Praia de Santa Monica

Santa Mónica runs for something like eighteen kilometres along the southern coast of Boa Vista, pale sand backed by dunes with nothing built on it anywhere along its length, which makes it one of the emptiest long beaches in the Atlantic. Getting there means a track across the interior from Povoação Velha in a four-wheel drive. There is no shade, no water and no facility of any kind, and the surf and currents are strong.

What you'll find

• The length - around eighteen kilometres of continuous undeveloped sand.
• The emptiness - no buildings, facilities or people along the whole beach.
• The dunes - the sand behind the beach running inland.
• The track in - the four-wheel drive route across the island interior.

When to go

November to June is the dry season. Turtles nest along this coast from June to October. Wind is strongest between December and March.

Good to know

Currents and surf here are dangerous and swimming is not advisable. There is no shade, water or help of any kind; everything must be carried. Vehicles get stuck on the track regularly.

Nearby

Povoacao Velha is inland, and Praia de Chaves is north.

Key facts