Our most recommended things to do in Rabil

Boa Vista: Viana Desert Quad Bike Adventure

1. Boa Vista: Viana Desert Quad Bike Adventure

The day begins with pickup from your hotel. Head to the first stop of the tour, Rabil, the second most populated village on Boa Vista Island. Visit a ceramic factory to learn about the ancient art of pottery as well as Olaria, one of the few forms of local craftsmanship. Depart from Rabil and cross the palm-lined oasis towards the Viana Desert. Learn about how the desert started forming in the 1980s and has continued to grow due to trade winds that bring sand from the Sahara and Mauritania. Feel the wind in your hair and the adrenaline pump through your body on a thrilling ride across the sand dunes on your quad bike. Continue the tour to Bofareira, a small and sleepy village on the north side of the island, before enjoying a break at Cape Santa Maria to see the shipwreck. Next, drive to Sal Rei city, for a short break followed by a ride along the old cobblestone road to Fatima Church. Admire this recently renovated church while taking in the breathtaking view of the stunning sandy coves that surround you. At the end of an unforgettable day, enjoy drop-off back to your accommodation.

Boa Vista Island: Half-Day Quad Tour to Santa Monica Beach

2. Boa Vista Island: Half-Day Quad Tour to Santa Monica Beach

Depart to Rabil village where the team will provide instructions for the tour and ATV vehicle. Then, pass by Povoação Velha and discover some still intact houses built with handmade clay bricks and thatched roofs, which testify to the beginning of the history of Boa Vista, having been the first village to be populated. Continue to Santa Monica beach, considered the most beautiful beach of the archipelago and one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Swim in the crystal clear waters and relax on the white sand. After that, travel along the coast to admire the entire southeastern side of the island with long and beautiful beaches that end in breathtaking dunes. Discover the wonders and secrets carved behind the Varandinha limestone caves, formed naturally by the erosion of the sea in the dunes. Finally, head towards Morro de Areia Nature Reserve before being dropped off at your hotel.

Boa Vista Island: Quad Adventure to Cabo Santa Maria Beach

3. Boa Vista Island: Quad Adventure to Cabo Santa Maria Beach

After pickup from your hotel, you adventure starts out from Rabil, the second largest town on the island. The first part of your quad tour follows sand and rock tracks towards Praia de Atalanta beach. At the beach you'll discover the wreck of the Cabo Santa Maria that has been stranded on the sand for 50 years. The wreck is so famous, that it has become a symbol of Boa Vista and Cape Verde and a source of inspiration for painters and photographers. You'll have some time here to enjoy the beach and take a few of your own photos. From the beach, head out on your quad through a surreal lunar landscape characterized by volcanic rock. You'll also ride through the middle of an acacia tree forest known as Floresta Clotilde before heading back to Rabil on the Via Pitoresca (the ancient cobble stone road). After a couple hours quadding in the African winds and tropical sun, you'll arrive back at your hotel ready to relax.

Boa Vista Island: Rabil, Viana Desert & Shipwreck Tour 4Hour

4. Boa Vista Island: Rabil, Viana Desert & Shipwreck Tour 4Hour

Discover the Northwestern region of Boa Vista Island on a 4x4 adventure. Head to Rabil to visit a local handicraft center and appreciate the work of artisans. Continue into Deserto de Viana and learn how the dunes were formed as you admire the incredible landscape. Visit a wreckage of Cabo Santa Maria, and pause to enjoy the beautiful Praia da Atalanta beach where it is stranded. Head towards Sal Rei, stopping at the Chapel of Our Lady of Fatima for breathtaking views over the sea. The tour ends with drop-off back at your hotel.

Boa Vista: 4x4 Tour - Rabil, Shipwreck, Sal Rei & Beach Bar

5. Boa Vista: 4x4 Tour - Rabil, Shipwreck, Sal Rei & Beach Bar

Explore the Northern of Boavista, the different side on our comfortable 4x4 vehicles. Dive yourself into this adventure and get surprised along the way! It’s not just about beautiful places, there’s always something else… This trip was designed to be soft and relaxable in a comfy way even by off-road, which the goal is obviously a sightseeing enjoyment but it will end at the beach bar Bahia for lunch where holiday’s spirit is on. During our journey you will have chance to visit Pottery school at Rabil village, Shipwreck, Fatima’s Chapel, Sal Rei city for a No Stress visit, meal at Morabeza beach bar. Pottery is a Handicraft very popular in Cape Verde and Boavista is known as the best provider in the all country. The only one mini factory exists in Rabil village for several years managed by few locals from the same community. The Shipwreck at Cabo Santa Maria or Atalanta’s beach, it’s reminds us about pirates and treasures or even Jack Sparrow. 1st September 1968 was the day it wrecked in that beach full of merchandise due mechanic functionality problems. This beach is protected from June till October during Loggerhead sea turtle spawning season, where few thousands females visit the beach at night to lay their eggs. Sal Rei city will be last stop for enhancing the local machine. Everything happens in Sal Rei, for example: secondary school, petrol station, hospital, banks, government institutions etc are only located in Sal Rei. The city is a mix culture between Capeverdeans, Afrikans from the continente and Europeans, meanly Italians. After enjoying the town, is time for holidays in a beautiful beach club for lunch, drink and swim in this amazing beach of Estoril. Isn’t that a great opportunity to explore Boavista!!!

Boa Vista: Off-Road Quad Bike to Santa Monica & Caves

6. Boa Vista: Off-Road Quad Bike to Santa Monica & Caves

Quadbiking Excursion Four wheels, endless thrills Every holiday needs a bit adrenaline! We are here to provide it in the most scenic way. On your way there will be Sand Dunes, amazing beaches, beautiful desert, no stress villages, unbelievable shipwreck and lot more Boavista island is known by the locals “The Fantastic Island”, and you will agree with that definition for sure. Let’s me know Jump on this adventure with us!! You can have a single quad for yourself or share a double quad with your partner! Say bye bye to the Highway and welcome Off-road

Boa Vista Island: Guided Santa Monica Beach & Caves Tour

7. Boa Vista Island: Guided Santa Monica Beach & Caves Tour

Explore the beautiful scenery of Boa Vista Island and its heritage on a 4x4 tour. Get picked up at your hotel and drive to Rabil, where you’ll meet the locals and visit a handicrafts workshop. Afterwards, drive to the traditional village of Povoação Velha, the island’s former capital. Continue to Santa Monica beach to swim in the crystal clear waters and relax on the white sand. Pass breathtaking dunes to reach the natural cave at Varandinha. Head towards Morro de Areia Nature Reserve, stopping at Chaves Beach, before being dropped off at your hotel.

Boa Vista Island: Full-Day Wild Beaches & Viana Desert Tour

8. Boa Vista Island: Full-Day Wild Beaches & Viana Desert Tour

Discover Boa Vista's natural beauties on a full-day northeastern tour with an expert guide. Start your journey with pickup from your accommodation and drive towards the Fonte Vicente Oasis. Here, discover unspoiled nature, learn about the local fauna from your guide, and observe fruit trees such as the fig, almond, tamarind, and an exotic baobab tree. Move on to the ghost fishing village of Curral Velho, a settlement that was abandoned due to endless drought and pirate attacks. Learn the local history and explore its former salt mine, followed by a beautiful off-road trip to the wild beach of João Barrosa and Ervatão beach, the most important spawning point for loggerhead sea turtles. Here, weather permitting, swim into its beautiful turquoise waters before a lunch break in a local atmosphere at Fundo de Figueiras. Finally, venture into the Viana Desert, one of Cape Verde's seven wonders, a must-see when visiting Boa Vista Island. Walk along the sands and admire the incredible landscape with over 10 km of fabulous white sand dunes.

Boa Vista Island: Full-Day ATV Bike Adventure with Lunch

9. Boa Vista Island: Full-Day ATV Bike Adventure with Lunch

Marvel at this thrilling coast-to-coast ATV bike off-road adventure around Boa Vista Island traversing secret places during a thrilling ATV tour. First, be picked up at your hotel and depart to Rabil village where our team will give the relevant instructions of the tour and your ATV vehicle. Then, drive south until you reach a dry river. Arrive at the beautiful Oasis de Fonte Vicente and observe the leafy fruit trees including giant fig trees, robust almond trees, tamarinds, and an exotic baobab tree. Next, explore the old village of Coral Velho before you arrive at Fundo das Figueiras where you will stop for a delicious lunch.After that, cross Cabeça de Tarrafas, Santinha, and reach the stunning sand dunes of the Viana desert. Learn how the dunes were formed as you admire the incredible landscape. Drive along the edge of the desert on the way back to Rabil. Conclude your adventure with drop-off at your accommodation.

Boa Vista Mystical Wonders: Santa Monica Beach and Caves

10. Boa Vista Mystical Wonders: Santa Monica Beach and Caves

Upon pickup, journey to Rabil for encounters with locals, a visit to the main church, and witnessing local handicraft production at Olaria. Proceed to Povoação Velha, immersing in the ambiance of the island's oldest settlement. Then, reach Santa Mónica Beach, acclaimed as the archipelago's most beautiful beach and one of the world's finest. Delight in swimming in turquoise waters and unwinding on pristine white sands. Enjoy a scenic journey to Varandinha and unveil the marvels and hidden treasures within its limestone caves. Learn about the formation of these natural wonders through sea erosion and embark on an exploration. Indulge in a delectable lunch at a local restaurant in Sal Rei, savoring the flavors of the local cuisine. Then, proceed to the Cabo Santa Maria Shipwreck, where you'll hear the captivating story of its 50-year stranding and its role as an inspiration for local artists. The tour concludes with a drop-off at your accommodation.

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What people are saying about Rabil

Overall rating

4.7 / 5

based on 42 reviews

Had an amazing time. Stunning scenery with time to explore all the different areas. The staff were very accommodating and ensured we had a good time. One of the highlight of this trip was the ride across the sand dunes at the end. One little tip take your own scarf to keep the dust out. Otherwise you can buy them, they cost us €5 for 2. Would definitely recommend to anyone visiting boa vista.

Efficient pick up from hotel, some basics then off on trip around the area…sand, rough roads, x country the ship wreck, urban areas and so on. Returned to hotel suitably pleased with our afternoon. Thank you. Response and email booking 1st class.

A wonderful day in joy, good humor and under the sun! With a great guide at the top thank you very much for this beautiful day Ngiouga!

Fantastic experience, the chance to see the island, culture and local people! Sand dunes were amazing

Nice trip thru different surroundings with the desert trial being the top dog experience.