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

Summary

Swim in salt lakes, spot sharks and see Sal’s wild side

You’ll float effortlessly in Pedra de Lume’s salt lake, watch sunlight spark in Buracona’s Blue Eye, walk among lemon sharks at Shark Bay, and catch glimpses of daily life on Sal with a local guide who knows every shortcut and story. It’s salty air, laughter, and those odd moments you remember later.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed stepping out in Santa Maria was how the air had this dry, mineral tang — like the sea but sharper. Our guide, Celina, waved us into a minivan that rattled a bit but felt oddly comforting. She grew up here on Sal and pointed out little things as we drove: goats picking through dust, kids kicking a faded football. We headed straight for Pedra de Lume Salt Lake. I’d read you could float without even trying, but it still surprised me — the water felt slick and almost syrupy against my skin. I tried to stand but just bobbed up again; Celina laughed and said everyone does that their first time.

After rinsing off (the salt leaves your skin weirdly smooth), we bumped along towards Buracona to see the Blue Eye. It’s one of those places where everyone falls quiet for a second — sunlight hits the water just right and suddenly there’s this electric blue circle glowing under the rocks. Some people swam in the natural pool (I chickened out — waves looked rough), but watching was enough for me. There was this older man from Espargos selling mangoes nearby; I bought one just because he smiled so wide when I asked about them.

We stopped at Miragem next — Celina told us to stare at the horizon until we saw “water” that wasn’t really there. Took me a minute to get it, honestly, but when it clicked I couldn’t unsee it. The desert heat played tricks on us all day. Last stop was Shark Bay. You wade out knee-deep and suddenly these lemon sharks appear, gliding past your legs like they don’t even notice you’re there (I definitely noticed them). Someone behind me squealed — not naming names — but it made everyone laugh and relax a bit.

I keep thinking about that feeling floating in the salt lake: weightless, sun on my face, not really sure what time it was or if it mattered. If you want a half-day tour from Santa Maria that’s more than just ticking boxes — something with rough edges and real moments — this is probably it.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Sal's natural highlights

• Visit Salt Lake Salinas of Pedra de Lume
• Float in the salt lake
• Travel to Buracona Blue Eye
• Swim in Buracona natural pool
• See fata morgana at Miragem
• Admire Murdeira Bay and Lion mountain
• Visit Shark Bay to see lemon sharks

Top questions

How long does the Sal Island tour take?

The tour is a half-day experience departing from Santa Maria.

Is swimming included at both Salt Lake and Blue Eye?

You can swim at both Pedra de Lume Salt Lake and Buracona’s natural pool if conditions allow.

Are entrance fees included in the price?

Entrance fees are included—€3 for Blue Eye and €6 for Salinas Salt Lake.

Is hotel pickup available in Santa Maria?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are included with your booking.

Can children join this day trip from Santa Maria?

The tour is suitable for all fitness levels; baby car seats are available on request.

Do I need special shoes for Shark Bay?

Water shoes are recommended for Shark Bay; rentals are available onsite for €2 if needed.

Will we see sharks up close at Shark Bay?

You’ll wade into shallow water where lemon sharks swim close by in their natural habitat.

Is lunch provided during the tour?

No lunch is included; however, there are local snacks available for purchase during stops.

What’s included

Your day includes private transportation with hotel pickup and drop-off from Santa Maria or nearby areas, entrance fees to both Pedra de Lume Salt Lake and Buracona Blue Eye, time to swim in both spots if you want (and conditions allow), skip-the-line tickets so you don’t wait around sweating in line, plus guidance from a certified local who knows every sandy shortcut across Sal Island before dropping you back at your hotel.