Today, you’ll be introduced to a couple of truly Cape Verdean villages. You’ll drive to the ‘north’ of Boa Vista, which is actually the name given to the east of the island. João Galego is up first. This place is made up of dinky, one-storey-high houses painted in pastel colours. Have a chat with the locals, and you’ll hear how the village thrives off agriculture. Next, you’ll continue on to nearby Fundo das Figueiras. There are only 250 or so people in this tiny community, where hibiscus and bougainvillea blooms complement the brightly-coloured houses. The tour goes off road next, as you head towards one of the Cape Verde Islands’ most famous landmarks, the Santa Maria shipwreck. This steel freighter, which ran aground in 1968, is practically in the middle of nowhere, which is why so many tourists flock to see it – the striking contrast of white sands, blue seas, and a huge rusty wreck makes for a great photo opportunity.
It's a transoceanic, luxurious, beautiful, safe and fully equipped vessel. The yacht White Time is a Grand Soleil 52, from the famous Italian shipyard Cantieri del Pardo. Definitely, one of the best sailing yachts ever built. Departure from Santa Maria or Port of Palmeira, in Sal. Sailing in the West coast of Sal, Murdeira Bay and Mount Lion. Anchoring, snorkeling and full lunch. Sailing back to Santa Maria or Port of Palmeira.
Discover the highlights of Sal. Lunar landscapes, the legendary Buracona Lagoon, the Mirage of Terra Boa and dramatic coastlines. Not forgetting the perfect end to the most popular half day tour, Salinas de Pedra de Lume where you can relax and float in the salt lakes just as you can in the Dead Sea.
Sal Rei is a small village with colors and maybe some European-inspiration, with some evidence of a rich commercial past, when the island was exporting salt, dyes for textiles, cotton, cattle, lime and pottery in large quantities. Your tour begins visiting the cemetery of the Jews, today's architectural heritage. A small cemetery, next to the first hotel of the island, the testimony of the Jewish community that took root here in the 19th century and contributed in some way for the development of Boa vista.
The visit continues towards the center of Sal Rei. The village is now occupied by several businesses lead mainly by Italians. You will have short walking tour through the village with visit to the municipal market, through the fish market, passing by the Catholic Church, cultural center and shops of handicrafts. You can also see the small island in front of Sal Rei, the island of Sal Rei, which the Portuguese built Fort Duke of Braganza to protect the town from attacks by pirates.
After the walking tour, you will still have some time to wonder around or for ""souvenir"" shopping. We also stop in the oldest guesthouse on the island, Migrante, where you can try the coffee grown on the island of Fogo and some Grogue liquor made on Sao Nicolau.
This tour makes tracks for the geological superstars in the north-west corner of Sal. The village of Pedra de Lume is our starting point. It pinpoints salt mining country, a swathe of abandoned skeletal mines. Beyond them, there’s a yawning crater that’s the birthplace of the island. Salt pans and a deep lake fill the centre, and you’ll have the chance to take a dip in the water. It’s easiest to float like a starfish, though – the water’s so dense with salt that it’s like floating in the Black Sea. The day is finished off with a therapeutic body treatment that uses salt from the crater lake.
There is no better way to relax than on board of a luxury Catamaran. Strech out on one of the nets to soak up those all important rays. The sails fill with the sea breeze as you cruise down the golden coastline of Sal. Then why not take a refreshing plunge into the turquoise waters of Algodoeiro Bay as the crew drop the anchor. Open free bar and snacks during the sailing. Please bring swimsuit.
This trip is Boa Vista in a nutshell. You’ll start the morning with a drive to Cabo Santa Maria. In 1968, a transport ship ran aground a few miles off the coast here, and you can still see the skeleton of its hull. It’s a pretty eerie sight. The remains look like a rusty carcass that’s been gnawed and mauled by the waves. Your next stop will be Rabil. Once the island’s capital, this city has a different significance today – it’s the epicentre of Boa Vista’s pottery industry. You can visit a few of the ceramics workshops and pick up plates and bowls made by artisans. From here, you’ll head inland to see the desert-scape that stretches for 8 kilometres across the centre of the island. The white sands here are whipped into Mr Whippy-style dunes. Before the trip ends, you’ll spend some time on Santa Monica Beach. Tourism hasn’t touched down on this strip of sand. What’s more, it’s known as one of the top 5 beaches in the world.
Experience the wonderful underwater world of Sal and visit the sunken statue Cristo dos Mares in Santa Maria Bay. Nearby are the sunken wrecks of two ships. The first near Ponta do Sino, a Portuguese steamer ship the "Bolana", was shipwrecked in 1920. Its huge chimney is covered by marine flora. Swarms of colourful tropical fish complete the exotic landscape. The second wreckage
The second ship, the " St. Anthony " , sank in 1965. Its platform is divided into two parts, of which we can see shoals of Bream and Wrasses ... and if you're lucky, you can catch sight of , Morays , Puffer Fish , Fish trumpet , stingrays and turtles. Returning to the beach will take a short break to see the " Christ of the Seas " , a statue of Christ under water, located near the port of Santa Maria .