Cape Verde · SANTA MARIA BEACH & PIER
Almost everything on Sal leaves from Santa Maria, and the pier at the end of the strip is where the boats and the fish auction meet. The 15 below cover what starts within walking distance of the beach, priced and timed.
Review of Sal’s Santa Maria snorkeling tour, with reef wildlife, turtles, wrecks, safety tips, pricing, transport, and practical advice.
“This was one of the most amazing and best tours i have ever made! super nice, great knowledge, very careful with safety and super friendly!! Both guides were amazing!! abslutly amazing! stongly recommend them!”
Watch nesting sea turtles on Sal Island at night with expert guides, small groups, hotel pickup, and careful conservation practices for $41.
“A genuine natural marvel - spectacular to witness. I didn’t expect to get so close - I could have reached out and touched the turtle’s shell. The guides were very knowledgable, answering all questions in detail, and importantly they are very keen to minimise disturbance to the turtles. Would definitely recommend this experience.”
See lemon sharks up close at Sal’s Shark Bay with hotel pickup, guides, water shoes, and a choice of shore or shallow-water viewing.
“Great trip. Interesting facts on the journey there and then about the sharks themselves. Top tip- use crocs not the swim shoes. Great couple of hours. We'll worth it.”
Explore Sal Island from Santa Maria with salt-lake floating, Blue Eye pools, desert views, and lemon sharks for $52.14.
“Amazing experience. Exactly what we wanted. Not too long but you can see most of the Island treasures. Our guide was great. He had a lot of knowledge about the Island life and history. Shark bay was fantastic. Floating in salt lake is something you need to experience yoursRead more”
Watch nesting sea turtles on Sal with expert guides, small groups, hotel pickup, conservation tips, and a patient night on Kite Beach.
“Brilliant tour. Would 💯 recommend. Really caring and engaging guides. It's currently the cheapest tour option and no need to consider one of the more expensive tours. This is the tour you need 👍👍”
Review of Boa Vista’s 4x4 adventure with sandboarding, turtles, lemon sharks, Santa Monica Beach and Cape Verdean tastings.
“amazing day trip getting to see a bit of boa Vista and the sharks and turtles the guide driver was fabulous. We had a mix of ages on our trip and there was something for everyone.”
Ride a 1,000-meter zipline over Sal’s Serra Negra Reserve, then enjoy Cape Verdean music, dancing, snacks, and ocean views.
“What an experience, and what an atmosphere the guides created—wow! We honestly didn’t want to leave. A beautiful ride to the zipline, then a climb up, which was quite a hike but absolutely worth it. After the zipline, you come back down into the full Cape Verdean vibe, with dancing and laughter all around. Definitely a must-do.”
Review of Nando Tours’ Santa Maria snorkeling trip, with turtles, a shipwreck, coral, fish, safety tips, pricing, and practical advice.
“Amazing snorkelling experience and we were fortunate to see turtles as well as a manta ray. Very friendly and competent guides.”
Review of Sal’s six-hour tour from Santa Maria, covering salt mines, Buracona, Miragem, Palmeira, and Lemon Shark Bay for $34.
“Such a fun day! Loved having our host Domingos! Very informative and fun!”
Review of Sal’s adults-only catamaran cruise from Santa Maria, with drinks, snacks, music, swimming near Monte Leão, and practical booking advice.
“A atividade foi espectacular! Desde o início até ao final ! Animação a todo o tempo ! Enaltecer a Cláudia que teve uma energia 5 estrelas . Recomendo a 100%”
Explore Boa Vista’s Viana Desert, Povoação Velha, Varandinha caves, and Santa Monica Beach on a lively four-hour 4x4 tour.
“Had a fantastic and fun tour led by our driver and guide Nielson. Took us to all the sights on the south tour with a thorough explanation and history at each location. Cannot recommend taking this tour enough especially if you get Nielson as your guide.”
Review of Sal Experience’s private SID Airport transfer to Santa Maria, with prices, pickup advice, vehicle details, value, and booking tips.
“Excellent, well organised service. Staff waiting at airport for me, no waiting around and straight to waiting driver and my accommodation.”
Review of Sal Island’s Shark Bay tour, with lemon sharks, hotel pickup, water shoes, guide tips, price, safety, and booking advice.
“Very nice experience but not for person who has troubles to move/use legs. I didn’t realise that we are in so deep water-> maybe dry pants would be nice😀”
Review of Sal’s 4WD island tour from Santa Maria, with Buracona’s Blue Eye, salt lakes, lemon sharks, lunch, costs, and practical tips.
“Our guide Anderson was a really cool and friendly person, he was very patient and took time for every question. He knows a lot about Sal and explains everything briefly. The tour itself was beautiful. You HAVE to visit the Blue Eye, Shark BRead more”
Try scuba diving in Sal with pool training, a boat trip, warm waters, small groups, and expert instructors for beginners.
“Great, professional instructor with sense of humor :) for newbies - training both in the swimming pool (in the morning) and in the ocean (after lunch). A lot of knowledge and information and great atmosphere! thanks Leo! 😊 if youre considering - take the wetsuit! it might get a little bit cold ;)”
Pick an island, a boat or a ridge.
