Ervatao (Boa Vista)
- Wave, Shortboard
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Small waves, Medium waves
- Spot Type
- Quiet
- Crowd Level
This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.
About
Ervatao (Boa Vista) is a remote, sandy bay spot on Boa Vista with clean Atlantic water and a mix of flat water and rollers. Conditions are driven primarily by consistent Northeast trade winds during the winter season, with typical wind around 15–25 knots. For kitesurfing, the wind is described as side-onshore/clean and supportive for riding waves and freestyle/freeride styles, with generally intermediate-appropriate conditions depending on swell. Several sources describe the spot as having a low crowd level compared with more accessible areas, largely because it’s difficult to reach. For surfing, it’s characterized as an exposed beach break that can produce hollow sections when the wind is light and the swell is from the NE or E. However, the shore break is described as at least moderate, and larger Atlantic swells can make the waves heavier and more challenging. Safety and logistics are the main constraints: the site is remote with no rescue service reported, and riders are advised not to go alone. Supplies should be self-sufficient (water, spare tire, and proper gear), cell service may be spotty, and navigation through dunes/desert tracks may require a guide—especially for first-time visits. Finally, turtle nesting regulations apply seasonally (June to October), including strict limits on driving on dunes/sand and nighttime activity.
- Wide sandy launch area with rigging space
- Northeast trade wind season (best months January–April and November–December)
- Turtle nesting site with seasonal driving/night restrictions
- Self-sufficient logistics emphasized due to remoteness
- Reliable Northeast trade winds in winter months
- Wide sandy beach with plenty of space for rigging and launching
- Clean wind described as coming side-onshore/offshore from the ocean side
- Often low crowd levels due to difficult access
- Extreme remoteness with limited/absent rescue support
- Moderate shore break and possible rip currents during larger swells
- No on-the-spot facilities or gear storage/repair; supplies must be brought
- Turtle nesting rules restrict driving on sand and nighttime activity during the nesting season
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- NE, NNE, ENE
- Offshore directions
- NE, NNE, ENE
- Wind Range
- 15–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Trade — Northeast trade winds.
- Reliability
- Very high during the winter trade wind season.
- Gust Factor
- Steady — Described as steady.
- Best Months
- January, February, March, April, November, December
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 7–12 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Small waves, Medium waves
- Beach
- Sand
- Beach Size
- Big
- Waves
- Medium
- Chop Level
- Light chop — Wind described as clean; wave/wind interaction can ruffle faces for surfers when wind is up.
- Launch
- Big — Long/wide sandy bay with room for rigging and launching.
Through the year
Always low due to the difficult access.
August to October can see occasional heavy tropical rain.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Kitesurfing on a wide, sandy bay with a mix of flat water and waves. Often described as clean rollers with side-onshore trade wind support and a generally uncrowded feel due to access difficulty.
- Kite Sizes
- 7–12 m²
Excellent for wave sailing and freeride, though logistics are difficult due to the remote 4x4 access required for heavy gear.
- Sail Sizes
- 4.5–5.7 m²
Possible for those who can handle waves and the shore break; the deep water is foil-friendly but there is no rescue support.
- Foil Friendly
- Yes — Foil-friendly deep water described.
- Min Depth
- 2 meters
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
Quality beach break that can produce hollow sections on a good NE or E swell when the wind is light.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- NE, E
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid
- Shelter
- Exposed
- Wind Effect
- NE wind provides side-onshore support for kiters but can ruffle the face for pure surfers.
- Bigger Swell
- Can become heavy and challenging with a large Atlantic swell.
- Wave Quality
- Good
- Wave Power
- Moderate
- Wave Shape
- Peeling
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Medium
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Ervatao (Boa Vista) in the full forecast view.
Ervatao (Boa Vista) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 7–19 ktsGusts 29 kts
- Direction
- NNE32°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 2419 kts
- Windy days
- 4/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.8–1.6 m7s period
- Temperature
- 25–31 °C
Over the next 7 days, Ervatao (Boa Vista) is forecast for daytime winds of 7–19 kts, peaking around 19 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 29 kts. The prevailing direction is NNE. Waves run 0.8–1.6 m with a period of about 7s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.
Other spots in the area
What to know before you launch
Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.
Hazards
- remoteness
- no rescue service
- shore break
- rip currents
- Moderate longshore drift and rip currents possible during large swells
Rescue & support
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — No rescue service reported.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest medical facilities are in Sal Rei, approximately 1.5 hours away by 4x4.
Rules of the spot
The beach is a major nesting site for loggerhead turtles. Driving on the sand and nighttime activity are strictly regulated during nesting season (June to October).
- no driving on dunes
- seasonal turtle nesting restrictions
- Never go alone due to the extreme remoteness.
- Carry plenty of water and a spare tire; cell service can be spotty.
- Hire a local guide for the first trip to navigate the desert tracks.
- Access may require a longer drive through dunes from Sal Rei and may require a guide.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Sal Rei
- Nearest Town
- Sal Rei
- Parking
- Informal parking on solid ground near the beach entrance.
- Public Transport
- Public transport is limited to shared 'aluguer' taxis; 4x4 rental is recommended for reaching remote spots.
- Access
- Requires 4x4 access from Sal Rei, with a southward drive through dunes and desert tracks (guide may be needed).
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- Portuguese, Cape Verdean Creole
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Near — Accommodation is in Sal Rei or the Riu Touareg area; none at the spot.
- Food & Drink
- Some sources mention a beach restaurant associated with the wider area/school zone; other sources indicate no food/drink at the spot itself—bring all supplies.
- Equipment Rental:
- Rental is available in Sal Rei, but you must transport it yourself.
- Gear Storage
- No gear storage at the spot.
- Gear Repair
- No on-spot repair reported; gear repair is available through schools in Sal Rei.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Ervatao (Boa Vista)?
The best overall months at Ervatao (Boa Vista) are November, December, January, February, March, April. The best wind months are January, February, March, April, November, December.
Which wind directions work at Ervatao (Boa Vista)?
Ervatao (Boa Vista) works with NE, NNE, ENE winds. Offshore directions are NE, NNE, ENE.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Ervatao (Boa Vista)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Ervatao (Boa Vista): Kitesurfing: 7–12 m² · Windsurfing: 4.5–5.7 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 15–25 kts.
What skill level is Ervatao (Boa Vista) suitable for?
Ervatao (Boa Vista) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Intermediate · Windsurfing: Intermediate · Wingfoiling: Advanced · Surfing: Intermediate.