Sal Rei

Sal Rei is the main town of Boa Vista, built low around a square with a church and a few colonial buildings, with sand blowing through the streets from the dunes behind. Offshore lies Ilhéu de Sal Rei, a small island with the ruins of the Duque de Bragança fort, built in the nineteenth century against pirates who had raided the town repeatedly. Boats cross to it and the water between is used for kitesurfing.

Background

The name means King Salt in Portuguese and goes back to the days when salt production was the main industry of Boa Vista. The town lies on the northwestern coast of the island and is the seat of the Boa Vista Municipality. Its population rose from 1,522 in 1991 to 1,995 in 2000 and 5,778 in 2010. The port on the bay, where a new quay was built in 2015, has ferry links to Santiago, Sal and Maio. Most tourism is centred on Praia de Cabral. Average rainfall is 67 mm and the mean temperature is 24.1 °C, ranging from 21.7 °C in February, the coldest month, to 27.2 °C in September, the warmest.

Source: Wikipedia, "Sal Rei"

Highlights

• The main square - the church and colonial buildings at the town's centre.
• The Ilheu de Sal Rei - the offshore island with its ruined fort.
• The Duque de Braganca fort - the nineteenth-century defence against pirate raids.
• The kitesurfing water - the channel between town and island.

When to go

November to June is the dry season, with the strongest wind from December to March. Turtle season runs June to October. Harmattan dust can be heavy in winter.

Practical notes

The town is dusty and modest and most visitors stay in resorts outside it. The fort is a ruin with no facilities. Sand and wind are constant.

Nearby

Praia de Chaves is south, and Ervatao is southeast.

Key facts