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Santa Maria (Sal)
A beach town on flat, sunny Sal island, Cape Verde’s main resort and kitesurfing centre
A beach town on flat, sunny Sal island, Cape Verde’s main resort and kitesurfing centre
The town’s pier is busiest in the late morning when fishing boats bring in tuna and other fish, cleaned and sold on the spot. The beach stretches for several kilometres on either side.
Photo: IDS.photos, CC BY-SA 2.0
Salt pans inside an extinct volcanic crater on the east coast, where salt was mined for export. You can float in the extremely salty water, as in the Dead Sea.
Bring water shoes; the salt crust is sharp.
Photo: Daniel Åhs Karlsson, CC BY-SA 3.0
A natural rock pool on the rugged west coast, and the nearby “Blue Eye”, a hole in the lava where sunlight turns the water bright blue around midday.
Only swim when the sea is calm.
Photo: Cayambe, CC BY-SA 3.0
Try cachupa, the national stew of corn, beans and fish or meat; fresh grilled tuna and wahoo; percebes; and grogue, the local sugar-cane spirit.
Restaurants along the beach and in the town centre serve fresh seafood; prices are higher than on the other islands.
Amílcar Cabral International Airport (SID) is near Espargos, about 20 minutes from Santa Maria by taxi or shuttle. Domestic flights and some ferries link Sal with the other islands.
Citizens of EU countries and the UK can visit visa-free for short stays. From 1 January 2026 Cape Verde stopped issuing visas on arrival to citizens of 96 countries, who must now apply in advance, so check whether your nationality needs a visa. All visitors must pre-register online on the EASE platform before travel and pay the airport security tax (around 3,400 escudos).
Sal is the most expensive island because most food is imported. Cape Verde uses the escudo (CVE), which is pegged to the euro. Euros are often accepted in tourist areas, but change is given in escudos.
Beach, salt and coast.
Watch the fishing boats arrive at the pier and spend the afternoon on the beach.
Float in the salt pans at Pedra de Lume, visit Buracona and the Blue Eye, and see the mirage of Terra Boa.
Take a kitesurfing or windsurfing lesson, or go to Shark Bay to wade among young lemon sharks with a local guide.
The trade winds are strong from November to May; good for kitesurfing, less so for sunbathing.
The sun is very strong; use high-factor sunscreen.
Register on EASE well before your flight and keep proof of payment.
From December to February, Saharan dust (harmattan) can cause hazy skies.
Quick answers for planning time in Santa Maria.
EU and UK citizens do not for short stays, but all visitors must pre-register on the EASE platform and pay an airport security tax. Since January 2026 many other nationalities must get a visa in advance.
About 20 minutes by taxi or shuttle.
Yes, the water in the salt pans is so salty that you float easily.
November to May, when the trade winds are strongest.
The escudo (CVE), pegged to the euro; euros are often accepted in tourist areas.
Portuguese is the official language and Cape Verdean Creole (Kriolu) is spoken everywhere; English is common in Sal’s resorts.
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Planning a wider trip? Our Cape Verde travel guide covers getting there, costs, when to go and more.