Watersports on Sal

Sal's highlights are the Pedra de Lume salt crater, the Buracona Blue Eye lava cave, Shark Bay, Santa Maria Beach and its pier, Kite Beach, quad and buggy safaris, the zip line and boat trips from Santa Maria. Most visitors combine one or two excursions with beach days; almost everything can be reached in under 30 minutes by taxi from Santa Maria.

The official language is Portuguese and everyone also speaks Cape Verdean Creole. In Santa Maria most people working in tourism speak English, and many speak Italian, French or Spanish. Our free English–Portuguese translator helps with taxis, markets and small local shops where less English is spoken.

The currency is the Cape Verdean escudo (CVE), fixed at roughly 110 CVE to 1 euro. Euros are widely accepted in Santa Maria, though change usually comes in escudos. Cards work in hotels and larger restaurants, but taxis, markets and small snack bars are cash only, so carry some escudos.

Sal is a year-round destination with air temperatures of 24–30°C and sea temperatures of 22–26°C. November to May is driest and windiest, which is peak season for kitesurfing and windsurfing. August to October is warmest and calmest, with the small chance of a short rain shower.

Short rides inside Santa Maria are usually 100–200 CVE, and an airport transfer between Amílcar Cabral Airport and Santa Maria is typically around 1,500–2,000 CVE. Agree the price before you get in. Our taxi pages list verified local drivers with their phone and WhatsApp numbers so you can book in advance.

Most European, UK and US visitors do not need a visa for short stays but must complete the online EASE pre-registration and pay the airport security fee before arrival. Rules change, so always check the official Cape Verdean government portal shortly before you travel.

Tap water on Sal is desalinated and safe for washing and brushing teeth, but it tastes salty and locals and visitors drink bottled water. Bottled water is cheap and sold in every mini-market; a 5-litre bottle is the most economical option for a longer stay.

Sal is one of the safest islands in the region and serious crime against tourists is rare. Use normal precautions: avoid unlit stretches of beach late at night, keep valuables in a safe and be firm but friendly with beach sellers. The sea can have strong currents, so swim where other people swim.

Santa Maria has everything from beachfront seafood restaurants to local snack bars serving cachupa and grilled tuna for a few hundred escudos. Our restaurant pages list real menus with prices in escudos and euros, so you can compare before you walk in.

SalNavigator is an independent guide run from Santa Maria by Mark Burbach. It is completely free for travellers, we take no booking commission, and listings are checked on the island. Businesses can be listed for free via our join page.