Sal island: Salt Lake Tour, Shark bay & Pedra de Lume Village

Overview

Available languages

German

Portuguese

English

Italian

French

Spanish

3 hours

Mobile ticket

Enjoy a half day island tour and visit places like Salinas salt lake, Pedra de Lume Village, the first populated village on Sal island which retains its architecture intact. Have the experience to see the lemon sharks in their natural environment very closely.

Salinas serves to forget the stress of everyday life, not having to leave the island without bathing in the saline thermal water, where Spas, whirlpool and relaxation are available to all, free of charge. Scientifically, the medicinal action of its salty waters is recognized for its cicatrizing, detoxifying and metabolic-stimulating power due to the mineral substances contained there. In the popular knowledge there is an even greater healing power in this water. The place has a fascinating lake where anyone can bathe and float even without knowing how to swim.

Additional Info

Public transportation options are available nearby

Specialized infant seats are available

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Please wear water shoes suitable for rocky surfaces, if you don't have them they rent it on site for €2.

People under the influence of alcohol cannot take part.

The shark experience is not recommended for people with reduced mobility.

Baby car seats are available on request, and free of charge

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

What‘s Included

Private transportation

On-site assistance

Expert and local guide

Liability insurance

Hotel pickup and return transfer

Salt lake

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

What To Expect

We'll pick you up at your hotel in Santa Maria between 1 pm and 1:30 pm. From here, we'll drive to our first destination of the day, the eastern part of the island to visit Shark Bay and see its famous lemon sharks up close. Here you'll be able to enjoy a 20-minute observing lemon sharks swimming around you. Afterwards, we'll visit the nearby village of Pedra de Lume, which was the first settlement on the island of Sal. Here we'll see its ancient dwellings and learn about the importance of the salt industry for the development of the island through objects and instruments used to extract this chemical compound. The highlight of the tour is a visit to the Pedra de Lume salt lake, the only salt lagoon in the world located in the caldera of a dormant volcano. You'll be impressed by the variety of colours of the landscape. Finally, we'll visit the cable car that was once used to transport the salt extracted from Pedra de Lume. Finally, we'll be back at your hotel in Santa Maria at 5 pm.

Options

Portuguese speaking guide

Pickup included

French speaking guide

Pickup included

English speaking guide

Pickup included

Spanish speaking guide

Pickup included

Reviews

4.79

39 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

Nice, compact tour of several sights
John2321489,
Nov 23, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Enjoyable three hour trip. Good when you don't want a full day tour (we liked the afternoon start time). Vanessa was a super nice guide. A bit hard to hear what she said during the rides between places because of the loud noise the car made. For clarity it should be mentioned in the What's included - section that everyone needs to pay the 2€ fee at the shark bay. Even if you bring your own suitable shoes, you pay a "shoe fee". One guy brought Crocs, as instructed, and still had to pay the shoe rental fee (which were also Crocs).
Exciting and Fun!!!
Emery T,
Sep 23, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
We were allowed to sit in the open air bit at the back of the 4x4! It was amazing! I love floating in the salt lake it’s so relaxing.
A lot of walking on uneven rocky ground
Adventure19465430881,
Sep 5, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00
The trip was good but not happy with trip advisor it didn’t say you have to pay everything separately when u book the trip it doesn’t say that when u book
Great half day tour of Sal
duggyp,
Aug 11, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
Our private half day tour was a great experience with Nani as our driver and guide. He was obviously very knowledgable and had loads of stories and information about where we were travelling through. Shark Bay and Pedra da Lume were particular highlights!
Good experience
thistedtlb,
Jun 13, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Its was speciel to be in the salt lake. My skin was soft for several days. I would recommend that you take a private tour or rent a car. We went with the travel agency and we only had 20 minutes at this place.
Very good discovery of the island
Freedom15588837677,
May 24, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
We were able to discover with our Francophone guide the main sites of the island Our guide was very friendly dynamic and had at heart to show us all aspects of life in Cape Verde on the island of Sal The tour includes, inter alia: The mirage desert: you can make great photos Blue eyes: (3€ place) very friendly setting but to do when it is sunny to see the blue Fish Island aka Shark Bay: great time (they rent 2 € shoes CROCS style on site) Salinas: visit and swim without dirty water (€6) In short very good time and again thank you to the guide Blendir!
Great value and no wasted time
carpetgary,
Apr 28, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Excellent trip. No wasted time Tour guide informative 6euro extra to get into salt lake was ok and this is probably the best part of tour Can totally recommend. Around 3 hours total
It's worth it
Wander57902909867,
Mar 22, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
The guide of the solferies was very friendly and available and fun. He sought to answer our questions. What I liked most was the experience with the lemon sharks.
Family half day tour of Sal
Ray M,
Mar 18, 2025
- Review from Viator
4.00
The 3 hour tour was sufficient but I do advise to wear hard sole water shoes like crocks when going to see the lemon sharks. If not have you can hire for 2€ which enables you to walk comfortably out to see the sharks. Also suggest if you have water shoes for beach do wear them when you enter the salt lake. You must rub the mud from the lake onto your body for an amazing experience.
Perfect to see the key attractions the Cape Verde Sal has to offer, highly recommend for fun afternoon
Joanna L,
Feb 17, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
This is perfect if you are looking for a short trip to see the key attractions Sal has to offer. The guide Kiki was funny, kind and shared some great info about the island and local people. It was great to spend half an hour with sharks rather than the standard 15min (I believe you get shorter times in each stop if you book the full day trip) . The Salt lake is definitely the must see place, nothing compares to the feeling of salt on your skin after you come out from the lake. Would recommend Sal Experience 100%, they have answered all my questions prior the trip and provided very useful guidance.