Sal Island is the most tourism-developed island in Cape Verde, with its international airport connecting directly to Europe and the capital Praia. It’s perfect for travelers who just want to relax without hassle. Stay based in the town of Santa Maria and explore a different theme each day.
Check into a hotel along Santa Maria Beach. In the afternoon, stroll around the harbor and colorful fishing houses, watching fishing boats unload while seagulls fly overhead. Watch the sunset along the Long Beach promenade in the evening. For dinner, choose a grilled fish restaurant by the harbor, with meals costing around 1,500–2,500 escudos per person.
In the morning, head to the Pedra do Lume crater salt lake and float in its hypersaline waters for photos. In the afternoon, visit the “Blue Eye” sea cave at Boca da Ribeira (best seen around noon when the sunlight hits perfectly). Return in the evening via Pedra da Baleia (the elephant rock coast north of Buracona), with a possible stop in the desert oasis village of Palmeira.
Santa Maria Beach is home to most of the island’s surf clubs. In the morning, try a kiteboarding or windsurfing lesson (beginner lessons cost around 6,000–9,000 escudos). In the afternoon, switch to a glass-bottom boat tour or go snorkeling in the sea. Non-water sports enthusiasts can rent a motorcycle to explore the northern loop of the island, visiting the fishing village of Palmeira and the cactus valley.
Visit Shark Bay’s shallow waters during low tide in the early morning to observe wild baby lemon sharks (always go with a local guide). In the afternoon, take a walk around the salt pan ruins and the old Santa Maria church, then shop for sea salt and handicrafts before heading to the airport. If you have a late flight, enjoy one last beachside sunbathing session by the shore.
With four days based in Santa Maria, expect to spend around 12,000–16,000 escudos on two days of private car rental (East Route and Eco Day). Water sports are priced separately by lesson. Local meals can be slow, so allow about 1.5 hours for dining. Afternoon winds pick up, so schedule water activities in the morning. If your return flight is in the evening, add a morning stroll along Santa Maria Beach to Angel Beach or a horseback ride on Day 4 to end your trip with soft sand and ocean waves. The island’s cuisine mainly features seafood and cachupa. A daily budget of $70–$115 will keep you comfortable.