Santa Maria Full-Day Tour with Native Certified Guide

You walk through shallow water alongside juvenile lemon sharks in their natural habitat.

A full-day tour of Sal Island with a native certified guide covering nine stops: Santa Maria, Kite Beach, Murdeira Bay, Espargos, Palmeira, Buracona, Terra Boa Mirage, Shark Bay and Pedra de Lume Salt Lake. The guide shares Cape Verdean history, culture and local stories at each stop. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included; lunch at a local restaurant is optional and paid separately; entrance fees to Buracona and Pedra de Lume Salt Lake are also optional and paid on site. The tour runs seven hours and suits all fitness levels, though it is not wheelchair accessible.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Sal Island's highlights

• Start in Santa Maria town
• Visit Kite Beach
• Stop at Murdeira Bay viewpoint
• Drive through Espargos city
• Visit Palmeira fishing village
• Explore Buracona and Blue Eye
• See Terra Boa Mirage
• Enjoy optional lunch break
• Walk with lemon sharks at Shark Bay
• Discover Pedra de Lume village
• Float in Pedra de Lume Salt Lake

The experience

The day starts at your hotel in Santa Maria, where the guide picks you up and drives you through the island's most significant sites. You begin in Santa Maria itself, walking the colourful streets and visiting the fishing pier to see how locals live. From there, the route moves through Kite Beach (where from October to March you watch dozens of colourful kites on the water, or enjoy the empty turquoise shoreline the rest of the year), then to Murdeira Bay for views of Monte Leão, the island's volcanic landmark. The guide explains the geology and shares stories about the island as you move between stops.

Mid-morning takes you through Espargos, Sal Island's capital, where you see urban art and everyday Cape Verdean life beyond the tourist areas, then to Palmeira, a fishing village with colourful boats and a relaxed pace. Buracona comes next, home to the Blue Eye: a famous volcanic cave where sunlight creates a blue reflection inside, surrounded by ancient lava formations and natural pools. The guide walks you through the geology of the landscape. You also visit Terra Boa Mirage, an optical illusion in the desert that looks like a shimmering lake, and learn the science behind it.

After seven hours of driving and walking, you return to your hotel. Lunch happens mid-tour at a local restaurant of the operator's choosing. It is optional, costs €11 per adult and €6 per child up to seven years old, and includes one drink and a choice of traditional Cape Verdean, vegetarian or vegan dishes. The Shark Bay experience, where you wade into shallow water with juvenile lemon sharks, is included. The guide briefs you on safety before you enter. Entrance to Pedra de Lume Salt Lake, where you float in mineral-rich water inside a volcanic crater, is optional and paid on site. The guide provides photos and videos from the day, and the air-conditioned vehicle includes a comfort stop for water and Wi-Fi.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off from Santa Maria, Murdeira, Espargos or the airport.
• air-conditioned vehicle with free child seat on request.
• native certified guide in your choice of English, Spanish, Portuguese or French.
• the Shark Bay experience with a specialised guide in the water.
• photos and videos taken by your guide.
• passenger liability insurance.
• a comfort stop with free Wi-Fi and the option to buy lunch (€11 per adult, €6 per child up to seven, including one drink and a choice of traditional Cape Verdean, vegetarian or vegan dishes).

Options for this experience

4 options

Guia em inglêsGuide in English · 09:00Includes pickup

Guia em portuguêsGuide in Portuguese · 09:00Includes pickup

Guia em espanholGuide in Spanish · 09:00Includes pickup

Guia em FrancesGuide in French · 09:00Includes pickup

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

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Youth (12 to 17 years) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Infant (under 3)

GroupUp to 15

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.

Paid on siteUS$ 12.50

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Sal Experiences

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want to see the island's main landmarks (the Blue Eye, salt lake, and Shark Bay) with someone who knows the local stories and can explain what you are looking at. The native guide and flexible pace mean you choose which paid attractions to enter and whether to eat lunch, so the day shapes itself around what interests you rather than a fixed itinerary.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French and Portuguese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (12 to 17 years); Child (3 to 11 years); Infant (under 3).

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 is the Blue Eye at Buracona and when can you see it?

The Blue Eye is a volcanic cave at Buracona where sunlight creates a spectacular blue reflection inside the rock. The effect depends on sunlight conditions, so the best viewing happens when the sun angle is right. Your guide will position you to catch it if conditions allow.

Do I have to pay for lunch and the salt lake entrance?

Both are optional. Lunch at the local restaurant costs €11 per adult and €6 per child up to seven years old and includes one drink and a choice of meals. You order and pay directly at the restaurant. Pedra de Lume Salt Lake entrance is also paid on site when you arrive.

Is the Shark Bay experience safe for first-time swimmers?

The Shark Bay experience involves walking through shallow water alongside juvenile lemon sharks in their natural habitat. Your guide explains everything you need to know about safety before you enter the water, and a specialised local guide accompanies you in the water to ensure the experience is safe and enjoyable.

What is included in the hotel pickup?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included for hotels in Santa Maria, Murdeira, Espargos and Amílcar Cabral International Airport. The vehicle is air-conditioned, and the tour includes a free child seat on request and specialised infant seats if needed.

How long is the tour and what happens during it?

The tour runs seven hours and covers nine stops: Santa Maria, Kite Beach, Murdeira Bay, Espargos, Palmeira, Buracona, Terra Boa Mirage, Shark Bay and Pedra de Lume Salt Lake. You walk and explore at each stop while the guide shares stories about the island's history, culture and geology. A comfort stop for lunch, snacks, drinks and Wi-Fi is included mid-tour.