Horse Riding in Sal Island - Cabo Verde
Overview
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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 Short Trail
Pickup included
Kite Beach Salt Mines & Desert
2 hr Ride at the Kite Beach, at the Salt Flats and through the Desert
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
532 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Wonderful!
Kitty K,Mar 30, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00I’m SO glad I booked this experience. I’d only been horse riding once before, but the staff made me feel comfortable and confident. The horses seemed happy and healthy. Mine was called Estrella and she was very well behaved. Staff picked me up from my holiday apartment and dropped me back off again. Very friendly and chatty. I would highly recommend. Thanks guys!
Inappropriate & objectifying behaviour from guide (when they weren't watching videos on their phones)
Eilir T,Mar 28, 2026
- Review from Viator
1.00Very disappointing experience - beware if you're a woman/travelling with women & girls. Went with a friend & during a section of the ride where we had the option to go faster, her horse was tethered to a guide's horse for safety. Unfortunately, the guide spent the entire time during this part staring at her chest & the rest of her body, and even though she was literally almost falling off and wanted to slow down, he kept making the horse go faster so he could watch - disgusting behaviour. Also, there were 3 guides total and all 3 were on their phones literally the entire time - one was even watching videos and his volume was so loud we could hear it from 20 feet away, which completely ruined the lovely scenery. They were inattentive (unless they were objectifying you) and failed to notice issues with the horses due to being stuck to their phone screens. Don't waste your time or money, ESPECIALLY if you're a woman/travelling with women & girls
Loved every minute!❤️
Tamsyn S,Mar 27, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This was on our bucket list, it was one of the most fun experiences! We will definitely be doing this again❤️.
Beautiful horses and amazing experience
MrsM D,Mar 24, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00All the staff were friendly and knowledgeable. The horses are really looked after and its the staff that own the horses and you can tell they love them. Its a nice relaxing ride and the beach is beautiful. I would definitely recommend and if I come back to Cape Verde I would book again
Beach ride
Dawn O,Mar 16, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Beautiful scenic ride with good quality horses. Friendly staff..very well organised Fantastic galloping on the beach. Would highly recommend
Great afternoon
Sharon W,Feb 24, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Fantastic afternoon they look after you whatever level you are. Gentle ride or canter on the beach. Horses matched to your ability
Memorable Experience and good value
Ahog,Feb 20, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00First class experience from start to finish. The horses are very well looked after. Staff put us all at ease and offered a memorable ride along the gorgeous kite beach. Right number of guides to riders. Felt very safe given that we were beginner/novice riders.
Fabulous Horse Riding in Sal, Cabo Verde
A1132FBdenisek,Feb 17, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Such a great experience for the adults.
Sal horse trail
Daydream617658,Feb 8, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00First ride on a horse and we both thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience. The guides and the horses made it a very relaxed and most enjoyable activity.
Riding at Sal
Abhaya B,Jan 22, 2026
- Review from Viator
4.00Suits most people. Most steps, 2 galops on the beach. Galopp blr adapted to the level of the riders, everyone got their
From €52.00
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Operated by Santa Marilha Horse Excursions