Sal Island: Electric Beach Bike Tour & Salt Mines Ride

Summary

Electric bikes, salt mines and Santa Maria’s colors on Sal

You’ll ride an electric beach bike along Sal Island’s southern coast with a local guide, stopping at quiet salt mines to taste fresh crystals and swimming in clear turquoise water. Experience Santa Maria’s neighborhoods up close — full of color and music — before heading back with sandy feet and new stories to tell.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll be honest, I was a little nervous about the whole “electric beach bike” thing at first — I mean, sand and bikes? But our guide, Paulo, just grinned and handed me a helmet. He said something about how even his grandma could do it (in Portuguese — I caught “avó” and he winked). The air out there on Sal Island is salty-sweet, almost sticky, and you can hear the sea before you see it. We set off from Santa Maria and right away there were kids waving from doorways painted bright blue and pink. It felt like everyone knew Paulo.

The first stop was the old salt mines. There’s this weird silence out there except for wind scraping across the flats — kind of eerie but beautiful. Paulo scooped up some of the salt crystals and let us taste them (salty as you’d expect, but somehow different from table salt). My hands felt gritty after touching them. The electric bikes made everything easy — honestly, I barely pedaled half the time. At one point we passed a group of women laughing under a sun-bleached awning selling coconuts; one called out to us in Creole, which I definitely didn’t understand but it made me smile anyway.

We stopped for a swim at this long stretch of white sand where the water looked fake — that blue just doesn’t seem real until you’re standing in it. I forgot my towel (classic), so I just stood in the sun dripping while Paulo told us about growing up here and how things have changed since more people started coming for tours like this. He seemed proud but also a bit nostalgic — or maybe that was just me projecting. The ride back through Santa Maria was loud with music spilling from open windows and mopeds zipping past. I kept thinking how different it all felt from the resorts; more alive somehow.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Electric beach bike tour around Sal Island

• Start tour at meeting point
• Ride electric beach bike south of island
• Visit hidden salt mines
• Explore white-sand beaches
• Stop for swim in sea
• Take photos of scenery
• Discover Santa Maria neighborhoods

Top questions

Is this electric beach bike tour suitable for beginners?

Yes, the tour is designed for all fitness levels and uses easy-to-ride electric bikes.

Are helmets provided during the Sal Island bike tour?

Yes, helmets are included for all participants on the tour.

Can children join the electric beach bike tour?

Children aged 13 or older can ride if accompanied by a parent or guardian; infants can use specialized seats or strollers.

Does the tour include stops for swimming?

Yes, there is a stop at a white-sand beach where you can swim in the sea.

Is this Sal Island bike tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, transportation options are wheelchair accessible and all areas are suitable for wheelchairs.

What should I bring on the electric beach bike tour?

You should bring sunscreen, water, and a small backpack if needed; backpacks can be transported on your bike.

Is insurance included in this day trip on Sal Island?

Yes, insurance is included as part of your booking.

Will we have a local guide during the bike tour?

Yes, every group is led by a knowledgeable local guide who speaks multiple languages.

What’s included

Your day includes use of an electric beach bike with helmet, guidance from a local multilingual guide throughout Sal Island’s south coast, insurance coverage for peace of mind, plus maps if you want to check where you’ve been or plan your next stop together.