Cape Verde: 6-Day Sal & Boa Vista — Beach & Desert Paradise

Cape Verde: 6-Day Sal & Boa Vista — Beach & Desert Paradise

Discover the sun-drenched eastern islands of Cape Verde on this 6-day beach and desert paradise package. Sal and Boa Vista are the archipelago’s premier sun-and-sand destinations, yet far more than just beautiful beaches. Sal offers the extraordinary experience of floating weightlessly in a volcanic salt crater, walking alongside wild lemon sharks in their natural nursery, and the lively beach culture of Santa Maria. Boa Vista, the island closest to Africa, boasts Sahara-like desert dunes, some of the world’s most important loggerhead turtle nesting beaches, and the remote, castaway beauty that makes Cape Verde’s eastern islands irresistible. Perfect for beach lovers, water sports enthusiasts, and anyone seeking winter sun with an adventurous twist.

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1 — Arrival in Sal

Touch down at Amílcar Cabral International Airport (SID) on Sal Island and transfer to your beachfront hotel in Santa Maria, the island’s main resort town at the southern tip. After settling in, take an orientation walk along the paved promenade and the famous Santa Maria pier, where local fishermen bring in their daily catch as the sun sets over the Atlantic. The 8-kilometer stretch of golden sand backed by colorful beach bars and restaurants sets the scene for your island getaway. Enjoy a welcome dinner (own expense) at one of Santa Maria’s excellent seafood grills. Overnight in Santa Maria.

Day 2 — Sal: Salt Crater & Lemon Shark Experience

After breakfast, set out to explore Sal’s unique natural attractions. First stop: the Pedra de Lume Salt Crater, an extinct volcanic crater where you can float effortlessly in the hypersaline waters — Cape Verde’s answer to the Dead Sea. The lunar-like landscape and rust-colored crater walls create an unforgettable backdrop as you bob weightlessly in the warm, mineral-rich waters. Next, head to Shark Bay on the east coast, where juvenile lemon sharks cruise the shallow waters just meters from your feet. Walk into the warm, knee-deep water alongside these gentle creatures — a safe, guided experience that brings you remarkably close to wild sharks in their natural nursery. Return to Santa Maria for a free afternoon. Overnight in Santa Maria.

Day 3 — Santa Maria Beach & Kite Surfing

Today is dedicated to Sal’s magnificent south coast and its world-class watersports. Santa Maria Beach is one of the best kite surfing destinations in the world, thanks to consistent trade winds, warm water, and a long sandy beach. A 2-hour beginner kite surfing lesson is included, with professional instructors providing all equipment and safety instruction. Even if you have never attempted kite surfing before, the shallow, flat water makes for ideal learning conditions. For those preferring a more relaxed pace, the beach offers excellent swimming, sunbathing, and beach volleyball. In the evening, enjoy the lively atmosphere of Santa Maria’s beachfront bars as the sun sets. Overnight in Santa Maria.

Day 4 — Fly to Boa Vista: Desert Dunes & Viana Desert

Take a short domestic flight (approximately 20 minutes) to Boa Vista, the third-largest Cape Verdean island and the closest to the African mainland. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel in Sal Rei, the relaxed island capital. In the afternoon, embark on a 4×4 excursion into the Viana Desert, a miniature Sahara of rolling sand dunes that seem to appear from nowhere in the middle of the island. Walk across the golden dunes, photograph the surreal contrast of sand against blue sky, and feel the profound silence of this unexpected desert landscape. Continue to the Cabo Santa Maria shipwreck, a rusting cargo vessel grounded since 1968 that has become one of Boa Vista’s most iconic landmarks. Overnight in Sal Rei.

Day 5 — Boa Vista: Turtle Beaches & Coastal Exploration

A full day exploring Boa Vista’s pristine eastern coastline. Visit Praia de Chaves and Praia de Santa Mónica, two vast stretches of white sand that rank among the most beautiful and unspoiled beaches in the world. Depending on the season (June–October), these beaches are important nesting sites for loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta), one of the world’s largest nesting populations. Learn about local turtle conservation efforts and, if lucky, witness a nesting turtle or hatchling release (seasonal). Continue to the traditional village of Povoação Velha, one of the oldest settlements in Cape Verde, where a simple chapel and a handful of stone houses speak to centuries of island life. Enjoy a beach picnic lunch (included) before returning to Sal Rei. Overnight in Sal Rei.

Day 6 — Departure

After a final Cape Verdean breakfast, transfer to Aristides Pereira International Airport (BVC) on Boa Vista for your departure flight. Leave with a sun-kissed glow, sand between your toes, and memories of floating in a volcanic crater, walking with lemon sharks, and discovering the desert-meets-ocean magic of Cape Verde’s eastern islands.

Inclusions

• 5 nights accommodation: 3 nights Santa Maria (Sal) + 2 nights Sal Rei (Boa Vista), beachfront 3-star hotels
• Daily breakfast
• All airport/hotel transfers
• Domestic flight: Sal → Boa Vista (Day 4)
• Half-day excursion: Pedra de Lume Salt Crater (Day 2)
• Half-day excursion: Shark Bay lemon shark walk (Day 2)
• 2-hour beginner kite surfing lesson with equipment (Day 3)
• 4×4 excursion: Viana Desert & Cabo Santa Maria shipwreck (Day 4)
• Full-day excursion: turtle beaches & Povoação Velha (Day 5)
• Beach picnic lunch on Day 5
• English-speaking guides for all excursions
• 24/7 local support

Exclusions

• International flights to Sal (SID) / from Boa Vista (BVC)
• Travel insurance
• Lunches and dinners (except Day 5 picnic lunch and breakfasts)
• Salt Crater entrance fee (~€5)
• Personal expenses, drinks, and gratuities

Tour Data