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Paradise is here: discover Sal, Cape Verde, with its golden beaches and perfect climate! We’ll relax in Santa Maria, explore the Espargos market, admire the sharks at Baía dos Tubarões, and float in the unique Pedra de Lume salt pans.

Is this trip for me?

Party and nightlife
Relax
Nature and adventure
City and cultures
Monuments and history
Physical effort
Trip type
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Itinerary

Sal Island is one of the islands in the Cape Verde archipelago, located in the Atlantic Ocean off the northwest coast of Africa. While its beauty, warm climate, and golden sand beaches often draw comparisons to the Caribbean, Sal Island is firmly on the African continent. It's known for its spectacular coastline, water sports, diverse marine life, and unique local culture. On this trip, we'll unwind on the golden beaches of Santa Maria, swim in crystal-clear waters, and soak up the sun. We'll venture out to explore the authentic local culture, visiting the island's capital, Espargos, where we'll check out the colorful market and sample delicious traditional cuisine at local restaurants. You'll also explore Baía dos Tubarões, home to harmless sharks, and discover how island life intertwines with the ocean.

From the majestic Baía da Murdeira to Mount Leão and the Buracona rock formation with its stunning Blue Eye, every day will be packed with surprises. We'll venture inland to visit oases, dunes, and picturesque villages, where we'll try local fruits and immerse ourselves in rural life. Plus, you can float in the salt pans of Pedra de Lume – a truly unique experience. This eight-day journey blends beach relaxation with cultural and natural adventures in a little slice of paradise.

A map of a travel itinerary on Sal Island, starting and ending in Santa María.
A turquoise swimming pool surrounded by yellow lounge chairs and palm trees in the courtyard of a white hotel building.

Check-in: our adventure kicks off in Santa María

Round-trip flights aren't included in the trip price, so you can decide where to fly from, at what time, and with which airline. We do this to give you maximum freedom of choice.

Check-in at the hotel in Santa Maria and gather together for the Welcome Meeting. We're immersing ourselves into this natural gem, an untouched island brimming with joy. Over the next few days, our main goal is total relaxation. Let's kick off this holiday by diving straight into Santa Maria's rhythm and local culture.

A WeRoad group trip walking along a sandy path next to a tropical beachside restaurant surrounded by palm trees.

Murdeira Bay, Palmeira Port, and Blue Eye

Our first excursion will take us to the majestic Baía da Murdeira, a perfect spot to capture the natural beauty of Monte Leão through our cameras. Then, we'll continue to the picturesque fishing village and port of Palmeira, where we'll explore the amazing Buracona rock formation, with its natural pool and the famous 'Blue Eye' wonder.

Local sharks and salt flats

After these fascinating stops, we'll head to Terra Boa, where we'll capture fun photos of the mirages created in this unique spot. Our next stop will take us to Espargos, the island's capital, followed by a visit to Baía dos Tubarões, home to the impressive local sharks.

Finally, we'll cap off our day with a truly unique experience at the Pedra de Lume salt flats, where we'll float in waters that are 26 times saltier than the sea. An unforgettable experience to conclude our day's tour.

Dozens of small boats float on calm, turquoise water with the shapes of large fish visible below under a blue sky.

Marine life

Today we have the chance to dive into the gorgeous underwater world of Sal Island. From the spectacular marine life to the vibrant colours of the coral reef, this excursion will give you an unforgettable experience and a deeper connection with the island's nature. Ready to explore and discover Sal Island's underwater treasures? Dive into this exciting snorkeling adventure!

Cape Verdean rhythm

In the afternoon, we'll get the chance to learn some local dance steps: Afrobeat, Kizomba, and Funana. The perfect opportunity for a deep dive into Cape Verdean culture with music and plenty of laughs, because let's be real, keeping up with our instructors will be a challenge.
A WeRoad group trip sitting in a long line of off-road buggies on a dirt track under a clear sky.

We're hitting the road!

What better way to enjoy the island than with a quad bike excursion? We’ll put on our helmets, hop on a quad bike with our trusty travel buddy, and explore Sal Island in a fun and exciting way. From dreamlike beaches to hidden oases and breathtaking landscapes, this excursion promises to be an unforgettable experience for all adventure lovers. Get ready to discover the magic of Sal Island on four wheels!

The itinerary will include stops at points of interest where you can take photos, learn about the local culture, and enjoy panoramic views.

A person windsurfs on the ocean with a lime green sail under a cloudy sky during sunset.

Water adventure: surf, kitesurf or windsurf

Ready to tackle the Atlantic waves on the stunning Sal Island? The wind conditions here are exceptional, making it a top-notch destination to choose between three thrilling water sports: surfing, kitesurfing, or windsurfing. If you've always dreamed of mastering the waves, surfing is the perfect choice. Kitesurfing is another exciting option that will have you gliding over the water powered by the wind. And for those seeking a combo of surf and wind, windsurfing is the way to go! After all that physical exertion, we'll definitely have worked up an appetite, so we'll dive into a delicious lunch with a nice cold beer.

In the afternoon, a van will pick us up to head to Ponte Preta beach, where we can enjoy a good Caipirinha while watching the sunset on the horizon.

The flag of Cape Verde waving in the wind, mounted on the back of a boat in a marina under a blue sky.

Half-day catamaran trip

We'll head to Palmeira, the island's main port, where we'll hop on our catamaran. Our first stop takes us to the stunning Baía da Murdeira, a place of incredible natural charm. Once there, we'll have the chance to dive into its crystal-clear waters for some snorkeling and explore the marine life hidden beneath the surface. For fishing enthusiasts, the catamaran also offers the opportunity to fish, a pastime that's both relaxing and exciting. If you'd rather stay on board, you can simply chill on the catamaran's deck, soaking up the sea breeze and coastal views.

A highlight of this experience is the chance to spot turtles (from June to September) or whales (from February to March). While it's never guaranteed, fingers crossed we get lucky!

A live band performs on a stage with a large mural backdrop for an audience in a dimly lit club.

Visit to an NGO

After days exploring the stunning beaches and vibrant culture of Sal island, we'll have the option to book a special morning to visit a local NGO dedicated to helping children. We will close our trip with a meaningful experience and contribute in some way to the community that had so kindly welcomed us. We can give them some donations we brought: school supplies, clothes, and toys. Seeing their faces light up with a grateful smile is the best way to end the trip.

We leave the NGO with full hearts, knowing we had shared a special moment and that our small contribution had been valued.

Local beer tasting

In the afternoon, we'll get to sample a variety of 2 craft beers produced on the island, each with its own distinctive flavor and character. A local beer expert will guide us through the tasting, explaining the characteristics of each beer and sharing insights into the ingredients and brewing process. The experience also includes 2 natural juices and a couple of tapas. It'll be a fun and educational experience that will immerse us in the beer culture of Cape Verde. Cheers!

In the evening, we'll organize our final dinner of the trip to say goodbye to our travel buddies.

A colorful mural on an orange building depicting athletes celebrating with a trophy and the flag of Cabo Verde.

Check-out and goodbyes

See you soon Cape Verde and goodbye, travel buddies! See you on our next WeRoad adventure.

What's included

What's not included

Roundtrip flight to/from destination
  • Food and beverages when not specified
  • All the extras you'll be able to fit in your backpack
  • Anything not mentioned in the "What's included" section
  • Entrance to the Salt Pans with freshwater shower
  • Ecological tax to visit Buracona

Optional activities

Please see below extra optional activities that you can experience during your trip. Your Group Leader will be happy to assist with organizing these activities for the group. Availability may vary depending on location and group preferences.

Please note these activities are provided by third party suppliers and liability rests exclusively with these third party suppliers.

  • Buggy Excursion (2 person buggy) - approx. USD60
  • Turtle Nesting (Only June to September) - approx. USD42
  • Surf / Windsurf (1h) - approx USD36
  • Horseback Riding - approx. USD36
  • Traditional Dance class - approx. USD18
  • Cooking class approx. USD42
  • Scuba diving (2 dives)- approx. USD95
  • Entrance to the Salt Pans with freshwater shower, ecological tax to visit Buracona - approx. USD12

Additional info

Learn more about accommodation, transport, and other useful travel information.
  • You’ll be staying in a hotel with twin or triple rooms, with breakfast included and a swimming pool (not guaranteed for departures from 01/01/2027).

  • The private room option isn't available on this trip.
  • Info on private roomsShow all details

Why WeRoad

  • Small groups, on average 11 people

  • Move or change your trip for free up to 31 days before departure

  • Book with $ 0. Pay the $ 100 deposit only once the trip is confirmed

The Group Leaders

Our Group Leaders are chosen because they’re people just like you: passionate travelers who share the experience authentically, while having the skills to take care of the organisation, and help you get the most out of every moment of the trip.

Find your flight

For this trip, we recommend arriving and departing from these airports.

ArrivalEspargos (SID)
ReturnEspargos (SID)
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This is a WeRoadX

A trip designed and created entirely by an experienced WeRoad Travel Group Leader.

This is a trip designed and created entirely by an experienced WeRoad Travel Group Leader. They organise the whole trip: from defining the itinerary to selecting accommodation and on-site experiences. On the WeRoad website you can book the trip and manage it in MyWeRoad, just like any other WeRoad.

FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions

About this trip

About WeRoad

About Cape Verde

From$ 1,390
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$ 1,274
Book with $ 0
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