Flights to Sal

Arriving on Sal

Most hotels are in or near Santa Maria, and resort transfers, taxis and shared minibuses meet arriving flights. Remember to pre-register online before you travel, as Cape Verde's entry system requires it. The roads are quiet and straight, so the island is easy to cross by taxi or hire car.

Santa Maria and its beaches

Santa Maria has a long sandy bay, a wooden pier where fishermen land their catch, and a small centre of cafés and bars. Kite Beach and Ponta Preta, on the south-west coast, are known for strong winds and big waves, and schools offer lessons for beginners. Calmer water lies on the eastern side of the bay, which suits families.

Salt lakes, pools and wildlife

At Pedra Lume, an old salt works lies inside a volcanic crater, and you can float in the very salty pools. Buracona has a natural rock pool and the Blue Eye, where sunlight lights up an underwater cave. At Shark Bay, you can wade out to see lemon sharks in the shallows, and from July to October loggerhead turtles come ashore to nest on the beaches.

When to plan your visit

Sal is sunny and dry for most of the year, with winter days around 25°C. The trade winds are strongest from November to June, when kitesurfing is at its peak. Summer and early autumn are hotter, with calmer seas and the turtle season. A week is enough to see the island, and boat trips and short flights reach Boa Vista and the other islands. Evenings in Santa Maria are relaxed, with grilled fish, live Creole music and sunset views from the pier.

Flying from a regional airport? Call 020 7871 4545 and we'll find the most convenient flight.