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Cabo Verde · Sal

Sal travel guide

All-inclusive beaches, salt lakes and kitesurfing

Santa Maria beach on Sal. Photo: Montek, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

5h 45mflight from London
SIDnearest main airport
27° in Sepwarmest month
21° in Febcoolest month

Sal is Cape Verde's most popular island, with the long white beach of Santa Maria, all-inclusive resorts and lively bars on its pier.

Float in the salt pools of Pedra de Lume, swim with lemon sharks at Shark Bay and learn to kitesurf at Kite Beach.

Good forBeachesWinter sunKitesurfingFamilies

What Sal is known for

  • Santa Maria

    A long white beach.

  • Pedra de Lume

    Float in salt pools.

  • Shark Bay

    Paddle with lemon sharks.

  • Kitesurfing

    World-class wind.

Top things to do in Sal

  1. 1

    Santa Maria beach

    Swimming and sunbeds.

    Find tours and tickets
  2. 2

    Pedra de Lume salt crater

    Float like the Dead Sea.

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  3. 3

    Shark Bay

    Lemon sharks in the shallows.

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  4. 4

    A kitesurf lesson

    At Kite Beach.

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See all tours and tickets in Sal

Where to stay in Sal

Find a hotel in Sal

Best time to visit Sal

Best value: Jun–Jul, Oct. November to June: dry, sunny and breezy.

  • Best valueGood weather, smaller crowds
  • PeakBusiest, highest prices
  • QuietCheapest, cooler or wetter
22.1 C22°J21.3 C21°F21.4 C21°M21.7 C22°A22.3 C22°M23 C23°J24.4 C24°J25.9 C26°A26.7 C27°S26.4 C26°O25.1 C25°N23.5 C24°D
Bar height is the average temperature in Sal, °C, 2001–2025 (NASA POWER).

Getting there and around

About 5h 45m from London to SID, and flights from most UK airports. How long is the flight from your airport?

Taxis and aluguers (shared vans). Most hotels are in Santa Maria.

Airport transfer to Sal

Find flights to Sal (SID)

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Good to know

  • It can be windy: pick a sheltered beach.
  • Bring sun cream: the sun is strong even when it's breezy.
  • Bring euros: they're widely accepted.

Sal FAQ

Is Sal good in winter?

Yes, around 25°C.

Is the sea warm?

About 22 to 26°C.

More places in Cabo Verde

Back to the Cabo Verde travel guide + Add Sal to your bucket list