Sal Island tour: Blue Eye, salt flats, lemon sharks

Seven stops across Sal: windsurfing beach, turtle bay, salt crater, and the sharks of Fejoal

This seven-hour guided off-road tour of Sal Island covers the main landmarks and fishing villages of Cape Verde's flattest island, starting at Ponta Preta beach and ending at Shark Bay. The route includes Buracona (the Blue Eye), Pedra de Lume salt flats where you float in water 26 times saltier than the ocean, Murdeira's natural harbor, Palmeira's main port with its colorful houses, and stops at Monte Leão and Terra Boa. A live guide in English, Spanish, Italian or French narrates the day. Pickup from Santa Maria is included. Entrance fees to Buracona, Shark Bay and the salt flats are optional at checkout.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Sal Island highlights

• Start at Ponta Preta beach
• Visit Murdeira natural harbor
• See Monte Leão mountain
• Explore Fontona oasis
• Tour Palmeira fishing village
• Discover Buracona Blue Eye
• Observe mirage at Terra Boa
• Visit Pedra de Lume salt flats
• Float in salt crater waters
• Watch lemon sharks at Shark Bay
• Return to Santa Maria

The experience

The tour opens at Ponta Preta, the island's most celebrated beach, where February brings the world windsurfing championships. From there the route moves inland and north through Murdeira, a rocky natural harbor where sea turtles mate from June to October, and past Monte Leão, a mountain shaped like a lion's head. The vehicle is air-conditioned and seats groups together. The guide speaks your choice of four languages and narrates the stops as you move through them.

Buracona, known locally as the Blue Eye, is an underwater cavity in volcanic rock where sunlight turns the water brilliant shades of blue and turquoise: a natural pool roughly two by three meters across, framed by black rock that drops to the ocean. Pedra de Lume salt crater holds muddy, mineral-dense water that lets you float without effort, a sensation the operator compares to the Dead Sea. Both sites charge separate entry fees you can add at checkout. Shark Bay (also called Fejoal Bay) is where lemon sharks between two and three meters long cruise the shallow water close to shore. The walk into the bay takes a few minutes and requires water shoes.

The day also passes through Palmeira, Sal's main port town with houses painted in the colors typical of Cape Verdean architecture, and Terra Boa, where an optical mirage effect appears on sunny days. The salt flats at Pedra de Lume offer views across the crater from above before the optional float. Return to Santa Maria is on paved road.

What’s included

• Air-conditioned vehicle for the full seven hours.
• live guide in English, Spanish, Italian or French.
• pickup from Santa Maria.
• stops at Ponta Preta beach, Murdeira harbor, Monte Leão, Palmeira port village, Buracona (Blue Eye), Terra Boa, and Pedra de Lume salt crater.
• water shoes recommended for Shark Bay wading.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to10h before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (4 to 11 years) · Under 4: can't be booked

GroupUp to 12

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French and Italian

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 31 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleStroller-friendlyInfant seats availableNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by sodadetour

Is this one for you?The guide speaks four languages, so choose the one you're most comfortable with. If you speak English, Spanish, Italian or French, you'll follow the commentary without translation. The seven-hour pace suits travelers who want a full day of stops without rushing, though the off-road sections and wading at Shark Bay mean it is not suitable for those with spinal injuries or pregnant travelers.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French and Italian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 11 years). Children under 4 can't be included in the booking.

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 can I swim in it?

Buracona's Blue Eye is a natural pool formed in an underwater cavity within volcanic rock, roughly two by three meters across. Sunlight illuminates the water in shades of blue and turquoise, creating the eye-like effect. Entry to swim or wade is optional and charged separately at checkout.

Will I actually see lemon sharks at Shark Bay?

Shark Bay is known for lemon sharks that swim in shallow water close to shore. The creatures are typically two to three meters long and weigh around 100 kilograms. Spotting depends on conditions and timing, but the bay is set up specifically for this encounter. You wade into shallow water after putting on water shoes.

What does it feel like to float in the Pedra de Lume salt water?

Pedra de Lume's water contains 26 times more salt than the ocean, allowing you to float without effort or swimming. The water is muddy from the mixture of salt and earth. Entry to the salt flats is optional and charged separately. You can view the crater from above without paying to float.

How long is this tour, and what's included in the price?

The tour runs seven hours and includes an air-conditioned vehicle, a live guide in your choice of English, Spanish, Italian or French, and pickup from Santa Maria. Entrance fees to Buracona, Shark Bay and the salt flats are not included in the base price and can be added at checkout.

Does the tour stop in villages, or is it only natural sites?

The route includes Palmeira, Sal's main fishing port with colorful traditional houses, and passes through Murdeira and other settlements. You see the day-to-day life of Cape Verdeans alongside the natural landmarks. The guide narrates the history and culture at each stop.