Varandinha Beach

Varandinha is reachable only by a rough 4WD track from Sal Rei — plan on roughly 75 minutes each way. Standard cars will not make it; the piste will strand them. There is no formal car park: vehicles stop on the piste itself, well clear of the sand. No entry fee is charged, but the journey demands a properly equipped 4WD and a driver who knows the track.

The Varandinha caves, rated a perfect 5/5 and just 0.5 km from the beach, are the obvious first detour — volcanic geology at close quarters. A short distance further, the ruins of Povoação Velha offer a haunting glimpse of Boa Vista's colonial past. Further afield, the Curral Velho ruins on the south coast and the vast wild dunes of Praia de Santa Mónica — 20 km of dune-backed beach about 12 km away — reward anyone willing to keep the 4WD rolling. If turtle conservation is your reason for coming, the BIOS.CV Turtle Conservation Centre, about 38 km away, gives essential context to what you're witnessing on the sand.

The nearest serious option is Ka Fabiana 'Boxe Rotcha', a highly rated local spot about 4.9 km away — worth the short drive back up the piste. Origens Santa Monica, around 10 km out, has built a strong reputation and is a good choice for a longer lunch after the beach. Bring everything you need for the day itself: there is nothing to eat or drink at Varandinha.

Nos Kasa Povoaçao Velha, about 5.3 km from the beach, is the closest base — small and simple, so check availability early. For more comfort, the Villa Nº25b Alfredo Marchetti suites on Praia di Chaves sit around 7.8 km away and offer a beach-adjacent setting with apartment-style space. Sea view options in Boa Vista are also available at a similar distance if you want to wake up with the Atlantic in front of you.

Shoot at sunrise when the low light turns the golden sand amber and the black volcanic rock frames the empty shore in sharp contrast — no other visitors to work around. The elevated desert plateau behind the beach gives a dramatic wide-angle backdrop; position yourself at the rock formations to the north to capture both the crystal-clear water and the volcanic geology in a single frame.

Never drive or walk a vehicle onto the sand — it's prohibited, and the beach is an active loggerhead turtle nesting site from June through October. During nesting season, respect all exclusion zones, keep artificial lighting off at night, and leave fires unlit at all times. There are zero rescue services here: carry plenty of water and a satellite communicator before you set off. Dogs are prohibited during nesting season (June–October), and winter months from November through February bring strong trade winds and rough seas that make both the track and the water genuinely unpleasant — plan your visit between March and May for the sweet spot.