All Inclusive Boa Vista Holidays

Serving up 55 kilometres’ of coastline and year-round sun, holidays to Boa Vista are the real desert island deal.

Below-the-radar beauty

Ask a room full of people to pinpoint Cape Verde on a map, and you might be surprised at how many are left scratching their heads. It’s not an uncommon reaction – these 10 tiny islands floating in the Atlantic have managed to stay blissfully below the radar. For the record, they’re just off the west coast of Africa, which means sunshine’s a given pretty much year-round.

Beach life on Boa Vista

The most easterly island is Boa Vista – which means ‘Beautiful View’ – and it’s a strong contender for the best of the bunch. The reason? A 55-kilometre coastline that racks up everything from small, rocky bays to huge sandy stretches. Out on the water, kite and windsurfing are popular, as long as the green flag is flying. And below the glassy surface, you can come face to face with a rainbow of marine life.

Santa Monica Beach

Santa Monica Beach is the name on everybody’s lips. It’s in Curralinho, to the south of the island, which means the water here is really sheltered. And the name? The locals reckon Santa Monica’s 18-kilometre stretch looks a lot like the Californian version. While you’re here, pay a visit to the island’s capital, Sal Rei. Pastel-painted houses, cobbled streets and rickety old shops are the staple ingredients here.