Sal and Boa Vista

The islands of Sal and Boa Vista, in Cape Verde's northeastern group, are the archipelago's beach heartland, flat, sun-baked isles fringed by seemingly endless stretches of white and golden sand lapped by warm, turquoise Atlantic water. Blessed with year-round sunshine and steady trade winds, they draw sun-seekers to resort towns like Santa Maria, and are a world-class destination for kitesurfing and windsurfing. Their waters teem with life, from turtles that nest on the beaches in summer to whales offshore, while inland lie salt flats, dunes and a stark, desert beauty.

What you actually see

• The white-sand beaches - the endless beaches and turquoise sea.
• Kitesurfing and windsurfing - the world-class wind sports.
• The nesting turtles - the loggerhead turtles of summer.
• The salt flats and dunes - the stark inland desert scenery.

When to go

November to June for the sunniest, driest and most pleasant weather, with the trade winds strongest for kitesurfing in the winter months; the islands enjoy warm sunshine year-round. Loggerhead turtles nest on the beaches roughly from June to October, an added summer highlight worth seeing responsibly.

Honest expectations

Sal and Boa Vista are flat, arid and increasingly dominated by large all-inclusive resorts, so those seeking lush scenery or authentic local life may find them somewhat bland and enclave-like compared with Cape Verde's mountainous islands; the appeal is reliable sun, sand and watersports. For a warm, sunny, year-round beach and kitesurfing holiday with turtles and whales offshore, though, they deliver dependably.

Nearby

The mountainous islands of Santo Antao, Fogo and Sao Vicente are a flight away.