Sal: Coastal Caves, Salt Flats and Island Culture

Sunlight creates special light effects in the underwater tunnel at Buracona; how they appear depends on the sunlight. Sal also offers coastal caves, salt flats, beaches with coral reefs and cultural events. You can shape your trip around the themes that interest you most: nature and water, history, festivals or cuisine.

Landscapes and salt flats on Sal

Sal is a volcanic island with flat terrain and a warm, tropical-dry climate. The island has white-sand beaches, warm, clear water and coral reefs; water conditions can vary by location and season. The coastal caves of Regona are directly connected to the open sea. They are home to large fish and crustaceans, among other marine life.

The locations of the salt flats also offer different perspectives: the Salinas de Santa Maria lie north of the town centre of Santa Maria and are entirely surrounded by the Costa da Fragata Nature Reserve. The history of salt production at the Salinas de Pedra de Lume goes back further. It began in the late 18th and early 19th centuries and contributed to Sal’s settlement and development. The Salinas de Pedra de Lume have been designated a protected national landscape since 2003 and recognised as a natural, historical and cultural heritage site of Cabo Verde since 2014.

Water sports and seasonal wildlife watching

Water sports available on Sal include surfing, windsurfing, kitesurfing, stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, diving, snorkelling, fishing and swimming. Weather and sea conditions vary. The Ponta Preta Dunes are suitable for walks and water sports such as surfing; local conditions should be taken into account there too. A hiking route leads from Pontão de Santa Maria to Praia de Ponta Preta in Santa Maria.

The World Kite Surfing Circuit takes place at Kite Beach from November to March. Rorqual whales are seasonally sighted in the waters of Murdeira Bay and Rabo de Junco from March to May. The periods overlap in March: the circuit runs from November to March, while whale sightings are described for March to May. If you are planning to attend a particular edition of the competition, check the dates for that year.

Festivals, literature and local impressions

The two-day music festival on Santa Maria beach is the highlight of the municipality of Sal’s annual celebrations and takes place on 15 September. The programme features artists from Cabo Verde, the diaspora and abroad. For a particular year’s edition, check the latest dates and programme. Religious festivals on Sal include Santa Cruz, Santo António, Santa Ana and Nossa Senhora da Piedade; dates and local customs may vary.

Another cultural highlight is the Festival da Literatura-Mundo do Sal. It aims to bring together authors, researchers, translators and people involved in promoting literature.

In Santa Maria, the local market offers fresh produce and handicrafts. The cuisine also gives you a taste of Sal: fish and seafood are traditionally grilled or stewed and prepared with spices and vegetables. Cachupa, a stew made with corn, beans, vegetables and various types of meat, is regularly eaten on Sal and may be served as one of the three main meals of the day.

Sal as a destination and finding a hotel

Tourism is now almost the sole driver of Sal’s economy. The island’s name comes from the salt industry, which flourished there from the 18th century until the mid-20th century. At the same time, Sal has four population centres, and tourist attractions are spread across the island. When planning your trip, you could first consider whether you want to focus on the coast and water sports, salt history and landscapes, cultural events or cuisine.

Discover more destinations: Santa Maria.

Go to the main travel overview: Sal.