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Sal Island, Cabo Verde - Things to Do in Sal Island

Sal Island

Sal Island, Cabo Verde - Complete Travel Guide

Sal Island is Cabo Verde's premier beach destination, renowned for its pristine white sand beaches, crystal-clear turquoise waters, and world-class windsurfing conditions. This flat, desert-like island offers a perfect blend of relaxation and adventure, with the charming town of Santa Maria serving as the main tourist hub. The island's name, meaning 'salt' in Portuguese, reflects its historical importance as a salt-producing center, with ancient salt flats still visible today. Beyond its impressive coastline, Sal Island captivates visitors with its unique lunar-like landscapes, busy Creole culture, and excellent water sports opportunities. The island enjoys year-round sunshine and trade winds, making it an ideal destination for beach lovers, kite surfers, and those seeking an authentic Cape Verdean experience. From the bustling fish market in Santa Maria to the otherworldly salt mines of Pedra de Lume, Sal offers diverse experiences that showcase both its natural beauty and rich cultural heritage.

Top Sal Island

Windsurfing and Kitesurfing at Santa Maria Beach

Santa Maria Beach offers some of the world's best conditions for windsurfing and kitesurfing, with consistent trade winds and flat water areas perfect for beginners and challenging waves for advanced riders. The beach stretches for miles with soft white sand and multiple water sports centers offering equipment rental and instruction. The afternoon winds typically pick up around 2 PM, creating ideal conditions that last until sunset.

Booking Tip: Lessons cost around €40-60 per session, with equipment rental at €30-50 per day. Book lessons in advance during peak season (December-April). Look for certified instructors and centers that offer insurance coverage.

Pedra de Lume Salt Crater Experience

Visit the extraordinary salt crater of Pedra de Lume, where you can float effortlessly in salt-rich waters within an extinct volcano crater. This unique geological formation was once the island's main salt mining operation and now offers a surreal Dead Sea-like experience. The high salt concentration makes it impossible to sink, creating a therapeutic and unforgettable experience surrounded by dramatic crater walls.

Booking Tip: Entry costs around €5-10, with guided tours available for €25-35 including transport from Santa Maria. Visit early morning or late afternoon to avoid harsh midday sun. Bring water shoes and avoid shaving before your visit as the salt water stings cuts.

Shark Bay Snorkeling and Lemon Shark Spotting

Shark Bay offers an incredible opportunity to snorkel alongside harmless lemon sharks in their natural habitat. These juvenile sharks gather in the shallow, warm waters of this protected bay, creating one of Cape Verde's most thrilling wildlife encounters. The bay also features excellent snorkeling with colorful fish, rays, and sea turtles in crystal-clear waters.

Booking Tip: Guided snorkeling tours cost €35-50 including equipment and transport. Best visited during high tide for optimal shark sightings. Choose operators with marine biology guides who emphasize conservation and safe wildlife viewing practices.

Santa Maria Town and Fish Market Exploration

Explore the busy heart of Sal Island in Santa Maria town, where colorful colonial architecture meets bustling local life. The daily fish market is a sensory feast where local fishermen bring in their fresh catch, and you can witness traditional Cape Verdean life in action. The town's main square comes alive in the evenings with live music, street food, and cultural performances.

Booking Tip: Walking tours cost €15-25 per person and typically last 2-3 hours. Visit the fish market early morning (6-9 AM) for the best action. Look for guides who speak multiple languages and have deep local knowledge of Cape Verdean culture.

Sunset Catamaran Sailing

Experience Sal's impressive coastline from the water aboard a catamaran cruise, typically featuring stops for swimming, snorkeling, and dolphin watching. These cruises offer spectacular views of the island's dramatic cliffs and hidden coves while providing opportunities to spot marine life including dolphins, whales (seasonal), and sea turtles. Most tours include local music, drinks, and traditional Cape Verdean snacks.

Booking Tip: Half-day cruises cost €45-70 per person, full-day trips €80-120 including meals and drinks. Book sunset cruises well in advance as they're very popular. Choose operators with good safety records and smaller group sizes for a more personalized experience.

Getting There

Sal Island is served by Amílcar Cabral International Airport (SID), located just 2km from Santa Maria and 20km from the capital Espargos. The airport receives direct flights from major European cities including Lisbon, Saint Vincent, Madrid, London, and Milan, with flight times ranging from 5-7 hours. TAP Air Portugal, Cabo Verde Airlines, and several charter airlines operate regular services. Airport transfers to Santa Maria cost around €10-15 by taxi or €25-35 for private transfers, with rental cars available from major international companies at the airport.

Getting Around

Getting around Sal Island is relatively easy due to its small size and flat terrain. Taxis are readily available and affordable, with set rates for common routes (€5-10 for most journeys within Santa Maria, €15-20 to other parts of the island). Rental cars cost €25-40 per day and offer the most flexibility for exploring, though most attractions are accessible by organized tours. Local 'aluguers' (shared minibuses) provide cheap transport between towns for around €2-3 per journey. Many visitors rent bicycles or scooters for short distances, and walking is pleasant in the cooler morning and evening hours.

Where to Stay

Santa Maria Beachfront
Santa Maria Town Center
Murdeira Bay
Espargos
Palmeira
Ponta Preta

Food & Dining

Sal Island's dining scene centers around fresh seafood, with grilled lobster, tuna steaks, and the national dish 'cachupa' (a hearty stew) being must-tries. Santa Maria offers the best restaurant variety, from beachfront grills serving catch-of-the-day to upscale establishments featuring fusion Cape Verdean-Portuguese cuisine. Local 'tascas' (taverns) provide real feels with live music and traditional dishes at budget-friendly prices (€8-15 per meal), while resort restaurants and international eateries cater to all tastes. Don't miss trying 'grogue' (local rum), fresh tropical fruits, and pastéis (savory pastries) from street vendors.

Top-Rated Restaurants in Cabo Verde

Highly-rated dining options based on Google reviews (4.5+ stars, 100+ reviews)

View all food guides →

Meky's Burger Bar

4.7 /5
(665 reviews) 2

Art Kafé, Santa Maria

4.7 /5
(637 reviews)

Restaurante Sodade Casa da Cultura

4.7 /5
(606 reviews) 2
Bar museum

Casa Rosa

4.7 /5
(412 reviews) 2
Bar

Mar Adentro

4.7 /5
(252 reviews)

Bar di Nôs Augusto

4.6 /5
(256 reviews) 1

Looking for specific cuisines?

Local Cuisine Italian Japanese Fine Dining

When to Visit

Sal Island enjoys excellent weather year-round, but the best time to visit is during the dry season from November to June when temperatures range from 24-29°C with minimal rainfall. December through April is peak tourist season with perfect conditions for water sports due to strong trade winds, though accommodation prices are highest. May through October offers fewer crowds and lower prices, with calmer winds but higher temperatures and occasional brief showers. The harmattan winds from the Sahara can bring dust between December and February, but this rarely affects activities significantly.

Insider Tips

Visit Buracona (Blue Eye) natural pool during low tide around midday when the sun creates the famous blue illumination effect through the underwater cave opening
Bargain respectfully at local markets and with taxi drivers - prices are often negotiable, but always maintain a friendly attitude as Cape Verdeans value personal relationships
Pack reef-safe sunscreen and bring more than you think you'll need, as the sun is intense year-round and local sunscreen is expensive and limited in variety

Activities in Sal Island