Praia Da Atalanta

Located on the northwestern coast of the island of Boa Vista, in Cape Verde, Praia da Atalanta—also known as Praia Grande, Praia das Dunas, Praia do Norte, Cabo Santa Maria, or Praia de Espingueira—is about 10 kilometers long and wide, a popular golden sand beach with many rocky portions.  The beach has a beautiful backdrop of a barren landscape with tiny dunes spread all around the area and coastal vegetation, adding allure to its beauty.  Praia da Atalanta is part of the Boa Esperança Nature Reserve, which aims to protect diverse ecosystems and promote the conservation of the unique flora and fauna of the region.  The beach is famous for the shipwreck of the Spanish cargo ship, the M/S Cabo Santa Maria, which ran aground on September 1, 1968.  The hull of the cargo ship sits directly offshore from this beach and has since become an iconic landmark and a popular subject for photographers.

Praia da Atalanta Boa Vista does not have lifeguards but offers many other amenities, so plan your trip accordingly.

Praia da Atalanta offers many fun activities, including swimming, sunbathing, beachcombing, watching birds, windsurfing, fishing, hiking, quad biking, driving, and photography.  If you are planning to go into the water, we recommend being cautious, as the water is known to have unpredictable rip currents.  Anglers may catch a wide variety of fish.  If you like surfing, the beach is an ideal spot to go surfing due to the frequent windy weather.  Hikers can enjoy the nearby hiking trails, which offer unique insights into the local biodiversity.  Visitors can also book quad biking tours, which allow them to explore the vast expanse and enjoy the thrill of navigating its shifting sands.  There is a point near the beach known for taking the best Praia da Atalanta photos.  The beach is ideal for visitors looking for a tranquil beach experience.   Dogs are not allowed on the beach, and the beach is open from sunrise until sunset.

Praia da Atalanta does not offer an access path for people with disabilities.

Getting to Praia da Atalanta is difficult - the roads leading to the beach are not paved and can be quite rough, so we recommend using a 4x4 vehicle or a quad bike.  Visitors can conveniently book a day tour that includes transportation and a guide who can provide insights about the beach and the shipwreck.

Praia da Atalanta is a popular spot for watching sunsets and allowing visitors to relax and unwind in a tranquil tropical setting.

There are many attractions near Praia da Atalanta.  The Museu dos Náufragos is a small museum that provides interesting insight into the rich maritime history of Boa Vista through artifacts, photographs, stories, and interactive exhibits that simulate the experience of navigating a ship or surviving a shipwreck through guided tours and educational programs.  Sal Rei Islet, also known as Djeu, is a small uninhabited islet located just off the coast of Sal Rei, protected by a natural barrier that creates calm waters ideal for swimming, fishing, diving, and snorkeling.  The islet is known for its scenic landscapes, distinctive rocky formations, underwater caves, historic ruins, tidal pools, and thriving marine life, making it a popular destination for day trips from Boa Vista.  The Deserto de Viana is home to unique landscapes and impressive sand dunes that are nestled in the northwestern part of the island of Boa Vista, offering a glimpse into the natural beauty and geological wonders of the island.  The fine white sand of the desert is primarily composed of Saharan dust that has been carried by the Harmattan winds across the Atlantic Ocean.  Visitors can enjoy many fun activities, including hiking, walking, photography, and off-road excursions including quad biking, 4x4 tours, and dune buggies, which allow them to explore the desert’s vast expanse and enjoy the thrill of navigating its shifting sands.  

Rabil is a quaint village, offering an interesting insight into the rich cultural heritage and traditional lifestyle of the community.  The village is famous for its traditional pottery, colonial-style houses, historic churches, local markets, and a cultural center that features exhibits on local history, traditional music, and dance.  If you are looking for another nearby attraction, Morro de Areia Nature Reserve is a protected area spread over 24 square kilometers, offering a glimpse into the unique landscapes, including sand dunes, beaches, distinctive rocky formations, and biodiversity of Boa Vista.  This nature reserve aims to protect diverse ecosystems and promote the conservation of their unique flora and fauna.

If you get hungry, there are many great restaurants within a 24-minute drive of Praia da Atalanta.  Casa Rosa is a beachfront restaurant with an outdoor seating area that serves incredible salads, burgers, noodles, seafood, and poultry dishes.  Morabeza Beach Bar & Lounge Restaurant is another beachfront restaurant that offers outdoor seating areas and serves incredible soups, salads, burgers, sandwiches, seafood, meat, and poultry dishes.  Água Beach is another beachfront restaurant that serves amazing seafood, poultry dishes, and desserts.  Perola D'Chaves serves delicious seafood.  If you are looking for another good and affordable nearby restaurant, Restaurante Te Manche is a beachfront restaurant that serves salads, seafood, meat, and poultry dishes.

If you are looking for a nearby Praia da Atalanta, there are many great options nearby.  If you are looking for an upscale hotel, the 5-Star Hotel Riu Palace Boavista is 24 minutes away by car and offers many amenities, including an outdoor pool, a fitness center, a kid’s club, a hot tub, a spa with massages and saunas, a steam room, bars, and several restaurants.  A more affordable hotel is the beachfront 4-Star Oasis White Hotel, which offers many amenities, including an outdoor pool, a hot tub, a fitness center, and a restaurant.  Another moderately priced option is the beachfront 4-Star Royal Horizon Boa Vista, which has many amenities, including three outdoor pools, a spa with hot tubs and sauna, a fitness center, three bars, and two restaurants.  A more reasonably priced option is the oceanfront 3-Star Aparthotel Ca' Nicola, which offers a few amenities, including an outdoor seating area and a restaurant.  If you are looking for another good and affordable nearby hotel, the 3-Star Hotel Boa Vista offers a few amenities, including a bar and a restaurant.