Top ten things to do on Sal
For many visitors, Sal is their introduction to Cape Verde. With numerous international airlines flying directly into the island’s popular airport, many of our travellers begin and end their holiday here. Though we always encourage people to explore beyond the resorts and beaches of Sal and Boavista if they want to experience the real Cape Verde, it’s nice to enjoy a little luxury at the start or end of your holiday.
Hotel Morabeza was the very first Hotel to establish itself on Sal and remains one of our favourites. You can enjoy cocktails at the beach bar and walk along the golden sands of Santa Maria Beach, which you will share with a lively throng of kite-surfers, sailors, and other holiday makers. The are lots fun activities to enjoy during your time on Sal, so we’ve listed the key highlights 👇
1. Half-day sailing trip on a catamaran or yacht
Sailing is probably the most popular activity for those beginning their holiday on the island of Sal. If you’ve not experienced it before, a half-day introduction is probably the ideal choice, giving you just enough time to unwind and get a feel for life on the water. As soon as you lay eyes on the turquoise waters of Santa Maria Beach, you’ll be eager to head out and explore, and sailing provides one of the most relaxing ways to do so. It’s a gentle, peaceful activity that works equally well as a calm start to your trip or a memorable way to round it off. Our sailing excursions are privately led, ensuring you enjoy a tranquil, personalised experience. The catamarans are more stable than the yachts, so they tend to be the most popular choice amongst our travellers.
2. A private turtle nesting experience by night
Loggerhead sea turtles regularly come to nest on the beaches of Sal. Our tours are privately led, and your biologist guide will take you to the more secluded spots. These turtle walks are only available if you are on Sal between July and October, which is turtle nesting season.
There are several beaches on Sal where loggerhead turtles come to nest. As with all of nature’s wonders, the exact location depends on where the turtles choose to come ashore on any given day—or night. Because Sal is such a popular island, many group tours tend to gather in the same areas, so booking a private experience gives you a more intimate and organic experience.
3. Half day visit to Pedras de Lume and the natural pools at Buracona
Pedra de Lume, the famous salt crater on Sal, used to be one of the most important salt mines in the world. Back in the 19th century, salt was so valuable it was called “white gold.” Mining here stopped in the 1990s, and today it’s turned into a unique and fun place to visit.
You enter along a path cut through the rock, which opens up into a wide volcanic crater. Inside, you’ll see the old salt flats where salt was once collected, along with two natural pools where you can float effortlessly, just like in the Dead Sea, but even more buoyancy because these pools actually have a high salt and mineral content (said to do wonders for your skin)!
It’s a relaxed and enjoyable spot loved by both locals and visitors. There are simple changing rooms and toilets, so just bring a bag for your wet clothes. If floating’s not your thing, it’s still a great place to wander around, check out the old machinery, and take in the scenery. This is the only salt mine in the world set inside an extinct volcanic crater.
As part of the tour, you’ll also visit the nearby sea pools at Buracona for a refreshing swim.
4. Windsurfing taster sessions and intermediate skills focused lessons
The wind conditions on Sal are famously good and Santa Maria Bay a key site for a variety of world-class competitions, including the world windsurfing championships. Santa Maria is considered by many as the best windsurfing beach in the world. With water 1-2m deep, no currents, and great swell, this is the ideal spot for windsurfers, surfers, and kite surfers. The bay where the school/hire centre is located is stunning, with white sand and turquoise seas, a great surf shop, and a beach restaurant.
The ideal time for beginners to learn is between May and August, when the winds are lighter and the sea conditions are calmer, making it easier to build confidence. More experienced windsurfers, however, may prefer visiting from December to March, when stronger winds and larger waves provide a more exciting challenge. Beginner lessons can vary from a short one-hour session to a full day of instruction, with time spent both on the beach and in the water. Intermediate courses are designed to help you develop your existing skills further, introducing techniques such as using a harness and foot straps, experimenting with different types of turns, and refining your water starts and jibes. If you’d like to book a lesson during your stay, just let us know and we’ll be happy to arrange everything for you.
5. Surf Lessons for all skill levels
The Surf Zone offers 1-hour, 3-hour, and 6-hour surf sessions designed for all skill levels. From learning the basics to mastering wave-riding techniques, each session guides you through everything you need to know. You’ll learn how to catch a wave, ride it with confidence, and safely finish your run. There’s also time dedicated to understanding different types of boards and how each one is used.
Depending on the conditions, sessions may take place at more than one surf spot around the island.
6. Kite Surfing for beginners and multi-day courses
Beginners can enjoy a wide range of kitesurfing lessons, from short introductory sessions to more in-depth, multi-day courses. While it’s accessible to newcomers, kitesurfing is a technically advanced activity. For this reason, we recommend having some prior experience in a wind-based sport—such as windsurfing or sailing—to help you get the most out of your time on the water.
A variety of group lessons are available for those just starting out, providing a fun and supportive environment to learn the basics. More experienced kitesurfers can opt for one-to-one tuition, tailored to help refine techniques and build on existing skills.
Sal is widely regarded as one of the best kitesurfing destinations in the world, offering ideal conditions for all levels. So if you’ve always wanted to try it, there’s no better place to give it a go.
7. See the lemon sharks in Shark Bay
A question that often comes up when discussing the lemon sharks on Sal is whether visiting them is an ethical activity. It’s an important consideration, and one we encourage all travellers to reflect on when taking part in any wildlife experience.
We can arrange a lemon shark experience with an operator we know well, whose guides are marine biologists. They do not allow touching or splashing of the sharks or feeding (“baiting”), and focus on educating guests about shark behaviour and conservation. Shark Bay itself is a natural nursery, meaning the sharks are not confined in any way and are free to approach or keep their distance from groups wading in the water.
It’s a special and memorable experience, but also a popular one, so you can expect to see other groups in the water. Ultimately, whether or not to take part is a very personal decision. Our role is to ensure that, for those who choose to go, the experience is conducted as responsibly and respectfully as possible, even though not all operators in the area follow the same high standards.
8. Take a stroll into Santa Maria town centre
Santa Maria is a laid-back, compact town with a touristy feel. It’s around a 15-minute stroll from Hotel Morabeza, one of our preferred hotels, though you can always hop in a taxi if the heat makes walking less appealing. The atmosphere here is very relaxed, especially along the cobbled main street, where you’ll find a great selection of cafés and souvenir shops to browse.
In the evenings, there’s no shortage of dining options, alongside plenty of lively bars if you’re in the mood for some nightlife. Down by the beach, you’ll come across several beach clubs where you can unwind with a sun lounger and drinks by the sea. One of the most popular spots is the Odjo d’Agua Hotel, known for its infinity pool, accessible for a fee even if you’re not a guest.
9. Seadoo Snorkelling Adventure – powered snorkelling
Seadoo snorkelling is an exciting and accessible marine activity that lets you explore the vibrant reefs of Sal with ease and speed, using a hand-held, motorised device to glide effortlessly through the water. This experience is fully guided, meaning no prior experience is required, although participants must be able to swim, and those who have used a snorkel before may find it easier to get the most out of the adventure. All equipment is provided, including wetsuits and snorkelling gear, so you can simply focus on enjoying the underwater world. A highlight of the activity is the opportunity to spend time with a knowledgeable marine biologist, who adds depth to the experience by sharing insights about the local marine life and ecosystems you encounter along the way. You might even spot one of the resident loggerhead turtles! Excursions run from March to October and you will spend about an hour in the water.
10. Guided cycling and hiking tour of Sal
This is a brilliant, high-energy way to explore Sal if you love staying active while ticking off the island’s must-see spots. With a friendly guide leading the way, you’ll cycle through colourful Santa Maria, ride out to the famous salt pans of Salinas, and cruise past rolling dunes that surround the old mine. The real highlight is the climb up Serra Negra, where you’ll be rewarded with stunning panoramic views across the island. The ascent is long and a bit of a challenge, so a good level of fitness is needed—but it’s absolutely worth it. You’ll also be riding standard pedal bikes (no e-bikes), tackling some uneven terrain along the way, so come ready for an adventure and get prepared to earn those incredible views!
How do I book these activities on Sal
If you are booking your holiday with Archipelago Choice, we can arrange for you to enjoy any of these experiences during your stay in Cape Verde. All of our holidays are fully customisable, so you get to pick the experiences you want to include. If you have any questions, our Cape Verde specialists can describe these experiences in more detail:
Have a chat with Max or Jake, on: team@archipelagochoice.com.
