Principally a beach resort with long stretches of white sand and an abundance of watersports Sal is really an island for beach lovers as most of the island's sights and attractions can be seen in half a day.
By night, Santa Maria, the main tourist area in Sal boasts a lively atmosphere with a good choice of bars and restaurants.
More About Sal
Sal is the most developed of all the Cape Verde Islands in terms of tourism yet still has a very barren landscape. In the north of the island you will find a salt lake in an extinct volcano crater, an impressive sight. Marine life around the coast of Sal and the rest of the archipelago is high with countless species including flamboyant tropical fish, dolphins and turtles.
Live music plays a huge part in Cape Verdean culture and is often performed live in various bars in Santa Maria during the evening. This is a unique experience and one not to be missed.
A large percentage of visitors come to Sal for the watersports and it's hardly surprising. Sal's long sandy beaches and turquoise water make a wonderful playground for watersports enthusiasts. It is also the perfect place for relaxing in the sun and enjoying long walks along the coastline. Sal is considered to be amongst the world's top five windsurfing locations so it is not uncommon to see bright coloured sails dotted about the ocean. Kite surfing, diving and deep-sea fishing are also very big on Sal. There are plenty of places to hire equipment, have lessons and organise trips.
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Sal Festivals
The following are just a couple of festivals that take place on Sal:
Nossa Sra. De Piedade(Our Lady of Pity) 15th August - Mass, processions, swimming contests and music festival on beach with local musicians.
Santa Maria Festival (Municipality Day) 15th September - Music festival.
Hot Tip for Sal
See the mirage at Terra Boa. It appears as an ocean right in the middle of the desert. It is an incredible sight and one you may never come across again. You can see this and many other sights on our excursion of Sal.