Turtle Watching

65 € per person · children up to 11 years 40 €

for children aged 4 and over

Unforgettable magic under the starry sky

From July to October, loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) come to the beaches of Boa Vista to lay their eggs. Boa Vista is one of the world’s most important nesting sites for these fascinating sea turtles. Join us in the evening for a visit to the protected nesting area and, with a bit of luck, witness a turtle laying her eggs – respectfully, quietly and under the guidance of experts. Every encounter is a pure experience of nature and is unique. We cannot guarantee that you will spot the turtles or observe any specific behaviour.

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Ein besonderes Naturerlebnis unter dem Sternenhimmel

Tour itinerary

Between approximately 6.15 pm and 7.00 pm, we will collect you from your accommodation and drive towards the nature reserve in a pick-up truck. We will cover the final part of the journey off-road, using only the mandatory red lights. On the beach, your German-speaking guide will provide you with information about the sea turtles, their habitat and the nesting process. Meanwhile, the rangers will be on the lookout for the animals. If a turtle is spotted and the situation allows for observation, we will approach it strictly in accordance with the applicable rules and the rangers’ instructions. Quiet, keeping a safe distance and the welfare of the animals are always our top priorities. The egg-laying process can take quite some time, so there will be plenty of opportunity to fully appreciate this special natural experience and ask any questions you may have. Afterwards, we will take you back to your accommodation.
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Good to know

Towards the end of August, there is also the chance to watch newly hatched sea turtles on their way to the sea.
Later in the season, the likelihood of witnessing egg-laying decreases; however, hatchlings can be spotted more frequently.
Only the permitted red light may be used on the beach. White light, torches and flash photography are not permitted.
The tour takes place at night and is therefore only suitable for young children to a limited extent.
The journey to the nature reserve can be very bumpy in places. We advise guests with back problems and pregnant women not to take part.
Part of the route is covered on foot along the beach. A reasonable level of physical fitness is required.
We recommend sturdy, closed-toe shoes.
The turtles are wild animals. Sightings, egg-laying or the hatching of hatchlings cannot be guaranteed.

Support turtle conservation through your tour

By booking our turtle-watching tour, you are also supporting the conservation of sea turtles on Boa Vista. A portion of the proceeds goes to the local conservation organisation. Boa Vista Tours holds all the legally required permits for these tours. On site, rangers supervise the turtle-watching and ensure that the applicable conservation rules are observed. In this way, a special holiday experience also becomes a contribution to the protection of these fascinating animals.

Duration approx. 5 hours
Certified English-speaking guide
free cancellation
Transfer from / to the hotel included
maximum 12 guests
Torches & cameras are prohibited

For the hotels listed below, we will meet you at the barrier at the entrance to the hotel grounds. For all other accommodation, the meeting point is directly in front of the entrance.

Our drivers will ask for ‘Boa Vista Tours’ and will have a list of names with them – so you’ll have no trouble finding the right vehicle.

RIU Touareg 7.00 PM
VOI Hotel 6.30 PM
Occidental Hotel 6.35 PM
Vilas de Chaves 6.35 PM
RIU Karamboa + Palace 6.30 PM
Accommodation in Sal Rei 6.15 PM

Terms of payment

To guarantee your reservation, we ask for a deposit of 15 euros per person. If you are unable to pay online, simply contact us. You have the following options for paying the difference:

On the day of the tour in cash in euros or escudos (conversion 1 euro = 110 escudos)
IN ADVANCE (please no later than the day before the tour) by PayPal or credit card using the button in your confirmation

Cancellation policy

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before your tour – your payment will be refunded immediately
Cancellation up to 12 hours before your tour: 50% of the tour price must be paid
Cancellation less than 12 hours before your tour: 100% of the tour price must be paid

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FAQ · Frequently asked questions

Here you will find answers to frequently asked questions. If you have any further questions, please feel free to send us an e-mail or contact us via WhatsApp.

How can I book a trip?

Once you have decided on a tour, you can reserve your seats online via our booking system. It is very easy and intuitive to use. You assign a password during the booking process. This allows you to log in to our website at any time and easily make changes, payments or, if necessary, cancellations. For most tours, you will immediately receive a booking confirmation by e-mail. For some tours, your booking is initially only an „enquiry“. As soon as the minimum number of participants has been reached, you will also automatically receive your confirmation. For the Big Game Fishing Tour as well as for the Quad and Buggy Tours, simply fill out the form on our website – we will respond very quickly.
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What about payment?

To guarantee your reservation, a deposit of 15 euros per person and tour is required. This can be done online via PayPal or credit card. If you do not have either of these payment options, please contact us via WhatsApp or email. The balance can either be paid in cash on the day of the tour or online before the tour via PayPal or credit card.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel your tour(s) at any time up to 24 hours before the start of the tour without giving a reason. You can easily do this online by logging in to our website. For cancellations up to 12 hours before the start of the tour, a cancellation fee of 50% will be charged. This fee is waived if we are able to resell the seats. Cancellations made less than 12 hours before the tour will incur a 100% cancellation fee – less the cost of any included services such as food or drinks. This fee will be waived if we are able to resell the seats.
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What happens to my payment if I cancel a tour?

We will of course refund any payments already made (minus any cancellation fees). The refund will be made in the same way as you made the payment (i.e. by PayPal, credit card or bank transfer).

What should I bear in mind on the boat trips?

In principle, you should be seaworthy for the boat tours. If you are not sure, it is best to take a travel tablet against seasickness before the tour. We also have tablets on board the yacht. The wind can often be fresher at sea than on land. It is therefore advisable to take a jacket or jumper with you. There are days when we have to cancel excursions due to the conditions at sea (very strong winds and/or waves that are too high). Sometimes this can happen at very short notice, as the weather forecasts are not always reliable and we can only make decisions based on the actual conditions. For this reason, we ask you to always check whether you have received a message from us by e-mail or WhatsApp before your boat trip.
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Are the tours guided in English?

Yes, the trips are all guided in English.

What do I wear - what do I need to bring?

We have a list of clothing recommendations for all tour descriptions. With each tour description you will also find a list of things you should bring with you.