Boa Vista: Snorkeling at Gatas Bay & North East Tour

At Praia das Gatas, you can snorkel over clear Atlantic water with colorful fish and coral, then spend the afternoon crossing Boa Vista’s northeastern corner in an open pickup truck. The day mixes sea life, small towns, local food, and one of the island’s finest viewpoints.

I like the small groups, usually six people or fewer, and the chance to sit in the truck’s cabin or in the back. I also like the broad mix of stops: snorkeling, lunch in Fundo das Figueiras, the Morro Negro Lighthouse walk, and a shark search.

The main caution is simple: sharks are wild animals, not a scheduled show. The afternoon plan can change, and one outing missed the shark stop altogether. You should also bring extra money for lunch and drinks, which are not included in the $100 price.

Key points at a glance

• Praia das Gatas snorkeling: Spend about one to one and a half hours in clear water among fish and coral.
• Tide-dependent start: Pickup time can change because snorkeling is possible only at high tide.
• Small pickup-truck groups: Groups are capped at eight, with the operator aiming for six or fewer.
• Cape Verdean lunch: Choose chicken, lobster, goat stew, tuna, shrimp, or buzio in Fundo das Figueiras.
• Morro Negro viewpoint: Take a 10 to 15 minute uphill walk to the lighthouse near Cabeça dos Tarafes.
• Shark search: Look for lemon and nurse sharks at Shark Bay, with no guarantee of a sighting.

From your hotel to Praia das Gatas

Your day begins with hotel pickup in a private vehicle, generally around 8:30 in the morning. That time is not fixed. The snorkeling stop depends on high tide, so the operator confirms your exact pickup time through WhatsApp after booking.

That tide-based planning matters. It may mean an earlier or later start, but it gives you a better chance of snorkeling in suitable water. I would keep the morning free rather than arranging another activity around the published start time.

You travel in a pickup truck, either inside the cabin or outside in the back. The open rear section gives you a better sense of the island’s wide, dry scenery, but it also leaves you more exposed to sun and wind. If you prefer shade or want a steadier ride, take a seat inside when possible.

The drive to Baia das Gatas follows Route 66 and usually takes about 45 minutes, depending on your hotel. That transfer is part of the appeal. You are not simply being taken to one beach and returned. The route carries you into the less developed northeast of Boa Vista, where the day feels more like an island outing than a standard beach transfer.

The operator keeps groups small, with a maximum of eight people and a preference for six or fewer. That makes a difference on a trip with several stops. You spend less time gathering people, and it is easier to ask the guide questions or adjust the pace of a short walk.

Snorkeling for 60 to 90 minutes at Gatas Bay

At Praia das Gatas, you receive snorkeling equipment and have roughly one to one and a half hours in the water. The bay offers clear Atlantic water, colorful fish, and coral, making this the most active part of the morning.

You do not need to be an experienced snorkeler, but you do need to be able to swim. The activity is listed as unsuitable for non-swimmers. Guides are there to help keep the experience safe and enjoyable, yet you should still be comfortable in open water before booking.

The snorkeling time is long enough to feel worthwhile rather than rushed. You can look around, return to shore, and get back in if conditions allow. Still, this is not a dedicated marine-life expedition. The attraction is the combination of accessible snorkeling and a wider island tour.

Bring a towel, beachwear, and sunscreen. A swimsuit under your clothes will make the changing process easier, since the tour moves on to towns and a meal after the water stop. Keep your belongings secure and expect sun exposure during both the beach time and the truck ride.

The bay is also the reason your schedule may shift. Since snorkeling takes place at high tide, the guide may arrange the pickup earlier or later than 8:30. I consider this a sensible tradeoff, but you should be ready for a flexible day rather than a minute-by-minute program.

Lunch and local life in Fundo das Figueiras

After snorkeling, the group drives to Fundo das Figueiras, described as a picturesque town. You have time to look around and perhaps buy souvenirs before lunch.

This stop gives the tour a useful change of pace. The morning is outdoors and water-based, while the town visit lets you see a more settled side of Boa Vista. You are not spending the whole day inside a resort area or beside the same beach.

Lunch offers a solid range of Cape Verdean and seafood choices:

• Barbecue chicken
• Lobster
• Goat stew
• Tuna steak
• Shrimp
• Buzio, a local shellfish dish

The side dishes include French fries, lentil stew, salad, steamed vegetables, and rice. That selection makes the meal suitable for different tastes, though seafood choices may appeal most to anyone hoping to sample island cooking.

Food and beverages are not included in the $100 tour price, so plan for an additional meal cost. This is an important point when comparing the tour with other full-day options. The price covers the transportation, guide, snorkeling equipment, and the day’s sightseeing, but not what you eat or drink.

I like the fact that lunch is tied to a local town rather than treated as an afterthought at a roadside stop. You get time to look around Fundo das Figueiras, and the meal is part of the cultural side of the day. Just remember that this is a touring lunch, not a long restaurant stay. The schedule still has two major stops ahead.

The Morro Negro Lighthouse walk

From Fundo das Figueiras, the route continues to Cabeça dos Tarafes, the last town in the north on this itinerary. Here you walk for about 10 to 15 minutes up a mountain to Morro Negro Lighthouse.

The walk is short, but it is uphill. Wear shoes with a decent grip rather than beach sandals. The reward is a broad view over one of Boa Vista’s most scenic areas, and this is likely the strongest viewpoint of the day.

The lighthouse stop also helps explain why the tour uses a pickup truck and covers a large section of the island. You are not only visiting a beach. You are reaching a remote northern point where the open setting and high ground give you a different view of Boa Vista.

You should not expect a long hike or a strenuous trek. The walk is brief, but the heat and sun can make even a short uphill climb feel harder. Carry water, use sunscreen, and take your time. The guide can help keep the group together, but the tour is still best for people who are comfortable walking uphill for a few minutes.

Searching for lemon and nurse sharks

The final major stop is Shark Bay, where the group looks for lemon sharks and nurse sharks in their natural setting. This is a memorable idea, but it needs realistic expectations.

The operator does not guarantee a shark sighting. Conditions, animal behavior, timing, and changes to the afternoon schedule can all affect what you see. One outing had its afternoon program altered and did not reach the shark stop, so you should treat this as a possibility rather than the central promise of the day.

That uncertainty does not make the stop pointless. The search itself adds a wild element to the tour, especially after the more predictable snorkeling session at Gatas Bay. If you see sharks, the day gains a powerful final scene. If you do not, you still have the bay, town, meal, lighthouse, and northern views.

I would book this tour for the complete mix, not for sharks alone. Anyone choosing it only to photograph a lemon shark may leave disappointed. Anyone interested in seeing more of Boa Vista, with marine life as one part of a longer day, is likely to find the plan more satisfying.

What the guide and vehicle add

The guide is important here because the tour combines water activity, road travel, food, and short sightseeing stops. The team speaks English, Dutch, and Portuguese, and the included information also lists German for the driver and guide service. Veronique is specifically named as a guide, and her friendly, enthusiastic, helpful approach made a strong impression during one outing.

That personal side matters more on a small-group tour. A good guide helps first-time snorkelers feel at ease, keeps the timing practical, and makes the town and viewpoint stops feel connected rather than random. The feedback on the guides was especially strong, with their flexibility and sense of fun praised as a major reason the day worked so well.

The pickup truck creates a more informal mood than a standard coach. Sitting in the back can make the drive feel open and adventurous, while the cabin is the better choice for shade and comfort. The arrangement is not ideal for everyone, particularly if you want a quiet, polished ride, but it fits the rougher roads and out-of-the-way stops on this route.

The group limit also improves the day. With six people as the preferred size, the guide can give more direct help in the water and the group can move through the short stops without a long wait. The maximum of eight is still small enough to feel personal.

Is $100 a fair price?

At $100 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend a day on Boa Vista, especially since lunch and drinks cost extra. But the price includes hotel pickup and drop-off, a private vehicle, a guide, snorkeling equipment, and a full route through the northeast.

I see the strongest value in the amount of ground covered. You get a beach activity, a local meal stop, two northern towns, a lighthouse viewpoint, and a shark search in one outing. Arranging all of that independently would be difficult without your own transport.

The value is also stronger for anyone who wants more than a resort beach. You are paying for access to several parts of the island and for a guide to manage the tide, driving, equipment, and timing. If you only want an hour of snorkeling, a shorter beach activity may suit you better.

Add the meal cost, drinks, and any souvenirs to your budget. The tour allows you to reserve now and pay later, and you can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund. Those terms help if your plans are still changing, though the exact pickup time remains tide-dependent.

Who should book this Boa Vista tour?

I would choose this trip if you want a full-day introduction to Boa Vista’s northeast rather than a single water activity. It suits active adults and families with older children who can swim, handle sun, and manage a short uphill walk.

It is a good match for you if you enjoy small groups, informal transport, local food, and a flexible schedule. The tour also works well if you want a guide who can handle the practical details while you focus on the scenery and stops.

I would think twice if you are a non-swimmer, dislike open pickup-truck transport, or need a fixed timetable. You should also reconsider if shark sightings are your main reason for booking, since there is no guarantee and the afternoon plan can change.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want one busy, varied day that links Gatas Bay snorkeling, Cape Verdean food, Morro Negro Lighthouse, and northern scenery. The small groups and friendly guides add real value, and the itinerary gives you a wider look at Boa Vista than a beach-only excursion.

Skip it if you prefer a slow day, want food included in the headline price, or need certainty that sharks will appear. For everyone else, the $100 price is reasonable for the transport, equipment, guide, and range of stops, provided you budget separately for lunch and keep your schedule flexible.

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

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

How long is the snorkeling session?

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

Are snorkeling items provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is provided as part of the tour.

Is lunch included in the $100 price?

No. Food and beverages are not included. Lunch is available in Fundo das Figueiras, with choices including chicken, lobster, goat stew, tuna, shrimp, and buzio.

Can I sit outside in the pickup truck?

Yes. You can sit inside the cabin or outside in the back of the pickup truck.

Will I definitely see sharks?

No. Shark sightings are not guaranteed. The tour looks for lemon and nurse sharks at Shark Bay, but the afternoon program can change and conditions may prevent a sighting.