Your own place on Boa Vista

Boa Vista is sunny, spacious and surprisingly easy to reach for a tropical destination. As a result, this Cape Verdean island is becoming increasingly popular as a holiday destination. And as visitor numbers grow, so does interest in owning a place in the sun, potentially with rental opportunities. One of the most interesting projects responding to this demand is Tarafo Bay Golf & Beach Resort, which will be developed on the southern coast of Boa Vista over the coming years. We spoke with founder Tim Strawson about his connection with the island, the plans and the opportunities for buyers.

Beautiful views

Some destinations feel like a holiday from the moment you arrive. Boa Vista is one of them. It is no coincidence that the Portuguese named this Cape Verdean island Boa Vista, which literally means ‘beautiful view’. And there is no shortage of impressive scenery. Endless white beaches, desert-like dunes dotted with palm trees and crystal-clear water complete the picture. It is tropical, yet relatively close: around seven hours by plane from Amsterdam, with a time difference of only two to three hours. Perhaps the greatest luxury of all is the reliable sunshine. The island enjoys an average of nine hours of sunshine a day throughout the year, with temperatures generally ranging from 25 to 35°C, often accompanied by a cooling breeze. It is easy to see why Boa Vista is increasingly attracting people looking for a second home.

A blend of Portuguese and African influences

Boa Vista lies in the Atlantic Ocean and is one of the ten inhabited islands of Cape Verde. In terms of surface area, it is the third-largest island in the archipelago. Measuring 31 kilometres long and 29 kilometres wide, it is slightly larger than Ibiza. Since its discovery by the Portuguese in 1456, the island has developed a distinctive blend of Portuguese and African influences. It is a safe democracy with a stable economy and a welcoming culture in which everyone seems to embrace the ‘no stress’ philosophy. Add watersports and golf to the mix, and it becomes clear why Boa Vista is becoming a regular destination for more and more visitors. For Tim Strawson, it began in exactly the same way as it does for many others: with a first holiday. Tim is the founder behind Tarafo Bay Golf & Beach Resort, a new project that will be developed on the southern coast of Boa Vista over the coming years. He immediately felt a strong connection with the island. “My family and I fell in love with Boa Vista during our very first visit in 2007. It is one of the world’s best-kept holiday secrets, with beautiful beaches, sunshine and exceptionally friendly people.”

Europe’s nearby tropical destination with strong potential

Boa Vista is an island where mass tourism and haste are still largely absent. Life moves at a slower pace. You can walk barefoot along peaceful beaches with uninterrupted views stretching into the distance. For comparison, Ibiza, which is almost the same size, has around 150,000 inhabitants, while Boa Vista has only 16,000. At the same time, the island is developing steadily. Recent figures also underline Boa Vista’s growing appeal as a strong tourism destination. According to the island’s Tourism Report 2024, hotel occupancy remained above 90% throughout the year. This points to strong and sustained international demand, despite the island’s deliberately small-scale development model. This occupancy rate demonstrates both the maturity of Boa Vista’s tourism sector and the strength of its positioning as an accessible yet peaceful alternative to busier European resort destinations.

Tarafo Bay Golf & Beach Resort

It was precisely this combination that appealed to Tim: peace and space on the one hand, and growing international interest in the island on the other. “Boa Vista still has that sense of space and its relaxed pace, but you can see that more and more people are discovering the island. Tourists from the United Kingdom, Portugal, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium and France in particular are choosing Boa Vista as a sunshine destination. For me, that was exactly the right combination to realise my dream.” That dream is now taking shape on the coast of Boa Vista, where Tarafo Bay Golf & Beach Resort is being developed. The first phase of this luxury golf and resort concept is scheduled to open in 2028. The word ‘resort’ may bring to mind a hotel with swimming pools and wellness facilities, but Tarafo Bay is on an entirely different scale. The project will be developed in ten phases over a period of fifteen years. The overall masterplan covers 800 hectares of land, the equivalent of 1,143 football pitches, and six kilometres of beach. In scale and layout, it is closer to a village than a traditional resort. Relaxation and activity go hand in hand. Four championship 18-hole golf courses are planned across the resort’s development period, alongside sea views and a range of wellness facilities. Golf and wellness are only part of the offering. The first phase is also planned to include restaurants, bars, beach cafés, family facilities such as a kids’ club and crèche, and several swimming pools. There will also be a wide range of sports and leisure activities, including tennis, padel, watersports and excursions.

Independent energy supply and respect for the island

Tarafo Bay aims to be more than a resort with an extensive range of facilities. Sustainability has been central to the design from the outset. The resort is being developed to become fully self-sufficient in both energy and water, using its own solar energy systems and desalination facilities for water production, recycling and reuse. Through the Boa Vista Trust, attention is also being given to the local population and to preserving the island’s way of life and culture. Tim explains: “The Boa Vista Trust will be a driving force in creating opportunities for local people, while at the same time safeguarding Boa Vista’s island life and culture.” For Tim, this is directly connected to the purpose of the resort. “We want to create a golf and beach resort for people who lead active lives, appreciate affordable luxury and place a high value on sustainability.” The level of interest suggests that the concept is resonating with buyers. “Around 60% of the total residential offering has already been sold. For us, that is further confirmation that Tarafo Bay is being well received,” says Tim.

A range of property types

Tarafo Bay offers several property types to suit different preferences. Prices range from approximately €205,000 to €2.4 million, depending on the type of property, its location and size. Buyers can choose between branded residences and privately owned homes.

Branded residences

Branded residences are luxury homes managed by one of the world’s six largest hotel operators. They combine the services and facilities of a hotel with the freedom of owning your own property.

Professional management and maintenance help keep the property in excellent condition, supporting its long-term value. This makes branded residences particularly attractive to buyers who are also considering rental income and investment returns.

Branded studios and apartments

Within the branded residences, buyers can choose from studios and apartments, all finished to a modern and luxurious standard. Options are available with one, two or three bedrooms.

Owners can choose a property in the heart of the resort or closer to the beach, with attractive sea views.

Private ownership

Those opting for full private ownership can choose from townhouses, apartments or beachfront villas. These properties are available with private swimming pools and three, four or five bedrooms.

Management and rental services are also available for these homes.

More information

At Qualis, you will find detailed information about Tarafo Bay, including the available property types and the key project details.

Would you then like personalised advice, for example about private use, rental opportunities or choosing the property type that best suits your wishes? Please feel free to contact us.

More information