Full Day Sal Island Tour in Santa Maria

Embarking on a full-day exploration of Sal Island from Santa Maria promises a captivating journey through Cape Verde’s natural wonders. Highlights include the mesmerizing Buracona lagoon and its renowned ‘Blue Eye’ phenomenon, as well as the striking lunar landscapes of the Salinas de Pedra Lume salt flats. Visitors can even float in the island’s hypersaline waters, an experience unlike any other. With private transportation, accessibility accommodations, and flexible cancellation policies, this tour ensures a seamless and personalized island adventure. But what lies beyond these initial allures? Prepare to uncover the depth of Sal’s captivating treasures.

This experience made our list of the 2 Best Full-Day Tours In Sal.

Key Points

• Explore the captivating Buracona lagoon and witness the mesmerizing ‘Blue Eye’ phenomenon on a full-day tour of Sal Island.
• Discover the striking lunar landscapes of the Salinas de Pedra Lume salt flats and experience the floating sensation in the hypersaline waters.
• Enjoy an authentic Cape Verdean lunch with a variety of local dishes, including Catchupa, grilled fish, and Pastel de Nata.
• Benefit from private transportation and a personalized experience, with the flexibility to explore the island at a leisurely pace.
• The tour is wheelchair accessible, and accommodations are available for travelers with diverse needs, ensuring an inclusive experience.

Tour Highlights

The tour highlights a diverse range of natural wonders, including the captivating Buracona lagoon, where visitors can witness the mesmerizing ‘Blue Eye’ phenomenon. This unique natural pool is renowned for its stunning azure hue, created by the interplay of sunlight and the lagoon’s distinctive geology.

Guests will also explore the striking lunar landscapes of the Salinas de Pedra Lume salt flats, where they can experience the unique sensation of floating effortlessly in the hypersaline waters.

Plus, the tour takes travelers to Ponta Preta, a picturesque beach known for its dramatic volcanic rock formations and crystal-clear waters, offering the perfect opportunity for swimming, snorkeling, or simply soaking up the sun.

Itinerary Overview

Embarking on the Full Day Sal Island Tour in Santa Maria, visitors explore a diverse array of natural wonders throughout the day.

Commencing the tour, guests are picked up from their selected location in Santa Maria and transported to the first stop, the captivating Buracona lagoon. Here, they’ll witness the breathtaking ‘blue eye’ phenomenon, where the sun’s reflection creates a mesmerizing optical illusion.

Next, the tour continues to the iconic Shark Bay, known for its stunning white sand beaches and crystal-clear turquoise waters.

Afterward, the group enjoys a delicious local lunch before exploring the charming town of Santa Maria, with its vibrant culture, colorful architecture, and lively atmosphere.

Throughout the day, guests are provided with private transportation, ensuring a seamless and comfortable experience.

Buracona Lagoon

Although the tour begins at the captivating Buracona lagoon, visitors will be mesmerized by the ‘blue eye’ phenomenon, where the sun’s reflection creates a breathtaking optical illusion in the crystal-clear waters.

This unique geological formation, carved by the relentless Atlantic waves, features a natural swimming pool and a mesmerizing blowhole that spouts water up to 20 meters high.

Guests can marvel at the stunning contrast between the deep blue hues of the lagoon and the rugged volcanic landscape that surrounds it.

The Buracona lagoon is a true highlight of the Sal Island tour, offering visitors a chance to enjoy the island’s remarkable natural beauty and geological wonders.

Lunch Arrangements

After exploring the captivating Buracona lagoon, guests typically enjoy a delectable lunch as part of the Sal Island tour. Lunch is available for €12 and is served at a nearby restaurant, offering visitors a chance to savor local Cape Verdean cuisine and refuel before continuing their adventure.

The lunch menu features a variety of authentic dishes, catering to diverse dietary preferences. Here’s a sample of the offerings:

Dish	Description
Catchupa	A traditional stew made with corn, beans, and smoked pork
Grilled Fish	Fresh catch of the day, seasoned and grilled to perfection
Vegetable Curry	A flavorful curry dish featuring seasonal vegetables
Coconut Rice	Fluffy rice infused with the rich taste of coconut milk
Pastel de Nata	A classic Portuguese-inspired custard tart for dessert

Transportation Details

The tour includes private transportation, ensuring a comfortable and convenient journey throughout the day’s activities on Sal Island. Guests are picked up from their selected location in Santa Maria, Cabo Verde, and transported to the various sites and attractions on the island itinerary.

This private transportation provides several benefits:

1. Flexibility and personalized experience as guests aren’t bound to a fixed schedule or group.
2. Ability to explore the island at a leisurely pace, with stops and breaks as desired.
3. Seamless transitions between destinations, maximizing the time spent on sightseeing and activities.

With the private transportation, guests can fully enjoy the beauty and wonders of Sal Island without the hassle of navigating the roads themselves.

Accessibility Information

The tour offers accessibility features to accommodate guests with diverse needs, ensuring an inclusive experience. It’s wheelchair accessible, allowing easy mobility throughout the day’s activities. Strollers are also permitted, making it suitable for families with young children.

Service animals are welcomed as well, catering to the needs of all travelers. Plus, the tour is located near public transportation options, providing flexibility for those who may require alternative modes of getting to and from the meeting point in Santa Maria. Infant seats are available too, making the tour a great choice for families with babies.

Cancellation Policy

Travelers can cancel their Sal Island Tour up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, providing flexibility should plans change.

Changes requested less than 24 hours before the scheduled tour, however, aren’t accepted.

Plus, the tour provider reserves the right to cancel the excursion due to poor weather conditions, in which case guests will be offered the option of rescheduling for a different date or receiving a full refund.

The cancellation policy for the Sal Island Tour offers the following benefits:

1. Flexibility to cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
2. No changes accepted within 24 hours of the tour.
3. Cancellation by the provider due to poor weather allows for rescheduling or a full refund.

Meeting and Pickup

For the Sal Island Tour, guests can select their preferred pickup location from various points in Santa Maria, Cabo Verde. The tour provider offers convenient pickup options to ensure a seamless start to the day’s adventure.

Whether you’d like to be picked up from your hotel, a central meeting point, or another agreed-upon location, the tour staff will be there to greet you and get your day underway.

This personalized approach to pickup ensures you won’t have to worry about finding your way to the starting point, allowing you to simply sit back, relax, and look forward to the exciting experiences that lie ahead on the Sal Island Tour.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Bring My Own Food on the Tour?

Customers are generally allowed to bring their own food on the tour, but the tour package includes a provided lunch. Bringing additional snacks or drinks is typically permitted, as long as it does not interfere with the scheduled activities.

Will There Be Any Restroom Breaks During the Tour?

The tour likely includes restroom breaks at various points throughout the day. Participants can likely use restrooms at the sites visited or other designated stops along the way, though the specific number and locations of breaks may not be detailed.

What Should I Bring for the Day Trip?

For a day trip, travelers should bring sun protection (hat, sunscreen), comfortable walking shoes, a light jacket or sweater, and any personal items they may need. It’s also recommended to bring a small snack and hydration, as there may be limited options during the tour.

Is There Any Additional Cost for the Tour Activities?

The tour includes entry fee to Buracona (€3) and lunch, which costs an additional €12. There are no other fees for the tour activities. Any other costs, like souvenirs, are not covered in the tour price.

Can I Customize the Tour Itinerary?

The tour operator likely allows some customization of the itinerary, but the extent may be limited. Customers should inquire about modifying the planned activities or adding/removing stops to better suit their interests and needs.

Recap

The Full Day Sal Island Tour in Santa Maria offers a captivating exploration of Sal’s natural wonders.

Highlights include the mesmerizing Buracona lagoon, the striking lunar landscapes of the Salinas de Pedra Lume salt flats, and the opportunity to float in the hypersaline waters.

Authentic Cape Verdean cuisine, private transportation, accessibility accommodations, and a flexible cancellation policy ensure a seamless and personalized island adventure.