Boa Vista: Motoryacht Trip with Fishing, Snorkel, Beach BBQ

The best Cape Verde days happen offshore. This six-and-a-half-hour boat trip from Sal Rei combines bottom fishing and reef snorkeling with a relaxed stop on a small uninhabited island. I especially like that you can catch fish for lunch, then eat it on the beach, and that the boat includes drinks all day.

I also like the easy hotel transfer and the small-group feel reported by Claire, who praised the roomy boat, good toilet facilities, and clear communication from Josie and her team. The main caution is the sea: if you suffer from seasickness, this may be a rough day, even though medication is available onboard.

Key points to know before booking

• The fish can become lunch: You spend about one to one and a half hours bottom fishing, with your catch prepared at the beach BBQ.
• Fishing is optional: You can sunbathe, read, watch the action, or enjoy the views if holding a fishing rod is not your idea of fun.
• Sal Rei Islet offers more than a swim: You can snorkel around the reef, visit a renovated old fort, and relax on a quiet beach.
• The day lasts 390 minutes: Allow roughly six and a half hours, including transfers, the boat ride, island time, and the return journey.
• Food suits different tastes: Lunch includes fresh fish, chicken, rice, salad, and bread, with your preference requested in advance.
• The boat is well supplied: Water, Coca-Cola, Sprite Zero, Fanta, beer, and red and white wine are available throughout the day.

Starting the morning at your hotel

Your day begins with a van pickup from your accommodation. Pickup arrangements depend on where you stay, so read the confirmation carefully and check your spam folder if it does not appear.

At Riu Karamboa, Riu Palace, VOI Hotel, Royal Horizon, and Villas de Chaves, you wait at the entrance gate. At other accommodations, you wait out front. The driver carries a name list, which helps avoid the usual holiday puzzle of finding the right vehicle among several hotel transfers.

The drive to Sal Rei port takes about 20 minutes. The transfer is included in the price, so you do not need to arrange a taxi or find the harbor yourself. That matters in Boa Vista, where resort areas and the port are separated by open stretches of island.

At the port, you board the motor yacht by dinghy. This is worth knowing in advance. You will need to step from the harbor area into a small boat, then onto the yacht, so wear practical clothes and shoes that you can manage near the water.

Fishing off Sal Rei for up to 90 minutes

The first major activity is bottom fishing. The boat heads out and stops for roughly one to one and a half hours, giving you a chance to catch fish that may later appear on your plate.

I like this part because it gives the lunch a real connection to the sea. You are not simply served a prepared meal after a boat ride. If you catch something, you have a small story to tell over lunch, even if the fish takes its time finding you.

You do not need fishing experience. Equipment is provided, and the crew handles the practical side. Still, fishing is not compulsory. You can sit on the sundeck, read, sunbathe, watch the other people try their luck, or simply enjoy the open-water views.

That flexibility makes the trip work for mixed groups. One person can fish while another prefers to stretch out with a cold drink. Bring sunscreen and a hat, but also pack a light jacket because the wind on a moving boat can feel cooler than the beach.

Cruising through the Bay of Chaves

After fishing, the yacht cruises around the Bay of Chaves. This is the more restful section of the morning, with time to sit back and look toward the coast rather than follow a fixed activity.

The trip includes drinks throughout the day. You can choose from water, Coca-Cola, Sprite Zero, Fanta, beer, and red or white wine. I would still bring your own sense of timing: alcohol and strong sun can catch up with you quickly, especially if the sea is moving.

The advertised boat cruise segment takes about 30 minutes, though the full route also includes fishing and the later island stop. The pace is not built around constant sightseeing. It is a day on the water, with stretches of sitting, talking, and watching the sea between the scheduled stops.

Snorkeling around Sal Rei Islet

The next stop is off Sal Rei Islet, where you can snorkel around the reef for about 45 minutes. Snorkeling gear is included, so you do not need to pack your own mask and fins.

The snorkeling received the strongest specific praise in one mixed account: the writer disliked the guide’s manner but still described the snorkeling near the island as fabulous. That is useful information because it separates the quality of the water activity from the less positive guide experience.

Conditions depend on the weather and sea state. The company can reschedule or cancel the trip if bad weather makes the route unsafe, and the same conditions can affect how comfortable snorkeling feels. If you are not a confident swimmer, pay close attention to the crew and stay within the area they indicate.

You should also expect a natural reef setting, not a large marine park with a long list of guaranteed animals. The attraction is the chance to see the reef from the water, followed by time on the island itself.

Two hours on the uninhabited island

After snorkeling, a dinghy carries you from the yacht to the small island. You can visit the old renovated fort, swim in calm blue water, or settle on the beach while lunch is prepared.

The island stop lasts about two hours. That is long enough to slow down. You are not being rushed from one photo stop to another, and you can divide the time as you wish: a short walk to the fort, a swim, a little beach time, then lunch.

The fort adds some interest beyond the usual sand-and-sea stop. The provided information does not give a detailed history of the building, so I would treat it as a modest island landmark rather than expect a full historical tour. Its value is the setting and the chance to explore a small renovated structure before returning to the beach.

The water is described as calm, but you should still bring care to the landing. The transfer from yacht to island is by dinghy, and the beach may involve getting wet at the water’s edge. A towel, swimsuit, comfortable clothing, and a waterproof way to carry your camera are sensible choices.

A beach BBQ with fish, chicken, and drinks

While you enjoy the island, the crew prepares lunch. The main menu includes freshly caught fish, chicken for those who prefer meat, rice, salad, and bread.

You should tell the operator about dietary restrictions or allergies ahead of time. Meat preference is also requested during the detailed confirmation, so do not wait until you are standing on the beach with an empty plate.

The food is part of what makes the price feel reasonable. A boat trip with equipment, transfers, drinks, and a cooked lunch can become expensive when each item is charged separately. Here, the meal is tied to the day’s fishing theme and served in an unusual setting.

I would keep expectations at the level of a relaxed beach BBQ rather than a restaurant meal. The appeal is fresh food, a simple spread, and the setting. Karla specifically praised the beach BBQ, while Claire found the lunch good and liked the location.

There is no pressure to eat fish. The chicken option is important for children, cautious eaters, and anyone who simply does not enjoy seafood. The fish may be the day’s catch, but you are not required to participate in fishing or eat what was caught.

The return to Sal Rei

After about two hours on the island, you return to the yacht and cruise back to Sal Rei port. The dinghy brings you ashore, where your transfer should be waiting for the ride back to your hotel or apartment.

The total activity duration is 390 minutes, or six and a half hours. That makes it a substantial half-day outing, not a quick morning sail. You should avoid scheduling another fixed activity too close to the return time, especially if weather or harbor arrangements slow things down.

The return is likely to feel quieter than the outward trip. By then, you have fished, snorkeled, eaten, and spent time in the sun. Keep some water for the ride and bring your jacket for the boat.

How much value do you get for $111?

At $111 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend a day in Boa Vista. The value comes from the number of separate services bundled into one outing: hotel transfer, yacht transport, fishing equipment, snorkeling equipment, lunch, drinks, island access, and an English or German-speaking guide.

A basic boat ride would give you the sea views but not necessarily fishing, snorkeling gear, a fort visit, and a cooked beach meal. A private taxi and separate lunch would also add up quickly. For you, the price makes the most sense if you plan to use most of the inclusions.

It is especially good value for a group with different interests. You can fish while someone else relaxes. You can snorkel, swim, or visit the fort without needing to organize separate transport. The small-group feel also matters. Claire described plenty of room on the boat and good toilet facilities, which can make a long day much more comfortable.

The value is weaker if you dislike boats, do not want to swim, and have no interest in fishing or a beach BBQ. In that case, you may spend much of the day waiting for activities you do not plan to use.

What the guide service is like

The tour is offered in English and German. Communication before the outing was praised by Claire, who found Josie and her team quick to address problems and clear about arrangements. That is a useful sign for a day involving several moving parts, including hotel pickups, a dinghy transfer, and food preferences.

There is also one serious caution. One account described the guide as arrogant and unpleasant, with a perceived preference for German visitors. I would not ignore that complaint, even though the same person praised the snorkeling. Guide quality can shape the mood of a small boat trip, so this experience does not have a spotless record.

The best approach is to book if the route and activities appeal to you, but keep your expectations realistic. The company’s communication and organization appear to be stronger than every individual interaction on the boat.

Who will enjoy this Boa Vista boat trip?

I would recommend it to you if you want several classic island activities in one organized day. It suits couples, families, and groups where one person wants to fish while another prefers snorkeling or beach time.

It is also a good choice if you are staying at one of the listed resort hotels and want door-to-door transport. The included pickup removes the need to navigate to Sal Rei port, and the name-list system should make the morning easier.

You should think twice if you are prone to seasickness. The operator specifically warns about it and recommends taking medication in advance, although medication is also available on the boat. A hat, sunscreen, towel, swimsuit, camera, jacket, and comfortable clothes are all worth packing.

This is not the best fit for someone seeking a quiet luxury cruise or a tightly scripted cultural tour. The day centers on practical fun: fishing, swimming, snorkeling, simple food, and time outdoors.

Should you book the motor yacht trip?

I would book this experience if you want a full ocean day with plenty included and you like the idea of eating fish connected to your own fishing stop. The snorkeling, roomy boat, beach lunch, and fort visit give the outing more substance than a basic sightseeing cruise.

I would skip it if you are highly sensitive to the sea, dislike group activities, or want guaranteed wildlife sightings. One account noted two whale sightings, but that is a fortunate possibility, not a promised part of the route.

For most active visitors staying in Boa Vista, the package offers solid value at $111. Confirm your pickup point, report food needs early, take seasickness precautions, and leave your schedule open around the six-and-a-half-hour duration.

FAQ

How long does the Boa Vista motor yacht trip last?

The activity lasts 390 minutes, which is about six and a half hours, including the transfer, boat activities, island stop, and return.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Transfer from your accommodation to Sal Rei port and back is included. Pickup instructions depend on your accommodation, so check the confirmation carefully.

Where do I wait for pickup?

At Riu Karamboa, Riu Palace, VOI Hotel, Royal Horizon, and Villas de Chaves, wait at the entrance gate. At other accommodations, wait in front. Drivers carry a name list.

Is fishing required?

No. Fishing is optional. You can relax on the sundeck, read, sunbathe, watch the fishing, or enjoy the views instead.

How long is the fishing stop?

The fishing stop lasts about one to one and a half hours.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling gear is included, and the snorkeling stop around the reef lasts about 45 minutes.

What food is served at the beach BBQ?

The meal includes freshly caught fish, chicken, rice, salad, and bread. You should share dietary restrictions, allergies, and your meat preference in advance.

What drinks are included?

Drinks are available throughout the day on the boat and with the BBQ. Options include water, Coca-Cola, Sprite Zero, Fanta, beer, and red and white wine.

Can the trip be canceled because of weather?

Yes. The activity depends on weather conditions and may be rescheduled or canceled in bad weather. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.