Review: Boa Vista (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Review: Boa Vista

2:19pm Tuesday 3rd April 2012 in Reviews

As the angry Atlantic Ocean waves crashed into our tiny boat, I could not help but notice that even the jovial fisherman was no longer smiling.

We had barely left the port on my maiden fishing voyage, yet I was already starting to question just how safe our vintage vessel was — and my sanity.

The tranquil Cape Verde island of Boa Vista, off western Africa, had so far lived up to its billing as being an ideal place to relax and soak up the winter sun, but the serene beaches now seemed a million miles away.

After a turbulent hour or so in which we appeared to be going round in circles, skipperMamadou finally dropped anchor.

Mamadou soon beckoned me over to reel in the first catch of the day.

With the waves still hammering into the boat I decided to take a seat to watch the expert at work. Mamadou soon let out a cry of “whoppppaaaa, shark”, prompting the skipper to rush out of his cabin brandishing a sharp metal spike and a hammer.

Granted, this was no great white, but I did not need to be an expert to recognise the fin and jagged teeth.

The third largest of 10 islands off the west coast of Africa, Boa Vista is very much untapped and undeveloped, although for just how long remains to be seen.

The infrastructure is not in place to accommodate an influx yet, but the natural beauty of the vast sandy beaches and turquoise-blue sea make it easy to see why the popularity of Boavista is increasing.

Cape Verde Experience offers seven nights all-inclusive at the four star Iberostar Club Boa Vista on Boa Vista in mid-April from £689 ex-Manchester (April 19). Package includes return flights, transfers and standard double room.

Reservations: 0845 330 2071 and www.capeverde.co.uk