Sal is Cape Verde’s golden child: a wind-brushed island where desert meets the Atlantic and days melt into sapphire evenings. Once famed for salt (hence the name), it’s now known for wide beaches, kitesurf-perfect trade winds, and a relaxed Creole tempo that invites you to slow down. Tiny in size, Sal packs in big scenery—lava pools, lunar salt pans, and surreal turquoise shallows.

History lingers at Pedra de Lume, where a flooded volcanic crater fueled the island’s salt trade from the 18th century. Today, you can float in briny water denser than the Dead Sea, then watch Atlantic swells illuminate Buracona’s “Blue Eye,” a natural window glowing electric blue at midday. Off the coast, catamarans skim along dolphin-rich waters, and between March and May, you might spot migrating humpback whales.

Practical notes: The local language is Cape Verdean Creole (Kriolu) with Portuguese widely used; English and French are common in tourism. Currency is the Cape Verdean escudo (CVE), though euros are accepted in many places; ATMs are in Santa Maria and Espargos. Tap water isn’t recommended for drinking. Pack strong sun protection, a light windbreaker (December–March can be breezy), reef-safe sunscreen, and water shoes for rocky pools.

Santa Maria

Sailboats bob off a ribbon of blonde sand, fishermen unload their catch on the wooden pier, and live music spills into the square after dark—Santa Maria is Sal’s fun, walkable base. Most excursions start here, and almost everything you want—cafés, beach clubs, gear rentals—sits within a 10–15-minute stroll.

• Top sights: Santa Maria Beach and pier, Ponta do Sino dunes and lighthouse, Kite Beach (for kitesurfing and lessons), Murdeira Bay lookout, and the sunset sweep of Ponta Preta.
• Can’t-miss experiences: Half-day catamaran cruise on the Atlantic, float in the Pedra de Lume salt lake, peek into Buracona’s Blue Eye, and meet (non-dangerous) lemon sharks in Shark Bay.
• Where to eat and drink: Cape Fruit (smoothie bowls and crepes), Barracuda (grilled lobster and tuna on the sand), Cretcheu (modern Cape Verdean plates like cachupa), Ocean Cafe (live music and hearty mains), Palm Beach (sunset cocktails and seafood), Gelataria Italiana (after-dinner gelato).
• Fun facts: The sandy south coast is man-made in parts—imported sand improved the beach decades ago. Santa Maria’s pier is a photogenic stage each afternoon when fishermen sell wahoo and grouper straight from the boats.

Where to stay: Browse beachfront apartments and resort hotels in Santa Maria on VRBO or compare hotels (from boutique lodges to full-service resorts with pools and beach clubs) on Hotels.com.

How to get there: Fly into Amílcar Cabral International Airport (SID). Typical nonstop from Lisbon is ~4 hours; from Dakar ~1 hour; inter-island hops from Praia (RAI) or São Vicente (VXE) are ~45 minutes. Compare routes and fares on Trip.com, Omio (to/from Europe), or Kiwi.com. Airport taxis to Santa Maria take ~20 minutes and cost roughly €12–18.

Day 1 — Arrival, First Dip, and Pier Sunset

Afternoon: Land at SID and taxi to Santa Maria. Check in, then stretch your legs along Santa Maria Beach; wade in the calm shallows by the pier and watch fishermen clean wahoo while kids leap off the deck for sport.

Evening: Book a beachfront table at Barracuda for grilled tuna, lobster, or a catch-of-the-day moqueca; pair with a chilled Portuguese vinho verde. Stroll to Ocean Cafe on the square for live music, caipirinhas with local grogue, and that holiday-is-on vibe.

Day 2 — Catamaran Cruise and Beach Club Time

Morning: Fuel up at Cape Fruit with papaya bowls, crepes, and strong espresso. Pack reef-safe sunscreen and a light cover—breezes at sea can feel cool even in the sun.

Afternoon: Sail the southwest coast on the Catamaran Half Day - Beautiful day on the Atlantic Ocean (hotel pickup in Santa Maria; typically 3–4 hours, with drinks and snorkeling stops). Expect chill tunes, a sunny net for lounging, and a chance to spot turtles or dolphins in glassy water.

Evening: Drop into Beach Club by Hotel Morabeza for sundowners on daybeds and a plate of tuna carpaccio or octopus salad. For dinner, Palm Beach serves Cape Verdean seafood and wood-fired pizzas with the surf as your soundtrack.

Day 3 — Island Highlights: Salt Lake, Blue Eye, and Lemon Sharks

Morning: Coffee and pastel de nata at Café Nham Nham, then join the half-day Santa Maria, Sal: All inclusive Salt Lake, Blue Eye and Shark Bay. You’ll float effortlessly in the hyper-saline crater at Pedra de Lume (bring a towel and water shoes), then time Buracona so the sun lights its famous “Blue Eye.”

Afternoon: Continue to Shark Bay where baby lemon sharks glide in ankle-deep water—spectacular and safe; guides provide reef shoes. Quick stops in Espargos or Palmeira reveal local life and the fishermen’s harbor.

Evening: Dine at Cretcheu on Santa Maria’s main drag—order cachupa (slow-cooked hominy stew) or grilled “serra” fish with molho verde. Cap the night with gelato at Gelataria Italiana and a beach stroll under a sky littered with stars.

Day 4 — Trade Winds and Zipline Over the Atlantic

Morning: Head to Kite Beach for a lesson or board rental; this bay is a kitesurfing mecca thanks to steady winter trade winds and a sandy, forgiving launch. Non-kiters can relax with fresh juices and tuna poke at the beach club while watching colorful kites paint the sky.

Afternoon: Chase an adrenaline spike on the Complete Excursion and Flight on the Zipline Cabo Verde, flying above sea cliffs with sweeping ocean views (operates since 2021; typically includes transfers and safety briefing).

Evening: Reserve Odjo d’Água’s Atlantis Restaurant for candlelit dining perched over the water—think garlic-lime prawns, seafood risotto, and crisp Douro whites. Finish with a nightcap at The Dubliner or Ocean Cafe if there’s a band on.

Day 5 — Desert Buggy Adventure, Murdeira Lookout, and Port Village Vibes

Morning: After a light breakfast at Cape Fruit, go off-road on the 2h SSV Buggy Desert Adventure - 1000cc or 500cc. Roar across dunes and lava flats, passing coastline lookouts and the island’s south reserve; goggles and bandanas recommended.

Afternoon: Taxi 10 minutes to Murdeira Bay’s viewpoint for panoramic photos of Monte Leão, then continue to Palmeira, Sal’s working port. Wander painted alleys, watch octopus and grouper land at the quay, and grab grilled fish at a local tasca near the harbor.

Evening: Back in Santa Maria, snag a beachfront table at Palm Beach for sunset paella, or keep it casual with burgers and cold beers at Sal Beach Club while the match plays on TV.

Day 6 — Slow Day: Natural Pools, Spa, and Ponta Preta Sunset

Morning: Easy start with espresso and bolo de cuscuz (steamed corn cake) at a local bakery. Swim or snorkel by the Santa Maria pier where shoals of fish cluster around the pylons; visibility is often excellent in the morning.

Afternoon: Treat yourself to a spa session at your hotel or lounge by the pool. If you’re up for a walk, head west along the sand to Ponta Preta—wind-sculpted dunes, surfers carving offshore swells, and wide-open Atlantic horizons.

Evening: For a special finale, book a table at Barracuda or try Leonardo Cafe for handmade pasta and grilled seafood with Italian flair. Grab a grogue-based ponche (citrus-honey punch) at Buddy Bar and toast the trade winds.

Day 7 — Last Swim, Market Souvenirs, and Departure

Morning: One last swim or paddle at Santa Maria Beach. Browse the small craft stalls along Rua 1 de Junho for woven baskets, batik, and Cabo Verde music—support artisans by paying fair prices.

Afternoon: Early lunch at Cretcheu or a quick crepe at Cape Fruit. Taxi to SID (20 minutes). If you’re Europe-bound, check options on Omio; for other regions compare on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Practical Tips and Notes

• Getting around: Santa Maria is walkable. Taxis around town cost ~€3–5; Santa Maria–Espargos ~€10–12. Aluguers (shared pickups) are the cheapest way to hop between towns.
• What things cost (approx): Half-day catamaran $60–80; zipline $50–70; 2-hour buggy from $70–120 per person; dinner mains €12–22; beach chair/daybed €5–20.
• Seasons: Best weather November–June; strongest winds December–March (great for kiting). Turtle nesting is July–October (guided night walks are offered in season); humpbacks are most often sighted March–May.
• Etiquette: Beachwear is for the beach; cover up in towns and villages. Ask before taking photos of people or boats being unloaded.

Wherever you stay, you can browse options in Santa Maria on VRBO or compare hotels on Hotels.com, then line up flights on Omio, Trip.com, or Kiwi.com.

In a week you’ll move from silky sands to volcanic pools, from the lazy sway of a catamaran to the exhilaration of a zipline and a desert buggy. Sal’s simple pleasures—sun, sea, Creole cooking, and music in the square—linger long after the last sunset.