Sal island: Salt Lake Tour, Shark bay & Pedra de Lume Village
Overview
Available languages
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 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.
What‘s Included
Private transportation
On-site assistance
Expert and local guide
Liability insurance
Hotel pickup and return transfer
Salt lake
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Options
English speaking guide
Pickup included
Portuguese speaking guide
Pickup included
Spanish speaking guide
Pickup included
French speaking guide
Pickup included
Reviews
47 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
A 3 in 1 express trip that packs in plenty in 4-5 hours
RodM379,Mar 24, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our guide was Vanessa who was both very informative and interacted with us really well. The tour was three stops - sharks, then the salt lakes and finally the Blue Eye - done as a 1/2 day tour. We did not think we lost much of the experience by only spending 1/2 as we started before 9am and finished at 2pm. Really good way to group 3 activities into one - top tip pack or wear swimming gear for the shark feed session as well as the salt lake swim.
Beautiful day
112francoisea,Feb 24, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Thank you to Vanessa who was very professional and who is very friendly. Thanks also to Joseph experienced and careful driver Françoise and Agnes
Dire experience
MiguelML87,Feb 12, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
1.00Dire experience, we were not picked up and despite telling us to request the return, then it is their word against yours and we were charged 62€ for an excursion not made. Don't make the same mistake, there are other cheaper and more reliable companies
Many beautiful impressions collected.
Silke W,Feb 5, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00It was very exciting with the sharks. Bathing in the salt pans was an experience. Can only be recommended. Keep going.
Lousy service.
S3135BOjavis,Jan 19, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
1.00If you don’t want to lose a vacation day don’t book with these people. They have had 1 hour waiting at the door of the hotel and then they send me a message that they cancel it because according to them I booked very late when it says you can book up to an hour before. And they take time to pay you back. Anyway. They sell more tickets than they can take on
Villa de Pedra Lume
Joana C,Jan 1, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00A visit to the village of Pedra Lume could be on foot to visit places like the church, for example. I loved the visit and the guides!
A great guide! We have...
renaud b,Dec 24, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00A great guide! We enjoyed this activity well. The guide s is adapted according to the weather 😀.
Fabulous experience with...
Christine L,Dec 6, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Fabulous experience with sharks and salt lakes Staff were very kind and helpful in the water. Brilliant
Nice, compact tour of several sights
John2321489,Nov 23, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Enjoyable 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
5.00We 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.
From €31.00
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