Cape Verde · TOUR REVIEWS

The 15 Best Tours in Cape Verde

388 tours  ·  from $18

Ten islands, one flight in and usually one week. The 15 below are the days out that earn their slot, priced and timed, with the full catalogue underneath when you want to go deeper.

Sal: Island Experience Tour with a Certified Local Guide - Santa Maria and the island’s tourist story
Guided, Sal Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Sal: Island Experience Tour with a Certified Local Guide

1.Island Experience Tour with a Certified Local Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 3,249 reviews · 7 hours · from $41Our pick

Spend seven hours crossing Sal with a local guide such as Tony, Cristian, Nany, or Kiki. Visit Pedra de Lume, Buracona’s Blue Eye, Shark Bay, Palmeira, Espargos, Santa Maria, and Kite Beach. Float in salt water, see lemon sharks close to shore, and choose an optional local lunch. Transport, hotel pickup, photos, and multilingual guiding are included.

“ot was an amazing day around cape verde secrets and our guide was simple thebest”

Check availability →Read our full review

Sal: All-Inclusive Salt Lake, Blue Eye and Shark Bay Tour - Pedra de Lume: floating in the salt lake
Blue Eye & Buracona, Sal Tours, Salt Lake Tours, Shark Watching, Tour Reviews, Tours

Sal: All-Inclusive Salt Lake, Blue Eye and Shark Bay Tour

2.All-Inclusive Salt Lake, Blue Eye and Shark Bay Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 2,033 reviews · 4 hours · from $53

Spend four hours exploring Sal with a local guide such as Kiki, Tony, Vanessa or Nani. Float in Pedra de Lume’s salt lake, walk among lemon sharks at Shark Bay, see the Blue Eye and natural pool at Buracona, and stop at the desert mirage. Transport, entrance fees and hotel pickup are included.

“Tony is the best. Great tour with lots of in depth information for each specific area. Fun times with the sharks and bathing in the salt lake. Did not feel rushed at all, everything went smoothly. Great chauffeur too. Thanks guys!!”

Check availability →Read our full review

Experience on Sal Island with native and certified guide (including sharks) - Buracona and the Blue Eye
Guided, Sal Tours, Shark Watching, Tour Reviews

Experience on Sal Island with native and certified guide (including sharks)

3.Experience on Sal Island with native and certified guide (including sharks)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,166 reviews · from $36Top rated

Start with lemon sharks at Shark Bay, then float in Pedra Lume’s volcanic salt lake, see Buracona’s Blue Eye, and tour Palmeira, Espargos, Santa Maria, Murdeira, and Kite Beach. Guides such as Nany and Christian add local history, humor, photos, and practical help. Hotel pickup, transport, and a 13-person maximum are included.

“Everything was a described, we were a family, but there was also 3 single lady travelers which was good to show how safe it is in Cape Verde”

Check availability →Read our full review

From Sal Island: Blu eye, Salt lake, Lemon Sharks & Palmeira - Santa Maria and Murdeira Bay set the tone
Blue Eye & Buracona, Sal Tours, Salt Lake Tours, Shark Watching, Tour Reviews

From Sal Island: Blu eye, Salt lake, Lemon Sharks & Palmeira

4.Blu eye, Salt lake, Lemon Sharks & Palmeira

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 1,003 reviews · 6 hours · from $35

Travel across Sal by minibus with a multilingual guide such as Yannick, Yuri, or Nelson. Swim at Murdeira Bay, watch lemon sharks at Shark Bay, float in Pedra de Lume’s saltwater, see Buracona’s Blue Eye, and visit Palmeira and Espargos. Expect extra entrance fees, lunch at your own cost, and a small group of up to 12.

“The interaction from the guide, the driver and photographer was brilliant”

Check availability →Read our full review

Santa Maria: Guided Snorkeling and Reef Tour - Choosing the reef: Farol, Santa Maria, and Bolama wreck
Guided, Sal Tours, Snorkeling, Snorkeling Trips in Sal, Tour Reviews, Tours

Santa Maria: Guided Snorkeling and Reef Tour

5.Guided Snorkeling and Reef Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 809 reviews · 2 hours · from $44

Set out from Cabo Verde Diving Aquarium or the Melia Tortuga center for a two-hour guided snorkeling trip. Guides such as Adi, Daniel, and Wesley help with equipment, safety, and spotting turtles, rays, moray eels, reef fish, and a shallow wreck when sea conditions allow.

“Very well organised. Great health and safety. Saw beautiful fish and ship wreck was amazing! We would do that again next time we visit.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Complete Excursion and Flight on the Zipline Cabo Verde - Climbing Serra Negra to the launch point
Sal Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Zip Lines

Complete Excursion and Flight on the Zipline Cabo Verde

6.Complete Excursion and Flight on the Zipline Cabo Verde

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 591 reviews · from $56

You’ll ride a 4x4 from Santa Maria to Sal’s Serra Negra, walk up rough, steep ground, and zip toward the sea from a 100-meter-high launch point. The two-hour outing includes safety gear, local snacks, soft drinks, music, and live Cape Verdean entertainment. Pickup and return transport are included, but the 130 kg weight limit matters.

“Great instructors, with a good sense of humor. Really worth the money. Great view, and felt safe during the trip”

Check availability →Read our full review

Horse Riding in Sal Island - Cabo Verde - The longer route to Kite Beach
Horses, Sal Tours, Tour Reviews

Horse Riding in Sal Island – Cabo Verde

7.Horse Riding in Sal Island – Cabo Verde

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 500 reviews · from $60

Ride from Santa Maria through Sal’s dunes, salt flats, and beaches on a one to two hour guided outing. Santa Marilha matches horses to riding ability, limits groups to eight, and provides helmets, lockers, insurance, and hotel transport. Longer rides reach Kite Beach, where confident riders may gallop.

“Team were very knowledgeable and there was lots of help. As an inexperienced rider. I would say the excursion is value for money . Only downside was the unnecessary comment made by the female European staff member. Referring to my hair is dreadlocks, I do not have dreadlocks”

Check availability →Read our full review

Sal: All-Inclusive Half-Day Lounge Catamaran Cruise - Boarding, hotel transfers, and the first stretch at sea
Boat Trips in Sal, Catamaran Cruises, Cruises & Boat Tours, Half-Day, Sailing, Sal Tours, Tour Reviews

Sal: All-Inclusive Half-Day Lounge Catamaran Cruise

8.All-Inclusive Half-Day Lounge Catamaran Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 486 reviews · 4 hours · from $81

Cruise Sal’s west coast aboard the Lounge Catamaran Sodade for four hours of sailing, swimming, snorkeling, fishing, snacks, and unlimited beer and soft drinks. Guides speak five languages, and the return trip brings local music, drums, and dancing. Choose a family sailing or adults-only departure, with hotel pickup included.

“A fantastic, positive atmosphere from the very beginning, with a crew full of smiles and energy, and a captain who was both professional and had a great sense of humor. Everything was perfectly organized, and the cruise itself was relaxing and unforgettable. The views were breathtaking, the music and drinks made the time even more enjoyable, and the whole day passed far too quickly. I highly recommend it to anyone visiting Sal!”

Check availability →Read our full review

Santa Maria: Sea Turtle Watching Experience on Sal Island - Leaving Santa Maria for the coast
Sal Tours, Tour Reviews, Turtle Watching, Turtle Watching in Sal

Santa Maria: Sea Turtle Watching Experience on Sal Island

9.Sea Turtle Watching Experience on Sal Island

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 446 reviews · from $41

Join Sal Experiences for an evening turtle-watching trip from Santa Maria. After hotel pickup, you ride to a quiet beach, learn from guides such as Nany, Dani, and Chan, then watch nesting turtles by infrared light. Wear dark clothes and comfortable shoes. The exact pickup time varies between 7:30 PM and 10:30 PM.

“A genuine natural marvel - spectacular to witness. I didn’t expect to get so close - I could have reached out and touched the turtle’s shell. The guides were very knowledgable, answering all questions in detail, and importantly they are very keen to minimise disturbance to the turtles. Would definitely recommend this experience.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Praia: Santiago Island Tour with Tastings and Tarrafal Beach - A Cape Verdean breakfast at Mrs. Luisa’s house
Santiago Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Praia: Santiago Island Tour with Tastings and Tarrafal Beach

10.Santiago Island Tour with Tastings and Tarrafal Beach

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 416 reviews · 7 - 8 hours · from $76

Spend 7 to 8 hours crossing Santiago from Praia with a local guide such as Ricardo, Ivana, Elton, or Alex. Taste cuscuz and fidjós with a Cape Verdean family, visit Assomada Market on Wednesdays or Saturdays, stop in Serra Malagueta, swim at Tarrafal Beach, and return along the east coast.

“The guides and driver were very nice. We had a great time and I recommend it 100%!”

Check availability →Read our full review

Sal Island: Guided Full-Day Highlights Tour with Lunch - Murdeira and Lion Mountain set the scene
Full-Day, Guided, Lunch Experiences, Sal Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Sal Island: Guided Full-Day Highlights Tour with Lunch

11.Guided Full-Day Highlights Tour with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 414 reviews · 6 hours · from $69

Join Bu Country Tours for a 6 to 7 hour small-group tour of Sal with hotel pickup, a local lunch, and stops in Murdeira, Palmeira, Buracona, Espargos, Shark Bay, and Pedra de Lume. Guides such as Alejandro and Miguel explain Cape Verdean life along the way. Bring water shoes for the sharks and salt pans.

“I loved it all. I loved the views on the way, the dogs in Palmeira, the dramatic look of Buracona, the colors in Espargos and floating in the salty water. I was a bit nervous around the sharks but now I can say that a shark headbutted me on a leg. Our guide Alejandro was very sweet and caring, and the driver also seemed very nice. The food was good and fresh.”

Check availability →Read our full review

4h SSV Buggy Island Adventure - 1000cc or 500cc - Palmeira brings a little local life
Buggy Tours, Buggy Tours in Sal, Sal Tours, Tour Reviews

4h SSV Buggy Island Adventure – 1000cc or 500cc

12.4h SSV Buggy Island Adventure – 1000cc or 500cc

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 363 reviews

Drive an automatic buggy across Sal’s desert tracks with a local guide, stopping at Murdeira, Palmeira, Regona’s natural pool, Terra Boa, Pedra de Lume, Shark Bay, and Serra Negra. Two people share each buggy, and guides such as Chips, Zé, Valdir, Freddy, and Joseph are known for safety, humor, and island insight.

“Fue muy divertido recorrer la isla entera y ver su increíble paisaje. 4 horas de aventura y recomendaría esta excursión sin duda.”

Check availability →Read our full review

2h SSV Buggy Desert Adventure - 1000cc or 500cc - Santa Maria salt flats and Igrejinha Lagoon
2-Hour Experiences, Buggy Tours, Buggy Tours in Sal, Desert & Dunes, Sal Tours, Tour Reviews

2h SSV Buggy Desert Adventure – 1000cc or 500cc

13.2h SSV Buggy Desert Adventure – 1000cc or 500cc

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 361 reviews

Drive a two-person automatic SSV buggy from Santa Maria across dunes, salt flats, and volcanic beaches. Guides such as Edy, Jota, and Jason have earned praise for their friendly, safety-focused approach. Bring your original driving license, wear closed shoes, and expect dust, ocean views, and a lively ride.

“Ne pensez pas vous amuser ou passer du bon temps, c’est une sortie militaire, notre guide nous a pris de haut en nous disant que c’était lui le chef celui qui n’est pas content c’est pareil🤣, le ton est donné, pas d’explication pendant l’excursion….quelque tour pour s’amuser Read more”

Check availability →Read our full review

3-hour Catamaran Adventure on the waters of Sal Island - Getting from your hotel to Santa Maria Beach
3-Hour Experiences, Boat Trips in Sal, Catamaran Cruises, Cruises & Boat Tours, Sailing, Sal Tours, Tour Reviews

3-hour Catamaran Adventure on the waters of Sal Island

14.3-hour Catamaran Adventure on the waters of Sal Island

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 349 reviews · 3 hours · from $69

Sail along Sal’s coast with Cape Verde Sailing on a calm 3-hour catamaran trip. Expect a small group, drinks, light snacks, one short swim or snorkel stop, and crew such as Daisy, Wesley, Jair, or Marcio. Wildlife sightings are possible but never promised. Hotel transfers may be included, with departure from Santa Maria Beach or Bikini Beach.

“This activity was fantastic. The guys running the boat were amazing. They helped my 70+ year old mum to get onto the boat and when a young girl became sea sick the crew were so kind to her, rubbing her back, giving her water, providing a bucket. I highly recommend this trip.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Electric Beach Bike - Guided Tour in Sal Island - Starting at Pier Street in Santa Maria
Cycling Tours, Guided, Sal Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Electric Beach Bike – Guided Tour in Sal Island

15.Electric Beach Bike – Guided Tour in Sal Island

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 349 reviews · from $34Best value

Ride a powerful electric bike from Santa Maria through southern Sal, passing white-sand beaches, dunes, salt mines, coastal sites, and local neighborhoods. Guides such as Mo and Fortz combine island stories with practical riding help. The tour includes a helmet, insurance, map, and a beach stop, but you must bring water, sunscreen, and a small backpack.

“Our guide was well knowledgable of the tour route, made the tour memorable for all . Well worth doing it”

Check availability →Read our full review

New in Tour Reviews

★ 5.0Island tour & cattle & Taste local flavorsFrom $1113 reviews
★ 4.1Watch Sea Turtles Nesting – Night Tour in Sal IslandFrom $4614 reviews
★ 4.8Turtle watching in Boa Vista IslandFrom $825 reviews
★ 5.0Volunteering with animals in Sao Vicente!From $179 reviews
★ 4.5Hike Monte Verde, Natural Park, São Vicente, 3h +/- (roundtrip)From $704 reviews
★ 5.0Half day, Beaches, Villages, Monte VerdeFrom $645 reviews
★ 5.0Shore Excursion São Vicente, Mindelo 4h or 6hFrom $8118 reviews
★ 5.0Sunset Hike to Lighthouse, Dona Amélia, São Vicente, 2hFrom $708 reviews
★ 4.02. Nature, History of FOGO and relaxation at the natural pool of SalinasFrom $554 reviews
★ 5.0Full-day Island Tour & Visit to Cova de Paúl Volcano CraterFrom $1067 reviews
★ 5.0Hike Ponta do Sol – Fontainhas – CruzinhaFrom $916 reviews
★ 4.5Full-Day Island Tour in Santo Antão with Lunch IncludedFrom $11814 reviews
★ 5.0Tarrafal to the Airport.From $823 reviews
★ 5.0Praia city to the airport.3 reviews
★ 5.0Full Day Santiago Island TourFrom $10321 reviews

Keep browsing

Shark Watching30Catamaran Cruises10Desert & Dunes31Turtle Watching30Hiking & Trekking35City Tours27
Scroll to Top

Explore the archipelago

Pick an island, a boat or a kitchen.

On the water

Catamaran DaysSnorkellingDivingSailing TripsBoat Trips

Wildlife

Shark BayTurtle NightsWhale SeasonFishing Trips

Sand and lava

Dune DaysBuggiesQuadsJeep RunsThe Shipwreck

Towns and tables

Town WalksCachupa and GrogueMorna NightsCidade Velha