Sal Tours

For a relatively small island, Sal boasts a wealth of sights. This tour covers nearly every inch of the island, taking in Kite Beach, Murdeira Bay, Buracona lagoon and the mirage plains of Terra Boa as well as Pedra de Lume salt flats and the towns of Palmeira and Espargos.

The Sal coastline is a perfect backdrop for a cruise – and this adults-only catamaran trip makes the very best use of it. Sailing leisurely through the azure seas between Palmeira and Monte Leão, you'll sunbathe, sip on cocktails and enjoy a stop for swimming and snorkelling too.

Living in the coastal subtropical waters around Sal, lemon sharks are one of the easiest sharks to spot in their natural habitat. You'll venture out to Shark Bay with a marine biologist to interact and learn about these fascinating creatures on this half-day trip.

Exploring southern Sal just became even more fun. With this morning electric bike tour, your guide will lead you to the best spots as you glide with ease from A to B. So whether you want to spend some quality time with friends or simply have some fun in the sun, this tour guarantees a good time.

The freedom and exhilaration of flying top-speed through the air is an experience that's hard to beat. And you can do it in the tropical setting of Sal island, with hilltop views to boot.You'll be picked up from your hotel and taken to the base where your arrival will be welcomed with a refreshing drink to get you started. There will be a quick safety briefing and introduction to ziplining, then once you're ready, you'll drive up to the hilltop, followed by a short, but no less spectacular, walk.There are two platforms to launch yourself from, with the highest point at a towering 103m. You'll reach speeds of up to a 100km per hour as you hurtle down the steel ropes, which extend over 1000m. And if you can open your eyes for just a second, you'll catch flashes of Sal's idyllic landscape before you reach the end of the line.

Speed demons will rejoice with these adrenaline-pumping buggy tours. Ideal for manoeuvring over sandy terrain, you'll get to see even more of the island as you rev, race and rumble down tracks you never knew existed. There's three tours to choose from – a 2-hour, 4-hour or night-time excursion - the choice is completely yours.

The desolate beauty of inland Sal is in stark contrast to the pristine white sands of its coast. On this off-road safari, you'll explore Murdeira Bay, the Buracona lagoon, the ocean-like sands of Terra Boa and the Pedra de Lume salt flats. You'll also discover the town of Palmeira and the island's capital, Espargos.

If holidays for you are all about kicking back and catching up on some chill-out time, then this catamaran cruise around Sal is just what you're looking for. There's nothing on the agenda except cruising, sunbathing, swimming and enjoying the sea breeze. Maria, one of our local guides, says, ‘This is a trip which prioritises relaxation. Getting out onto the water gives you a fresh perspective on the island – Monte Leão is a popular place for birds, so if you like wildlife-watching, bring your binoculars and see if you can spot one of the five species endemic to the Cape Verde archipelago.'Your day of relaxation kicks off with pick-up from your hotel before boarding the brand-new catamaran. Your captain will cruise out from Palmeira, hugging the coastline. It's the perfect moment for you to choose your spot and sit back to soak up some rays. There's plenty of room to relax as well as drinks, snacks and local music to get you into that holiday mood as you enjoy the sensation of gliding through the open water in style.Once we've reached our idyllic spot near Monte Leão, your captain will drop anchor to freshen up with a swim in the open water. When we've stopped, you can also head out on to the nets, where you'll be able to float above the sparkling water and dry off in the sun. Maria adds, ‘Monte Leão sits at the northern end of the Murdeira Bay. The whole bay area is a marine nature reserve because of the important populations of sea turtles and seabirds.'

With long stretches of unspoilt beach and a rich cultural heritage – Sal has all the ingredients for a perfect day trip. This tour packs in the best sights, including Buracona lagoon and Pedra de Lume salt flats. To top it off, there's a traditional Cape Verdean lunch, and you'll get a glimpse of laidback, local life in Espargos and Palmeira. Rodrigo, one of our local guides, says, ‘Pedra de Lume is in the middle of a volcanic crater, and you reach it via a tunnel. You can sometimes pick up compressed salt crystals the size of a golf ball, while at other times the salt is so hard that you walk on the pans.'The fun kicks off with a visit to Espargos. You'll explore the island's colourful capital and admire its fascinating street art, before heading to an observatory point for elevated views over the town. Next, it's on to the Buracona lagoon, famed for an optical illusion known as the ‘blue eye' caused by the sunlight. The journey continues at the laidback fishing village of Palmeira. Relax in a café while your guide reveals stories about the village's past.You're in for a treat next, as there's a table waiting for us at a family-run restaurant which serves a special Cape Verdean lobster dish. There are other tasty options, too. After fuelling up on local cuisine, we'll head to the Dead Sea-like waters of Pedra de Lume. Lie back and float on one of the world's saltiest lagoons, before stopping by at Viveiros Botanical Garden to discover exotic vegetation and a petting zoo.

The compact beaches and dramatic salt pans of Sal are ideal for horseback riding. Take in the beautiful scenery from the back of your well-kept and tame mount on a mellow horse riding excursion. A variety of different tours of differing lengths are available for beginners and advanced riders alike.Head to one of Sal's premier riding schools, where you'll be paired up with your trusty steed, given your helmet and taken to either the expanses of the salt pans or a wide sweeping beach. Let the fresh air fill your nostrils as you settle into the soothing rhythm of well-trained horse – taking in the unspoilt scenery as you amble along.This horse riding tour on Sal is great for families and groups of all levels of experience. Choose from three options ranging from a shorter beginners ride to a longer advanced ride.

Mother Nature might as well have designed the beaches and dunes of Sal for quad biking – because they're ideal for this adrenaline-pumping activity. We'll take you to the world-famous Kite Beach in the southeast of the island for an experience that'll get your races pulsing. You can choose either a two or four-hour quad ride.

Sailing the Cuba Libre is a sweet sensation. This single-mast yacht sails out of Santa Maria in southern Sal and specialises in all the ‘ings' – sailing, relaxing, sunbathing, snorkelling, swimming and even fishing. This is what being on holidays is all about – pure, unadulterated fun. Snacks and drinks are included.

This full day adventure dishes up Sal's highlights by land and sea. You'll start the morning with an off-road drive, ticking off places like Palmeira and the salt lake at Pedra de Lume. Then after lunch, you'll swap the 4x4 for a catamaran to cruise the shores in style.

Adrenaline-fuelled adventure is the name of the game on this thrilling session. If you've never been on a jet ski before, you're in for a real treat. Carve through warm, azure Atlantic waters on your awesomely powerful jet-propelled craft - on what can be either a 30-minute, one or two-hour session.

The coast of Sal is ripe for exploring on foot – but even better by Segway™. Save on tired legs and still see all the sights as you zoom around in comfort and ease on these two-wheeled vehicles. Following your guide, you'll call by some of the island's standout spots before rounding off with a well-earned rest on Ponta Preta beach.

If the thought of stargazing at Sal's night sky has you starry eyed, then this evening activity is just for you. Cape Verde is a great location for star spotting, and this evening adventure for all the family includes stargazing with telescopes. Enjoy a welcome drink, buffet dinner accompanied by live local music, and then find out which planets and galaxies you can see in the sky above.The star-studded night sky is best viewed close to the equator, where both hemispheres are visible. You'll arrive to a beach restaurant just as darkness draws in, and after a welcome drink you'll sit down for a barbecue buffet. Tuck into a feast of local dishes to the sounds of live music, and with the help of telescopes, lasers and tablets, you'll see the moon, planets and more.With knowledgeable guides at hand, you'll learn how to recognise constellations at home. The tour ends with a 10-minute stroll on the sands, where you'll spot patterns with the naked eye. A unique yet educational way to spend a night in Sal.

The wonders of the seas in Sal live just under the surface. And this snorkelling tour is the best way to discover them. Speed away from the coast of Cape Verde to a top dive spot and make a splash in the South Atlantic. And with the help of a PADI-certified guide, you're in with a chance of spotting colourful banks of coral, deep lagoons and an array of exotic fish.

This morning on two wheels and two feet is a great way to explore southern Sal. Your adventure takes a scenic route from the salt flats of Santa Maria to Kite Beach and on to Serra Negra. Not only will you get to see some of the island's best bits but you'll also get to stretch those legs.

The tropical sheltered waters that surround Sal are perfect to learn to scuba dive in. Get the basics under your belt with a swimming pool lesson from an English-speaking instructor, before taking the plunge on a confined water dive with this try scuba experience.With waters so tempting around Sal, you're in just the place to try out scuba diving for the first time. This is the perfect opportunity if you don't quite fancy signing up for a full course, but you've always wanted to know what it's like to breathe underwater.You'll get to grips with the equipment in a swimming pool first, and get comfortable with breathing and moving properly underwater. The, take part in a confined water dive in the pool or in the sea.

There's nothing quite like a morning horse ride to invigorate and get you ready for another perfect day in Sal. Head to the stables where you'll be paired with your horse for an hour-long ride to the world-famous Kite beach. Canter along the sand and take in the panoramas from your new, higher vantage point. This is an easygoing, slow paced ride, ideal for families and beginners.