Santa Monica Beach Tour

Santa Monica Beach is the grand finale here, but the best part may be the route getting there. You cross Morro d’Areia’s sand dunes, look for turtles along the coast, and explore the limestone caves at Varandinha before reaching 12 kilometers of open beach.

I like the mix of active stops and easy beach time. Sand sledding gives the morning some fun, while the final drink at a beach bar lets you slow down. I also like the small-group format and the guides Fabian and Bernardo, who are praised for explaining Boa Vista’s history and the places along the way.

The main thing to check is the pickup information. The experience is described as being in Sal, but the route and Santa Monica Beach itinerary are on Boa Vista. Also confirm the extra transfer charge from RIU Touareg, since the supplied details list different amounts.

Key points to know

• Morro d’Areia starts the tour with dunes and wide views over Praia de Chaves.
• Sand sledding is available for anyone who wants to try it, but it is not the main focus of the trip.
• Turtle Bay and Shark Bay offer wildlife stops, though sightings are never guaranteed.
• Varandinha has limestone caves and rough coastal scenery that make some of the best photo stops.
• Santa Monica Beach gives you time to swim, relax, and use a beach-bar drink included in the price.
• The four-hour trip costs $47 per person, with hotel transfer and a small group of up to 10 participants included.

A four-hour route across Boa Vista’s wild coast

This is a beach tour with several stops, not a simple ride to Santa Monica Beach. In four hours, you get dunes, open coast, possible wildlife, caves, and a long sweep of pale sand.

That variety matters. If you spent the whole outing at Santa Monica Beach, you would have more time to relax, but you would miss some of the most distinctive scenery on Boa Vista. Here, the beach is the reward at the end of a short island circuit.

Rotcha Tours keeps the group limited to 10 people. One recent outing had 12 participants, so I would treat 10 as the intended limit rather than an absolute promise. Either way, this is a more personal setup than a large coach trip.

Guiding is available in English, German, Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese. Fabian and Bernardo are two guides associated with particularly strong outings, and their role goes beyond driving from one photo stop to the next. You can expect explanations about Boa Vista and the history of the places on the route.

The tour is sold as four hours, so the pace needs to stay fairly brisk. You get time at each stop, but this is not a day-long beach escape. It works best if you want a broad taste of the island’s western and southern coast, with enough time at Santa Monica to swim or sit with a drink.

Morro d’Areia brings dunes before the beach

The first major stop is Morro d’Areia, where sand rises above Praia de Chaves and gives you wide views across the coast. This is a good opening because it shows you the scale of Boa Vista before you reach the famous beach.

The ride through the dunes adds a little adventure. You are not simply looking out of a vehicle window. The route passes through loose sand, and the changing height of the dunes gives you a different view at every turn.

You may also try sand sledding, described here as sand sledding or sandboarding. It is a simple activity, but it gives the stop some energy and makes the dunes more than a scenic backdrop. If you prefer not to try it, you can focus on the views and photographs.

Bring sunscreen and water. The sand reflects the sun, and shade may be limited. Large bags and luggage are not allowed, so pack only what you need for the four hours.

I would wear clothes that can handle sand and bring footwear you do not mind getting dusty. The provided information does not specify special equipment for the sledding, so ask the guide what is available when you arrive.

Turtle Bay and Shark Bay are short wildlife stops

The route then follows the coast toward Turtle Bay. With luck, you may see turtles in the water or along the shore. This is one of the more memorable possibilities on the trip, but it is important to keep expectations sensible. Wildlife sightings are not guaranteed.

Turtle Bay is not presented as a long wildlife tour. It is a brief stop within a larger coastal route. That makes it a useful chance to look carefully without giving up the rest of the day to waiting.

Shark Bay is also a short visit. The name may sound dramatic, but the tour description is clear that sightings of these shy marine creatures are uncertain. I would treat this as a quick coastal viewpoint and wildlife possibility, not a shark encounter.

These stops are strongest for people who enjoy watching the coast and taking their time with what appears in front of them. They may feel less satisfying if you expect a scheduled animal show or a guaranteed sighting.

Keep your camera ready, but do not let the camera become the whole point. The coast itself is part of the experience, and your guide can help you know where to look.

Varandinha offers caves and rough coastal scenery

Praia de Varandinha is one of the tour’s most distinctive stops. Instead of a broad, open beach alone, you get limestone caves and rocky formations along the shore.

The caves create natural frames for photographs, especially when you can include the sea and pale sand beyond them. This is a place where a little walking and climbing around the rocks may be involved, though the activity details do not specify a required walking distance or level of difficulty. Use care on uneven ground.

Varandinha also breaks up the beach rhythm. After the dunes and wildlife stops, the caves give you something to explore. I like that contrast. It keeps the outing from becoming a string of similar sandy viewpoints.

Allow yourself time to look at the rock rather than rushing through for one photograph. The area is described as a favorite spot by the tour team, and it is easy to see why: it has a more rugged feel than Santa Monica Beach.

The stop may not suit you if you want an entirely flat, effortless outing. The tour does not give detailed accessibility information, so ask Rotcha Tours before booking if uneven coastal ground is a concern.

Santa Monica Beach is the calm finish

Santa Monica Beach is the headline stop, and it arrives late in the route. Its 12 kilometers of sand give you room to spread out, even though your actual free time is limited by the four-hour schedule.

The appeal is simple: open sand, turquoise water, and a quiet setting. You can relax at the beach bar, use your included drink, and swim if sea conditions allow. Bring swimwear, because this is the stop where you are most likely to want it.

The package includes one soft drink or beer at the beach bar. Food and snacks are not included, so eat beforehand or bring only what is permitted by the operator. The instructions say not to bring luggage or large bags, so do not plan on carrying a full picnic setup.

Snorkel masks are provided, subject to weather conditions. That is a useful extra, but you should not book this trip mainly for snorkeling. The description says snorkeling is not always possible, and conditions may rule it out.

I like the balance here. You see one of Cape Verde’s most famous beaches without spending every minute sitting on it. The tradeoff is that dedicated beach lovers may wish for more time in the sand and less time in the vehicle.

What $47 includes, and where the value changes

At $47 per person, the price is reasonable for a four-hour outing that includes hotel pickup and drop-off, a multilingual guide, several coastal stops, and one drink at the beach bar.

The value comes from the variety. Paying separately for a transfer to Santa Monica, a guided route through the dunes, a stop at Varandinha, and a beach-bar drink could easily become less convenient, even if you found a lower-cost ride to the beach itself.

The small group also helps justify the cost. A limited group gives you a better chance to hear the guide and ask questions. Fabian and Bernardo are praised for making time for questions and explaining the island, which is useful when the route moves quickly.

There are two costs to clarify before booking. Guests staying at RIU Touareg are charged an extra transfer fee in cash. One part of the information says €10 per person, while another says €5 per person. That conflict should be settled directly with Rotcha Tours before you commit.

There is also a location mismatch in the supplied information. The top details name Sal, while the itinerary repeatedly refers to Boa Vista locations, including Santa Monica Beach, Varandinha, Praia de Chaves, Turtle Bay, and Shark Bay. Confirm that your hotel and pickup point are on the correct island.

Pickup rules can make or break the morning

Pickup is included, but you must wait outside the hotel gates, in front of the security barrier. Drivers will wait no longer than five minutes after the scheduled pickup time.

This is especially important at a resort where security staff control access. Do not wait in your room, lobby, or behind the entrance barrier. Be outside and ready at the stated time.

If you are staying in an apartment, send the exact property name and wait on the street in front of it. This is a small detail, but it can prevent a missed pickup.

The instructions say that the RIU Touareg transfer costs extra and must be paid in cash to the guide. Because the stated amounts conflict, bring enough cash only after confirming the correct figure.

The free-cancellation policy allows you to cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your hotel plans or island arrangements are not fully settled.

Who will enjoy this tour most

I would choose this trip if you want to see several of Boa Vista’s signature sights in one compact outing. It is particularly suited to first-time visitors who want an introduction to dunes, caves, wildlife areas, and Santa Monica Beach without arranging separate transport.

It also suits you if you like a little movement before relaxing. Sand sledding, dune driving, coastal stops, and cave exploring give the day some variety. You can still finish with swimming and a cold drink.

Families and mixed-age groups may appreciate the flexible nature of the stops. One person can try sand sledding while another focuses on photographs. At Santa Monica, you can swim or simply sit at the beach bar.

I would think twice if your main goal is a full day at Santa Monica Beach. Four hours includes driving and several stops, so your time on the beach is only part of the outing.

I would also ask questions before booking if you need step-free access, have mobility concerns, or dislike uneven ground. The available information does not describe accessibility, walking distances, or vehicle type.

Practical packing for sand, sun, and water

Keep your bag small. Large bags and luggage are not allowed, and the trip is short enough that you need only the basics.

Bring:

• Sunscreen
• Water
• Swimwear
• A towel if you want to swim
• A small camera or phone
• Cash if your pickup location requires an extra transfer payment

The operator provides one soft drink or beer at the beach bar and may provide snorkel masks, depending on weather. Food and snacks are not included.

Wear sun protection even if the morning begins comfortably. The dunes and open beaches offer little shade. A hat can also help, though secure it before any windy vehicle ride through the sand.

Keep valuables to a minimum. The no-large-bag rule is practical, and a light day pack is easier to manage around the dunes and rocks.

Should you book the Santa Monica Beach Tour?

Book it if you want more than a beach transfer. The strongest reasons are the mix of dunes, possible turtles, Varandinha’s caves, and a final swim at Santa Monica. The guide service, small-group design, and included hotel transport add real value at $47.

Before paying, confirm two points: that your pickup is on Boa Vista rather than Sal, and the exact RIU Touareg supplement. Once those details are clear, this is a well-rounded half-day choice for seeing several of Boa Vista’s best-known coastal sights without a stressful self-drive plan.

Skip it if you want to spend nearly all day on Santa Monica Beach, or if the extra stops feel like distractions. For everyone else, the route gives you a useful first look at the island, with enough free time at the end to enjoy the beach properly.

FAQ

Where does the Santa Monica Beach Tour take place?

The itinerary visits locations on Boa Vista, including Morro d’Areia, Praia de Chaves, Turtle Bay, Shark Bay, Varandinha, and Santa Monica Beach. The supplied details also name Sal as the location, so confirm the correct island and pickup area before booking.

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts four hours.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $47 per person.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included. You must wait outside the hotel gates, in front of the security barrier.

What happens if I stay at RIU Touareg?

An extra cash transfer fee applies for pickup from RIU Touareg. The supplied information gives both €5 and €10 per person, so confirm the correct amount with the operator before the tour.

What languages are available?

The live guide service is available in English, German, Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese.

Is food included?

No. Food and snacks are not included. One soft drink or beer at the beach bar is included.

Can I go swimming or snorkeling?

You can swim at Santa Monica Beach if conditions allow. Snorkel masks may be provided, but snorkeling is not always possible because of the weather.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.