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Santa Maria Tours
Full-day tour - Salt Mine, Blue Eye, Shark Watch and Kite Beach
4.5

Full-day tour - Salt Mine, Blue Eye, Shark Watch and Kite Beach

By Kapverden tours
Recommended by 92% of travellers
92% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Book a trip with 100% security, and explore the best of Sal island in 1 day. Improves your health and rejuvenate yourself in the salty waters of the saline. Discover one of the best kite beaches in the world and taste the best of local cuisine all that with the best professionals on this island.
Lowest price guaranteeReserve now & pay laterFree cancellation

Ages 3-99, max of 8 per group
Duration: 6h
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
Live guide: German, Portuguese, English, French
More


  • Local tour guide in your mother tongue
  • First Aid Equipment
  • Liability insurance
  • Transportation
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
What's not included
  • Lunch Menu (8€ - 12€)
  • Entrance fee Salt Mine 3€
  • Entrance fee Blue Eye 5€
  • Shark watching shoes 3€
  • Entry/Admission - Shark Bay
  • Entry/Admission - Terra Boa
  • Entry/Admission - Pedra Lume Salt Crater
  • Entry/Admission - Buracona - Olho Azul


Start:Multiple pickup locations offered.
    Pickup details
    • The pick up service goes from 8:45 to 9:15, so please wait at the reception until we get into your accommodation
    Hotel pickup offered
    During checkout you will be able to select from the list of included hotels.
      Additional pickup options
      During checkout you will be able to select from the list of included pickup points.
      • Santa Maria, Cabo Verde
      End:This activity ends back at the meeting point.

        • Not wheelchair accessible
        If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 352574P18

        • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
        • Not recommended for travellers with back problems
        • Not recommended for pregnant travellers
        • No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
        • Most travellers can participate
        • Don't forget to bring cash for the entrances and for lunch
        • This experience requires good weather. If it’s cancelled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
        • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 8 travellers

        • For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.

        If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 352574P18

        From
        £34.44
        per adult
        Select date and travellers
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        About the operator
        Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator:
        • Kapverden tours
          75
          Praia, Cape Verde
        • tim c
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          A excellent trip that fully met expectTions
          An excellent full day tour of the island. Excellent guide who was very knowledgeable of the geography and fauna and flora
          Written 17 January 2025
        • tim c
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Excellent walking tour of Priai
          Excellent, informative city tour with an excellent guide. He took us around a good route covering major sites, old and modern.
          Written 15 January 2025
        • C937JCdaves
          0 contributions
          2.0 of 5 bubbles
          Tour information was good--but we hadn't signed up for a strenuous walk
          As it turns out, my wife and I were the only ones signed up for this tour. A family of four signed up for another tour related to music. The tour guide combined us together. It was interesting to see how guitars, violins, ukuleles--string instruments-- were made. The music tour included 15 minutes of local music, also interesting. I give the tour a poor rating as we had signed up for a modest walking tour of the downtown and ended up walking 3.3 miles to get back from the music tour that we hadn't signed up for to begin with. Signed up for 2 hours and ended up doing 4 hours. This turned an easy tour into a strenuous one, as most of the sidewalks and streets were cobblestone.
          Written 6 January 2025
        • Brandi T
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Scenic adventure with fresh produce. 10/10 would recommend to all visiting the island!!!!!!
          This tour was amazing! Our tour guide was incredibly knowledgeable and explained the history and culture of the area in detail. The drive to the tour location was very scenic, and the fruit we tried was fresh and delicious. We were even able to try Cabo Verde's famous Rum fresh from the farm! I would definitely recommend this tour and this tour company to others!
          Written 26 December 2024
        • Paul H
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Great city tour
          Edson was a great guide, very knowledgeable and perfect English. The tour took us to the main historical parts of the city and it was very helpful to learn about the history of Cabo Verde
          Written 23 December 2024
        • annapN743PV
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Surrounded by turtles! Wonderful, kind Guide
          Fabulous experience!! Wonderful tour guide and drivers. It was an me of the coolest experiences I’ve had on excursions for a while. I even got GoPro footage of us swimming with the turtles! Thank you! For those of you concerned about the negative reviews: 1. Trash in the water: we didn’t see much, but I understand if some was seen. At the time of our visit, the island itself was pretty dirty and I don’t recall seeing a garbage can in town later as we walked. So while I’m sure the island does what it can, this is the nature of the areas I saw. I can tell you that things will only get cleaner as more tourists come! 2. Feeding of the turtles: They have to attract the turtles and they do so with food. At one point, I was surrounded by FIVE turtles, and it was the coolest experience ever. They remind you not to touch or harass the turtles. 3.Rude or aggressive locals: Evidently this is the nature of the culture on the island as we encountered it a dozen times or more. They are aggressive to get change or sell you something. It’s all over the island and not specific to this tour. The tour guide and helpers were the nicest people we met! Helpful hints: -You’re allowed to bring a small bag on the boat, but do so at your own risk. -Be a good swimmer -Bring small change (local, Euro or USD) for tipping drivers, foot washers, or buying shells or fresh coconut water.
          Written 8 December 2024
        • AngeloPsychSA
          0 contributions
          1.0 of 5 bubbles
          Rip off - waste of money.
          Taxi's ripped us off going there, guys on the beach rude and aggressive, one guy snapped at us for wanting to swim to the turtles, ITS 50M away! You don't need a boat at all! Seabed is dirty they don't even clear waste. This is a total waste of money.
          Written 13 November 2024
        • guirtenm
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Great Markets , it worths for this tour
          We were impressed with the history of Plateau and the tour guide make us see the city us we couldnt see it by our own, Praia is an amazing city, the highlithe was the market at the city center, top tour with Emanuel our tour guide.
          Written 2 September 2024
        • guirtenm
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Perfect experience
          It was a wonderful experience in Cidade Velha, the tour guide was very profecional and explained everything very clear, we fully recomend this tour with Kapverden tours
          Written 2 September 2024
        • ashleypB7979YT
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          A must do tour of Santiago!
          Amazing tour! Marie was a great guide, very friendly and welcoming and gave lots of good information on Santiago. Definitely recommend to anyone looking to see the whole island and discover all about Santiago.
          Written 1 August 2024
        • ericklC1043HB
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Fantastic and amazing trips
          My wife and I had such an amazing experience in Cape Verde with this travel agency, we met them in internet and booked 5 cultural tours on different island, we were surprised about the way everything was well organized and each details of our trip were profecionaly well organized, we had Antonio Monteiro as our tour guide. we strongly recomend.
          Written 29 April 2024
        • JDUBLYA
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          PROFESSIONAL
          Our group of 8 prebooked a tour in Praia when our cruise ship came in. Unfortunately our ship cancelled the stop because of been fogged in in Cape Town. I contacted Antonio and he agreed to refund monies paid. So professional and a delight to deal with. I would not hesitate in using this company.
          Written 27 April 2024
        • T8991CUjimmym
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          High performance of guide
          My tour wa very good organized, the guide where very profecional all the time and answered to all our quetion, along the trip we saw a lot of the island. we trongly recomend thi tour.
          Written 16 April 2024
        • wilmasI686IB
          0 contributions
          2.0 of 5 bubbles
          Bad experience
          I Booked in Holland the half day trip to the viana desert , shipwrack cabo Verde, salrei market , museum , pier , fatima kapel, a day before i must reed in whats app my tour was whit fefe tours, the guid was a old man who dont talk whit me the whole tour and dont tell things about the places we went . I saw it all but it was not what i had axpected, i was also alone and he didnt talk to me makes me feel not comfortabele. I paid 109€ and it was not word at all , in 3 hours i was back in the hotel again .
          Written 11 March 2024
        • Y2800PPjohns
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Excellent experience
          It was an excellent experience, I was afraid not to find the turtles on the bay, but was amazed when I get there, plenty of turtles followed us when we got on the water, amazing... worth of money.
          Written 7 March 2024
        See all 75 reviews
        These reviews are the subjective opinions of Tripadvisor members and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

        Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

        Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.


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        4.5
        4.5 of 5 bubbles13 reviews
        Excellent
        10
        Very good
        2
        Average
        1
        Poor
        0
        Terrible
        0

        These reviews have been automatically translated from their original language.
        This service may contain translations provided by Google. Google disclaims all warranties, express or implied, with respect to translations, including any warranties of accuracy, reliability, and any implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and freedom from forgery.

        Lena H
        3 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        Jan 2024 • Family
        We really enjoyed this tour. There were only two of us and the contact person tried very hard. We particularly liked the surf beach and the abandoned salt flats. The food was also great. In short, a very successful tour. Above all, the photos and videos he took were great
        Google
        Written 22 February 2024
        This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

        Wiebren W
        8 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        We had this trip with Esmael, a local that lives on Sal. He was a nice presence, resposible driver and knew a lot about the island in general which was very informative. In addition, the tour takes you a various places you will need to see on Sal where you have some time to look around. Would recommend!
        Written 18 December 2024
        This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

        Linda H
        4 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        Feb 2024 • Couples
        The trip was very nice. We had nice fellow travelers from Portugal and a very friendly driver and tour guide (Alsis de Rosa) including photographer.
        He showed us a lot and was always available to answer questions.
        We would do the trip with him again and can only recommend the tour.
        Google
        Written 13 February 2024
        This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

        Ludvig @ Skybound
        9 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        Jan 2023 • Family
        The Pedra de Lume salt mine was clearly above expectations. When you go through the small tunnel to get out to the view of the entire salt mine, your jaw drops!

        When you swim in the super salty water, you are also surprised at how easy it is to move, even if you are prepared for it.

        Wading among lemon groves was also fun. It's a bit of an adrenaline rush when the (smaller and completely harmless) lemon sharks swim around the legs of a..

        If you are on holiday in Sal, I absolutely recommend this full-day tour!!
        Google
        Written 9 December 2023
        This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

        Jamie D
        1 contribution
        4.0 of 5 bubbles
        Good tour no fuss let us do viewing in own time. Saved us money not entering blue eye cave due to rain and muddy waters. Safe driving, friendly and calm. Would recommend if you want private no fuss tour of islands and key tourist spots.
        Written 12 September 2024
        This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

        charlotteanke05
        The Hague, The Netherlands25 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        May 2023 • Couples
        Today was a great day to discover the Island in an open truck! Small group great and kind guide. We saw everything and had a Nice lunch. Don’t Forget to bring Some cash for entrance. Thank you Hermes! ☀️🇨🇻
        Written 26 May 2023
        This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
        Dear Charlotte Many thanks for your experience with us and for you feedback also. We wish you a wonderful stay in Sal. Hope see you again here!
        Written 27 May 2023
        This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

        Amelie J
        3 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        The trip was great we got to see the tourist attractions of Cape Verde. We got to ride on the back of a pick up truck, which was a lot of fun and our driver drove very safely. Our driver told us a lot about the island and the history of the island, it was a great experience.
        Written 9 November 2024
        This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

        Tour15597570537
        10 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        Sept 2024 • Couples
        I recomend strongly this activity, we had an unforgetble day out of our hotel today, the tour guide Dany and our driver Michel were amazing team, great job.
        Written 9 September 2024
        This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

        Karen H
        Preston, UK392 contributions
        3.0 of 5 bubbles
        Pick up at hotel on time.
        Truck was open back so hanging on for dear life and getting utterly sandblasted!! Old and uncomfortable vehicle. 6 people on the tour which was a nice number. Mixed English German Danish but we managed to chat!
        Driver was pleasant but told us nothing about the island or what we were seeing. He was clearly a driver only.
        Knew what he was doing as we did some of the stops out of order to avoid the Tui buses on the same (but double priced!) tours.
        Saw the desert mirage and stopped (probably at his uncles shop) to get a free local liquor and buy some overpriced tat.
        Blue eye cave was interesting and watching the blue come out with the sun was cool. There was lots of interesting info on geology local and wildlife too. Pay in 3euro each. Could get drinks, food and loo stop too.
        Quick stop at volcanic beach.
        Then onto fishing village for lunch. We called ahead with order so didn’t have to wait. Food was fresh grilled fish and glorious! We walked to harbour and watched the fishermen come in, clean the fish, selling on.
        Next to the beach. Hired crocs for 2euro each then a young lad walked us out into the sea where the baby lemon sharks were swimming around our legs. The boy had some bait so the sharks came really close. Eeeek! Pretty cool!
        Then final stop was at the salt mine. 4euro in. Saw the salt flats but no information available- strange. Then you can float in the salt water as it’s good for skin. Very weird to not be able to control your own floatation! There are a couple of changing rooms and pay 50cents to shower afterwards.
        So overall we saw lots of the island and definitely the main sights. We “went with” the trucking as part of the experience. But we needed a long shower and scrub to get the sand off once back at the hotel!!
        Written 9 March 2024
        This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
        Dear Karen We are so glad to hear that you had a pleasant day, and that you had an amazing experiences on the island. Unfortunately your experience was at the pick of high season where the requests are very high. From end April we be operating with new cars 4×4 to give more confort to our clients. We will contact Viator and find a better way for a full refund if necessary.
        Written 22 May 2024
        This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

        Marion S
        6 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        Feb 2024 • Couples
        wow an amazing tour, we had tarzan as our tour guide who was great, take money with you as need to pay for shoes to walk out to see sharks and money for salt mine and blue eye, something we not told about when we booked tour but nonetheless we'll worth it, take a drink as you get hot oh and dusty ! A fantastic day out
        Written 13 February 2024
        This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

        Showing results 1-10 of 13
        *Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.

        Full-day tour - Salt Mine, Blue Eye, Shark Watch and Kite Beach provided by Kapverden tours

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