Sal Island Tour: Sharks, Salt Lake & Blue Eye - Santa Maria

Float in a volcanic salt lake, then watch lemon sharks in their natural bay.

A full-day tour of Sal Island departing from Santa Maria with a local certified guide, covering Shark Bay, the salt ponds inside a volcanic crater, Buracona's Blue Eye coral formation, and the fishing village of Palmeira. The guide shares the island's history and culture at a relaxed pace with time to swim and explore at each stop. Hotel pickup and drop-off included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Sal Island's nature and culture

• Drive through Santa Maria back streets
• Visit Natural reserve of Murdeira Bay
• Stroll in Palmeira fishing village
• Explore Blue Eye coral and Buracona
• See mirage and visit Terra Boa
• Tour Espargos town and Monte Curral
• See lemon sharks in natural habitat
• Visit Pedra de Lume salt ponds and float in lake

The experience

The tour moves through Sal at a comfortable pace, starting with a drive through Santa Maria's back streets to see how the city evolved from a salt-trading village into Cape Verde's main tourist hub. You'll pass through neighborhoods beyond the commercial waterfront, then head to the natural reserve at Murdeira Bay, where corals and fish fill the water and Lion Mountain rises across the view. The guide (fluent in English, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian and one additional language) shares stories about the island throughout, so you're learning as you go rather than just passing through.

The afternoon centers on two signature swims. At Shark Bay, you'll observe lemon sharks in their natural habitat before entering the water yourself. Later, you float in the medicinal thermal waters of the Salinas salt ponds, which sit inside the crater of an extinct volcano. The water rises from deep underground rather than seeping in from the ocean, giving it a different mineral composition and buoyancy. You'll also have time for a mud bath and to take in the quiet of the landscape. Between these stops, the route passes through Palmeira, a fishing village with narrow colonial streets where you can watch boats arrive and see the daily work of preparing and selling fish.

Buracona, known as the Blue Eye, is one of the seven wonders of Cape Verde. When the sun hits the cave opening, the coral formation glows an intense blue. You can swim in the natural pool surrounded by volcanic rock formations. If conditions allow, the guide will show you the hidden lovers cave, a spot most tourists miss. The drive back takes you through Terra Boa, a settlement of fewer than 200 people, where you'll see a mirage (an optical illusion created by heat and atmosphere that makes the desert appear to hold water), and have the chance to buy handmade souvenirs from local artisans and taste local liqueurs. A stop in Espargos, the island's capital, offers views from Monte Curral, the highest point on Sal at 109 meters, looking out over the town and airport.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in an air-conditioned vehicle.
• local certified guide fluent in English, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian and one additional language.
• entry to Shark Bay to observe and swim with lemon sharks.
• float and mud bath in the Salinas salt ponds inside a volcanic crater.
• access to Buracona's Blue Eye coral pool and natural swimming area.
• visit to Palmeira fishing village and Espargos with views from Monte Curral.
• liability insurance.
• specialized infant seats available on request.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (18 to 59 years) · Senior (60 and older) · Youth (11 to 17 years) · Child (3 to 10 years) · Infant (under 3)

GroupUp to 50

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, Italian and Portuguese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 43 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 13.63

Prices and times updated 13 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats availablePublic transport nearby

Operated by Carlos Cruz Tours

Is this one for you?The guide speaks your language (English, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian or one of the other languages offered), so you follow the stories and history comfortably without translation delays. Choose this tour if you want the island's culture and context woven through the day, not just the stops themselves.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, Italian and Portuguese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (11 to 17 years); Child (3 to 10 years); Infant (under 3).

What's the difference between Shark Bay and the salt lake swim?

Shark Bay is where you observe and swim among lemon sharks in open water. The Salinas salt ponds are a landlocked crater lake with mineral-rich thermal water where you float effortlessly and can take a mud bath. Both are included, but they're separate experiences at different points in the day.

Is the Blue Eye at Buracona really blue, or is that just the name?

The Blue Eye coral formation genuinely glows bright blue when sunlight hits the cave opening above it. You swim in the natural pool directly below, surrounded by volcanic rock, so the color is part of what you see when you're in the water.

How much time do you actually spend swimming versus driving?

The tour runs six to seven hours total and includes multiple stops where you can swim and explore on foot: Shark Bay, the salt lake, Buracona, and the fishing village of Palmeira. Driving connects these stops and includes commentary from your guide, but the itinerary is built around time in the water and at each location rather than rushing between them.

Do I need to bring my own swimsuit and towel?

Yes, bring your own swimsuit and towel. The operator also recommends water shoes (especially for Shark Bay), sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, and a bottle of water. Specialized infant seats are available on request if you're traveling with a baby or toddler.

What's included in the price, and what costs extra?

The tour includes hotel pickup and drop-off, the local certified guide, an air-conditioned vehicle, and all the stops and swims listed. Tips are optional. Water shoe rental at Shark Bay is recommended but not included. Food and drinks, including lunch, are not part of the package.

Will I see the hidden lovers cave at Buracona?

The guide will show you the hidden lovers cave if ocean conditions allow it. It's a spot most tourists don't know about, but access depends on the day's sea state, so it's not guaranteed.