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Boavista is the most eastern island of the Archipelago, and quite near to the African continent. It has a surface of 620 km2 and is pentagonal in shape with its longest distance, from North to South of 31 km, and 29 km from West to East. lt is made of sedimentary rocks and is basically flat except for the volcanic formations in Rabil and Fundo das Figueiras. Pico d’Estancia at 390 meters is the highest point of the island. Among the typical vegetation of the island is the “date palm” a kind of a palm tree with three or six branches coming out of the same base.
The island is covered with sand dunes, which give it lunar scenery, and it has 55 km of beautiful white sand beaches and emerald green water. All these characteristics plus an international airport, make Boavista an excellent tourist attraction.
Island of dunes and mornas, paradisiacal and tropical, owner of a rare beauty where the everlasting sands let themselves be embraced by a bluish-green warm sea.
Having wonderful potential for nautical sports, the beaches of Boavista are considered some of the best in the world. Among them, Curralinho, on the south coast of the island, should be highlighted. It is also known as Santa Monica alluding to the similarity to its American homonymous. Almost 10 km long, it is only one of the several beaches the visitor can choose, all of them surrounded by isolated places still unmarked by man. There, the visitor can fully enjoy pleasantly new sensations.
The isolation of this bittersweet paradise has undoubtedly contributed to the birth of many of the Cabo-verdean musicians. Because of that, the island is also known as “nursery of musicians.” The morna, main national musical expression, was born here.
The serenades and tocatinas are an essential component in the lives of this warm and welcoming people, full of “morabeza”.
The village of Sal Rei displays evident signs of a rich past and a dominant European architecture. The ruins of a salt works of the XVII century, main source of income in those days, are also testimonies of the golden age the island experienced in the past.
In front of the village the visitor can admire the ruins of the ancient Duque de Braganca Fort, which rests on a small islet embraced by clear waters, rich in maritime fauna and underwater landscapes so much appreciated by divers.
The small Jewish cemetery, close to the new Hotel of Cruz beach, is a priceless relic and evidence of the Jewish community that settled on the island.
In Rabil, the closest village to the airport and former head of district, the tourist can admire the old Igreja Matriz de Sao Roque, the oldest church in the island, built in 1801. It is also interesting to note that Rabil is also the name here given to the frigate, a characteristic bird in the archipelago and now close to extinction.
Also worth visiting is the ceramics school-factory where the old distinctly African production methods are preserved.
Between this village and Estancia de Baixo there is an extensive valley where the abundance of Coconut trees and date palms will surprise the tourist. The luxuriant green landscape of this area is due to the existence of a large hydrographic basin, considered one of the largest of Cabo Verde though the water only flows during short periods during the rainy season.
However, the most picturesque villages are the farming villages on the north of the island, such as Cabeca de Tarafe, Fundo de Figueiras and Joao Galego.
The gastronomy of the island is closely linked to its main activity-fishing. Therefore, the visitor must not miss the delicious traditional fish and mollusk dishes.
Boavista is an island of warm people who know how to welcome those wishing to experience a time of discovery and rest there.
