Sal Island Tour: Sharks, Salt Lake & Blue Eye

4.5
(77 reviews)
Santa Maria (CV), Cape Verde

6 to 7 hours (approximately)
Pickup offered
Offered in: Portuguese and 4 more

This full-day experience is designed to give you a complete and enjoyable introduction to Sal Island at a relaxed and comfortable pace. Rather than rushing from stop to stop, you’ll have time to truly enjoy each location and take in the surroundings.

Throughout the day, your local certified guide will share stories, history, and insights about Cape Verde, helping you connect with the island beyond what you see. You’ll experience a mix of nature, culture, and everyday life, making the tour both engaging and informative.

Expect a friendly and personal atmosphere, with small groups and a flexible approach that allows you to make the most of each moment. Whether you’re walking among lemon sharks, floating in the salt lake, or exploring coastal views, the experience is designed to be smooth, enjoyable, and memorable from start to finish.

This tour is suitable for all ages and does not require any special fitness level.

What's Included

Baby and toddler seat (on request)
Liability insurance
Local certified guide
Air-conditioned vehicle
Visit Buracona (Blue Eye) and enjoy coastal views
Float in the salt pans inside a volcano crater
Shark Bay experience (observe lemon sharks in their natural habitat)
Hotel pick-up and drop-off
Tips (optional)
Pictures (optional)
Buracona - Olho Azul
Salinas
Food and drinks
Lunch
Water shoe rental at shark bay (recommended)

Meeting and pickup

Pickup points
You can choose a pickup location at checkout (multiple pickup locations are available).
Pickup details:

Travelers will receive their exact pick-up location in advance. In most cases, pick-up is arranged outside the hotel reception. Guests staying outside Santa Maria are kindly requested to confirm their meeting point via WhatsApp prior to the tour.

Itinerary

Duration: 6 to 7 hours (approximately)
  • Ilha do Sal (Pass by)

    Sal (Portuguese for "salt") is an island in Cape Verde. Sal is a tourist destination with white sandy beaches and over 350 days of sunshine a year. It is one of the three sandy eastern islands of the 10 island Republic of Cabo Verde in the central Atlantic Ocean, 350 miles off the west coast of Africa. Cabo Verde is known for excellent year-round kiteboarding, for the large reserve of Caretta Turtles which hatch July - September, and for its multi-cultural heritage and beautiful music.

    Admission ticket free
  • Santa Maria (Pass by)

    We will drive you through the back streets of Santa Maria whilste sharing the history of this city that has transformed from a village which exploited salt to the biggest tourist city in Cape Verd. You will have a perception of town and local living outside of the main commercial streets and coastal area of the city.

    Admission ticket free
  • 1
    Murdeira

    Natural reserve of the bay of the murdeira, which has great diversity of corals and fish, and we can enjoy the beautiful view of the lion mountain.

    30 minutes Admission ticket free
  • 2
    Palmeira

    Palmeira one of twhere the commercial port of the island is located is the most pituresque fishing village of the island where you can stroll around the narrow and colourful streets full of colonial houses and observe the simple pace of living. We willsee the arrivals of the craft boats and see all the activity around the preparation and sale of fish.

    30 minutes Admission ticket free
  • 3
    Buracona - Olho Azul

    The blue eye coral and Buracona landscape is one of the seven wonders of Cape Verde. Not only you will be able to observe the spetacular blue of the coral when the sun shines above the cave but also enjoy the natural pool where you can swim in a spetacular setting surrounded by vulcanic formations. If the ocean allows we will show you the hidden lovers cave , a hidden gem that not many tourists know. You will also have the time to explore the area, namely observing the interesting Sal Island 3d map made of sand, observe the display of the archipelague made with broken shells and stroll around the geological museum.

    1 hour Admission ticket not included
  • 4
    Terra Boa

    From Buracona, you will marvel with the mirage on your way to the population of Terra Boa. The mirage an optical illusion caused by atmospheric conditions, especially the appearance of a sheet of water in this desertic part of the island, is one of the most interesting experiences of the tour. Our guide will help you to take criative pictures, show you the little souvenir shop where you can see and buy souvenirs made in the spot by the local artisan, whilste tasting local liquers. Further on our way to Espargos we will drive through Terra Boa, a population with less then 200 people which is one of the less developed of Sal. We will give you the option to speak to the ONGs that work with the families in need and also dispose of any donations you may have.

    30 minutes Admission ticket free
  • 5
    Espargos

    Located near both the airport and the ferry dock, Espargos – the island's capital – is a small, dusty workaday town that feels more like the real Cabo Verde than touristy Santa Maria. Its shady main square, the new market, low-key bars and laidback street life give Espargos some charme and make the city the best place to try some Creole Cooking or catch some genuine traditional music as well as understanding the cape verdean life style . Further to lunch we will also get to Monte Curral the highest point in town (109 meters) where you will have an amazing aerial view of the town, airport and coastal areas close by.

    20 minutes Admission ticket free
  • 6
    Shark Bay

    See lemmon sharks in their natural environment

    30 minutes Admission ticket included
  • 7
    Pedra de Lume

    Pedra de Lume is the birth place of the island and the doorway to Salinas ( salt evaporation ponds). You will stroll around the small pier and the old factory and ship recks before heading to the lake situated in the crater of an extinct volcano, where the waters rise from deep in the earth rather than from lateral infiltration from the ocean. In Salinas you will have time to float in medicinal thermal waters and take a mud bath as well as enjoy the quiteness and imponence of this piece of nature that marvels everyone that visits it.

    1 hour Admission ticket free

Additional info

  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Specialized infant seats are available
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Please bring a bottle of water, sunscreen, sunglasses, hat, swimsuit, water shoes (if you have one) and towels
Supplied by Carlos Cruz Tours

Tags

Day Trips
Bus Tours
Private and Luxury
4WD Tours
Adventure Tours
Involves Animals
Additional fees
Short term availability

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

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Rating

4.5 Based on 77 77 reviews
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