Snorkeling adventure in Boa Vista

Chaves Dunes

Snorkeling Adventure: A Mixed Bag

My first adventure in Boa Vista was a 4-hour snorkeling excursion that included hotel pickup, a scenic drive to the snorkeling spot, and a stop at a charming village for photos.

Snacks in Boa Vista

Along the way, I savored local snacks, including some of the best goat cheese I've ever had and a delicious calabaceira juice. Pro tip: if you love calabaceira juice, drink up while you’re in Boa Vista—I couldn’t find it on any of the other islands!

Calabaceira juice

The company I chose provided all the snorkeling gear (snorkel, mask, wetsuit, and shoes). However, I wouldn’t recommend Gatas as a snorkeling destination. The water was too shallow, making swimming a challenge, and there weren’t many fish to see. Plus, unlike my snorkeling experience in Jamaica, where the guide used mangoes to attract fish, this guide didn’t bring any fruit to draw them in. I visited in May, so maybe other times of the year are better, but my experience was a bit underwhelming.

That said, my guide and I got along well, and he showed me around the island afterward. We stopped for some amazing photos and even drove to one of the island’s highest points to take in a panoramic view of the city and a breathtaking sunset. It was the perfect way to end the day.

Boa Vista by night