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Santa Maria, Cape Verde Volcano tours

Our most recommended Santa Maria, Cape Verde Volcano tours

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

1. 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.

From Santa Maria: Sal Island Private Day Trip

2. From Santa Maria: Sal Island Private Day Trip

Get picked up from your accommodation and depart toward Santa Maria Salt Pans. There, learn the local history and see how the locals extract salt, the activity that determined the island's name. Your tour continues to the village of Murdeira, where you will have a short visit to its nature reserve and enjoy the views of the Lion Mountain. Then, travel to Buracona and, weather permitting, swim in its beautiful natural pool. Move on towards the fishing village of Palmeira and take a well deserved lunch-break. Enjoy the local cuisine and discover the Cape Verdean gastronomy. Next, drive to Espargos and get to know its street arts that portray the Cape Verdean woman, her Morabeza and history. After that, head to the Shark Bay, a must-see when visiting Sal. Put on your water shoes, enter the ocean, see and get close to the Lemon Sharks in their natural environment. This species poses no threat to humans. Finally it is time for Your last "No Stress Adventure" at Pedra de Lume, in a salt pan located below sea level. Cross its cave, get into its extinct volcano crater and reach the lagoons from which the salt is extracted. Bring your book and enjoy reading while floating in the world's second saltiest thermal water, an unforgettable experience. The tour concludes with a drop-off at your accommodation.2

Sal: 4-Hour 4WD SSV Buggy Island Adventure

3. Sal: 4-Hour 4WD SSV Buggy Island Adventure

Explore Sal's highlights on this 4-hour, coast-to-coast, off-road guided island tour. After either being picked up at your hotel in Santa Maria or making your way to the meeting point, begin your tour on the west coast. Discover the bay of Murdeira with the Lion Mountain, the Fontona Oasis, and Palmeira, the island's main port. Arriving at the northwestern side, enjoy the amazing natural swimming pool of Regona. See the mirage at Terra Boa, then make your way to Pedra de Lume and the old crater of the volcano where you can find the second most salty water in the world. At the top, marvel at panoramic views of the island. Next, stop at Shark Bay to see lemon sharks in their natural environment. Cross through Serra Negra, the natural reserve of the island, and visit Kite Beach, a beautiful white sandy beach full of colorful kite surfs. Finally, finish your highlights tour at the salt flats of Santa Maria and admire the picturesque sand dunes.

From Santa Maria: Natural Pools & Shark Bay Private Day Trip

4. From Santa Maria: Natural Pools & Shark Bay Private Day Trip

Start your day of adventure to discover the natural pools, shark bay and to enjoy the majestic salt flats inside of Pedra de Lume's extinct volcano crater. Be picked up from your accommodation and transferred to the shark bay, a must-see when visiting Sal. Upon arrival, put on your water shoes, enter the ocean and head out to this incredible shark watching experience. See and get close to the Lemon Sharks in their natural environment. This species poses no threat to humans. Next, enjoy an experience of a lifetime at Pedra de Lume, in a salt pan located below sea level. Cross its cave, get into its extinct volcano crater and reach the lagoons from which the salt is extracted. Bring your book and enjoy reading while floating in the world's second saltiest thermal water. Finally, be driven to Buracona to see "Blue Eye" and, weather permitting, swim in its beautiful natural pools. The tour concludes with a drop-off at your accommodation.

From Santa Maria: Guided Lemon Shark Watching

5. From Santa Maria: Guided Lemon Shark Watching

After pickup from your hotel in Santa Maria, drive to the eastern part of the island of Sal. During the 25-minute informative journey, learn about the lemon sharks you'll see with your professional guide. Upon arrival at the lemon shark nursery, see the lemon sharks in their natural environment. Choose between staying on the beach and observing the sharks with binoculars or going into the water and seeing them up-close. Lemon sharks do not represent a threat to humans. If you go into the water, please be aware that you will need proper shoes for walking on the rocky surface (available to rent on the spot for €2 per person). After watching the sharks, enjoy a complimentary trip to the top of Pedra de Lume volcano to marvel at the amazing panorama before returning to your hotel.

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What people are saying about Santa Maria, Cape Verde

Lovely half day out with great guide Nanni. Sal hasn’t much to do but we went to paddle with lemon sharks (a bit stony walking out in shoes supplied so be careful) then once we saw them we moved to the salt lake and floated about for a while. All good fun. Quite warm water once in. Small snack joint there for a beer and changing area. Had a great time and guide was fun and knowledgeable about the history and the village nearby. Recommend it… great value too.

This was a great trip - you get to see some really unique parts of the island in just an afternoon. Paddling with the lemon sharks is great fun and in shallow water so suitable for all. The salt lake is a real look back at the history of the island and floating in the salt water is great! It’s really warm too. Our guide was great and told us loads about the island as we travelled around - would 100% recommend the trip.

Highly recommended activity at the beginning of a trip to the Idland of Sal. The team is super friendly and knowledgeable, and went out of the way to help the travelling party. The 4h tour itself dies take you on a whistle-stop tour of all of the main natural sights of Sal, and the guides provide you with information about each stop and will help take very good photos.

Really fun and well organized experience. The guides are very good, helpful and nice (they also speak Italian very well)!

Experience to repeat. We were presented with Hamilton, an excellent guide and very friendly I strongly advise