Boa Vista: Motoryacht Trip with Fishing, Snorkel, Beach BBQ

Fish, reef, fort, and lunch on a beach. This Boa Vista boat trip packs a lot into 390 minutes, with bottom fishing, snorkeling, a small island visit, and a beach BBQ. I like the easy hotel transfer and the chance to eat fish caught during the outing. The calm island waters and compact group size add comfort.

I also like that fishing is optional, so you can read, sunbathe, or watch the action from the sundeck. The main drawback is the sea itself: if you are prone to seasickness, nearly six hours on and around the water may be a hard bargain, even with medication available on board.

Key points to know before booking

• Fishing supplies the BBQ: You can spend about 60 to 90 minutes bottom fishing, with your catch prepared later on the beach.
• The island stop lasts about two hours: That gives you time for snorkeling, swimming, the renovated fort, and lunch without a rushed visit.
• The trip runs from Sal Rei: Hotel pickup brings you to the port, where you board the motor yacht by dinghy.
• The food is more than fish: The BBQ includes fresh fish, chicken for those who prefer meat, rice, salad, bread, and drinks.
• Snorkeling is a real highlight: The reef near the small island received especially warm praise, even from someone less pleased with the guide.
• The outing is weather dependent: Wind and sea conditions can cause a change of date or cancellation.

A full sea day from Boa Vista

This is not a quick harbor cruise. The total duration is about six and a half hours, including hotel transport, the boat ride, fishing, snorkeling, island time, lunch, and the return trip.

That length works well if you want one main ocean day during your stay on Boa Vista. You get several different activities rather than spending the whole time on one boat route. The pace also leaves room to stop doing anything at all, which is often welcome under the Cape Verde sun.

The tour is offered in English and German. Josie and her team handle the operation, and the outing has been praised for clear communication, small groups, good facilities, and a relaxed approach to tips. One poor rating raised a concern about a guide’s attitude and language preference, so I would keep expectations sensible: the trip appears well organized overall, but the quality of personal interaction may depend on the guide assigned that day.

Hotel pickup and boarding at Sal Rei

Your day begins with a van pickup from your accommodation. The transfer takes about 20 minutes, though the exact timing depends on your hotel and the confirmation sent after booking.

Pickup instructions matter here. At Riu Karamboa, Riu Palace, VOI Hotel, Royal Horizon, and Villas de Chaves, wait at the entrance gate. At other accommodations, wait out front. Drivers carry a name list, and the operator advises you to check the confirmation carefully, including your spam folder, since the exact meeting instructions are sent there.

At the port of Sal Rei, you board the motor yacht by dinghy. That small transfer is worth noting if you dislike getting wet before the activity starts or need extra care with balance. Bring only what you need for the day, and keep your camera and towel protected from spray.

The yacht includes a toilet, which makes the long outing easier. Drinks are available throughout the day: water, Coca-Cola, Sprite Zero, Fanta, beer, and red and white wine. A cold drink in hand during the cruise is a simple pleasure, especially after time in the sun.

Bottom fishing for the beach lunch

The first activity on the open water is bottom fishing, lasting roughly one to one and a half hours. Fishing equipment is supplied, and the goal is practical as well as entertaining: some of the catch may become part of your BBQ later.

I like this setup because it gives the meal a connection to the day. You are not simply served lunch at a resort. You get the chance to help provide one part of it, then see it cooked on the island.

Still, fishing is not compulsory. If you would rather sit back, you can use this time to sunbathe on the sundeck, read, enjoy the sea views, or watch other people try their luck. That flexibility makes the trip suitable for mixed groups, since one person can fish while another takes a quiet break.

Do not book this as a serious fishing expedition. The supplied details describe bottom fishing as one activity within a larger cruise, not as a specialist fishing charter. Your catch will vary, and some of the fun lies in the attempt rather than the result.

Cruising through the Bay of Chaves

After fishing, the yacht cruises around the Bay of Chaves. This is the least structured part of the day, and that is a good thing. You can settle on the sun deck, watch the coast, and enjoy the boat without another task on the schedule.

The stated boat-cruise portion takes about 30 minutes in the published route, though the full day includes additional time at sea. The views are a useful change of pace between fishing and snorkeling. If you want photographs, this is a good time to keep your camera ready, but secure it carefully around the water.

Marine life is never guaranteed. One outing included two whale sightings, which gives you an idea of what may be possible offshore, but you should treat that as luck rather than a promised feature. The dependable attractions are the sea ride, the bay views, the reef, and the island stop.

Snorkeling beside the small island

The yacht stops near Sal Rei Islet for about 45 minutes of snorkeling. Equipment is included, so you do not need to pack your own mask and fins unless you prefer familiar gear.

The reef is the strongest part of the trip for many people. Even the less favorable account of the outing singled out the snorkeling near the island as fabulous, which says a lot about the setting. The reef gives you a close look at the underwater side of the day before you head ashore.

The stop is not presented as a long guided marine biology session. You should expect time to swim and look around rather than a formal lesson. If you are new to snorkeling, listen carefully to the crew and stay within the area they indicate.

Bring a towel, swimsuit, sunscreen, and a hat. A light jacket is also sensible because the boat ride can feel cooler when the wind picks up. The operator recommends motion sickness medication in advance if you are susceptible, and medication is also available on the boat.

The old fort and calm island water

After snorkeling, the dinghy takes you from the yacht to the small uninhabited island. You have about two hours here, enough time to divide the visit between the beach, swimming, the fort, and lunch.

The old renovated fort gives the stop a little more substance than a simple beach break. You can walk up to see it, then return to the calm blue water for a swim. Since the island is uninhabited, do not expect shops, cafés, or a line of beach facilities. That is part of its appeal, but it also means you should bring anything personal you need for comfort.

This is the point where the trip feels least like a standard boat excursion. Your meal is being prepared while you have time to wander and swim, rather than being rushed through a short photo stop. I would still protect valuables and keep track of your belongings, since the group moves between boat, dinghy, beach, and water.

The island is small, so the fort visit will not occupy hours. Think of it as a compact historical stop paired with swimming and a beach meal. The value comes from the mix.

A beach BBQ with fish, chicken, and drinks

While you enjoy the island, the crew prepares lunch. The BBQ includes fresh fish, rice, salad, and bread. If fish is not for you, meat is available, with chicken listed as the alternative.

Tell the operator about dietary restrictions or allergies in advance. The team also asks about food preferences in the detailed confirmation, but I would still make sure your needs are clearly stated before departure.

The meal has been praised for being good and for its setting. That location matters. Fresh fish, simple sides, and a beach on an uninhabited island make a more memorable lunch than another buffet at your hotel. Do not expect a formal restaurant meal, though. This is a practical outdoor BBQ, shaped by the boat, beach, weather, and available supplies.

Drinks are included both on the yacht and with the day’s food service. Water is especially important in the heat, while beer and wine make the long return ride feel more leisurely. Drink sensibly, since you still need to manage sun, swimming, and the boat.

Group size, comfort, and the guide

The experience has been described as operating with small groups, leaving plenty of room on the boat. That is a valuable detail. On a long sea outing, crowding can change the mood quickly, especially when people are moving between fishing gear, snorkeling equipment, the toilet, and the sun deck.

Good communication is another strength associated with Josie and her team. Problems are said to be handled quickly, and the operation does not appear to push hard for tips. Those details matter because a tour with several transfers and activities needs clear instructions.

The guide language is English and German. If you need a particular language, confirm it when booking rather than assuming every crew member will speak both languages equally well.

There is one important caveat. A lower rating described a guide as unpleasant and felt German-speaking visitors received better treatment. That is a serious complaint, even though the wider feedback was positive. I would not ignore it, but I also would not let one account outweigh the strong comments about organization, lunch, boat space, and snorkeling. Your best protection is to confirm the pickup, food needs, and preferred language clearly before the day begins.

Is $111 a fair price?

At $111 per person, the price is not just for a boat ride. It includes round-trip accommodation transfer, the motor yacht, fishing equipment, snorkeling gear, the BBQ, drinks all day, the island visit, and an English or German guide.

The value is strongest if you plan to use most of the included elements. Someone who fishes, snorkels, swims, eats the BBQ, and enjoys the cruise is receiving a full day of activities without having to arrange transport, equipment, or lunch separately.

It is less attractive if you mainly want a quiet boat ride. You will spend time fishing and snorkeling, and the nearly six-and-a-half-hour schedule may feel long if you do not enjoy water activities. Since the island stay lasts about two hours, you also need to be comfortable with a beach stop that has limited facilities.

For a holiday based at one of the listed Boa Vista hotels, the transfer adds real value. You do not need to find the port yourself or arrange a taxi back after a day in the sun. The small group and onboard toilet also help justify the price for people who value comfort.

Who should book this Boa Vista boat trip?

I would recommend it most strongly to couples, families with older children, and small groups of friends who want several activities in one day. It works especially well for people who like variety: fish for a while, relax on the boat, snorkel, visit a fort, swim, and eat lunch outdoors.

It also suits a mixed group. Fishing is optional, and the sundeck gives non-fishers something to do while others use the equipment. The island visit offers a break from the boat, which helps keep the day from feeling repetitive.

I would be cautious if you get seasick, dislike wind and sun, or want a highly polished luxury cruise. The operator itself identifies seasickness as a concern, and weather can lead to rescheduling or cancellation. Take medication before departure if you need it, rather than waiting until the water becomes rough.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms are useful when weather may affect the plan, but they do not remove the need to check the forecast and read your confirmation carefully.

Should you book it?

Book this trip if you want a full, active ocean day with practical extras already handled. The strongest reasons are the reef snorkeling, the two-hour island stop, the beach BBQ, the optional fishing, and the included drinks and transfers.

Skip it if you want guaranteed wildlife sightings, a serious fishing charter, or a quiet half-day cruise. For everyone else, $111 is a reasonable price for the amount of food, equipment, transport, and time included. Pack light, bring a jacket and sunscreen, take seasickness precautions, and make sure your pickup and dietary details are confirmed.

FAQ

How long does the Boa Vista motor yacht trip last?

The experience lasts 390 minutes, or about six and a half hours, including transfers, cruising, fishing, snorkeling, the island visit, BBQ, and the return journey.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Transfer from your accommodation to the port of Sal Rei and back is included. Pickup instructions vary by accommodation, so check the confirmation sent after booking.

Is fishing required?

No. Fishing is optional. You can relax on the sundeck, read, sunbathe, enjoy the views, or watch other people fish.

What food is served at the beach BBQ?

The BBQ includes freshly caught fish, rice, salad, and bread. Chicken is available for people who do not eat fish. Tell the operator about dietary restrictions or allergies in advance.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling gear and fishing equipment are included in the price.

What drinks are available?

Drinks are available throughout the day on the boat. Choices include water, Coca-Cola, Sprite Zero, Fanta, beer, and red and white wine.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The activity depends on weather conditions. It may be rescheduled or canceled if conditions are unsuitable. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.