Praia de Chaves, Boa Vista: Beach & Visit Guide
Praia de Chaves, Boa Vista: Practical Visit Notes & Beach Guide
Where Saharan dunes sweep into the turquoise Atlantic: resorts, windsurfing, a historic chimney, and turtle nesting sands.
At a Glance: Quick Overview
Location: The west coast of Boa Vista, roughly 10–12 km south of Sal Rei.
Proximity: About 10 minutes from Aristides Pereira International Airport (BVC).
Landscape: Golden sand dunes, a wide open beach, ocean views, and historic ruins.
Best For: Windsurfing and kitesurfing, resort relaxation, dune walking, and sunset watching.
Section 1: Geographic Setting & Landscape
Praia de Chaves is the beach that appears on most Boa Vista postcards, and it earns the attention. This is where the island's desert interior runs out of land and tips straight into the ocean.
Where Desert Meets Ocean. Rolling, Saharan-style dunes border the shoreline and give way to a broad band of white and golden sand lapped by clear blue water. The transition is abrupt and dramatic, and it's what makes the beach so photogenic in any light.
Proximity to Key Hubs. Its position on the west coast puts it within easy reach of both Sal Rei and the airport, which makes it accessible for resort guests and day-trippers alike. You can be on the sand within minutes of landing.
Atmosphere & Scale. Chaves manages something unusual: a developed resort beachfront alongside long, open stretches that still feel wild. Walk away from the hotels in either direction and the crowds thin out quickly, leaving you with dunes, wind, and surf.
Section 2: Key Attractions & Landmarks Along the Beach
Beyond the sand, Chaves holds a piece of the island's industrial history and one of its most important wildlife sites.
The Sweeping Sand Dunes
Wind-carved dune formations border the coastline and rise behind the beach. Climbing the ridge gives elevated panoramic views over the Atlantic and back across the dunes, and the shifting light through the day makes this one of the best photography spots on the island. Stay on established paths where they exist, since the dunes are fragile and easily damaged.
The Historic Brick Factory Chimney (Chaminé de Chaves)
A tall brick chimney stands alone on the sand, the last visible remnant of the Olaria de Chaves, a ceramic and brick works that operated here in the nineteenth century, drawing its clay from the nearby Rabil river area. The rest of the complex has been gradually buried by the advancing dunes, leaving the chimney as a solitary marker of what was once a working industrial site. It's a striking, slightly melancholy landmark and an easy stop on any visit to the beach.
Loggerhead Sea Turtle Nesting Area
Praia de Chaves is an important nesting site for female Loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta), which come ashore at night to lay their eggs during the nesting season in the summer and autumn months. Guided night eco-tours operate under strict protocols: red light only, no camera flashes, no touching, and a respectful distance at all times. Book only with certified conservation guides, and never walk the beach at night with a torch during nesting season.
Section 3: Where to Stay Along Praia de Chaves
This stretch is Boa Vista's main all-inclusive resort zone, and where you stay shapes the kind of holiday you have.
The Resort Strip. Several large beachfront resorts sit along and just behind the dunes at Chaves, ranging from five-star flagship properties with swim-up rooms to four-star family resorts and adults-only options a little further along the shoreline. They're self-contained, comfortable, and directly on the beach, which is the appeal. The trade-off is distance from Sal Rei: going into town for dinner means arranging a taxi.
Resort Guests vs. Day Visitors. Beaches in Cape Verde are public, so day visitors can walk onto the sand and enjoy the beach freely. Sunbeds, umbrellas, and pool areas belong to the resorts and are generally reserved for guests, though some properties sell day passes. Watersports stations along the beach usually serve non-guests as well, and the open stretches away from the hotels are entirely public.
Section 4: Top Things to Do
Chaves works as both a relaxing beach day and a base for activity.
Windsurfing & Kitesurfing. Consistent trade winds blow across the bay for much of the year, with the strongest and most reliable conditions in the winter months. Rental gear and instruction are available along the beach, and the open space suits both disciplines.
Beach Walking & Dune Hiking. Walk for a long stretch along the shoreline, or climb the dune ridge for elevated views over the Atlantic. Early morning is coolest and calmest; late afternoon gives the best light on the sand.
Off-Road Buggy & Quad Tours. Excursion routes frequently pass along Praia de Chaves on the way to the village of Rabil or inland toward the Viana Desert, making the beach a natural starting or finishing point for a desert safari.
Sunset Watching. The westward aspect gives unobstructed views as the sun drops into the ocean. It's one of the finest sunset spots on Boa Vista and needs no planning beyond being on the sand at the right hour.
Section 5: Ocean Conditions & Swimming Safety
The water at Chaves is more energetic than its calm appearance from a sun lounger suggests.
Atlantic Wave Dynamics. The west coast is open to the Atlantic, which brings energetic swells and shore breaks. Conditions vary considerably day to day and through the day, and wind picks up in the afternoon.
The Beach Flag System. Resort sections of the beach are supervised and use the standard flag system: green for calm and safe, yellow for caution because of currents or choppy water, and red for no swimming. Red flags are not unusual here, and they should be treated as absolute. Away from the resort frontage there are no lifeguards and no flags, so judge conditions for yourself and stay within your depth.
Calmer Alternatives. For families with small children or nervous swimmers, the sheltered water at Praia de Estoril and Sal Rei Bay is a better bet on days when Chaves is rough. Both are a short taxi ride away.
Section 6: Practical Travel Tips
A short trip, but a few things make the day work better.
How to Get There. A short taxi ride from Sal Rei or from the airport reaches the resort area directly. Agree the fare before setting off, since taxis don't use meters. Access roads combine cobblestone and sand, so if you're exploring beyond the resort frontage, a 4x4 or quad is the practical choice.
What to Pack. A light jacket or windbreaker for breezy afternoons, high-SPF reef-safe sunscreen and polarised sunglasses against the strong reflection off sand and water, and a dry bag to protect cameras and phones from blowing sand and salt spray. Water shoes are useful if you plan to walk the shoreline for any distance.
Best Time to Visit. From November to April, expect the best wind for windsurfing and kitesurfing, mild temperatures, and fresh evenings. From June to October, the water is at its warmest and calmest, which suits swimming and beach days, and this period also covers the turtle nesting season.
Section 7: Summary & Visitor Checklist
Praia de Chaves is the beach that best captures what makes Boa Vista different: real resort comfort set against genuinely dramatic desert scenery, with a working history and a wild ecosystem on the same stretch of sand.
Before you go, confirm your transfer or taxi from Sal Rei, pack UV protection, a windbreaker, and your camera, plan a walk out to the historic chimney, book a guided night walk if you're visiting during turtle nesting season, and always check the flags before you swim.
Continue Planning Your Trip
To compare Chaves with the island's other coastlines, read our Boa Vista Beach Guide. For taxis, rentals, and getting around, see Getting Around Boa Vista. And for wind seasons, sea temperatures, and the best months to visit, our Boa Vista Weather, Wind & Ocean Guide covers the details.