Horse Riding in Sal Island - Cabo Verde
Overview
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Mobile ticket
Uncover Sal Island on horseback with a savvy guide.
As an experienced rider, you will find happiness on horseback at the highest level. As a beginner, you are warmly welcome by our gentle horses.
Ride along the white sandy beaches of Sal island, wander through the Salt Mines and leave your traks on the sandy desert.
All the rides start and finish at our stables, where you can meet our horses and get familiar with them before you start riding.
Small-group format with multiple guides on horseback ensures a personalized experience.
Hotel transfer service (pick up & drop off), Helmets and Insurance are included in the prices.
Comprehensive Safety Briefing prior the Ride.
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Weight limit: 90kg per participant
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Santa Marilha Horse Excursions
Meet our driver at the reception for the transfer to the stables set into the Botanical Gardens Viveiro. At the riding centre lockers will be at your disposal to leave your belongings and CE certified riding helmets will be given to you prior the ride (mandatory). The group of max 8 riders will be lead by several guides on horseback (1:2 ratio) to make sure that the ride will be tailored on your respective riding skills. Now the adventure can start! Leave your tracks on the sand dunes and you will arrive at the "Big Salt Mines of Santa Maria". If you are taking part on the 1,5h or the 2h trails, you will leave the Salt Flats behind and you will head up to Kite Beach. An endless golden sand beach trek awaits you and the most experienced riders will have the chance to gallop through the surf. Less experienced riders or those who just want to relax and enjoy the landscape will ride gently along the shore at walking gait with the assistance of the guides.
What‘s Included
Use of bum bags
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Use of lockers
Professional guide
Use of helmet
Local taxes
Insurance
Gratuities
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Options
Kite Beach Salt Mines & Desert
2 hr Ride at the Kite Beach, at the Salt Flats and through the Desert
Pickup included
Kite Beach Short Trail
Pickup included
Salt Mines Trail
1 hr Riding tour at the Salt Mines
Pickup included
Kite Beach & Salt Mines Trail
1.5 hr Ride at the Kite Beach & at the Salt Mines
Pickup included
Reviews
520 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
great experience at all! very special tour with nice horses and gently guides
Traveler59202617942,,Jan 3, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We have been five people with three guides! they have been very friendly! the horses have been gently and the slope was very nice through the amazing valley! i enjoyed it very much!
Not suitable for experienced riders
lolitad910,,Dec 30, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
2.00Very disappointed by this ride. 2 hours advertised, for 80 €, almost only in step. No trot, and a very rigid organization: obligation to stay in Indian queue, without any freedom. At the slightest attempt to move my mare sideways (even one meter), a guide shouted at her to get back in place. I was only able to do two very short gallops on the beach, about a minute each. The horses, on the other hand, are in good health, which is a good thing. This activity can be suitable for beginners looking for a very supervised and safe walk. On the other hand, for a comfortable rider, the experience is frustrating
Great experience 😉
Madglad06,,Dec 23, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00Great guides, fabulous horses, very professional 😉 especially the stretch of the trip at the beach was very, very nice. My son and daughter at 14 and 15 years loved it.
Highly recommended
K4768SQjessicac,,Dec 14, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00All great, well-groomed horses, good care and also company by a photographer who took great photos. Will definitely book again!:-)
Fabulous couple of hours
Donna M,,Dec 1, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Fantastic experience ... horses very well cared for, tack fitted well..... two hours of pure bliss.... Very friendly and professional people who were passionate about the animals....... Very highly recommend for beginners and people that have lots of experience. ....
Gallop on the beach
LottaoJohan,,Nov 27, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a nice ride, the highlight was galloping along the beach! Lively and happy horses that even took a couple of buckle leaps from time to time. Friendly guides and relatively well-groomed horses.
Great activity. The host...
Laura G,,Nov 13, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Great activity. The host and workers were very accommodating. The activity was very fun and relaxing
Beautiful place with beautiful horses. Definitely recommend
Andrew M,,Nov 4, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00We had such a great time. The horses were beautiful and so well cared for The ride was very peaceful and scenic. We had a few great gallop stretches along the stunning beach. Highly recommend
Recommended activity
698intissarb,,Sep 15, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Quiet walk at sunset. Very well kept horses and the boys who accompanied us very nice. If it is your first time riding they are also 100% aware of you and if you already have a level they leave you a little bit to your air.
Bad experience
Ivan A,,Aug 18, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
1.00The experience ticket shows "start of activity 4.30pm" with the withdrawal included. At 4.20 p.m. I'm in reception and I don't see anyone. They say they waited for us to leave outside our residence, texted us and made calls to prompt our arrival. None of these three things have been done. I call the tour operator at the number listed in the "contacts" section does not answer. I write through Trip Advisor to find a deal, I am simply told that I will not be able to receive a refund and I am not even proposed a solution for the problem!! Bad experience
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Operated by Santa Marilha Horse Excursions