An abandoned island crucial to local ecology. 

Blue Crow Capital, a European investment firm headquartered in Portugal, reached out to Storyland Studios for help with assessing the value of an island they were in the process of purchasing at Vila Nova de Cerveira in northern Portugal.  

The 560-hectare Boega Island was previously a farming settlement but has been unoccupied for many years. It is located on the Minho River, along the Portuguese-Spanish border between Loivo and Gondarém parishes.  

Boega Island was formed of stones and sands over hundreds of years, washed up by the river’s current. Although the island has been untouched for many years, it still plays a vital role in the flow of the Minho. Occupancy, maintenance, and intervention are key to ensuring the island’s longevity and the preservation of the natural environment.  

The Big Idea: Porto Boega 

Storyland’s task was to help Blue Crow think through potential use cases for the island through the lens of financial feasibility, viable terms of investment, and return on investment. We also came alongside the client to plan and position these use cases for local and national governments to assess, as their permission would be required to move forward.

Alongside this strategic collaboration, a Big Idea emerged: Porto Boega, a 50-hectare theme park located on Boega Island. Its immersive environment is thoughtfully designed with a sustainability-first approach in mind to incorporate and work with the natural landscape and ecology.

Driven by a story that can evolve over time, Porto Boega’s narrative centres around characters from different locales and cultures, including Portugal, who have travelled to the four corners of the globe and back. They’ve now been invited to explore Porto Boega, where they can discover all Boega Island has to offer.

When presented together with our feasibility study, these creative components form a holistic vision of not only what Porto Boega can become, but what it can contribute over time to Portugal, Spain, and the surrounding areas.

An evolving story emerges, highlighting local culture.  

From the landscape to the local culture and its strategic location, Boega Island breathes potential. Its location on the Minho, surrounded by breathtaking natural beauty, is the perfect setting to create a magical, transcendent experience for guests and locals alike to enjoy.  

Porto Boega’s emerging story is currently in development, and is responsive to both practical and narrative considerations. The attraction is set to offer a range of facilities and rides, including theme park-style attractions as well as retail, dining, and entertainment (RDE) offerings.  

In addition to featuring an illuminated nature attraction, Porto Boega will spotlight and celebrate Portuguese culture, complete with local vendors providing food and retail goods.  

More from Blue Crow Capital: https://bluecrowcapital.com/en/portfolio/boega/  

In The Press  

[FEATURE: How storytelling can transform an island: Storyland Studios’ plans for Porto Boega – By Rebecca Hardy ] Blooloop | Tap Here To Read.