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Sal Snorkeling

Our most recommended Sal Snorkeling

Santa Maria: Guided Snorkeling Shipwreck and Reef Tour

1. Santa Maria: Guided Snorkeling Shipwreck and Reef Tour

Experience the beautiful underwater world of Sal on this guided snorkeling tour in Santa Maria. Explore the reefs around the Bolama Wreck, and spot aquatic life around Dunas Bikini and Farol with a guide who knows the area well. Keep an eye out for creatures like tropical fish, rays, turtles, and moray eels. Meet the guides at the dive center, be fitted with snorkeling equipment, and fill out all of the necessary paperwork before setting out on tour. Receive a safety and rules briefing and learn some basic snorkeling knowledge and some instruction on how to use the equipment. Be dropped off in the water off the reef by boat, and begin exploring underwater. Immerse yourself in a new and exciting underwater world, and try to spot some of the area's many marine species. Look for fish, eels, rays, and turtles, while exploring the different reefs on this approximately two-hour tour. Discover three different snorkeling sites available depending on the sea conditions, and the best sites depending on weather and conditions will be chosen by the guide. Marvel at Bolama, a shallow shipwreck turned reef, where many marine species make their homes. Explore Dunas, a series of shallow reefs interlaced with sand dunes ideal as a refuge for many fish species and turtles, or Bikini further to the north, a shallow reef where you can see corals, invertebrates such as morays and lobsters, and shallow areas that work as fish nurseries. Return to the dive center following the tour and enjoy the rest of your day.

Sal: All-Inclusive Half-Day Lounge Catamaran Cruise

2. Sal: All-Inclusive Half-Day Lounge Catamaran Cruise

Hop aboard the luxurious Lounge Catamaran Sodade and be whisked away for half a day to unwind. Cruise down the western coast of Sal on the spacious boat, and enjoy a different view of the island's rocky shores. Take the children with you for a fun day out at sea, or select the adults-only tour option to enjoy a kid-free experience. Sip on unlimited beer and soft drinks throughout your trip. After pickup at your hotel, board the catamaran for your half-day trip. The catamaran has a capacity for 90 people but numbers are limited to 60 people per trip to ensure plenty of space for everyone. On the sunlit deck, relax on the comfortable lounge beds while bobbing along with the waves of the Atlantic Ocean, and relish a refreshing cocktail, a nice glass of (sparkling) wine, or a cold beer. Halfway through the trip, freshen up with a cool dive into the ocean to swim and snorkel, try some local fishing with the crew, or simply relax on board while a delicious snack is prepared. A private inflatable pool provides a safe opportunity for the smallest guests to enjoy time in the water too. On the way back to the harbor, the ambiance is awakened with African vibes of local music, drums, and dance. Long story short: With a fresh breeze, a combination of soothing and uplifting music, and all-inclusive food and drinks, this catamaran trip makes the perfect getaway.

Sal: Full-Day Trip Around the Island with Lunch and Snorkel

3. Sal: Full-Day Trip Around the Island with Lunch and Snorkel

Meeting at the front desk of your hotel at 9:15 AM, then make your way to the first destination, Ponta Preta (Black Edge). Witness a contrast between white natural sand dunes and dark-colored volcanic rocks entering the sea. This amazing combination creates huge and beautiful waves, making this location the stage for world-famous water sports competitions like surfing and windsurfing. While in Ponta Preta, you'll be introduced to the itinerary and provided with a brief history of Cape Verde. Next, head to Murdeira, located at the center of the island. Snorkel in the bay's crystal clear, coral-filled waters, and catch a glimpse of Monte Leão, one of the island's most prominent landmarks. From Murdeira, go north to the capital of the island, Espargos. Enjoy a local tour of the city ending in a panoramic view through the belvedere. Make your next stop at the fishing village of Palmeira, the only port on the island and an industrialized zone extremely important to the local economy. To the east of Palmeira, spot Buracona, a place with natural pools and an incredible rocky landscape of volcanic origin. This combination creates a wonderful phenomenon called "Blue Eye". From 10:30 AM–1 PM, the sun shines inside a 25-meter (82-foot) deep cave, allowing you to glimpse the image of a shiny blue eye staring at the majestic sky. More to the west of the island is Terra Boa, the only land for growing crops where you can enjoy another spectacle of nature, a mirage in the middle of the desert. On the way back to Espargos, pass the peripheral area of the island and visit some social institutions, such as kindergartens and schools. In Espargos, take a break for lunch in a local restaurant and taste a typical dish or savor one of the best pizzas in town. After lunch, continue to Pedra de Lume, where the famous Salinas (salt pans) are found inside of an extinct volcano crater. Bathe in the therapeutic waters before heading to the Baia de Parda around 4 PM to catch sight of lemon sharks. You'll return to your hotel around 5 PM.

Sal Island: Shark Bay Experience from Santa Maria

4. Sal Island: Shark Bay Experience from Santa Maria

Visit the east part of the island on the beach with a natural lemon shark rookery, which is a light-brown colored shark, or sand-colored when in its natural environment. Choose to stay on the beach and watch the sharks with binoculars or get in the water and watch them from up close.  The lemon shark is medium to large shark and is not a threat to people, but can be a danger to other ocean animals. Its scientific name is Negaprion Brevirostris. The average length of a lemon shark is about 2.5 to 3 meters. Some of the largest lemon sharks measured about 3.4 meters. These sharks grow about 0.50 centimeters per year. After spending 60 minutes with sharks swimming around you and learning about the sharks you will be taken back to your lodge or hotel where you were picked up.

Other Sightseeing Options in Sal

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What people are saying about Sal

One of the best tour events I've ever been on. What made the event so exciting was the staff of 'No-Limits'.......who were responsible for taking us on the trip. From Alina (our tour guide) to Rony & Kenni (part of the team on the Catamaran).......they were all absolutely brilliant. They are an example of what event hosts should be, and they are a credit to the organisation they work for. I do highly recommend this event to all visitors to Cape Verde........not to be missed!!

Great snorkeling tour with excellent guides (Spanish lady with a long braid and a Spanish guy with darker features. Thank you!) Communication was great (both on land and in water) and safety instructions were thorough. We saw turtles, puffer fish, coloured fish... and a ship wreck. Magical! Highly recommend this tour.

Nice little snorkeling trip, the shipwreck was cool to see, and we were lucky enough to see a few turtles

Well organised trip and I felt safe at all times. Plenty to see

We had an amazing time, would definitely recommend