Sal and Boa Vista are two of the most popular Cape Verdean islands, but they offer quite different holidays. From beaches and restaurants to watersports and wildlife, here’s how Sal and Boa Vista compare and which one might suit your trip best.
Sal vs Boa Vista: What’s the Main Difference?
Both islands are known for sunshine, sandy beaches and resort holidays, but the biggest difference is the atmosphere. Sal is smaller, busier and easier to explore, while Boa Vista feels more spacious, peaceful and centred around its beaches and natural landscapes.
Sal: Compact and Lively
Sal covers around 215 square kilometres, making it relatively easy to explore during a week-long holiday. Most visitors stay around Santa Maria in the south, where you’ll find a long sandy beach alongside restaurants, bars, cafés, shops and plenty of watersports.
Because so much is concentrated around Santa Maria, you can easily leave your hotel for dinner, drinks or a wander without having to organise transport.
Boa Vista: Spacious and Relaxed
At around 620 square kilometres, Boa Vista island is much larger than Sal and feels noticeably less developed outside its main tourist areas. Sal Rei is the island’s main town, but much of Boa Vista is made up of open coastline, dunes and small settlements.
This makes it a strong choice if your idea of a good holiday involves a remote island with plenty of beach time and fewer busy tourist areas.
Which Island Has the Best Beaches?
It would be difficult to go wrong with either island if beaches are your priority. Both have long stretches of pale sand and clear Atlantic water, although the experience differs depending on where you stay.
Beaches in Sal
Santa Maria Beach is the main attraction on the Cape Verde Sal island, stretching along the southern coast beside the resort town. Its location means you can spend a few hours on the sand before walking straight into town for lunch or a drink.
Elsewhere, Ponta Preta is popular with surfers, while Kite Beach lives up to its name as one of the island’s best spots for kitesurfing.
Sal is particularly good if you want a beach holiday without feeling completely tied to your hotel.
Beaches in Boa Vista
Boa Vista wins when it comes to sheer space. Praia de Santa Mónica stretches for more than 11 kilometres, while Praia de Chaves combines a wide sandy coastline with impressive dunes.
The beaches can feel much quieter than those around Santa Maria, particularly once you move away from the main resorts.
If long walks on almost-empty beaches sound more appealing than having restaurants and bars nearby, Boa Vista probably has the edge.
Which Island Has More Things to Do?
Neither island is packed with traditional sightseeing attractions, but there is still plenty to keep you occupied between beach days. Sal generally offers more variety within a smaller area, while Boa Vista’s activities tend to focus on landscapes and wildlife.
Things to Do in Sal, Cape Verde
Some of the best things to do in Sal, Cape Verde are surprisingly varied considering the island’s size.
Pedra de Lume is one of Sal’s best-known attractions. These historic salt pans sit inside an extinct volcanic crater, where the extremely salty water allows visitors to float.
Buracona is another popular stop. Its volcanic coastline is home to the Olho Azul, or Blue Eye, where sunlight can create a bright blue effect in an underwater opening at certain times of day.
You can also visit Shark Bay to see juvenile lemon sharks in the shallow water, explore the fishing village of Palmeira or spend some time in Espargos.
Watersports are another major reason to choose Sal. Kitesurfing, windsurfing, surfing, diving and snorkelling are widely available.
The strongest conditions for wind-powered sports generally occurring between November and May.
Things to Do in Boa Vista
Boa Vista’s activities are more about getting out into its open landscapes. Island tours often combine the Viana Desert, traditional villages, Santa Mónica Beach and the Cabo Santa Maria shipwreck on the north coast.
The Viana Desert is particularly unusual. Its pale dunes create one of Boa Vista’s most recognisable landscapes and can be explored on guided 4x4, quad bike and walking tours.
Sal Rei is also worth exploring for a change of pace from the resorts, while nearby Rabil is known for its traditional pottery.
Boa Vista is also one of Cape Verde’s most important nesting areas for loggerhead turtles.
The nesting season generally runs between June and October, although wildlife tours should always be booked with responsible operators that follow conservation guidelines.
Sal or Boa Vista: Which Should You Choose?
The easiest way to choose between these two islands is to think about what you want to do once you arrive. Sal offers more choice and convenience, while Boa Vista is stronger for space and relaxation.
Choose Sal If...
Choose Sal if you want restaurants and bars within walking distance, plenty of watersports and several easy excursions. It is also a great option if this is your first trip to Cape Verde and you want to explore beyond your resort without spending hours travelling around.
Choose Boa Vista If...
Choose Boa Vista if quiet beaches, dunes and wildlife are higher on your list. It is particularly suited to travellers who are happy spending plenty of time at their resort and want their excursions to focus on nature and scenery rather than towns and nightlife.
