Diving in Boa Vista
Atlantida: this is a spot that offers opportunities for all kind of divers. If you’re just a beginner, you can stay at the top of the reef, at a depth of around 9 m, and you will be able to observe many different small animals. Lobsters, scorpion-fish, eels or nudibranchs and spider-crabs are just some of the species you may encounter in the shallow waters. For advanced divers the dive goes on, passing the reef edge and descending along the vertical reef until reaching the sand, at 30 m. Nurse sharks are usually resting under the overhangs or inside of the cracks on the reef.
Sharks Bow: generally recommended for experienced divers, because the reef appears at a depth of 22 m. This is a good spot to see some bigger animals such as sand tiger sharks and sting rays. On your descent you will pass by an entrance that resembles a cave. Don’t let this fool you and go in, as the tunnel opens up again after a few meters. At the end of the tunnel you have many caves to explore, but if you want to stay out of the caves you can check the overhangs for some of the bigger animals we mentioned. On your way back to the surface, be sure to check another big cave at the bottom of the reef, where you might be lucky to find a sleeping turtle or resting nurse sharks.
Taliarte wreck: with a maximum depth of 10 m, this is the ideal spot for divers wanting to take a course, or going back into the water after a long break. The wreck of Taliarte, an old fishing boat, sits on its starboard side.There are parts of the boat scattered all over the sea bed, with the stern of the ship located at 7 m while the bow is at 4-5 m. Around the wreck you can spot many different fishes, such as goat fish and sea breams, and a variety of small marine life, like lobsters, spider-crabs and nudibranchs.
North rocks: as the name indicates, this spot is located in the north part of the island, consisting of a platform at 14 m of depth. At this platform, starts a labyrinth of rocks and columns that are an absolute must-see. Because of all the cracks and corners in the rocks, this place is full of wild life.
Bodega de Fran: Located at the northern part of Ilheu de Sal Rei, this diving spot reaches a maximum depth of about 14 m. You be diving over lots of rocks, so bear that in mind when you chose this place. Because of all the rocks in this spot you will observe a wide range of smaller species, making this the perfect location for some macro shots and beginners courses.
Channel: Also a northern diving site, Channel is, as the name shows, a spot where a long channel guides you through the water, reaching a maximum depth of 18 m. Although this is an easy spot, good weather conditions are a must, to prevent any big undulation from lifting sediments and making it hard to see the marine life.
Bodega de Juan: Perfect spot for all levels of expertise. With a small cave opening the dive, you will have the opportunity to spot a wide variety of small marine life, as well as some nurse sharks resting in the overhangs and tube anemones.
Shark Point: With a maximum depth of 22 m, this spot includes a wall with many caves where sand tiger sharks and nurse sharks usually rest and seek protection. Due to vast amount of small holes, cracks and caves, this is a very rich place, where you will be surely be surprised by the variety of species you can encounter.
Possona: At the end of a volcanic platform, at a depth of 22 m starts a wall that descends for approximately 7 m. At the sandy bottom, you can encounter sand tiger sharks and nurse sharks, as well as loggerhead turtles and sting rays.
Alcatraz: This islet is located on the east of Sal-Rei, at approximately 10 min by boat. This place owes its name to the birds nesting on it and it offers a multiplicity of diving experiences. From shallow 7 m deep dives, where you can spot rocks full of parrot fishes, trumpet fishes and schools of surgeon and goat fish; to deeper dives that go down to 16 m, where you can see moray eels, groupers and lobsters, as well as some of the sharks already mentioned in other spots and big turtles.
Catxupa: With a maximum depth of 13 m, this diving spot is located in the crossing of two currents, making it a drift dive. The name, the traditional Cape-Verdean dish, was given due to the structure of this place which resembles a pot full of rocks, which in turn are covered with marine life.
Sabura: When you enter sabura, you have a platform which goes down to approximately 12-13 m. Here you will find a sandy and rocky bottom, covered in hundreds of corals. If you continue further down, you will find another platform, located at about 14 m, where many different rocks hide moray eels, small fishes and lobsters. Between June and September, you may also find some loggerhead turtles on their mating rituals around these rocks.
Bodega de Txoko: This is the perfect spot for beginners and divers who paused for a long time. The spot reaches a maximum depth of 14 m and has a sandy bottom, making it the perfect spot to refresh some of the basics and get in touch with the real feeling of diving. These are some of the species you may encounter here: nurse sharks, sting rays, amberjacks, sea breams, moray eels, blow-fish, cuttlefish, lobsters, spider-crabs and, of course, nudibranchs.
Cretxeu: Another perfect spot for beginners, Cretxeu takes you to a maximum depth of 10 m. Also a drift dive, this place has many rocky ridges that follow along the sandy bottom and it is packed with sea breams, sting rays, trigger-fish, nurse sharks, trumpet-fish, lobsters, groupers, parrot-fish, moray eels, spider-crabs and all other species mentioned before. When you’re down at the bottom, try looking up at the ridges and you will surely spot some fire worms and nudibranchs.
Bodega de Mark: Very close from Cretxeu, you find this diving spot that takes you deeper into the ocean, reaching a maximum depth of about 19 m. Like the previous spot, here you will find a sandy bottom spotted by big and medium sized rocks, from which red sea fans rise. Other than these beautiful corals, you can expect to find many of the above mentioned species, as well as trevally and scorpion-fish.