Turtle Night Excursion

Environmental and wildlife conservation on Boavista Island.

With various partners and collaboration, Cabo Verde Natura 2000 set out to allow tourists to discover the natural wonders of the island, as part of a sustainable plan that would bring benefit to locals through tourism, whilst allocating funds for the protection of the local environment.

From the price that tourists pay to participate in this excursion, 30-35% go to the local guides, 15% goes to DGA (General Direction of the Environment), and 8% goes to the NGO - Cabo Verde Natura 2000. All of these help in continuing sustainable tourism initiatives and protect the local habitat.

Cabo Verde Natura 2000 was initiated to coordinate the implementation of this conservation project. They worked in partnership with the Town Hall, the State (DGA and DGDT), schools, the Institute responsible for Maritime and Port issues, hotels, residential areas, and local tour and car rental operators on Boavista Island. First they did a study to identify all the natural resources that can be explored in a sustainable way in Boavista Island.

The fist phase was between January 2006 and July 2007 and included:

- Formation of monitors and guards for the environment
- Promotions of those eco-tourist activities including turtle, bird and coral watching
- Estimations of the economic values of the ecosystem
- Divulgation of the activities and results of the project

The results of the first phase surpassed their expectations and everyone that was involved saw benefit for all, and in a sustainable way.