ATV Riding on Sal: 4-Hour Quad Island Adventure

Drive your own quad across dunes, volcanic craters and past lemon sharks.

A 4-hour ATV quad adventure on Sal, Cape Verde, where you operate a 500cc 4x4 machine across the island's off-road highlights: sand dunes, Serra Negra's natural reserve, Terra Boa's mirage and Shark Bay. Groups stay small (up to 8 riders, 2 per quad), a local guide leads the route, and hotel pickup is included. You'll need a valid driving license and closed shoes. The minimum age to ride is 18.

Step-by-step itinerary

4-hour ATV island adventure

• Start ATV tour on Sal Island
• Visit Murdeira Bay and Monte Leao
• Pass by Fontona Oasis
• Explore Palmeira fishing village
• See Buracona natural pool and Blue Eye
• Visit Terra Boa and view Mirage
• Explore old volcano crater
• Walk with lemon sharks at Shark Bay
• Admire Serra Negra mountain and beach

The experience

You drive your own 500cc quad, not ride as a passenger. The guide leads the route and handles navigation while you control the machine across 4 hours of off-road terrain. Hotel pickup starts the day (except from Murdeira Village), and you'll ride coast to coast, hitting the island's main features: sand dunes, Serra Negra's black mountain and lunar landscape, Terra Boa where the mirage optical effect happens on hot days, and Shark Bay on the eastern coast where you can walk close to lemon sharks in shallow water.

Serra Negra sits in the island's natural reserve on the east coast. From the top, the landscape looks lunar, and the base holds one of Sal's wildest beaches where loggerhead turtles nest in summer. Terra Boa is the greenest part of the island and the place where you'll see the mirage. A heat shimmer that makes the ground look like a distant lake. The crater of an old volcano holds the world's second-saltiest water. Each stop is a different kind of terrain and a different reason to be there, not a photo pause.

The quad comes with a helmet, suit, belt and glasses. You get one bottle of water during the ride. A valid, original driving license is mandatory, without it, no refund is offered and you won't be able to participate. Closed shoes are required. The guide speaks English, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian and one additional language. Groups max out at 8 riders total (2 per quad), and there's a weight limit of 220 kg per machine. Minimum numbers apply, so if the group doesn't meet requirements after booking, you'll be offered an alternative date or a full refund.

What’s included

• Local guide in English, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian or another language.
• hotel pickup and drop-off (except from Murdeira Village).
• helmet, protective suit, belt and glasses.
• one bottle of water.

Before you book

Days and timesMonday to SaturdayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to12h before

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, Italian and Portuguese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 19 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 3.41

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancy

Operated by No Limits Adventure

Is this one for you?The guide speaks multiple languages, so if English, Spanish, Portuguese or Italian is your language, you can follow the route and the stops without translation delays. If you're comfortable operating a machine and have a valid license, the 4-hour ride covers more ground and more variety than a vehicle tour would. You're moving under your own control, not watching from a seat.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, Italian and Portuguese.

What's the difference between riding a quad on Sal and just taking a tour?

You operate the 500cc machine yourself across the island's off-road routes: the guide leads and navigates, but you're in control of the throttle and steering the whole time.

Can I see lemon sharks on this ride?

Yes, at Shark Bay on the eastern coast you walk close to lemon sharks in shallow water as part of the route.

What is the mirage at Terra Boa?

Terra Boa is the greenest part of Sal, and on hot days the heat shimmer creates an optical illusion that makes the ground look like a distant lake. It's called a mirage or Fata Morgana.

Do I need a driving license to ride the quad?

Yes, a valid, original driving license is mandatory. Without one, you cannot participate and no refund will be given.

What's included in the 4 hours?

Hotel pickup and drop-off (except from Murdeira Village); a local guide; helmet, suit, belt and glasses; and one bottle of water. Entry to Buracona costs 3 euros extra per person if that stop is included on your date.

Is there a minimum age to ride?

Yes, you must be at least 18 years old to operate the quad. Children under 6 are not recommended for this activity.