The complete guide to Sal Island: what to see, do and eat

Sal Island is Cape Verde's gateway for most visitors. Flat, desert-like and surrounded by a turquoise sea, it enjoys sunshine more than 350 days a year and an average temperature of 25 °C. But there is much more than the beach.

The island's areas

• Santa Maria — in the south, the tourist town with the pier, the hotels and 8 km of white-sand beach.
• Espargos — the capital, next to the airport, with authentic local life and the Monte Curral viewpoint.
• Pedra de Lume — the salt-flats village, inside a volcanic crater.
• Palmeira — the main port, with colourful houses and fresh fish.
• Murdeira — a calm bay on the west coast, with natural pools and Monte Leão.

The 7 must-do experiences

1. Float in the Pedra de Lume salt flats.
2. See the Blue Eye of Buracona at midday.
3. Watch lemon sharks at Shark Bay.
4. Sail on a catamaran at sunset.
5. Try kitesurfing at Kite Beach.
6. Watch turtles nesting (July–October).
7. Eat cachupa and listen to live morna in Santa Maria.

Getting around

Aluguers (shared minibuses) link Santa Maria and Espargos for about €1. Taxis cost €10–15 between the airport and Santa Maria. To see the whole island, the easiest option is our Island Tour, with a local guide.

Currency and payments

The currency is the Cape Verdean escudo (CVE), pegged to the euro (€1 = 110.265 CVE). The euro is accepted almost everywhere in Santa Maria.

Morabeza

It is the word that best defines Cape Verde: hospitality, friendliness, calm. Slow down, say “bon dia” and let the local no stress spirit win you over.