Boa Vista: One Day to See It All - Part 1

Varandinha rocks

On my second day in Boa Vista, I was determined to visit as many of the main attractions as possible since my time on the island was limited. So, I woke up bright and early for a half-day excursion led by a super friendly Senegalese guide! We had our own car and a list of must-see spots, making stops at each one.

In just 7 hours, we managed to explore:

• Chaves Dunes

• Turtle Bay

• Varandinha Beach and Caves

• Santa Monica Beach

• Viana Desert

• Road 66

• Funda das Figueiras Village

Chaves Dunes were absolutely breathtaking. Standing there, it felt like I was in the heart of a desert. The wind had sculpted the dunes into mesmerizing shapes, and just beyond them, the ocean provided a stunning contrast. It’s truly a sight to behold.

Turtle Bay was another highlight, where we spotted a few turtles swimming. However, as you can see in my video, they were a bit hard to see because of the strong waves.

Varandinha Beach was THE Instagram spot. I snapped so many photos there! The beach is lined with large caves facing the ocean, making it a popular location for pictures. However, don’t expect any amenities—there are no restaurants, washrooms, or lifeguards, so it’s a place to simply soak in the beauty and relax.

Varandinha cave

Next up was Santa Monica Beach, which, unlike Varandinha, had a small restaurant with a sheltered deck and some loungers. Like most beaches in Boa Vista, the current here was intense. If you’re into surfing, this place is a dream! But for someone like me who loves swimming, it was a bit of a letdown. The beaches are stunning, but unless you’re a strong swimmer, I wouldn’t recommend taking a dip—the waves are just too powerful. Definitely not a place for kids to swim safely.

Santa Monica Beach

When I arrived at Santa Monica, I was puzzled as to why no one was in the water. But once I waded in, I quickly got the answer—lol, those waves are no joke! I almost got washed away. Lesson learned! If you want to see videos of me being slapped by the waves, drop a comment!