Cape Verde  »  Sal  »  Santa Maria

Top Things to Do in Santa Maria

We compared all 21 experiences in Santa Maria so you can choose in minutes — real prices, verified reviews and our editorial picks.

4.7 21 experiences from US$ 31 Free cancellation on most experiences
Sort
Santa Maria Full-Day Tour with Native Certified Guide
Santa Maria Full-Day Tour with Native Certified Guide★★★★★★★★★★ 4.87 (1,383)7hA 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.Is it for me?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.Free cancellationTravelers' pickMost bookedfromUS$ 41View ›
Horseback Riding in Sal Island: Beach & Salt Mines Trail
Horseback Riding in Sal Island: Beach & Salt Mines Trail★★★★★★★★★★ 4.87 (547)1h–2hHorseback riding on Sal Island takes you across white sandy beaches, salt mines and desert on trails suited to beginners through experienced riders. Groups stay under eight with guides on horseback at a 1:2 ratio, ensuring the pace fits your skill. Hotel pickup, helmet, insurance and a professional guide in your language are included; you choose between a 1-hour walk, a 1.5-hour beach ride, or a 2-hour route combining salt flats and Kite Beach.Is it for me?The small-group format with guides on horseback at a 1:2 ratio means you're not following a fixed pace—the ride adjusts to whether you're a first-time rider wanting a walk or an experienced one ready to gallop. If you land in Santa Maria with an afternoon free and no riding experience, the 1-hour trail keeps you in the saddle without pressure; if you've ridden before, the longer routes let you canter and gallop along Kite Beach.Free cancellationTravelers' pickfromUS$ 61View ›
Sal Island Half-Day Tour: Blue Eye, Salt Lake & Sharks
Sal Island Half-Day Tour: Blue Eye, Salt Lake & Sharks★★★★★★★★★★ 4.80 (499)4hThis half-day tour of Sal Island combines four natural attractions—the Pedra de Lume Salt Lake in an extinct volcanic crater, the Blue Eye at Buracona, the Terra Boa mirage and Shark Bay—in a single morning with a native certified guide, hotel pickup and drop-off, and all entrance fees. You float in mineral-rich salt water, swim in a natural pool when conditions allow, and observe juvenile lemon sharks in their habitat. The tour returns by early afternoon, leaving the rest of your day free.Is it for me?Book this tour if you want to see Sal Island's main natural attractions in one morning and return to your hotel by early afternoon. The fixed four-hour schedule and included transportation mean the day holds together without you arranging stops, timing or entry fees—you just show up at your hotel ready to swim and observe wildlife.Free cancellationTravelers' pickfromUS$ 53View ›
Sal Island: Buggy Desert Adventure & Kite Beach Tour
Sal Island: Buggy Desert Adventure & Kite Beach Tour★★★★★★★★★★ 4.92 (492)2hYou’ll drive your own 1000cc buggy across Sal Island’s southern desert with a local guide leading the way. Feel the rush on Kite Beach where kitesurfers ride wild winds, stand atop Serra Negra for lunar views, and watch waves crash at Ponta Preta’s volcanic shore. Includes hotel pickup and all gear—just bring your sense of adventure.Free cancellationTravelers' pickfrom · per groupUS$ 170View ›
Sal Island: 4H Buggy Adventure 1000cc & Sand Dunes
Sal Island: 4H Buggy Adventure 1000cc & Sand Dunes★★★★★★★★★★ 4.93 (473)4hYou drive a 1000cc automatic buggy across Sal Island for four hours with a local guide leading the route, stopping at Murdeira Bay, Serra Negra, Terra Boa's mirage, Shark Bay, and a natural salt crater. Hotel pickup, safety gear, water, and a small group of up to eight people keep the day organized; you need a valid driving license and must be 18 or older to drive.Is it for me?Right for drivers with a valid license who want to explore Sal's coast and interior in one morning without arranging transport or a guide separately — the buggy and the route are already set, so you just show up and drive.Free cancellationTravelers' pickTop ratedfrom · per groupUS$ 303View ›
Catamaran Half Day Sal: Sail & Snorkel Southwest Coast
Catamaran Half Day Sal: Sail & Snorkel Southwest Coast★★★★★★★★★★ 4.76 (379)3hA half-day catamaran cruise along the southwest coast of Sal Island in Cape Verde, with sailing, a swimming and snorkeling stop, drinks and light snacks aboard. Small group sizes keep the atmosphere calm and personal. Boarding takes place from the beach via dinghy due to pier damage, and a live guide speaks English, Portuguese, German, Norwegian and other languages. Snorkeling equipment is provided; wildlife sightings are possible but not guaranteed.Is it for me?Three hours leaves your afternoon free, so you can pair this with a beach day or explore Santa Maria without committing to a full-day excursion. The small group size and calm pace suit anyone who wants to be on the water without the noise and rush of a larger tour boat.Free cancellationTravelers' pickKids −23%fromUS$ 69View ›
Sal Island Catamaran Cruise: Lounge Decks, Swimming & Drinks
Sal Island Catamaran Cruise: Lounge Decks, Swimming & Drinks★★★★★★★★★★ 4.79 (341)4hYou’ll sail from Palmeira on Sal Island aboard a spacious catamaran with open lounge decks and plenty of room to relax. Enjoy unlimited drinks, fresh snacks, swimming stops—including a floating pool—and maybe even spot turtles or whales depending on the season. It’s an easygoing day where comfort comes first and time slows down just enough for you to notice.Free cancellationLikely to sell outKids −50%fromUS$ 73View ›
Sal Island: Adults-Only Catamaran Lounge & Floating Pool
Sal Island: Adults-Only Catamaran Lounge & Floating Pool★★★★★★★★★★ 4.86 (265)4hYou’ll board in Palmeira’s colorful fishing village and sail along Sal Island’s coast with drinks in hand, live music playing softly, and plenty of space to stretch out on lounge beds or bean bags. Swim in an inflatable pool set up at Monte Leão and snack on fresh bites while soaking up sun and sea air—this adults-only catamaran trip is all about unwinding at your own pace.Free cancellationTravelers' pickLikely to sell outfromUS$ 81View ›
Sal Island Full-Day Tour: Blue Eye, Sharks & Salt Lakes
Sal Island Full-Day Tour: Blue Eye, Sharks & Salt Lakes★★★★★★★★★★ 4.68 (230)7hYou get eight named stops across Sal in one day — from volcanic rock pools to salt lakes to a fishing village — with a guide who explains what you're looking at, not just where it is. Lunch and all entry fees are covered, pickup happens at your hotel, and the group stays small enough that you're not herding. The full day out is what lets you see this much of the island without renting a car or negotiating rides.Is it for me?Right for travelers staying in Santa Maria or nearby who want to see the whole island in one day without renting a car or arranging transport between stops. The full day out — roughly 8 hours with the guide — is what makes visiting eight different landscapes and villages possible in a single trip.Free cancellationTravelers' pickKids −30%fromUS$ 88View ›
Sal: Beginner Scuba Dive with PADI Instructor & Hotel Pickup
Sal: Beginner Scuba Dive with PADI Instructor & Hotel Pickup★★★★★★★★★★ 4.88 (222)5hYou’ll learn to scuba dive in Sal with a patient PADI instructor, start off practicing in safe shallow water, then head out by boat for your very first real ocean dive. Hotel pickup makes it easy, all gear is included—you just bring your nerves and curiosity. It’s not just about fish; it’s about feeling that weird quiet under the surface.Free cancellationfromUS$ 128View ›
Cape Verde Sal: Half-Day Sailing Yacht Trip & Swim
Cape Verde Sal: Half-Day Sailing Yacht Trip & Swim★★★★★★★★★★ 4.73 (161)3hYou’ll board a classic yacht with a small group off Sal Island, sail along the southwest coast with local crew, pause for swimming or snorkeling in Santa Maria bay, and share drinks plus light snacks on deck—all without crowds or noise. It’s calm, unhurried sailing where you can really breathe in Cape Verde’s ocean air.Free cancellationKids −23%fromUS$ 69View ›
Sal Island: Night Sea Turtle Watching with Biologists & Pickup
Sal Island: Night Sea Turtle Watching with Biologists & Pickup★★★★★★★★★★ 4.61 (155)2hYou’ll slip onto Sal Island’s beaches at night with local guides and biologists, searching for loggerhead turtles as they nest in silence under starlight. Feel the hush around you as you watch new life begin, learn from passionate conservationists, and support real preservation work — all with easy hotel pickup and eco-friendly care.Free cancellationTravelers' pick-5%fromUS$ 44View ›
Santa Maria: Loggerhead Turtle Nesting Night Walk & Transfer
Santa Maria: Loggerhead Turtle Nesting Night Walk & Transfer★★★★★★★★★★ 4.83 (150)3hYou're driven to one of Cape Verde's most important nesting beaches at night, briefed by expert guides on turtle behavior and conservation, then led on a quiet walk under red light to observe loggerhead sea turtles laying eggs in their natural habitat. Hotel pickup and return are included, and groups stay under ten people to protect the wildlife and the moment.Is it for me?Book this if you want to witness a natural event that most travelers never see, without arranging your own transport or timing — the small-group format and expert guides handle the logistics and the respect for the wildlife, leaving you free to stand in the dark and watch.Free cancellationfromUS$ 46View ›
Sal Island Airport Transfer SID to Santa Maria
Sal Island Airport Transfer SID to Santa Maria★★★★★★★★★★ 4.65 (136)20m–30mYou get picked up directly from arrivals or dropped at your door without arranging a taxi or sharing a van with strangers. Your driver tracks your flight and adjusts the pickup time automatically if you're delayed, and the vehicle is air-conditioned with a professional local driver. The service runs around the clock, includes one bag per person, and the price is set before you land.Is it for me?Worth booking if you land in Sal Island with luggage and want to skip the taxi queue entirely — the driver waits at arrivals with your name, the price is fixed before you land, and flight delays don't create a scramble to reschedule.Free cancellationTravelers' pickfrom · per groupUS$ 35View ›
Sal Island Lemon Shark Experience & Shark Bay Swim
Sal Island Lemon Shark Experience & Shark Bay Swim★★★★★★★★★★ 4.62 (109)2hYou enter shallow, knee-deep water at Shark Bay with a native guide and spend 40 minutes observing juvenile lemon sharks in their natural nursery. The guide explains shark behavior and conservation while you photograph and ask questions in a small group. Water shoes, hotel pickup, and all equipment are included; you return to your accommodation afterward.Is it for me?Right for travelers who want to see sharks in their natural habitat without a boat or barrier, and who'd rather have a local guide handle the logistics and explain what's actually happening in the water.Free cancellationTravelers' pickfromUS$ 35View ›
Sal Island Day Trip: Salt Crater, Sharks & Snorkeling
Sal Island Day Trip: Salt Crater, Sharks & Snorkeling★★★★★★★★★★ 4.59 (107)6h–7hYou visit seven stops across Sal Island in one day: float in the medicinal salt water at Pedra de Lume, snorkel at Murdeira Bay's coral reef, climb to Espargos's 360-degree viewpoint, watch fishing boats at Palmeira, see the turquoise Blue Eye pool, observe lemon sharks at Shark Bay, and finish at Kite Beach. The tour is available as a group or private booking, and entry fees to Pedra de Lume and the Blue Eye (3 euros each) are separate.Is it for me?Right for travelers who want to see the whole island in one day without arranging their own transport — the fixed route hits all the main spots, from floating in salt water to watching sharks, and you don't need a rental car or local knowledge to move between them.Free cancellationKids −33%fromUS$ 46View ›
Sal Island: Jet Ski Adventure with Pickup & Local Guide
Sal Island: Jet Ski Adventure with Pickup & Local Guide★★★★★★★★★★ 4.31 (102)1hYou’ll ride a jet ski along Sal Island’s coast with a local guide—expect salty air, bursts of laughter, and views you can’t get from land. Includes pickup in Santa Maria, bottled water to cool off after your ride, plus life jackets for everyone’s peace of mind. If you’ve never tried jet skiing before (like me), this is an easy way in.Free cancellationTravelers' pickfrom · per groupUS$ 69View ›
Sal Island: Shark Encounter, Salt Lake Swim & Local Lunch
Sal Island: Shark Encounter, Salt Lake Swim & Local Lunch★★★★★★★★★★ 4.56 (89)7hYou’ll float weightless in Sal’s salt lake inside an old volcano crater, share a Cape Verdean lunch in Espargos, and wade into Parda Bay where lemon sharks glide past your feet—all with a local guide who knows every corner of the island. Expect laughter, sea air clinging to your skin, and small surprises you’ll remember long after you leave.Free cancellationKids −34%fromUS$ 50View ›
Sailing and snorkeling off Sal, Cape Verde: Small group yacht
Sailing and snorkeling off Sal, Cape Verde: Small group yacht★★★★★★★★★★ 4.87 (84)6h 30mA full-day sailing and snorkeling activity on Lucy, a small-group yacht off Sal, Cape Verde, where you sail the southwest coastline, snorkel in turquoise waters with gear provided, and eat lunch and drink wine onboard. The crew speaks English, Spanish, Portuguese or French, and pickup is included. Max 8 guests keeps the rhythm relaxed instead of crowded.Is it for me?This is a shared-group activity with a max of 8 guests, so it suits anyone who wants the company and cost of a group but not the scale of a larger tour. If you're traveling solo or with one other person and want to meet people in a relaxed setting, the small size makes that natural; if you prefer solitude, the deck space and quiet rhythm let you have that too.Free cancellationTravelers' pickKids −22%fromUS$ 151View ›
Sal Island: Full Day Tour with Local Guide & Culture
Sal Island: Full Day Tour with Local Guide & Culture★★★★★★★★★★ 4.71 (63)4h–5hYou’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.Free cancellationBest valueKids −19%fromUS$ 31View ›
Do you need help planning your next activity?