. Porto Inglés, today's Sal Rei, became the main town of Boavista. Due to raids by pirates, circular fortresses were built, the bunker of 'Duque de Bragança', whose ruins are very important from a cultural point of view, were a result of these fortification works. After a short period of peace came a period of decadence, marked by famine that struck the population in 1855.

Finally, at the end of the century, a new period of prosperity and fruitful trade began thanks to tourism and a development community, created to protect the beauty of the island.

The world's next hotspot for the travel industry and real estate investors

With excellent beaches and a culture that combines African and Portuguese influences, Boa Vista is now officially on the map as an emerging destination for an unforgettable sun and beach holiday.

Boa Vista is the easternmost island of Cape Verde. Mainly flat with a few mountainous areas, the island is known for its spectacular sand dunes and beautiful beaches. It is the third-largest island in Cape Verde and yet the least populated, creating a rustic and undiscovered atmosphere. Sal Rei is the capital and home of the international airport, which opened in 2007. Sal Rei is a perfect example of a traditional Cape Verdean city and while you stroll around the central square of this city, you get a real sense of the fascinating fusion of cultures that Cape Verde offers.

A place for the discerning and pioneering holidaymaker

The cobbled streets offer an abundance of cafés, local restaurants and bars, nestled among a charming patchwork of multicoloured buildings.

The tourist success of Cape Verde was until recently driven by the increasing number of visitors on the neighbouring island of Sal. Boa Vista remained a well-kept secret at that time; a place for the discerning and pioneering tourist.

But it is mainly the 55 kilometres of pristine beaches that ensure that more and more people choose the island of Boa Vista. The Cape Verdean government has dedicated itself to supporting the important tourist development of Boa Vista. As a result, there are already approved plans for new hotels and resorts on the island as well as improvements to the island's infrastructure, such as new roads, improved power supplies and desalination plants.

A fast-growing tourist destination

All this means that Boa Vista is currently developing into one of the world's next hotspots for the travel industry and for overseas property investors. The reasons are very simple: beautiful beaches, year-round sunshine and an increasing number of direct flights from many European cities.

The warm, turquoise waters around the varied coastline of Boa Vista are known for a colourful array of tropical marine life. The island is also one of only two existing breeding grounds for humpback whales in the North Atlantic, and a refuge for many species of dolphins. A whale and dolphin watching tour is therefore just one of the many enchanting experiences that you can experience in Boa Vista.