What Is The Difference Between Sal And Boa Vista? Guide

The two most popular and famous islands in Cape Verde are Sal and Boa Vista. But what’s actually the difference between these two islands?

The difference between Sal and Boa Vista is that Sal is a lively, developed island with busy beaches, resorts, and nightlife, while Boa Vista offers a quieter, more natural experience with vast sand dunes and untouched beaches. Sal attracts tourists seeking activities, while Boa Vista appeals to those wanting tranquility and scenic beauty.

Are you ready to learn more about the difference between Sal and Boa Vista? Let’s go! 

Difference Between Sal and Boa Vista, Cape Verde

Sal and Boa Vista are two of the most popular islands in Cape Verde, each offering unique experiences and attractions. While both islands are renowned for their beautiful beaches and warm climate, they have distinct characteristics that set them apart.

Sal and Boa Vista are both islands in Cape Verde, but they differ in key ways:

• Sal: Known for its flat, desert-like landscape, Sal has long, sandy beaches and a developed tourism infrastructure. The main town, Santa Maria, offers resorts, restaurants, and water sports like windsurfing. Sal is more crowded and commercial, catering to tourists seeking nightlife and beach activities.
• Boa Vista: Larger than Sal, Boa Vista is quieter and less developed. It features vast, untouched beaches and sand dunes, offering a more tranquil, natural experience. Boa Vista is ideal for those looking for peace, wildlife, and scenic landscapes.

In short, Sal is more developed and lively, while Boa Vista is quieter with more natural beauty. This chapter explores the key differences between Sal and Boa Vista, focusing on geography, culture, activities, tourism, and overall visitor experiences.

Geography

Sal is known for its flat, arid landscape characterized by expansive white sandy beaches and turquoise waters. The island’s most famous beach, Santa Maria, features vibrant nightlife and a bustling atmosphere. Sal’s terrain is largely flat, making it easily accessible for tourists.

In contrast, Boa Vista has a more varied landscape, with stunning sand dunes, rocky cliffs, and a more rugged coastline. The island is known for its beautiful beaches, such as Praia de Chaves and Praia de Estoril, but it also boasts unique geological features, including the vast sand dunes of Viana Desert. This diversity offers visitors a different perspective of Cape Verde’s natural beauty.

Culture

Culturally, Sal has a more tourist-oriented vibe due to its popularity among international travelers. The island features a lively atmosphere with a variety of restaurants, bars, and shops catering to visitors. The local culture is infused with influences from Portuguese, African, and Creole heritage, evident in the island’s music, dance, and cuisine.

Boa Vista, while also welcoming tourists, has a more laid-back, local feel. The island maintains a stronger connection to traditional Cape Verdean culture. Visitors can experience local festivals, traditional music, and dance in a more intimate setting. Boa Vista’s culture reflects the lifestyle of the locals, offering a genuine experience of Cape Verdean hospitality.

Activities

Sal is renowned for its water sports and beach activities. Tourists flock to the island for windsurfing, kitesurfing, and snorkeling. The calm, warm waters and consistent winds create ideal conditions for these activities. Sal also offers excursions like dolphin watching and exploring the historic Salinas de Pedra de Lume, an ancient salt mine.

On the other hand, Boa Vista attracts visitors seeking a mix of relaxation and adventure. The island offers opportunities for dune buggy tours, horseback riding along the beaches, and exploring the unique landscapes. Boa Vista is also famous for its turtle nesting sites, particularly at Praia de Chaves, where visitors can witness the natural spectacle of loggerhead turtles laying their eggs.

Tourism

Tourism plays a significant role in the economies of both Sal and Boa Vista, but the approach and experience differ between the two islands. Sal is more developed for tourism, with numerous resorts, hotels, and all-inclusive options that cater primarily to international visitors. The island’s infrastructure supports a variety of activities and excursions, making it easy for tourists to access attractions and services.

Boa Vista, while also offering tourist accommodations, tends to have a more intimate and authentic experience. The tourism infrastructure is less commercialized, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the local culture. Eco-tourism is on the rise in Boa Vista, with many travelers seeking sustainable travel options that promote environmental awareness and conservation efforts.

Overall Experience

In summary, Sal and Boa Vista provide different experiences for visitors to Cape Verde. Sal is ideal for those seeking a lively atmosphere with ample beach activities and nightlife. It is a hub for water sports enthusiasts and offers a range of amenities catering to tourists.

Boa Vista, conversely, appeals to travelers looking for a more tranquil and authentic experience. The island’s diverse landscapes and local culture allow for a deeper connection to Cape Verdean life. Whether exploring the vast sand dunes or enjoying a quiet day at the beach, Boa Vista offers a serene escape from the hustle and bustle.

Ultimately, the choice between Sal and Boa Vista depends on personal preferences. Both islands have their charm and allure, making them worthy destinations in their own right. Exploring both islands can provide a well-rounded experience of Cape Verde’s beauty and culture, showcasing the best of what this enchanting archipelago has to offer.

Sal Cape Verde

Sal is the most famous island in Cape Verde. According to the Cape Verde invest group, Sal is good for 80% of the tourism in the whole archipelago. 

The island attracts a lot of people looking for sunny weather and white sandy beaches with crystal clear waters. 

Things to do in Sal

You might not expect that this island offers many activities. When you first get to know the islands, you probably only expect sun, beaches, and sea. But luckily, there’s much more to explore. 

Sal is famous for its unique activities like quad driving, kite, and windsurfing. Visiting the blue eye, scuba diving, swimming with lemon sharks, and, of course, visiting the salt fields. 

The salt fields are the one attraction where the island gets its name from. Until the 19th century, the export of Salt was the primary source of income at the islands. Today the salt mine in Sal is only open for tourists. Cape Verde stopped with the export of Salt. Tourism is now the number one source of income for this tropical island group. 

There are many more activities to do in Sal. You can find a complete activity guide in our article “Best things to do in Sal.“

Recommended Places To Stay in Sal

As you might know, TUI is the biggest tour operator in Cape Verde. So it’s most convenient for booking your trip via Tui. They offer many all-inclusive package deals, including flight, hotel, and transport. 

It is ideal when looking for a holiday without any worries. Tui offers many hotel and holiday packages. I recommend visiting their website to find the latest offers and for a seamlessly booking process. 

Some hotels, like Tui Blue Cabo Verde, have a policy where children are not allowed. So if you’re looking for a quiet hotel, a romantic getaway, this might be the perfect spot for you. 

When you’re traveling with your family, there are many other possibilities you can book via TUI. 

Boa Vista Cape Verde

Boa Vista is just like Sal, a flat and sandy island. When you translate the name, it means ‘Beautiful View.’ The Portuguese explorers who set foot on the island in the 15th century described it as the most beautiful view they had ever seen. That’s where the islands get its name from. 

I think those explorers, one of them was the famous Portuguese navigator Diogo Gomes, visited the sandy hills of the Viana Desert when they described that view. 

The Viana Desert is a unique natural phenomenon at Boa Vista. It is an official extension of the African Shaara. Trade winds coming from the mainland in Africa dropping sand on the island, and creating a desert strip. This desert, including the Oasis of Rabil, is the only national park in Boa Vista. 

Activities in Boa Vista

Boa Vista is also known for its many activities. However, the island doesn’t have a vibrant town, like Santa Maria is in Sal. The largest town in Boa Vista is Sal Rei, and you only find a few shops in this village. 

If you want to rent a quad bike for driving around the island, which is a high activity to do in Boa Vista, you must go to Sal Rei village. Most rental shops are located in this town. 

What’s different than in Sal are the many beach bars and restaurants on the beach you’ll find in Boa Vista. But that’s probably because most activities are taking place on the beaches on the island. 

Whale Watching & Turtle Spotting in Boa Vista

Whale watching and Turtle spotting are both the most unique activities in Boa Vista. Both events are seasonal. The whale watching season in Boa Vista is between March and May. The shallow and partly close bay close to the islands creates ideal conditions for humpback whales to have their young. 

During the whale watching season in Boa Vista, several companies offer catamaran tours for a half-day to go whale watching. These tours area easily to book via your hotel or accommodation. 

Turtle Spotting

Sea turtles come to the island between July and October to find a spot for laying their eggs. It is a fragile and unique event. Not only because these sea turtles are an endangered species, but also because many of their young don’t even survive the hatching period. Also, the turtles can easily be scared, which can make them decide to turn around and not laying their eggs. Even the slightest sound or light can scare them off. 

So, if you want to go turtle spotting in Boa Vista, always make sure by doing this via a certified guided tour. These tours are also easy to book via your hotel in Boa Vista. 

Longest Beach in Cape Verde

Did you know Boa Vista has the longest beach in Cape Verde? And because of the consistently stable trade winds, the island has ideal conditions for kite and windsurfing. When you’re into kite or windsurfing, I recommend reading our article “Best Surf Spots in Boa Vista.“

Boa Vista is an island full of surprises. There are many things to do, which you might not expect. You can find out more about this unique island in our article “What Can You Do In Boa Vista.“

Recommended Places To Stay in Boa Vista

Just like at Sal, travel company TUI, offers the best holiday deal for Boa Vista. In fact, most hotels and resorts are own by Tui. So the chances that you end up booking your trip via Tui are very high. One of the famous resorts in Boa Vista is Riu Touareg. It is an all-inclusive resort with a private beach. A very luxurious place to stay. You can find the latest prices and deal for Boa Vista on this website of Tui. 

As you might have noticed, the difference between Sal and Boa Vista is not very big. Both islands are similar in terms of landscape, climate, and things to do. It all depends on what kind of holiday you’re looking for. 

If you have some time for traveling, you might be interested in exploring other parts of Cape Verde as well. 

Island Hopping in Cape Verde

The Cape Verdean archipelago consists of 10 different islands, and 9 of these islands are inhabited. I think it is great to visit the various islands of Cape Verde. Also because I feel that Sal and Boa Vista are both tourist-focused and not an authentic display of the Cape Verdean culture. 

Some islands of Cape Verde are only reachable by ferry. It creates a unique, authentic remoteness, which resulted in a different world on these islands. Visiting islands like Santo Antão, Brava, or Maio, you’ll directly forget the rat race we know in the western world.

All these islands are also perfect for hiking and experiencing Morabeza, the Cape Verdean way of life. Other fascinating Cape Verde islands to visit are São Vicente, known as the cultural heart of Cape Verde. Santiago, the island where the government resides, and where you’ll find the capital of Cape Verde (Praia.) Santiago was also the first island that was discovered in the 15th century. 

Fogo is the island where you can still visit the only active volcano of Cape Verde. Talking about different worlds, the village next to the volcano feels like a lunar landscape. This village is rebuilt on top of the dried lava, after the last eruption.

Difference Between Sal and Boa Vista FAQs

Is Boa Vista better than Sal?

Whether Boa Vista is better than Sal depends on personal preferences. Boa Vista offers a more tranquil, authentic experience with diverse landscapes, while Sal is more developed with a vibrant atmosphere and water sports. Each island has its unique charm and caters to different types of travelers.

How far apart are Sal and Boa Vista?

Sal and Boa Vista are approximately 45 kilometers (28 miles) apart. The travel time between the two islands can vary depending on the mode of transportation, with ferries taking about 1.5 to 2 hours (very unpredictable due to weather) and flights taking around 15-20 minutes.

Can you get a boat from Boa Vista to Sal?

Yes, you can take a boat from Boa Vista to Sal. There are ferry services available that connect the two islands, providing an alternative to air travel. But it’s very unpredictable due to the weather. The easiest and best way is to fly between Sal and Boa Vista which takes only 15 minutes.

Which Cape Verde island has the best beaches?

The Cape Verde island with the best beaches is Boa Vista. It boasts stunning beaches like Praia de Chaves and Praia de Estoril, which are known for their soft white sands and clear waters. Sal is another contender, featuring Santa Maria Beach, popular for its lively atmosphere and water sports.

What is the nicest part of Cape Verde?

The “nicest” part of Cape Verde is subjective and depends on what you’re looking for. Boa Vista is known for its serene beaches and natural beauty, while Santiago offers rich history and culture. Sal is ideal for lively beach activities, shopping, and nightlife.

Is it safe to walk around Boa Vista, Cape Verde?

Yes, it is generally safe to walk around Boa Vista. The island has a friendly atmosphere, and most areas are well-lit and frequented by locals and tourists. However, it’s always wise to stay alert and avoid poorly lit areas at night.

What is the best month to go to Cape Verde?

The best months to visit Cape Verde are from November to June, when the weather is warm and dry, with minimal rainfall. This period is ideal for enjoying the beaches and outdoor activities. Transport options during this time are also plentiful, with flights and ferries connecting the islands regularly.

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