Boa Vista: Snorkeling at Gatas Bay & North East Tour

Boa Vista’s north coast gives you more than a morning in the water. You’ll snorkel at Praia das Gatas, eat a traditional Cape Verdean meal in Fundo das Figueiras, and finish with a short climb to Morro Negro Lighthouse before searching for lemon and nursing sharks. The small groups and friendly guides are major advantages.

I like the mix of sea, food, villages, and wide-open views. I also like the flexible pickup time, since snorkeling depends on the tide, and the chance to sit inside the pickup truck or in the open back. The main caution is simple: shark sightings are not guaranteed, and the afternoon plan has occasionally changed.

Key points to know before booking

• Praia das Gatas snorkeling: Expect about one to one and a half hours in clear Atlantic water, with fish and coral.
• A real north-coast route: The day links the bay, Fundo das Figueiras, Cabeça dos Tarafes, Morro Negro Lighthouse, and Shark Bay.
• Small groups: The vehicle holds up to eight people, though the operator tries to keep groups closer to six.
• Cape Verdean lunch: Choose from dishes such as goat stew, tuna steak, lobster, shrimp, chicken, or buzio, with several side dishes.
• A short but worthwhile hike: The walk to Morro Negro Lighthouse takes about 10 to 15 minutes and leads to one of Boa Vista’s finest viewpoints.
• Sharks are a possibility, not a promise: Lemon and nursing sharks are commonly sought, but nature keeps the final say.

From your hotel to Praia das Gatas

Pickup usually begins around 8:30 a.m., though the exact time can shift. Praia das Gatas is best visited at high tide, so the tour company contacts you through WhatsApp after booking to settle the pickup time. That flexibility matters, since a fixed departure would not always match good water conditions.

You’ll travel in a pickup truck, with a choice of riding in the cabin or outside in the back. The open-air option gives you more of a roadside view, though you should bring sun protection and be ready for a dusty ride. The drive to the bay takes roughly 45 minutes, depending on where your hotel is located.

The route follows what the company calls Route 66. The name adds a little character, but the real appeal is the change of scenery as you leave the resort area and head toward Boa Vista’s quieter north side. This transfer is part of the day’s value: you are not simply being taken to a beach and returned to your hotel.

With a maximum of eight people, the outing feels more manageable than a large coach excursion. The operator prefers groups of six or fewer, which gives you a better chance to ask questions, get help with the equipment, and hear the guide without shouting across a crowd.

Snorkeling at Praia das Gatas

Praia das Gatas is the tour’s main water stop. You’ll have about 60 to 90 minutes to snorkel in clear Atlantic water, looking for colorful fish and coral close to the bay. Snorkeling equipment is supplied, so you only need to bring your towel, sunscreen, and beachwear.

The stated conditions make this stop best suited to swimmers. The tour is not suitable for non-swimmers, and that is worth taking seriously. Even a calm bay is still open sea, so you should be comfortable in the water before booking.

Your guide is there to help with safety and basic practical matters. The company offers guides who speak English, Dutch, Portuguese, or German, depending on the day. Veronique is one guide specifically associated with the experience, and her upbeat, helpful manner has made a strong impression on the quality of the outing.

Allow yourself time to get used to the mask and snorkel. You may find the best part of the stop is not a single dramatic sight but the easy rhythm of floating, watching fish, and seeing the seabed through clear water. Conditions can vary, so no responsible tour can promise a fixed number of fish or perfect visibility.

The one to one and a half hour schedule is a sensible balance. You get enough time to enjoy the bay without turning the entire day into a beach outing. If snorkeling is your main reason for booking, remember that the tour continues through the afternoon, so this is one part of a much broader excursion.

Lunch in Fundo das Figueiras

After the water stop, the pickup heads to Fundo das Figueiras, a picturesque town where you can look around and buy souvenirs. This pause gives the day a useful change of pace. Instead of moving from one natural viewpoint to another, you get time to see a local settlement and sit down for a meal.

Lunch is not included in the $100 tour price, so plan for an additional cost. You can choose from several Cape Verdean and seafood dishes:

• Barbecue chicken
• Lobster
• Goat stew
• Tuna steak
• Shrimp
• Buzio

The side dishes are listed as French fries, lentil stew, salad, steamed vegetables, and rice. That is a generous spread, especially after a morning in the water. If you want to try something strongly tied to local cooking, goat stew or buzio may be the most interesting choices. Tuna, shrimp, and lobster suit anyone who prefers seafood.

Since food and beverages are not included, ask about the meal price if you want to keep your budget precise. The tour price covers transport, guide service, pickup and drop-off, and snorkeling equipment, but not lunch or drinks.

Fundo das Figueiras also helps the experience feel less like a checklist of photo stops. You can browse for souvenirs, see a small town away from the main hotel areas, and enjoy a meal in a local setting. Keep your expectations practical: the stop is described as time to look around, not as a formal guided walking tour.

The 10 to 15 minute climb to Morro Negro Lighthouse

From Fundo das Figueiras, the route continues to Cabeça dos Tarafes, the last town in the north. Here you’ll walk up a mountain to Morro Negro Lighthouse. The hike takes around 10 to 15 minutes, so it is short, but you should still wear sensible footwear and carry water.

The reward is the view. Morro Negro is presented as one of Boa Vista’s finest viewpoints, and this stop gives you a broad look across the island and coast. It is a good counterpoint to the snorkeling: first you see Boa Vista from below the water, then from a high point inland.

The climb may be uncomfortable in strong sun, particularly after lunch, so sunscreen and a hat are useful. The tour information does not give a difficulty rating beyond the short walking time, so anyone with mobility concerns should ask the operator before booking.

This is also the stop most likely to appeal to people who want photographs. The lighthouse provides a clear landmark, while the high position opens up the surrounding terrain. The view is the point, so give yourself a moment to look around rather than treating the walk as a quick race to the top.

Searching for lemon and nursing sharks

The final stop is Shark Bay on the north side of Boa Vista. The usual targets are lemon sharks and nursing sharks, seen in their natural habitat. This is an exciting idea, but you should book with realistic expectations.

There is no 100 percent guarantee of seeing sharks. Sightings depend on natural conditions, timing, and the animals themselves. One previous outing did not reach the shark stop because the afternoon program changed, which is an important reminder that the advertised sequence may not always hold exactly.

That uncertainty does not make the stop pointless. It simply means you should judge the tour as a full-day combination of snorkeling, food, towns, a viewpoint, and wildlife searching, not as a guaranteed shark encounter. If sharks are your only priority, a dedicated wildlife trip with a clear sighting policy may suit you better, though no wild-animal tour can honestly promise nature on demand.

Ask the guide during the day if the timing or route changes. The company is described as flexible, and communication through WhatsApp before pickup should help clarify the plan. Still, flexibility can work both ways: it may improve the schedule around the tide, but it can also mean an afternoon stop changes.

What the $100 price really covers

At $100 per person, this is not a cheap beach transfer. It is a full-day island outing with hotel pickup and return, private-vehicle transport, a guide, equipment, and several stops. For you, the value rests in the range of the day rather than in any one attraction.

You are paying to connect places that would be awkward to combine independently: Praia das Gatas, Fundo das Figueiras, Cabeça dos Tarafes, Morro Negro Lighthouse, and Shark Bay. You also avoid arranging a vehicle, finding the snorkeling area, working out the northern route, and organizing a guide.

The small group improves the value. With up to eight people, and often six or fewer, you are not paying for a large bus experience. You can choose your seat, speak with the guide, and get more direct help in the water.

Lunch and drinks cost extra, so your actual day will be more than $100. That is not a problem if you want a broad introduction to the north of Boa Vista, but it is worth budgeting for before you commit.

The strongest praise has focused on the guides, especially their flexibility, good humor, and help in the water. Veronique has been singled out for making the day more enjoyable, while another outing was described as a pleasant day with beautiful views and a friendly guide. That tells me the human side of this experience matters as much as the route.

Timing, comfort, and what to bring

The tour generally begins at 8:30 a.m., but tide conditions can move the start earlier or later. Wait for the WhatsApp message with your confirmed pickup time rather than relying only on the general schedule.

Bring:

• Towel
• Sunscreen
• Beachwear
• Money for lunch and drinks
• Comfortable footwear for the lighthouse walk

You may ride inside the pickup cabin or outside in the back. The outdoor position can make the journey more memorable, but it also gives you greater exposure to sun and dust. If you are sensitive to either, choose the cabin when possible.

Intoxication is not allowed. That rule is especially reasonable for a day involving open water, a moving vehicle, and a short mountain walk.

The tour is designed for swimmers and first-time snorkelers as well as people who already know the basics. The guides aim to keep you safe and make the water session enjoyable, but you should still be confident enough to swim without relying entirely on the guide.

Who should book this Boa Vista tour?

I would recommend this outing to you if you want to see several sides of Boa Vista in one day. It suits people who like a little swimming, a local meal, scenic stops, small towns, and wildlife searching rather than spending the entire day at one beach.

It is also a good choice for first-time visitors who want help getting beyond the hotel zone. The combination of transport and guiding removes much of the planning burden, while the small group keeps the day personal.

You may want to skip it if you are a non-swimmer, dislike pickup-truck transport, or need a tightly fixed schedule. It may also disappoint you if your sole goal is seeing sharks, since sightings are not guaranteed and the afternoon route can change.

The flexible tide-based start is helpful, but it means you should not book another tightly timed activity immediately afterward. Give yourself room at the end of the day, since the exact timing can depend on the route and conditions.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a well-rounded north Boa Vista day and value friendly guides, small groups, and variety. The snorkeling, traditional lunch, Morro Negro viewpoint, and shark search work best as a package.

I would not book it for a guaranteed wildlife sighting or a relaxed resort day. For most active visitors who want to understand more of the island, the $100 price is reasonable once you account for transport, equipment, and guiding, but remember to add lunch and drinks. Go in for the full mix, keep the shark search flexible, and you are more likely to enjoy the day for what it offers.

FAQ

Where does the tour take place?

The experience takes place on Boa Vista Island in Cape Verde. Stops include Praia das Gatas, Fundo das Figueiras, Cabeça dos Tarafes, Morro Negro Lighthouse, and Shark Bay.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $100 per person. Food and beverages are not included.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off at your hotel are included.

What type of vehicle is used?

You travel in a private pickup truck. You can sit in the cabin or outside in the back.

What time does the tour start?

The tour generally starts around 8:30 a.m. The pickup time may be earlier or later because snorkeling depends on high tide.

How long is the snorkeling session?

You can expect about one to one and a half hours of snorkeling at Praia das Gatas.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included.

Can non-swimmers join?

No. The experience is not suitable for non-swimmers.

Are sharks guaranteed?

No. The tour searches for lemon and nursing sharks, but there is no 100 percent guarantee of seeing them.

What languages are available?

Guiding is available in English, Dutch, Portuguese, or German, depending on the guide. The listed additional languages are Dutch, English, and Portuguese.

What should I bring?

Bring a towel, sunscreen, and beachwear. You should also have money for the lunch and drinks, which are not included.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.