Complete Tour of Sal Island with Native Guide and Certificate
Description
Discover Sal Island with an officially certified native Guide, passionate about sharing Cape Verde’s history, culture and traditions. More than just a tour, this is an authentic, safe and enriching experience, conducted by those who truly know the island. Visit the main points of interest, including the Blue Eye of Buracona, the Bay of the Lime Shark, the Salinas de Pedra de Lume, Palmeira, Espargos, Murdeira, Terra Boa, Kite Beach and Santa Maria, as you discover stories, local secrets and unique landscapes. With total freedom, you can choose the attractions you want to visit and decide if you want to have lunch at a local restaurant. Travel with comfort and discover the true essence of Sal Island through the eyes of those who were born and live on this island.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Start your adventure in Santa Maria, the most touristic Villa of the Isle of Salt. Walk through the colorful streets, meet the famous fishing port and discover local history, culture and traditions through the stories shared by your native Guide.
Visit the famous Kite Beach, one of Cape Verde’s best-known beaches for kitesurfing. Between October and March, watch the spectacle of the colorful kites sliding over the crystal clear waters. For the rest of the year, enjoy the natural beauty of the coast and its stunning landscapes.
Stop at the quiet Murdeira Bay and admire the panoramic view of Mount Leon, one of the postcards of Sal Island. Take advantage of this viewpoint to take photos and learn a little more about the island’s volcanic origin.
Meet Espargos, the capital of Sal Island, and discover the daily life of the local population. Walk through its streets, observe urban art and get to know a more authentic side of Cape Verde, away from the tourist areas.
Explore Palmeira, a picturesque fishing villa where the rhythm of life remains tied to the sea. Walk through quiet streets, observe the colorful boats and discover the true atmosphere of a Cape Verdean community.
Visit Buracona, where the famous Blue Eye is located, one of the most emblematic natural attractions of the Salt Island. When the sun conditions allow, observe the incredible blue reflection inside the volcanic cave and admire the stunning natural pools formed by the lava.
Discover the stunning mirage of Earth Good, a natural phenomenon that creates the illusion of a lake in the middle of the desert. Your Guide will explain how this optical effect is formed and why it is one of the most curious phenomena of Sal Island.
During the tour there will be a stop for lunch at a carefully selected local restaurant. This break allows you to taste Cape Verdean cuisine or choose another meal of your preference before continuing the island’s discovery. Lunch is optional and paid directly at the restaurant.
Live an unforgettable experience while walking in the shallow waters of the Shark Bay and watching the juvenile lemon sharks in their natural habitat. Always accompanied by your Guide, you will get to know curiosities about this species and the local ecosystem.
Discover Pedra de Lume, a historic village built inside the crater of an ancient volcano. Learn about the importance of salt exploitation in the island’s economic development and the history of this unique place.
Finish the experience in the famous Lume Stone Salinas, located inside the crater of an extinct volcano. Enjoy floating in the mineral-rich waters, known for their high salinity, in a unique and relaxing experience. Entrance to the salines is optional and paid on site.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
The pick-up and return service is available free of charge for hotels and accommodations in Santa Maria, Murdeira, Espargos and Amílcar Cabral International Airport (SID). Your Guide will be easily identified using the official Sal Experiences uniform, ID card and a yellow sign with the company logo. Approximate collection times: Espargos : from 08:00 Murder : from 08:15 Santa Maria : between 08:40 and 09:00 The day before the tour, we will contact you via WhatsApp or through the contact provided on the Reservation to confirm the exact time and place of pickup. If your accommodation does not appear during the Reservation, just give us your name or address after confirmation. We will arrange the collection as long as it is within our service areas.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Baby chairs are available free of charge upon request.
- We accept reservations for groups of more than 15 people. If the maximum number per Reservation is exceeded, simply make additional reservations and we will arrange a private tour for the whole group.
- The tour includes a rest stop, where you can have lunch, have a snack, have a drink or use the Internet.
- Optional lunch: €11 per adult and €6 per child (up to 7 years old), including 1 drink. The restaurants offer traditional dishes as well as vegetarian and vegan options. Inform your Guide about any restrictions or food allergies.
- This tour is not recommended for people with reduced mobility.
- The participation of people under the effect of alcohol is not allowed.
- Baby carts, large luggage or large bags are not allowed. One personal article per participant is allowed.
- For the experience in the Bay of Shark, it is recommended to wear water shoes. You can bring yours or rent them on site for just €2 per person.
Reviews(1,354)
Chris was knowledgeable as a guide. The tour is designed just right to give you a brief cultural, geographic and the vibe of the Sal island. The time on various sites was just enough and well thought of. Highly recommend.
Beautiful, cozy and completely professional guidance. Nice trip with interesting sights.
Amazing day. Nany, our guide and driver was superb. Can't recommend enough. The shark experience was fantastic. Great way to see the island and learn about it. Such a varied day and 100% worth it.
Nany our tour guide was amazing, he is very knowledgeable about Sal island and he was telling us all about the history of Sal and definitely it is a great trip to do when you there. Really enjoyable trip and I will never forget AMAZING.
Great portunity to know the main cities of the island, characteristics, history and tourist attractions.
One of the highlights of the trip! An excellent experience with the guide Ari and the driver Vani! Thank you so much for the professionalism and we wish you all the good luck in your life! NO STRESS 🙌🏻
Christian was an amazing guid always explaining and hipping up the group. The destinations were charming by themselves but the contribution of our host made it a memorable experience, merging to the local history, food and nature definitely a recommended adventure!
Multiple stops with informative guide (Chris)! Would recommend if want to see everything in one trip
Highly recommended experience. The guide was very nice. He spoke Spanish. He explained the history of the island and every detail where we stopped. We traveled around the entire island in a Jeep with two other couples. We swam in a natural pool. He showed us very beautiful beaches. We swam with baby lemon sharks that were one year old, but measured about a meter, even a bit more. In short, we totally made the right choice in selecting them.
You have to bear in mind this island is a volcanic desert and very poor so it's very limited what it can offer. The morning was almost a waste of time - a beach with some broken shells on, followed by a beach with some rocks. The Blue Eye is a long wait to look through a hole in the cliff at the sun reflecting off the water - very very over hyped. But the experience with the sharks is 6 stars out of 5. Incredible. The salt lake was nice, different. Our guide Kiki was superb and always made the best of everything and we wish him all success with his Law degree.
