Little is known about his personal life prior to his role in the Portuguese Age of Discovery, and was considered a household servant and shield-bearer of the Infante Henry the Navigator.

[4] In the islands he captured some natives and returned with them as captives to Sagres, excusing his failure by recounting the dangers of the trip.

His return was greeted with reserve and coldness in the court of Prince Henry, who had expected the navigator to succeed in rounding the Cape.

[5] The discovery of a passable route around Cape Bojador marked the beginning of the Portuguese exploration of Africa.

They named the bay in which they anchored Angra dos Ruivos (Cove of Reds), for the abundance of fish (resembling gurnets) that they caught in the waters.