Sal Island Lemon Shark Experience with Native Guide
Overview
Available languages
2 hours
Mobile ticket
Enjoy Sal Island's most authentic Lemon Shark Experience led by a native certified nature guide. Unlike simply watching sharks from a distance, you'll safely enter the shallow waters of Shark Bay, where juvenile lemon sharks swim naturally around you in their protected nursery.
Spend around 40 minutes in the water learning about the behaviour, biology and conservation of these remarkable animals while enjoying a safe and respectful wildlife encounter.
Water shoes are included free of charge for your comfort and safety, and small groups ensure a more personal experience with plenty of time to observe, ask questions and take unforgettable photos. This is a unique opportunity to connect with Cape Verde's marine life while supporting responsible and sustainable wildlife tourism.
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Specialized infant seats are available
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Baby car seats are available free of charge upon request.
Please bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses and a waterproof camera or GoPro if you wish to take your own photos.
Water shoes suitable for walking on rocky surfaces are provided free of charge for your safety and comfort.
The experience takes place in shallow, knee-deep water.
This activity is not recommended for travelers with reduced mobility or difficulty walking on uneven and rocky surfaces.
Participants should be physically able to walk on uneven, rocky surfaces.
Travelers under the influence of alcohol or drugs will not be permitted to participate.
Suitable for most travelers.
What To Expect
Join the ultimate Sal Island Lemon Shark Experience with a native certified nature guide and discover these fascinating animals in their natural habitat. After pickup from your hotel or accommodation, travel to the famous Shark Bay on the east coast of Sal Island. Accompanied by your guide, you'll safely walk into the shallow, knee-deep waters where juvenile lemon sharks use the bay as their natural nursery. Spend around 40 minutes in the water as young lemon sharks, typically measuring between 50 cm and 1 metre, swim naturally around you. If you're lucky, you may also spot larger adult lemon sharks from a safe distance, as the shallow water prevents them from approaching any closer. Throughout the experience, your native certified guide will explain the behaviour, life cycle and ecological importance of these fascinating animals, making this a safe, educational and unforgettable wildlife encounter. Water shoes are included free of charge, allowing you to enjoy the experience safely and comfortably before returning to your accommodation.
Options
English speaking guide
Pickup included
French speaking guide
Pickup included
Portuguese speaking guide
Pickup included
Spanish speaking guide
Pickup included
What‘s Included
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Child seat available free of charge upon request
Liability insurance
All necessary equipment
Water shoes for the activity
Native certified nature guide
Lemon Shark Experience
Personal expenses
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
109 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
A must!
ginab1975,Jun 26, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Just brilliant! Fantastic communication before we went, right through to drop off. We were looked after, and had the best time!
Really good!
Trail25387981824,Jun 16, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Transport was great, great guide was very funny and had a lot of facts! Got to be with the sharks for so long, and there were loads!
Lemon sharks
194garycc,May 24, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great trip but we had good water clarity might be different if sand churned up conditions. Thoroughly enjoy it.
That they picked up earlier...
Camilla W,Mar 17, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00That they picked up earlier than it said on the ticket was a minus we had to rush. Got a message 10 minutes after we were supposed to meet the bus. Even so, it was cool to experience. Awesome when the sharks swam between their legs. You should have good balance to be able to go out to the sharks because there are rocks and corals on the bottom and long way out until you get to your knees. Recommend seeing sharks in their natural habitat.
Great experience! So...
Becky H,Feb 26, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Great experience! So amazing to be so close to these incredible creatures in their own environment. Would highly recommend. The shore is very rocky so sensible water shoes is a must and do take care when walking. It was windy when we went so lots of waves. The sharks are just beautiful though - worth it! 💙
Happy half day
Alexander S,Dec 21, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Nice and knowledgeable guide. Unfortunately quite uncomfortable drive to and from the various sights as we sat in the back of a pick-up truck.
LILSNOOP THE BEST GUIDE OF CAPE VERDE 🇨🇻
giuliamM9875TJ,Dec 6, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Frankly I loved the experience, the atmosphere on the bus was great. The tour guide explained us really well we even had a little quiz to do it was rewarding it was LILSNOOP frankly to recommend more answers very well to the question we ask him with a lot of interesting detail 🇨🇻🥹🤪
Baby shark
NathalieR2580,Nov 19, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00Easy to book with TripAdvisor even the day before. Our shark bay tour with Luxair was cancelled the day before....fortunately TripAdvisor was there to save us. 😁
Lots of sharks to see ❤️
Clive P,Oct 11, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Great experience saw lots of sharks swimming between our legs some quite big ones 😳 Loved it and seeing them in their natural environment was awesome we would recommend.
COULD NOT UNDERSTAND GUIDE.
kevinrP6413WJ,Sep 4, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
1.00Boring, only tiny shakes, not as advertised. Guide was not English, hard to understand on a trip that we only booked as it was supposed to be in English. Not worth the money
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