There is something oddly satisfying about catching your own lunch. This Boa Vista motor yacht trip strings together bottom fishing, reef snorkeling, and a beach BBQ on a tiny island off Sal Rei—plus drinks aboard the whole day.

What I like most is how the day is built around choice and comfort. You can join the bottom fishing for 1 to 1.5 hours (or skip it without stress), then switch modes to sunbathing and cruising the Bay of Chaves with cold drinks. I also appreciate that snorkeling gear is provided and the plan includes time on a small island with a renovated fort you can visit and swim near, instead of rushing every stop.

One thing to consider: this is a full boat day, and it’s not suitable for people prone to seasickness. The activity also depends on weather, so plan for possible schedule changes.

Key things you’ll remember from this Boa Vista yacht day

• Optional fishing (not a must): You can skip catching fish and still enjoy the cruise, sun deck time, and the snorkel.
• Bottom fishing for the BBQ: Fish you catch can become part of the beach meal, which turns dinner into an experience.
• Snorkeling time off a small uninhabited island: You get a focused reef session (about 45 minutes) without the whole day turning into one long swim.
• Renovated fort on the island: You get a quick cultural/route-change moment before you relax on calm water and the beach.
• Drinks and BBQ included all day: Coca Cola, Sprite Zero, Fanta, water, beer, and wine are listed, plus fresh food on the island.
• Service tends to be organized: One guest specifically named Josie and praised quick help and smooth handling if anything came up.

Setting off from Sal Rei: transfer, dinghy boarding, and what the schedule feels like

Most days start with an easy pickup from your hotel area. The transfer is typically around 20 minutes to the port of Sal Rei, where you board the motor yacht by dinghy. That dinghy step is quick, but it does mean your footwear and towel matter—spray and a little splash are part of the vibe.

From there, the timing is straightforward and not overly aggressive. You head out to sea, fish first, then cruise and snorkel, then land on the small island for the beach time and BBQ. The total duration is 390 minutes, which is about 6.5 hours—long enough to feel like a real day on the water, short enough that you’re not trapped on a boat at every moment.

If you want the day to feel relaxed, this itinerary helps. Fishing is time-boxed, snorkeling is time-boxed, and the island break gives you a real stretch of land-and-water time. You’re not just in and out with no margin.

A quick note on meeting points

You’ll meet at the gate at the entrance to the hotel area (where security is located). If your pickup is one of the listed options (like Riu Karamboa, Riu Palace, VOI Hotel, Royal Horizon, or Villas de Chaves), you should wait at the gate. For other accommodations, wait in front. Keeping an eye on the name list your driver carries is also part of making the morning run smoothly.

Bottom fishing in Boa Vista: how it works and when it’s worth your energy

The first major stop is bottom fishing. You’ll spend 1 to 1.5 hours catching fish for the beach BBQ. The setup is simple in concept: you fish, you get the catch handled by the crew, and it becomes part of the island meal.

Here’s why this part is genuinely appealing for many people: it changes the feeling of the day. Instead of a passive tour where you’re mostly watching, you’re doing something with a clear payoff. Even if you’re not an experienced fisherman, the activity is built for the day—time is limited, and the crew handles the practical side.

That said, it’s also the one part you should approach with the right expectations. You’re on a boat, the sea has a mood, and fishing takes patience. If you know you’ll only tolerate it for 10 minutes, don’t force it. The plan explicitly says fishing is not mandatory—you can use that window for views, sunbathing on the sundeck, reading, or just watching.

One practical tip if you’re prone to seasickness: this is the segment where you might feel it most. If the sea is active, consider the motion sickness medication guidance mentioned for the activity.

The Bay of Chaves cruise: the most “holiday” stretch of the day

After fishing, you cruise around the Bay of Chaves. This is your downtime segment: sit back, enjoy the sun deck, and drink something cold while the boat moves you to the next spots.

Why I think this matters: when a day has lots of water activities, there needs to be at least one low-effort window. This one works because it transitions you from work mode (fishing) into relax mode (cruising). You’re not forced to snorkel back-to-back with fishing. It’s also a good moment to take photos—boat angles can look very different when you’re not actively focused on gear.

Also, the onboard drink list is part of the appeal. Cold drinks are available throughout the day: Coca Cola, Sprite Zero, Fanta, water, beer, and white and red wine. That means you’re not hunting for a shop later just to stay comfortable.

Snorkeling near the small island: what to expect from a reef-focused stop

The next stop is snorkeling off the small uninhabited island. You’ll get about 45 minutes in the water, with snorkeling gear provided. The plan is a reef session, so you should expect a more focused, concentrated swim rather than a long open-water excursion.

This is a good stop if you want to see marine life without committing your whole attention to being in the ocean. It’s long enough to settle in, but short enough that you won’t feel like your day disappeared under water.

Two practical things you’ll thank yourself for:

• Bring sunscreen you’re comfortable reapplying, since you’ll be out in sun most of the day.
• Pack a jacket or layer if you run cold on boats. The activity lists a jacket as recommended.

When you’re done snorkeling, the dinghy takes you to the small island. That dinghy ride is also useful because it breaks up the day—switching from float-and-breathe time to land exploring.

The small island break: renovated fort, calm water swims, and beach time

Once ashore, you get time on a small island where you can visit an old renovated fort, swim in calm blue waters, and relax on the beach. The time on the island is about 2 hours, which is just right for a mix of exploring and doing nothing.

The fort part is important because it gives you a little sense of place. A lot of island days become only beach and snorkel. Here, you can walk around and get a different texture to your day before you settle into beach-mode.

After snorkeling, this island stop also resets you mentally. You’re off the moving boat now—no constant balance adjustments. If you were feeling “boat day tired,” this break is where you recover.

BBQ time on the beach: fresh fish, plus a non-fish option

While you’re on the island, the crew prepares your beach BBQ. The meal is listed as fresh fish, chicken, rice, salad, and bread. Drinks continue on the plan, and the BBQ is tied directly to the fishing part of the day.

If you don’t eat fish, there’s a clear workaround. The info states that if you prefer not to eat fish, meat will be brought instead, and you’re asked for that preference during the detailed confirmation process. That’s the kind of detail that makes a tour feel less rigid.

Why this BBQ format is a value: you’re not paying for a separate lunch somewhere later. You get food at the island setting, which changes the meal from a chore into part of the scenery.

Price and value: is $111 per person a fair deal?

At $111 per person for a 6.5-hour boat day, the value depends on what you care about: active water time, included meals, and not having to organize logistics yourself.

From what’s included, this price covers a lot of day-building blocks:

• Transfers to and from Sal Rei (van pickup and return)
• Fishing equipment
• Snorkeling gear
• BBQ lunch on the island, with listed sides
• Drinks all day (including beer and wine)
• A German and English speaking guide

So if you want a full day that packages the big pieces—boat, water activities, and food—this price looks reasonable. You’re essentially paying for a guided floating schedule plus everything needed to participate.

If you only want one activity (say, just snorkeling), you might compare options. But the strength here is that the day has multiple modes: fishing, snorkel, island fort + swim + beach, and then the BBQ payoff.

Who this tour fits best (and who should skip it)

This Boa Vista yacht trip makes the most sense if you:

• Enjoy being on the water for hours without needing constant entertainment
• Want snorkeling gear provided and a planned reef stop
• Like the idea of combining sport (fishing) and reward (BBQ)
• Are comfortable with a group setting and a shared schedule

It’s not suitable if you:

• Are prone to seasickness
• Need a fully land-based day
• Prefer to avoid any boat time entirely

Language and service feel

The tour is guided in English and German. One positive review specifically named Josie and her team, praising organization, knowledge, fast help when issues came up, and a vibe that didn’t feel like constant pressure for tips. There’s also at least one complaint about guide attitude and language preference, so it’s smart to go in with realistic expectations: group tours can vary by departure and energy. If you’re sensitive to tone, you’ll want to choose a departure time that suits your comfort and bring a flexible mindset.

Practical tips before you go: what to pack for comfort and photos

The activity recommends:

• Hat
• Swimwear
• Towel
• Camera
• Sunscreen
• Jacket
• Comfortable clothes

I’d add two common-sense notes for this style of day:

• Bring something for your phone/camera if you want to shoot in and around the water. You don’t want to spend the snorkeling portion worrying.
• If you plan to snorkel, wear footwear you can rinse easily or slip on/off without fuss, because your day will bounce between boat, dinghy, and island sand.

Weather, sea conditions, and pacing: the calm part is planned, but the ocean decides

This tour is subject to weather conditions. If conditions are rough, the activity may be rescheduled or canceled. That’s not a dealbreaker so much as a reality check for any out-on-the-water plan in Cape Verde.

Still, the itinerary is built with pacing in mind. You have structured stops, time for downtime, and a calm-water island swim option. The fact that there’s a calm blue water swim on the island helps balance the day.

Should you book this Boa Vista fishing, snorkeling, and BBQ trip?

Book it if you want a one-stop day: boat cruise from Sal Rei, optional bottom fishing, a reef snorkeling window, and a proper beach BBQ with drinks included. The biggest selling point for me is that the tour doesn’t force you into fishing—you can take the day at your speed—then it still delivers the island BBQ experience.

Skip it if you’re seasick-prone or if you know you dislike boats with any motion. Also, if you’re very sensitive to how a guide communicates, consider that service experiences can differ across departures.

If you’re the kind of traveler who likes authentic moments—where the BBQ connects to your own catch and the island has a renovated fort you can actually walk around—this is a strong match for Boa Vista.

FAQ

How long is the motor yacht trip?

The duration is 390 minutes (about 6.5 hours). Check availability for starting times.

Do I have to go bottom fishing?

No. Bottom fishing is not a must-do. If you’d rather relax, you can use the time to sunbathe, enjoy the views, or watch others fish.

What’s included for snorkeling?

You’ll have snorkeling gear provided, and the plan includes a snorkeling stop around the reef near the small island.

What food and drinks are included?

The beach BBQ includes freshly prepared fish, plus chicken, rice, salad, and bread. Cold drinks are available all day, including Coca Cola, Sprite Zero, Fanta, water, beer, and white and red wine.

Is the tour only for fish lovers?

No. The tour offers a non-fish option if you don’t like fish. You’ll be asked for your preference during confirmation, and meat is brought instead.

Is it suitable for people who get seasick?

No. The activity is not suitable for people prone to seasickness. Seasickness medication is recommended in advance if you’re prone, and medication is also available on the boat.

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