Boa Vista: Snorkeling at Gatas Bay & North East Tour

Boa Vista’s north coast gives you a full day of sea, food, villages, and wide Atlantic views. The main draw is Gatas Bay, where clear water, colorful fish, and coral make for a gentle snorkeling stop, followed later by a search for lemon and nursing sharks.

I like the small groups, usually no more than six and never more than eight, and the easy hotel pickup in an open-back truck. I also like the mix of nature and local life: lunch in Fundo das Figueiras and a short walk to Morro Negro lighthouse keep this from being only a beach outing.

The main caution is simple: sharks are not guaranteed, and one published itinerary was changed so the shark stop was missed. Tide times can also shift the start, so this tour suits flexible people who care about the whole day, not only one promised sight.

Key points to know before you book

• Gatas Bay snorkeling lasts about 1 to 1.5 hours, with equipment supplied and the best timing set by the tide.
• Groups are small, usually up to six people, with a maximum of eight.
• The truck ride is part of the day, and you can sit inside the cabin or in the open back.
• Lunch in Fundo das Figueiras offers chicken, lobster, goat stew, tuna, shrimp, or buzio with several side dishes.
• Morro Negro lighthouse requires a 10 to 15 minute uphill walk, rewarded with one of Boa Vista’s finest views.
• Shark sightings are possible but not promised, so book for the complete north coast outing.

Gatas Bay starts the day with clear Atlantic water

Pickup is normally around 8:30 in the morning, though the exact time can move earlier or later. That is because snorkeling at Gatas Bay depends on high tide. After booking, the local team contacts you through WhatsApp with the pickup time, a useful detail for anyone planning breakfast or a separate hotel activity.

You travel in a pickup truck, either in the cabin or outside in the back. The ride to Baia das Gatas generally takes about 45 minutes, depending on where you are staying. You follow Route 66, giving the trip a sense of moving away from the resort zone and into the quieter north of Boa Vista.

I would treat the truck ride as part of the adventure, but not as a luxury transfer. The open back offers more air and a better sense of the road, while the cabin gives you more shelter. If you dislike bumpy road travel or sitting outside in the sun, ask for the cabin when you meet the guide.

At Gatas Bay, you have about one to one and a half hours in the water. The attraction is the clear Atlantic, with colorful fish and coral visible below the surface. Snorkeling equipment is provided, and the guides are there to help you stay safe and get comfortable in the water.

This is not suitable for non-swimmers. You should bring swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen. The tour is aimed at people who can manage a snorkeling session in open coastal water, even if you are not an expert.

The tide can affect the mood of this first stop. At the right water level, the bay offers the calm, clear conditions that make spotting fish easier. Since the timing is tide-led, you may start earlier or later than the usual schedule. That small loss of control is worthwhile if good water conditions matter to you.

A small group makes the water stop easier

The operator keeps the group to eight people at most and tries to hold it to six. That is a real advantage here. A small group means less waiting for equipment, fewer people crowding the entry point, and more room to ask the guide for help.

The guide team speaks English, Dutch, Portuguese, and German according to the tour information, while the additional details list English, Dutch, and Portuguese. If language is important to you, confirm the guide’s language when you book.

The human side of the tour matters. Veronique is specifically named as a fun, enthusiastic, and helpful guide, and her energy helped make the day memorable for one booking party. You should not assume she will lead every departure, but the comment gives you a useful sense of the service style: friendly rather than formal.

The guide can help first-time snorkelers, but this does not remove the need to be comfortable in the water. If you are unsure, ask before booking. The tour is not designed for non-swimmers.

Fundo das Figueiras brings food and village life

After snorkeling, the truck continues to Fundo das Figueiras, a picturesque town where you can look around and shop for souvenirs. This stop gives the day a local rhythm. You are not simply driven from one beach to another, but given time to see a settled part of the island and have lunch away from the resort area.

The meal offers a choice of:

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

The side dishes are French fries, lentil stew, salad, steamed vegetables, and rice. One diner found the lunch delicious, and the choice of main dishes gives you more flexibility than a fixed group menu.

There is one detail you should clarify before departure. The itinerary describes lunch and lists the meal choices, but the price information says food and beverages are not included. At $100 per person, that distinction matters. Ask how the lunch is paid for and what the listed price covers so you do not arrive with the wrong expectation.

The town visit also gives you a chance to buy souvenirs. Do not expect a long shopping session. The stop is part of a wider island route, so your time in Fundo das Figueiras is likely intended for a brief look around and lunch rather than a full town tour.

Morro Negro lighthouse rewards a short uphill walk

After lunch, the route continues to Cabeça dos Tarafes, described as the last town in the north. From there, you walk uphill for about 10 to 15 minutes to Morro Negro lighthouse.

The walk is short, but it is still a hike. Bring sturdy footwear if you have it, and do not forget sunscreen. The reward is one of the best views on Boa Vista, with the open coast and broad island scenery spread around you.

This stop is especially valuable because it changes your view of Boa Vista. At Gatas Bay, you focus on what lies below the water. At Morro Negro, you get a high point and a wider sense of the island’s scale. The two stops work well together.

The lighthouse visit is not only about taking a picture. It also gives you a pause after lunch and before the final wildlife stop. You should allow for uneven ground and sun exposure, even though the walk itself is brief.

The shark stop comes with no promise

The final stop is Shark Bay, on the north of Boa Vista. The species most often seen here are lemon sharks and nursing sharks. The appeal is watching these animals in their natural setting rather than seeing them in an aquarium or enclosed attraction.

The wording matters: the tour offers a chance to look for sharks, not a guaranteed sighting. Sea conditions, timing, and animal behavior can all affect the result. One day’s program was changed and the shark visit did not happen, which is the clearest reason to keep your expectations realistic.

I would book this outing for the combination of snorkeling, villages, lunch, a lighthouse, and wildlife. If your only reason for booking is to see a shark, the $100 price carries more risk. If you see sharks, the final stop can be a memorable finish. If you do not, the day still has several other worthwhile parts.

Ask the guide about the plan if conditions change. The tour team has been praised for flexibility, but flexibility can also mean the schedule is adjusted without much notice. That is useful when safety or conditions come first, though it may disappoint you if one particular stop is your priority.

What the $100 price really covers

At $100 per person, the value depends on how much of Boa Vista you want to see in one day. The price includes hotel pickup and drop-off, private vehicle transfers, a driver, a tour guide, and snorkeling equipment. It also packages together several areas of the island that would be difficult to combine without transport.

The small group adds value. A maximum of eight people, with a preferred limit of six, is more personal than a large coach outing. You get a guide who can help with the water stop, explain the route, and manage the changing schedule.

The price does not include food or drinks according to the supplied information. Since lunch is built into the route, this is the point most likely to affect your final cost. Confirm the lunch arrangement before you pay.

The tour also asks you to accept some uncertainty. Tide times can alter pickup, and sharks may not appear. For me, the cost makes sense if you want a broad day with transport, swimming, food, local towns, and viewpoints. It makes less sense if you want a tightly timed snorkeling trip or a guaranteed wildlife encounter.

Who will enjoy this Boa Vista day most

I would recommend this tour to confident swimmers who want variety. You get water time, a small amount of walking, local food, village scenery, and a wildlife search without having to arrange separate taxis or activities.

It is a good fit for couples, friends, and families with older children who can swim. The small vehicle and small group can make the day feel more relaxed than a large organized excursion.

You may want to choose another activity if you are a non-swimmer, dislike open-back vehicles, or need a fixed timetable. The start can change with the tide, and the program may be adjusted during the day.

Bring a towel, sunscreen, and beachwear. Keep your phone protected during the truck ride and water stop. Intoxication is not allowed, which is sensible for a day involving swimming, an open vehicle, and a short hike.

How this day compares with a simple beach outing

A beach excursion gives you more time in one place. This tour gives you a broader look at Boa Vista. You trade a slower day for a route that reaches Gatas Bay, Fundo das Figueiras, Cabeça dos Tarafes, Morro Negro, and Shark Bay.

That variety is the best reason to book. The snorkeling alone is likely to last only part of the morning, while the village, meal, view, and shark search carry the rest of the day. You get a better sense of the north coast than you would from a resort beach.

The tradeoff is pace. You spend time in the truck, and some stops are brief. The 10 to 15 minute walk to the lighthouse is short, but the entire day can feel active because you keep moving from one place to the next.

The guides are a major part of the value. A friendly guide such as Veronique can turn a transfer and a basic stop into something more engaging. Still, the day depends on clear communication, so ask questions when the schedule changes.

Should you book Gatas Bay and the North East Tour?

Book it if you want a full-day introduction to Boa Vista’s north coast, can swim, and are happy to accept changes caused by tides and wildlife. The mix of clear-water snorkeling, traditional food, small towns, a lighthouse view, and a shark search is strong for $100, especially with pickup, transport, a guide, and equipment included.

Skip it if you need a guaranteed shark sighting, dislike truck travel, or want a relaxed day with no schedule changes. Before booking, confirm the pickup time, the language of your guide, and how lunch is paid for.

For most active visitors, I would choose this over a snorkeling-only outing. Just book it for the complete day, not for one animal you may or may not see.

FAQ

How much does the Boa Vista north east tour cost?

The tour costs $100 per person.

Does the tour include hotel pickup and drop-off?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included.

What time does the tour start?

The tour generally starts around 8:30 in the morning. The start may be earlier or later because snorkeling depends on the high tide. The pickup time is confirmed through WhatsApp after booking.

How long do you snorkel at Gatas Bay?

You have about 1 to 1.5 hours of snorkeling time at Baia das Gatas.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included.

Are sharks guaranteed?

No. The tour offers a chance to see lemon sharks and nursing sharks, but shark sightings are not guaranteed.

Is the tour suitable for non-swimmers?

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