10 must-see attractions

QUAD ACROSS THE DESERT

Deserto de Viana’s tall dunes of snow-white sand will make you feel like you’re in the middle of the Sahara. Take a quad bike tour or try sand-boarding.

GO SHARK-SPOTTING

Test your nerves at Shark Bay, on the island of Sal, where you can wade out to see adult lemon sharks.

FLOAT IN A SALT MINE

Take a relaxing dip in the natural salt lake that’s formed at the top of the now disused Pedra de Lume salt mine.

VISIT A TURTLE SANCTUARY

At Project Biodiversity’s Turtle Hatchery on Sal you’ll learn how they are saving the loggerhead sea turtle from poachers. See baby turtles hatch and scurry into the ocean at sundown.

RIDE THE WAVES

Sal is one of the best places to kitesurf in the world. Shark Bay and the Bay of Santa Maria are popular hotspots.

EXPLORE SANTA MARIA

An idyllic fishing village on the southern tip of Sal with an 8km stretch of white sand, colourful buildings, cobbled streets dotted with palm trees, and bars filled with reggae music and rum.

CHILL ON THE BEACH

Praia de Santa Maria, Santa Monica State Beach and Ponta Preta Beach are definite highlights.

SEE THE BLUE EYE

Sal has fantastic underwater caves. Olho Azul, (meaning Blue Eye) is a water inlet in Buracona that lights up like a gigantic blue eye when the sun hits the water just right.

HORSEBACK RIDES

Take a romantic horseback ride along the beach at sunset with Santa Marilha Horse Excursions. .

FILL YOUR BELLY

With a Portuguese flair for fresh fish and seafood mixed with African flavours and Brazilian spice, Cape Verde is known for its fusion-style cuisine.