Boa Vista: Snorkeling at Gatas Bay & North East Tour

Sharks, reefs, and a lighthouse view make this Boa Vista day tour more than a simple beach outing. You’ll snorkel at Praia das Gatas, visit small northern towns, eat a traditional Cape Verdean lunch, and search for lemon and nursing sharks. I especially like the small groups and the chance to see parts of the island that are awkward to reach without local transport.

I also like the human touch. Guides such as Veronique are described as fun, enthusiastic, and helpful, and the friendly attitude seems to be a major part of the day. The main caution is that shark sightings are not guaranteed, and one planned shark stop was missed when the afternoon schedule changed.

Key points to know before booking

• Praia das Gatas snorkeling lasts about one to one and a half hours, with equipment supplied and clear Atlantic water.
• High tide controls the start time, so your pickup may be earlier or later than the usual 8:30 a.m. departure.
• Groups are limited to eight people, with the operator usually trying to keep them to six or fewer.
• The traditional lunch is served in Fundo das Figueiras, with choices including chicken, lobster, goat stew, tuna, shrimp, or buzio.
• Morro Negro lighthouse requires a 10 to 15 minute uphill walk, rewarded with one of Boa Vista’s finest views.
• Shark sightings are possible, not promised, with lemon and nursing sharks the most likely types.

Starting the day in a small pickup truck

Pickup is offered from your hotel in a pickup truck, and you can sit in the cabin or in the open back. That choice matters. The cabin gives you more shelter, while the back offers a more open ride and a better sense of the road, though you’ll want sunscreen and a secure grip for your belongings.

The usual start is around 8:30 a.m., but the exact time follows the tide. Snorkeling at Baias das Gatas is possible only at high tide, so the operator contacts you through WhatsApp after booking to confirm the pickup time. Keep your morning flexible instead of assuming the standard departure will apply.

The drive to the bay usually takes about 45 minutes, depending on your hotel. The route follows Route 66, adding a bit of road-trip character before the water portion begins. Since you’ll also visit towns, a lighthouse, and the shark area, the transport is a useful part of the package rather than a simple ride to one beach.

Small groups make a real difference here. The official maximum is eight people, but the company generally aims for six or fewer. That gives you a better chance to hear the guide, ask questions, and get help with snorkeling equipment without standing in a long line.

Snorkeling at Praia das Gatas for up to 90 minutes

The first main stop is Praia das Gatas, also called Baias das Gatas in the tour details. The attraction is straightforward: clear Atlantic water, colorful fish, and coral reefs in a sheltered bay.

You’ll have roughly one to one and a half hours in the water. That is enough time to get comfortable, look around at a relaxed pace, and try again if the first few minutes feel awkward. Snorkeling can take a little adjustment, especially if you have not used a mask before, so the generous time allowance is helpful.

Equipment is provided. You still need to bring your own towel, sunscreen, and beachwear. The tour is not suitable for non-swimmers, so you should be comfortable in open water before booking. The supplied information does not promise flotation support or a separate beginner lesson, so this is better for confident swimmers than for someone hoping to learn from scratch.

The bay’s tide-dependent schedule is worth taking seriously. Water conditions and access can change the timing, and the operator may move the entire pickup earlier or later. That is a small inconvenience, but it is preferable to arriving when the bay is not suitable for snorkeling.

The water portion is also the most weather-sensitive part of the day. The tour promises the chance to see fish and coral, but not a particular number of species or a guaranteed marine encounter. Treat the snorkeling as a pleasant natural outing, not an aquarium visit with a fixed display.

Lunch and local life in Fundo das Figueiras

After the water, the truck continues to Fundo das Figueiras, a picturesque town where you have time to look around and possibly shop for souvenirs. This stop gives the day a needed change of pace. You move from sea and sand into a community setting, with a chance to see more of everyday northern Boa Vista.

Lunch is a traditional Cape Verdean meal, but food and drinks are not included in the $100 price. You should budget separately for the meal. The menu offers several main-course choices:

• 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 substantial spread, and it gives you more of a local meal than the usual quick sandwich served on an excursion.

The menu also lets you choose how adventurous you want to be. Chicken and tuna are familiar options. Goat stew, lobster, shrimp, and buzio provide a stronger taste of Cape Verdean coastal cooking. Buzio is a local shellfish choice, so it may appeal if you like trying regional seafood.

Lunch is one of the most praised parts of the day, with the food described as delicious. Still, remember that the meal is an extra cost. If you are comparing this tour with another excursion, include that expense before deciding which offers the better deal.

The town visit is not a long formal cultural program. It is a short stop to walk around, browse, and eat. That makes it appealing if you prefer a light local encounter, but less suitable if you want a detailed history tour or extended time in village life.

Walking up to Morro Negro lighthouse

From Fundo das Figueiras, the route continues to Cabeça dos Tarafes, the last town in the north. Here, you walk uphill for about 10 to 15 minutes to reach the Morro Negro lighthouse.

The walk is short, but it is still a climb. Wear shoes that are comfortable on uneven ground, and keep water close. The tour information does not describe the path as difficult, but the stop is not entirely roadside sightseeing. Anyone with limited mobility should consider the uphill walk before booking.

The reward is the view. Morro Negro is presented as one of Boa Vista’s finest viewpoints, and this is where the day shifts from a water adventure to a broad look over the island’s northern scenery. You’ll want your camera ready, but do not rush the stop. A viewpoint like this is often best enjoyed with a few quiet minutes rather than a quick photograph and immediate return to the vehicle.

The lighthouse itself is part of the appeal, but the setting matters just as much. You get a sense of Boa Vista’s open, spare northern character, far from the hotel strip. This is one of the stronger reasons to choose the full tour instead of booking snorkeling alone.

Searching for lemon and nursing sharks

The final stop is Shark Bay in the north of the island. The aim is to look for sharks in their natural habitat, particularly lemon sharks and nursing sharks.

This is exciting, but it requires realistic expectations. The tour does not guarantee a sighting. Shark activity depends on natural conditions, and the day’s route can also change. One account of the experience specifically notes that the shark stop was missed after the afternoon program changed, which is the clearest warning attached to this excursion.

That does not make the stop worthless. It simply means you should book it for the full combination of snorkeling, towns, lunch, views, and the possibility of sharks. If seeing a shark is your only reason for paying $100, you may be disappointed.

The guide’s role matters here. A local guide can help you understand where to look and how to behave around wildlife. The tour also emphasizes safety and friendly assistance, which is useful when the day includes both open water and a natural animal encounter.

Do not expect a controlled performance or guaranteed close approach. The appeal is seeing animals where they live, with all the uncertainty that brings. If the sharks do not appear, the bay should be treated as one part of a wider day rather than the entire payoff.

What the $100 price includes

At $100 per person, the tour is priced as a full-day island outing rather than a short snorkeling trip. The value comes from combining several separate costs and arrangements: hotel pickup and drop-off, a private vehicle, a driver, a guide, snorkeling equipment, a small group, and stops in the northeast.

Food and drinks are not included, so the final cost will be higher than the headline price. The supplied details also do not state the tour’s exact end time, so you should avoid planning a tightly timed evening activity afterward.

For me, the strongest value is the range of experiences. You get the sea, a town, a substantial meal option, a lighthouse walk, and a wildlife search in one day. You also avoid arranging transport across the island yourself.

The price is less attractive if you only want a long session in the water. In that case, a shorter snorkeling option might suit you better. It is also less predictable than a standard sightseeing drive because the tide controls the start and shark sightings remain uncertain.

The small group helps justify the cost. A maximum of eight people, usually six or fewer, is a much more personal setup than a large coach excursion. You are likely to spend less time waiting for other people and more time actually looking around.

The guides can make or break the day

The most warmly praised part of the experience is the guiding. The guide Veronique is singled out for being fun, enthusiastic, and helpful, and another account describes the guides as flexible and good company.

That matters on a mixed day like this. A guide must handle the tide, transport, snorkeling equipment, lunch stop, walking route, and wildlife search. A cheerful guide can turn changes into minor annoyances rather than major frustrations.

The company lists English, Dutch, Portuguese, and German among its guide languages in the tour details, while the additional language information names Dutch, English, and Portuguese. If language support is important to you, confirm your preferred language when arranging pickup.

The tour is operated by Gil Taxi & Tours Boa Vista. The included vehicle is described as private, but the experience is shared with the small tour group rather than being a fully private outing for one booking party.

Who will enjoy this Boa Vista tour?

I would recommend it most strongly if you want a broad introduction to Boa Vista in one day. It suits confident swimmers who like a little adventure, do not need every moment scheduled precisely, and want to combine nature with local food and scenery.

It is a good match for you if:

• You want more than a hotel beach day.
• You are comfortable snorkeling without being a complete beginner.
• You enjoy small groups and informal guiding.
• You want a chance to see sharks but accept that nature may not cooperate.
• You like combining seafood, local towns, and outdoor views.
• You are happy to pay extra for lunch and drinks.

I would be more cautious if you are a non-swimmer, dislike open pickup-truck transport, need guaranteed wildlife sightings, or have limited tolerance for schedule changes. The 10 to 15 minute walk to Morro Negro also matters if uphill walking is difficult.

The tour has a strong overall rating of 4.3 from three ratings, with two five-star scores and one three-star score. That pattern fits the experience well: the guides, snorkeling, food, and views can make it a memorable day, while the changing afternoon plan and missed shark stop are real limitations.

Should you book the Gatas Bay and northeast tour?

Book it if you want one active day that covers several sides of Boa Vista. The combination of Praia das Gatas, Fundo das Figueiras, Morro Negro, and Shark Bay gives you far more variety than a single beach excursion, and the small group is a genuine advantage.

Go in with the right promise to yourself: you are booking the chance to see sharks, not a guaranteed shark encounter. Keep your pickup time flexible, bring beachwear, a towel, sunscreen, and suitable shoes, and budget extra for lunch and drinks.

For a confident swimmer who values friendly guides, open scenery, and a taste of local food, $100 is a reasonable price for the amount of ground covered. For someone focused only on shark sightings or only on snorkeling, choose a narrower activity instead.

FAQ

What is the price of the Boa Vista snorkeling and northeast tour?

The price is $100 per person.

Is hotel pickup included?

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

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 time through WhatsApp after booking.

How long does the snorkeling last?

You will have about one to one and a half hours of snorkeling at Praia das Gatas, also called Baias das Gatas in the tour details.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included.

Is the tour suitable for non-swimmers?

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

Is lunch included in the price?

No. Food and beverages are not included, although a traditional Cape Verdean lunch is available in Fundo das Figueiras.

What food can I choose for lunch?

The listed main courses are barbecue chicken, lobster, goat stew, tuna steak, shrimp, and buzio. Side dishes include french fries, lentil stew, salad, steamed vegetables, and rice.

Are shark sightings guaranteed?

No. The tour offers the chance to see lemon and nursing sharks, but there is no 100 percent guarantee of seeing them.

What languages are available?

The tour details list English, Dutch, Portuguese, and German for the driver and guide. The additional language information lists Dutch, English, and Portuguese.