Praia de Santa Mónica, Sandy beach in southwestern Boa Vista, Cape Verde.

Praia de Santa Mónica is a sandy beach at the southwestern tip of Boa Vista, Cape Verde, beside the Morro de Areia Nature Reserve. Its sand strip runs about 18 km, wide and fully exposed, with no shade anywhere along it. The nearest village is Povoação Velha, 5 km north.

The area developed during Portuguese colonial times and has remained largely unchanged since then. The nearby settlement of Povoação Velha dates from this period and shows early settlement patterns.

The beach was formerly called Porto Português, because it was the first landing place of the Portuguese on Boa Vista. Today it lies within a tourism development zone, and plans exist to build tourist resorts in its surroundings.

The location is remote and requires planning to reach it, either through organized tours or renting all-terrain vehicles from Sal-Rei. Visit during the drier months when winds and waves are less severe.

A nature reserve called Morro de Areia borders this beach area. Sea turtles nest here and multiple bird species find shelter year-round.