7 things to do in Cape Verde Sal

 With the cold weather here, and the holidays right along with it, it is the time to take a trip to somewhere nice, warm and sunny. Fortunately for you, I have the perfect place to go to, known as Cape Verde. Cape Verde is a collection of about 10 islands that attract tourist all year round, because of the year-round warm weather and lots of activities to do. With Sal being one of its main islands, it’s not hard to see why. In case you plan to do go there, here are 7 things you can do:

1. The Beach:

This should be pretty much standard with any area that’s near the sea. Sal is home to some of the world’s best beaches, and Santa Maria is where you’ll experience clean white sand stretching off into the horizon for as far as the eye can see. If you’re into snorkelling then you’re in luck as there are tonnes of opportunities for you offshore, there is also a turtle hatchery near the Riu Funana hotel, and if you’re lucky you can catch the little critters make for the waves in the winter months. Despite its popularity, the beach remains unspoilt.

2. Surfing:

If you’re near the sea and the beach, then you must try surfing. Luckily for you, Cape Verde Sal is the perfect place for all kinds of surfing. From November to June trade winds blow steadily, and you’ll find the place crawling with windsurfers and kitesurfers. You can rent yourself a board if you need lessons then those are provided as well. So grab a board and go nuts.

3. Have a peek underwater:

In addition to beaches and surfing opportunities, Sal Island provides excellent opportunities for some underwater exploration as well. Sal Island provides several fantastic underwater caves to explore along with reefs. About five kilometres to the north of Palmeira port is Olho Azul, a water inlet that you can peer into and witness an iridescent ‘Blue Eye’ of seawater gazing back at you. The best views in Cape Verde are from below, and you’ll find yourself face to face with mantas, turtles, even sharks! Scuba diving trips are available to 19 different dive sites along the coast and even into an old shipwreck. So when you get there, grab your gear and get ready to explore the hidden treasure below.

4. Salt Lake:

I know what you’re thinking but bear with me. The town of Pedra Lume is famous for its volcanic crater filled with what’s known as the ‘Salt Lake’. Sal means ‘salt’ in Portuguese, and the island was an important source of this precious mineral during colonial times. Nowadays, Salt Lake is the perfect spot for a relaxing float.

5. Quad Biking:

Always wanted to see what driving on Mars would be like? Well, in Sal you can. At 35 kilometers long by 12 kilometers wide, it’s easy to explore Sal by bike or car, and the parched desert that has been compared to the planet Mars is perfect for quad biking. Get yourself a quad bike, and get the experience of roving on Mars right here on Earth.

6. Luxury Boat Ride:

No island or beach experience is ever completed without a luxury boat tour. A full 8-hour day costs €99 and includes lunch and snorkelling stops. Enjoy floating along on a catamaran flanked by a variety of marine wildlife. You can get yourself a tour down at the pier in Santa Maria.

7. Island Hopping:

I told you earlier that the Cape Verde is made up of ten islands of varying size. The thing is that they differ remarkably in terms of size and geography, and take my word for it, they are worth exploring. But I’d recommend saving a whole day for exploration. Where Sal is largely flat, Fogo has a volcanic peak rising to more than 2,800 meters, and the island of Santo Antão offers beautiful canyons and tropical plants to visitors. The easiest way to travel between the islands is by air and for that reason, flights with airline TACV can be booked through local travel agents.

Do you have a favourite thing to do in Cape Verde? If please share in the comments below

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