Private Sal Island Tour: Shark Bay, Blue Eye & Salt Lake

You float in a salt lake inside a volcano crater, then swim with juvenile sharks the same afternoon.

A private all-inclusive tour of Sal Island with a certified native guide, hotel pickup and skip-the-line entry to Pedra de Lume Salt Lake, Buracona's Blue Eye and Shark Bay. The itinerary is flexible and tailored to your interests. All entrance fees, transportation and photos taken by your guide are included. The tour runs about four hours and suits couples, families and small groups.

The experience

You're picked up at your hotel anywhere on Sal Island and travel in an air-conditioned vehicle with a certified guide who speaks English, Spanish, Portuguese or French. The guide shares the island's history and local traditions while adjusting the route to what interests you most. Skip-the-line tickets mean you walk straight into each site without waiting at the door.

The first stop is Pedra de Lume Salt Lake, a mineral-rich body of water inside the crater of an extinct volcano where you float effortlessly: no swimming skill needed. From there you move to Buracona, where the famous Blue Eye is a natural pool fed by seawater. You can swim in it when sea and weather conditions allow. You'll also cross the Terra Boa Mirage and stop at Murdeira Bay, which overlooks Lion Mountain. The final stop is Shark Bay, where you safely observe juvenile lemon sharks in their natural habitat from the water.

The tour wraps in about four hours, leaving you time to rest or explore the rest of your afternoon. Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat and water shoes. If you don't have water shoes, you can rent them at Shark Bay for €2. The Blue Eye is only visible under suitable sunlight and sea conditions, and swimming depends on the weather and ocean state on the day you go. Complimentary photos and videos taken by your guide are included, along with liability insurance and all entrance fees.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off anywhere on Sal Island.
• private air-conditioned transportation.
• entrance to Pedra de Lume Salt Lake and Buracona (Blue Eye).
• skip-the-line tickets at each site.
• certified native guide in your choice of English, Spanish, Portuguese or French.
• Shark Bay experience.
• complimentary photos and videos taken by your guide.
• liability insurance.
• child seat available free of charge upon request.
• all fees and taxes.

Options for this experience

6 options

Total price for a group of up to 2 peopleUp to 2 per booking · Guide in 4 languages · 09:30 and 11:30Total price for a group of up to 2 people, pickup is included

Total price for a group of up to 4 peopleUp to 4 per booking · Guide in 4 languages · 09:30 and 11:30Total price for a group of up to 4 people, pickup is included

Total price for a group of up to 6 peopleUp to 6 per booking · Guide in 4 languages · 09:30 and 11:30Total price for a group of up to 6 people, pickup is included

See 3 more options

Total price for a group of up to 8 peopleUp to 8 per booking · Guide in 4 languages · 09:30 and 11:30Total price for a group of up to 8 people, pickup is included

Total price for a group of up to 12 peopleUp to 12 per booking · Guide in 4 languages · 09:30 and 11:30Total price for a group of up to 12 people, pickup is included

Total price for a group of up to 15 peopleUp to 15 per booking · Guide in 4 languages · 09:30 and 11:30Total price for a group of up to 15 people, pickup is included

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 09:30 and 11:30

Book up to2h before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French and Portuguese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Sal Experiences

Is this one for you?Book this if you want a private vehicle and guide for the full afternoon. You'll set the pace and choose which sites to linger at, rather than following a fixed group schedule.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French and Portuguese.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What's it like to float in Pedra de Lume Salt Lake?

Pedra de Lume Salt Lake sits inside the crater of an extinct volcano and is so mineral-rich that you float effortlessly without any swimming ability required. The buoyancy is natural and immediate.

Can I swim at the Blue Eye if I want to?

Buracona's Blue Eye is a natural pool where swimming is possible, but it depends on sea and weather conditions on the day of your tour. Your guide will assess the conditions and let you know if it's safe to enter.

How close do I get to the sharks at Shark Bay?

You observe juvenile lemon sharks in their natural habitat from the water at Shark Bay. The experience is designed to be safe, and your guide will position the group appropriately.

Can I adjust the itinerary to skip a site or spend more time somewhere?

Yes. The itinerary is flexible and tailored to your interests whenever operationally possible, so you can ask your guide to adjust the route or the time spent at each stop.

What's included in the price, and what do I need to bring?

Hotel pickup and drop-off anywhere on Sal Island, private transportation, all entrance fees, skip-the-line tickets, a certified guide, complimentary photos and videos, and liability insurance are all included. Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat and water shoes. Water shoes can be rented on site for €2 if you don't have your own.