Top Things to do in Santa Maria
Things to do in Santa Maria, Ilha do Sal: The Best Day Trips from
Powdery sand meets turquoise water in Santa Maria, where morna music pours from beachside bars just a short drive from Ilha do Sal's airport and capital city. Add the sun-and-saltwater resort scene to energetic nightlife, and you get one of Cape Verde’s most popular escapes.
Restaurants in Santa Maria
1. Private tour of the island Sal Expérience
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 4 reviews
Certified company and guides, quality and price guarantee. Local guide, knows the island well, its history and culture, gastronomy, music and local restaurants. Join this 7-hour adventure tour around the island and visit places like Espargos, Praia do Kite, Santa Maria, Miragem, Palmeira and Murdeira. Swim in Salt Lake with your group. Have lunch at a local restaurant before heading to the sea to get a closer look at lemon sharks in their natural environment. It makes no difference to us whether you want to emphasize culture, education, history or sport. Our expert will combine these elements with adventure activities to create exciting travel opportunities for you. Get to know the island with a native and certified guide, safely. We can customize the tour according to the client's preference.
Inclusions: Private transportation, Local Guide and Certificate, Private service tailored to your time, Transfer from the hotel, Liability insurance
Exclusions: Lunch, Photos (optional)
Reviewed By 587ariannaz
My boyfriend and I did a tour in Sal start of December. We booked this tour to get a general impression of the island. First of all the tour itinerary has been put together very well - you can see all highlight spots of the island. Second we had a fantastic guide, that can speak very well English and who is very easy going, cheerful and chatty. We enjoyed a lot the time spent together with the tour guide, who ensured we had the best experience on the island. For example he arranged we could taste some local wine and rhum at a bar of a friend. But the most amazing thing was that he arranged a private entrance to the Salinas, which at that time were closed for tourists. This experience has been amazing and we thank him a ton for this unique experience. Last also he was not strict with the time of the excursion at all and i believe we extended the duration of at least 1 hour. Had the best time on the island!!! Thanks a lot!!!
2. Private Island Tour
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 4 reviews
Cabral Tours provides fantastic personal service, such as showing the main attraction points.Provides all the knowledge about Cape Verdian history and culture.On top of that people have the opportunity to experience the feel of the island too, by swimming in the natural pools,seeing the wild nature and eat/drink the local authentic food.
Inclusions: Air-conditioned vehicle
Exclusions: Dinner, All Fees and Taxes
Reviewed By elinnile95
It was a great day, interesting places and a really good guide. He really made sure that everybody was fine, and he really knew what he was talking about.
3. Off the beaten track island tour with a local and certified guied
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2 reviews
We will take you off the beaten track to visit the island. More then the touristic points you will see also how the locals live, work, eat and explore areas of the island not included in any other standard island tour. Our certified guide will surprise you with his knowledge about the history of Cape Verde and Santa Maria, the tails from popular believe and insight about the future of this that became Cape Verdean most touristic island. Our tour is the only tour that will give you wi fi access for free throughout allowing you to keep connected and even do live posts of your experience. We also offer you snorkeling material (including wetsuits) so you can enjoy Sal major snorkeling spot (Murdeira) without paying the normal 25 euros per person for a snorkelling tour. This is dependent on weather and water conditions. The tour includes Shark Bay where you can see the shark lemons in their natural environment. The tour starts at 9am.
Inclusions: Use of Snorkelling equipment, Wi fi , Private transportation, Hotel pick up and Drop off , Native and certified Guide, Swim at a natural pool, Observe sharks in their natural environment, Liability insurance, Baby Seat (0-3)
Exclusions: All Fees and Taxes, Tips (optional), Lunch, Pictures (optional), Entrance to Buracona (3€) and Salinas (5€)
Reviewed By Andrew W
Booked with Carlos on the beach at the Funana-although Carlos didn't do the tour himself the guides were great-very knowledgeable and multi lingual .Full island tour we saw the lot 9am to 5.30 book with confidence
4. Island Tour with Cabral Tours
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 129 reviews
Cabral Tours provides fantastic personal service, such as showing the main attraction points.Provides all the knowledge about Cape Verdian history and culture.On top of that people have the opportunity to experience the feel of the island too, by swimming in the natural pools,seeing the wild nature and eat/drink the local authentic food. Something for everyone No stress.
Inclusions: Air-conditioned vehicle
Exclusions: All Fees and Taxes, Lunch
Reviewed By Jerry D
After several tours with Cabral during years,this year an invitation by the family Cabral at Palm Beach restaurant.It must not be always money by the Rastaman. Thanks Cabral, Liba and Mateo.See you next year ????
5. Sal Experience Tour with a Native and Certified Guide
Overall Ratings
4.9 based on 313 reviews
Company and guide certificates, quality and price assurance . Local guide, knows the island well, its history and culture, food, music and local restaurants. Join to this adventurous 6 hour island tour and visit places like Espargos, Kite Beach, Santa Maria, Miragem, Palmeira and Murdeira. Swim in Salt Lake with your group. Have a lunch at a local restaurant before going into the sea to see the lemon sharks in their natural surroundings up close. It doesn’t make a difference for us if you want to emphasize culture, education, history or sport. Our expert will combine these elements with adventure activities to create exciting travel opportunities for you. Know the Island with a native and certificate guide, with safety.
Inclusions: Private transportation, Native Guide and Certificate, Hotel Pick up and drop off , Stop for a swim in a natural pool, Shark bay, Liability insurance
Exclusions: Lunch, Photos (optional), Baby seat (0-2 years) required - 15 extra
Reviewed By Dan1799v2
We went on the full day Sal island tour and can highly recommend this company. Chan was our guide and he was friendly, funny and informative. I think each stop was timed well so we didn’t spend too long in each place. I particularly enjoyed swimming in the blue isle place so make sure you bring a swimming costume!
6. Sid05 - Sal: Full Day Excursion With Lunch
Overall Ratings
4.8 based on 21 reviews
The first stop is the Bay of Murdeira, with the opportunity to photograph this natural beauty and Monte León, we visited the small fishing and port town of Palmeira, followed by Buracona, with its natural pools and the famous "Blue Eye". After lunch, we will delight in the magic of Terra Boa, where there is a unique opportunity to take funny pictures with mirages. Visit to Espargos, the capital of the island and "Shark Bay" to see "the local inhabitants". In the visit to the Salinas de Piedra de Lume, High light of walk, you can float in a water 26 times more salty than the sea water. A truly unique experience
Inclusions: transfer, Option from Cachupa (national dish) / Fish of the Day / Grilled Chicken; Dessert; Drinks: 1,5lt bottle of water for 4pax, 1 beer or 1 glass of wine or 1 soft drink; coffee or Tea
Exclusions: €5 Entrance fee salt mines, €3 Ecological tax at Buracona
Reviewed By savinovo55
I went on the catamaran tour with my husband and our 15 years old soon. We were delighted with the catamaran, the beautiful views, snorkelling, fishing with the line and dancing! The animation was very funny, my husband who never dances, and here he could not :)! Everything was wonderful! My greetings to the catamaran team and the Barracuda team.
7. Full-Day Road Tour in Sal Island
Overall Ratings
4.7 based on 118 reviews
Visit the best and most interesting sights of Sal Island along a certified tourist guide who stops at predetermined points to give information about the places, about the island, its people and Cape Verde in general.
Inclusions: Local guide, Hotel/port pickup and drop-off, Air-conditioned vehicle
Exclusions: Food and drinks, Lunch, DVD (available to purchase)
Reviewed By paulmH9482NL
We booked with a local rep ‘Romi’ who was very helpfull and friendly. We spent a full day touring the island on the back of a pick up with our very knowledgeable guide. Really good value and great experience. Highly recommended
8. Island Adventure with Shark Experience from Santa Maria
Overall Ratings
4.6 based on 65 reviews
Join this adventurous 6-hour island tour and visit locations such as Espargos, Palmeira, and Murdeira. Swim in the Salt Lake with your party and guide. Have lunch at a local restaurant before walking into the sea to see Lemon Sharks in their natural environment and up-close.
Inclusions: Local guide, Hotel pickup and drop-off
Exclusions: Entrance fees (5EUR/per person), Food and drinks, Gratuities, Souvenir photos (available to purchase)
9. Island Tour - Full day
Overall Ratings
1.7 based on 3 reviews
Visiting Sal with Kryol Operators is a chance you don't want to miss out on. Quality tour and guides offer you an authentic view of Sal combined with great local food.
Inclusions: Air-conditioned vehicle
Exclusions: Lunch, GST (Goods and Services Tax)
10. Tour Sal más Tiburones
El tour más recomendable para explorar los pueblos y ver lo más turístico de Isla de Sal. La visita comienza con la recogida en vuestro hotel. La visita dura unas 5 horas. Durante la mañana visitaréis Murdeira, las Salinas de Pedra Lume, el ojo azul y las piscinas naturales de Buracona, Espargos la capital de la isla, los espejismos de Terra Boa, el vivero de los tiburones limón y mucho más. El precio no incluye las entradas. Ofrecemos bebida fresca durante la temporada de verano.
Inclusions: Local guide, Hotel pickup and drop-off, Transport by private vehicle, Private tour, Live commentary on board, Driver/guide, Snacks (solamente disponible en verano), Drinks (solamente disponible en verano), Fuel surcharge
Exclusions: Propinas, Entradas, Comidas
Reviewed By 758j_rgens
A fantastic 4 hour trip south of Sal Island with trolling and fishing. Something to recommend if you need something to do at your stay at Sal. Also a great chance of seeing dolphins, lots of them swimminig around our boat while trolling.
