Sal or Boa Vista: which Cape Verde island should you choose?
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Torn between Sal and Boa Vista? They are two different islands of Cape Verde (Cabo Verde); Boa Vista lies about 55 kilometres further south. They look alike, but for a beach holiday the difference is big.
Sun, sea and beach under the palms
Sal is the island for a true sun, sea and beach holiday. You get more than 350 days of sunshine a year, miles of white sandy beaches lined with beach bars, and at Santa Maria you simply walk into the calm, clear sea for a swim. Lying under the palms, a drink on the beach and watching the sun set over the sea: that is a holiday on Sal.
The sea water is around 25 °C on average, and from August to October it is often 28 °C and up to 29 °C. Because it hardly ever rains, the heat is dry: the cooling trade wind keeps it pleasant, never too hot and never cold, and in the evening it cools down a few degrees.
Sal and Boa Vista side by side
| Sal | Boa Vista | |
|---|---|---|
| Swimming in the sea | All year, in the calm bay of Santa Maria | Waves often high; red flag means almost never |
| Village and centre | Lively centre in Santa Maria with many restaurants and beach bars | No lively seaside village; mainly a few large resorts |
| Things to do | Plenty: watersports, excursions, Shark Bay, nightlife | Much less to do |
| Nature | White beaches and salt lake | More sand dunes |
Boa Vista: dunes, but little to do
Boa Vista has more sand dunes and a rough, empty landscape. There is much less to do than on Sal: no lively village with a centre by the sea, mainly a few large resorts. The waves are often high, so with the red flag on the beach you can almost never swim in the sea.
Sal: sun, sea and beach
On Sal you swim in the sea all year round: the bay of Santa Maria is sheltered and calm. There is a lively centre with many restaurants, beach bars and terraces, and everything is close by. Still want to see Boa Vista? A ferry sails to the island from the harbour of Palmeira.
Frequently asked questions: Sal or Boa Vista
How far is Boa Vista from Sal? Boa Vista is a different island, about 55 kilometres south of Sal.
Can you swim in the sea on Boa Vista? Often not: the waves are high and with the red flag you can almost never swim. On Sal you can all year round.
Which island is better for a beach holiday? Sal: a calm sea for swimming, a lively centre in Santa Maria and many restaurants.
Read also
- Things to do and activities on Sal, Cape Verde
- Book activities on Sal, Cape Verde: kitesurfing, catamaran, buggy and more
- Where to stay in Santa Maria, Sal: boutique hotel, apartment or resort
- ☀ Temperature on Sal, Cape Verde: weather by month
- Is Cape Verde safe? Yes, especially on Sal
- Watersports on Sal, Cape Verde: kitesurfing, wing foiling and surfing
- The best beaches on Sal, Cape Verde