You'll feel like you know every corner of little Boa Vista island after this adults-only off-road adventure. With a knowledgeable guide to show you around, you'll find out about the history and culture of the area, too. Leave no stone unturned as you visit Viana desert and the shipwreck at Cabo de Santa Maria, before exploring Povoacao Velha. Plus, there's lunch at a beachside restaurant to enjoy. Manuel, one of our expert local guides, says ‘The beach with the shipwreck is a very evocative spot, one of the most beautiful on the island. The ship ran aground in 1968 and has been here ever since.'

Setting off towards the Viana desert, prepare to be charmed by Boa Vista's untouched scenery on this action-packed 4x4 tour. Feel the wind in your hair as you rumble over the sand dunes in a 4x4. Then, you're off to discover the rusting shipwreck of Cabo de Santa Maria – a symbol of Boa Vista. Chamine de Chaves is our next stop, before we slow things down with lunch in a beachside restaurant.

Next up is Povaocao Velha – the oldest settlement on the island. Have a poke around the small town and take a glimpse into local life, before we head to our final stop, Santa Monica beach. If it's dreamy Caribbean colours and empty sands you are looking for, you've found it. Have your camera ready because this blissful beach is one of the most photographed spots on the island. Boasting 18 kilometres of white sand and undulating dunes, it's no wonder that the sandy strip was voted one of the top ten in the world.

Why you’ll love this…

You'll get a 4x4 adventure around Boa Vista island with stops at key landmarks
A beachside lunch and an insight into traditional village life are on the agenda
You'll get the chance to explore the Cabo de Santa Maria shipwreck's history
There's a visit to Santa Monica beach – voted one of the best in the world
You'll explore Boa Vista with an expert local guide by your side to share their insight

What people say about this experience

4.5/5

All reviews are verified

Based on 267 reviews

Review categories

Service

4.8/5

Safety

4.8/5

Value for money

4.6/5

Staff

4.8/5

All ratings (267)

5 stars (186)

70%

4 stars (58)

22%

3 stars (21)

2 stars (2)

1 star (0)

T
Tom
Travelled as a couple
14 January 2026
4.6
United States of America
The guide was brilliant. The sideways seating was a little uncomfortable and the sideways view was roof restricted.
C
Claire
Travelled as a couple
13 January 2026
5
United States of America
The tour guide (paulo) was great. Very knowledgeable and lots of fun. Our driver was wonderful. Some members found the terrain uncomfortable and perhaps this needs explaining before the tour. Would have loved more time in the desert. Just a bigger photo op when we first arrived. Lunch was excellent quality and brilliant service.
J
Joe Mcguinness
Travelled as a couple
12 January 2026
4.6
United States of America
The beach for us was the best.
P
PAB
Travelled as a couple
11 January 2026
4.2
United States of America
Our tour guide Paulo was excellent. Very attentive and willing to go the extra mile to keep everybody happy and informed.
K
Kev the red fulwood.
Travelled as a couple
10 January 2026
4.2
United States of America
Excellent tour guide on vehicle number 8 with Pauli’o/pablo who was very knowledgeable and ample sights to see things at the locations visited, as a 1st time visitor to Cape Verde this was the trip to do, also visited an excellent restaurant for lunch as part of the tour, overall very enjoyable.
P
Peter
Travelled as a couple
8 January 2026
3.8
United States of America
The trip was useful to see what there is on the Island (not a lot to be honest). The driver was great, Would have benefited from an audio system so that people in the back of the car could hear him. The guide (Paulo) was personable and interesting. It would have been good to have spent much more time in Sal Reí. The Chinese shop and the market are very interesting and useful (a fraction of the price of the hotel). On the downside the back of the car was rather cramped and uncomfortable.