Located in the northeast of Boa Vista Island, the Viana Desert is not only one of the seven wonders of Cabo Verde, but it’s also one of the most enchanting destinations in Africa.
In this desert, the white sand dunes contrast with the clear blue African sky. Silence is palpable, broken only by the sound of the wind, providing a unique feeling of freedom.
It's a surreal landscape where time stands still, inviting calm. The vastness of the scenery invites us to explore, dream, venture, and marvel at the generosity of nature.
Endless dunes evoke serenity that soothes the soul
Viana Desert: the Sahara’s little brother
The Viana Desert, on the magnificent island of Boa Vista, stretches over 5 square kilometres (5 km long and 1 km wide), and its wind-formed sand dunes offer a piece of the Sahara in the middle of the Atlantic.
This is because the sand that makes up the dunes of Viana travels thousands of kilometres from the Sahara Desert, carried by trade winds, to finally settle on Boa Vista Island. The result is this spectacular natural setting.
Visit during quieter hours to have the desert all to yourself!
Each grain of sand in the Viana Desert tells a story of time, and every dune offers a new perspective where the infinite horizon inspires the imagination and nourishes the soul.
Stories of the magical sun in Viana Desert
The Viana Desert is an unforgettable experience for those who love exploring untouched nature, especially in the late afternoon when silence and the absence of tourists are almost guaranteed.
“It’s truly incredible to walk through this desert half an hour before sunset and then bury your feet at the top of a dune to watch the magical final reflections of the sun on the vast sand,” says Edmilson Gonçalves, a genuine expert on the magical sunsets of Viana Desert.
He advises: “Stay until twilight! Witness the final whisper of light half an hour after the sun disappears.”
Sunrise is one of the most thrilling moments of the visit
For those who prefer to explore the desert at dawn, Edmilson suggests arriving half an hour before sunrise to be “greeted with a spectacle of light and colour as the sky transforms into a fusion of warm tones.”
After this magical moment, dive into an exciting adventure across the sands, sliding down the dunes on a wooden board for a thrill that mixes the tranquillity of the desert with the exhilaration of surfing a sea of sand.
Be sure to come prepared with water, a hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, and of course, a phone or camera to capture the stunning beauty of the desert, which ranks among the most Instagrammable places in Cabo Verde.
Stars illuminate the enchanted Desert of Boa Vista Island
The beauty of the Viana Desert is not confined to daylight hours. When the sun sets and the stars twinkle in the sky, the dunes transform into a magical nocturnal experience through stargazing.
A moment of stargazing
Photo: Projeto Naturália
"Stargazing" offers astronomy lovers and tourists alike a unique opportunity to gaze at the universe in the middle of the desert, surrounded by a stunning view of colourful stars, constellations, and distant planets.
This experience, promoted by the Naturalia Project of Boa Vista, begins at dusk, with visitors being welcomed at the Viana Club with a drink, followed by a buffet dinner featuring traditional Cabo Verdean dishes, including those from Boa Vista Island.
The menu includes local specialities such as chicken with cornmeal (totoco), tuna steak, pork skewers, and xerém. Desserts range from seasonal fruit sweets to sweet potato pudding and artisanal ice creams, all accompanied by comforting Cabo Verdean coffee and live local music, including the melodic morna.
With this warm and authentic atmosphere that reflects Cabo Verdean morabeza at its finest, everything is set for the activity to begin.
With eyes to the sky, guided by specialised experts and professional equipment, participants have the chance to see the universe up close and uncover some of its secrets.
This experience is a moment of wonder and learning, with special activities for children, where the stargazing guides enthusiastically explain the importance that celestial bodies had for ancient and great navigators.
Stargazing participants leave with an unforgettable experience | Photo: Naturalia Project
Beyond the countless adventures offered by this desert, Boa Vista Island holds many other wonders, like the village of Rabil and Atalanta Beach.
Beyond the Desert: explore the traditions and centuries-old Stories of Boa Vista Island
In the village of Rabil, the ancient tradition of pottery flourishes. Visitors say that in Rabil, the art of moulding clay is intertwined with the Cabo Verdean soul, resulting in unique and timelessly beautiful handicrafts.
Skilled hands preserve a tradition that continues to enchant visitors
Visit the pottery workshop, an iconic space filled with souvenirs that tell stories of Boa Vista’s cultural heritage and preserve memories of the island that you can take home.
A wide variety of utensils and decorative objects are born from the hands of potters
Next, head to Atalanta Beach, a destination just as unusual as the desert.
It’s impossible to remain indifferent to the words of Ginevra Rossi, from the Shipwreck Museum in Sal Rei, when she speaks of the Spanish cargo ship that ran aground in 1968: “On Atalanta Beach, we find a maritime time capsule in the form of the remains of the 'Cabo Santa Maria'.”
Today, the skeleton of the ship and the stories it carries survive through generations
"The story goes that this ship was on its way to Brazil and Argentina on a charity mission, carrying gifts from the Spanish government to less developed countries," recalls Ginevra, adding, “but fate had other plans, and the 'Cabo Santa Maria' found its eternal resting place on the sands of Boa Vista.”
Today, only the ship’s skeleton remains, battling daily with the intense forces of time and the sea.
The sight of these remains is another highlight of Boa Vista’s tourism, as well as “a powerful reminder of nature's force,” says Ginevra.
