Boa Vista: Snorkeling at Gatas Bay & North East Tour

Boa Vista gets wilder up north. This small-group outing combines clear-water snorkeling at Praia das Gatas, a traditional Cape Verdean meal, and fine coastal views in one day. I especially like the small groups, usually six people or fewer, and the chance to see lemon and nursing sharks in their natural setting. The guide Veronique has also earned praise for being fun, enthusiastic, and helpful.

The main consideration is that the day depends on the tide and on nature. Snorkeling happens only at high tide, and shark sightings are not guaranteed. The planned afternoon route has also changed at least once, so you should book this for the range of experiences rather than for sharks alone.

Boa Vista North East Tour: Key Points

• Praia das Gatas snorkeling: Spend about one to one and a half hours in clear Atlantic water with fish and coral.
• Small groups: The operator aims for six people or fewer, with a maximum of eight.
• Cape Verdean lunch: Choose from chicken, lobster, goat stew, tuna, shrimp, or buzio, with several side dishes.
• Morro Negro Lighthouse: Take a 10 to 15 minute uphill walk for one of Boa Vista’s finest views.
• Shark Bay: Search for lemon and nursing sharks, with no guaranteed sighting.
• Pickup and timing: Hotel pickup is included, but the start time can shift to match the tide.

A Morning Ride Along Route 66

Your day begins with hotel pickup in a pickup truck. You can sit in the cabin or ride in the open back, which adds a little Cape Verdean road-trip flavor but gives you less shelter from the sun. Bring sunscreen either way.

The usual start time is around 8:30 a.m., though this is not fixed. Praia das Gatas can only be snorkeled at high tide, so the operator may move the departure earlier or later. After booking, the team contacts you through WhatsApp with the exact pickup time. Keep your morning flexible rather than arranging another early activity.

The drive to Baia das Gatas generally takes about 45 minutes, depending on where you stay. The route follows Route 66, and the drive itself is part of the north east outing. You are not being rushed from one resort stop to another. You are heading toward a quieter section of the island, where the day feels more open and local.

The pickup truck setup will suit some people better than others. Sitting outside gives you a better view and a breeze, but you will be exposed to sun, dust, and road movement. If you prefer a steadier ride, choose the cabin when possible.

Groups are kept small, with a maximum of eight people and a preference for six or fewer. That matters at the water, where a compact group makes it easier to hear safety advice and get help from the guide. It also keeps the town visit and lunch from feeling like a large coach excursion.

Snorkeling at Praia das Gatas

The first main stop is Praia das Gatas, where the Atlantic water is described as clear and suitable for spotting colorful fish and coral. You get around one hour to one and a half hours in the water, enough time to become comfortable with the equipment and look around without making the snorkeling the entire day.

Equipment is provided, and the guides are there to help you use it safely. Still, this is not an outing for non-swimmers. You should be comfortable in open water before booking. The tour information does not present a separate beginner swimming lesson, so bring the swimming ability you already have.

The timing of the tide is important here. A high-tide visit can make the water conditions right for the activity, but it also means the start time may not follow a standard schedule. That flexibility is a practical part of the tour, not a minor footnote.

I like that snorkeling receives a proper block of time rather than a quick photo stop. You can look for fish, watch the coral, and enjoy the water at an unhurried pace. At the same time, conditions in the Atlantic can change, and the tour does not promise perfect visibility or a certain number of fish.

Bring a towel, beachwear, and sunscreen. The supplied information does not mention wetsuits, lockers, or changing rooms, so wear something practical and keep your personal belongings to a minimum.

Fundo das Figueiras and a Cape Verdean Lunch

After snorkeling, the group drives to Fundo das Figueiras, a picturesque town where you have time to look around and possibly buy souvenirs. This stop gives the day some cultural shape. You are not only visiting the coast, you are also seeing a settlement away from the main resort areas.

The town visit is not described as a long guided walk, so keep your expectations modest. You will have time to explore on your own before lunch, rather than a formal cultural program packed with historical commentary. That can be a welcome change after the morning in the water.

Lunch offers a useful choice of local and familiar dishes:

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

The side dishes include French fries, lentil stew, salad, steamed vegetables, and rice. This is a generous spread, especially if you want to try several Cape Verdean flavors without committing to one unfamiliar main dish.

There is an important price detail here. The tour costs $100 per person, but food and beverages are listed as not included. Lunch is part of the route, yet you should expect to pay for the meal separately. Ask about the lunch price and drink costs when arranging the tour, especially if you are watching your budget.

I see the meal as one of the strongest parts of the outing. A beach excursion can feel interchangeable from island to island, while a local lunch gives you a more direct taste of Cape Verde. The choice of buzio and goat stew is particularly useful if you want to go beyond the usual chicken or seafood order.

The Walk to Morro Negro Lighthouse

The final town in the north is Cabeça dos Tarafes. From there, you walk uphill for about 10 to 15 minutes to Morro Negro Lighthouse.

This is a short hike, but it is still a hike. Wear shoes with a decent grip rather than loose sandals, and keep some water with you. The route is not described as difficult, though the heat and exposed sun can make even a short uphill walk feel stronger than expected.

The reward is one of Boa Vista’s most beautiful views. From the lighthouse area, you can take in the broad north coast and the island’s dry, open scenery. This is the kind of stop that helps you understand Boa Vista beyond its beaches. You see the scale of the island and the spare character of its northern end.

The lighthouse is also a good reason to choose this tour instead of a snorkeling-only trip. If the water visibility is ordinary or the sharks stay away, the walk and view still give the day a solid payoff.

Searching for Lemon and Nursing Sharks

The last stop is Shark Bay on the north coast. The usual sightings are lemon sharks and nursing sharks, both seen in their natural habitat. This is a search, not a guaranteed wildlife performance.

That distinction matters. One of the three published ratings described a pleasant day with beautiful views but noted that the afternoon plan changed and the group did not see the sharks. The operator openly states that sightings cannot be guaranteed, so you should treat the shark stop as a chance, not the sole reason to pay $100.

The tour can still be worthwhile without a shark sighting because snorkeling, lunch, the town visit, and Morro Negro Lighthouse make up most of the day. But if seeing a shark is your number one goal, you should accept a real possibility of disappointment.

The guides’ attitude seems to matter a great deal. Veronique was specifically praised for her enthusiasm and helpful nature, and another rating described the guides as flexible and fun. That personal touch can make an uncertain wildlife stop easier to enjoy. A guide who keeps the mood light is valuable when nature refuses to cooperate.

Do not enter the tour under the impression that you will spend all day in the water with sharks. The shark search is one stop at the end of a broader north east circuit.

What the $100 Price Includes

At $100 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend a morning on Boa Vista. But the price covers hotel pickup and drop-off, private-vehicle transport, a driver, a tour guide, and snorkeling equipment. You also get a small group, which is usually worth more than a crowded vehicle when the day includes swimming and a short hike.

The trip combines several separate costs you might otherwise arrange yourself: getting to Praia das Gatas, reaching Fundo das Figueiras and Cabeça dos Tarafes, finding the lighthouse, and visiting Shark Bay. The value is strongest if you want a full day of transport and activities without planning the route on your own.

Food and drinks cost extra, and that slightly weakens the all-in value. Still, the choice of lunch dishes and the range of stops make the package reasonable for someone who wants to see more than the hotel zone.

The private vehicle also gives the outing a more personal feel than a large bus. You can sit inside or outside in the pickup, and the small group makes it easier to ask questions or request help. I would consider the tour good value for active visitors who want snorkeling, local food, views, and wildlife in one booking.

Who Will Enjoy This Day Most

This tour suits confident swimmers who want variety. You should enjoy moving between water, town, food, road travel, and a short uphill walk. It is a good choice if you have limited time on Boa Vista and want to see several parts of the island in one outing.

It also suits people who prefer a social but small-scale trip. The group may have no more than eight people, and usually fewer. That gives you company without the feel of a large organized crowd.

The tour is less suitable if you want a slow beach day or a tightly fixed schedule. The tide can change the start time, and the afternoon plan may not always unfold exactly as expected. Non-swimmers should not book it, and anyone uncomfortable with open pickup-truck seating should request the cabin.

Language should be manageable for most international visitors. Tour support is advertised in English, Dutch, Portuguese, and German, though the additional information specifically lists Dutch, English, and Portuguese. If language is important to you, confirm your preferred option before departure.

Bring the simple essentials: towel, sunscreen, beachwear, and suitable footwear for the lighthouse walk. Intoxication is not allowed, which is sensible for a day involving open water, road travel, and uneven ground.

The Best and Weakest Parts of the Experience

The strongest feature is the mix. You get clear-water snorkeling, an island town, a substantial local meal, a lighthouse view, and a wildlife search. The day gives you a better sense of Boa Vista than a short transfer to a single beach.

The guides are another major strength. The praise for flexibility, friendliness, and Veronique’s cheerful help suggests that the human side of the tour can turn a good itinerary into a memorable one. Small groups help that connection.

The weak point is predictability. The tide controls the morning, and sharks may not appear. The afternoon route has changed before, and the lunch cost is separate from the advertised price.

For me, those drawbacks do not cancel the tour’s appeal. They simply mean you should book it with realistic expectations. Choose it for a broad day on Boa Vista, not for a guaranteed shark photograph.

Should You Book the Gatas Bay and North East Tour?

Book this tour if you are a swimmer who wants to combine nature, food, scenery, and local stops. The $100 price is fair when you value hotel transport, equipment, a private vehicle, and a small group. The Morro Negro view and Cape Verdean lunch give the day substance even if the shark search comes up empty.

Skip it if your schedule cannot handle a tide-based start, if you do not swim, or if seeing sharks is your only goal. Before booking, confirm the pickup time, ask about the extra lunch cost, and be ready for the route to adjust.

For most active visitors, this is one of the better ways to spend a full day beyond Boa Vista’s resort beaches. Its best moments come from the combination: warm local hospitality, open roads, good views, and time in the Atlantic.

FAQ

How much does the Boa Vista Gatas Bay and North East Tour cost?

The tour costs $100 per person. Food and beverages are not included, so lunch and drinks may require an additional payment.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off at your hotel are included in the tour price.

What time does the tour start?

The tour generally starts around 8:30 a.m., but the pickup time can be earlier or later because snorkeling depends on high tide. The operator confirms the exact time through WhatsApp after booking.

How long is the drive to Praia das Gatas?

The drive generally takes about 45 minutes by car, depending on the hotel pickup location.

How much snorkeling time do I get?

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

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included.

Can non-swimmers join the tour?

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

Will I definitely see sharks?

No. Lemon and nursing sharks are commonly sought at Shark Bay, but sightings are not guaranteed.

What should I bring?

Bring a towel, sunscreen, beachwear, and suitable footwear for the 10 to 15 minute walk to Morro Negro Lighthouse.