Sal Island: Full Day Tour with Local Guide & Culture

Summary

Explore Sal’s fishing villages salt lakes & hidden corners with a guide

You’ll meet fishermen at Santa Maria pier, watch sunlight flicker through the Blue Eye cave, share a simple lunch in Espargos, and feel salt on your skin at Salinas lake—all with a local guide who brings Sal Island’s stories to life.

What’s the experience like?

“You want to try?” our guide asked, nodding at the fishermen hauling in their catch at Santa Maria pier. It was barely 9am but already the air smelled like salt and diesel, and there was this quiet rhythm to the way locals worked—no rush, just steady hands untangling nets. I tried to greet one of them in Portuguese (I think I said it wrong), but he just grinned and waved me over anyway. That first stop set the tone: we weren’t just looking at Sal Island; we were in it.

The drive up toward Lion Mountain was bumpy—our minivan rattled every time we hit a pothole—and the landscape kept changing from flat sand to these rocky outcrops that looked almost lunar. Our guide, José, pointed out old stone houses as we passed through a tiny fishing village. He told us how most families here have someone working abroad, sending money home. I remember the smell of grilled fish drifting from an open window and thinking how different life feels when you slow down enough to notice those things.

We stopped at the Blue Eye next. The water really does glow if you catch the light right—José timed it so we’d see that electric blue flash through the rocks. I didn’t expect to laugh so much watching everyone try (and fail) to pronounce “Buracona.” After that came Espargos for lunch—simple food, nothing fancy, but honestly I still think about that spicy sauce they served with the fish. Then off to Salinas, where you can taste salt straight from the lake if you’re brave (it’s…intense). The last stop was wading out near sharks—tiny ones, don’t worry—and feeling their fins brush past your ankles. Weirdly calming.

I left with sand in my shoes and more stories than photos. There’s something about seeing Cape Verde this way—with a local guide who knows every shortcut and joke—that sticks with you longer than any view ever could.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Full Day Island Tour Highlights

• This tour starts at Santa Maria pier
• View Lion Mountain
• Visit local fishing village
• See Blue Eye and Natural Pool
• Drive to capital and stop for lunch
• View Salinas Salt Lakes
• Close view of sharks

Top questions

How long is the full day island tour on Sal?

The tour runs from 9:00 am until around 4:30 pm.

Is lunch included during the Sal Island day trip?

The tour includes a lunch stop in Espargos; food cost may vary.

What are some highlights of this Sal Island tour?

You’ll visit Santa Maria pier, Lion Mountain view, fishing villages, Blue Eye cave, Espargos town, Salinas salt lakes, and see sharks up close.

Is this tour suitable for families with young children?

Yes; infants can ride in prams or strollers and specialized infant seats are available.

Are there any physical requirements for joining?

The tour is suitable for all fitness levels but not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries.

Does this day trip include pickup or transportation?

The tour includes transportation between stops; public transport options are nearby if needed.

What’s included

Your day includes guidance from a certified local tour guide throughout Sal Island’s main sights—from Santa Maria pier to Blue Eye cave and Salinas—plus comfortable transport between locations and a relaxed lunch break in Espargos before returning by late afternoon.