Secrets of Sal tour with villages, lagoon and crater visits

Free Cancellation

Language: English

Mobile voucher accepted

Duration: from 2 hours to 4 hours

Entrance Fees Included

Guided Tour

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Why you’ll love this…

You'll journey through Sal's unique landscapes and visit the communities of Palmeiras and Espargos

Strolling through Palmeiras' narrow streets, lined with cafés and local shops is part of the itinerary

At Buracona Lagoon, you'll witness the natural wonder of the 'blue eye'

There's a rare chance to swim in the lake of a volcano crater and feel like you've had a spa experience

A local guide will share their unrivalled knowledge of Sal's hidden gems along the way

What to expect

If you're looking for the hidden gems of Sal, then this half-day tour will tick all the boxes, taking in colourful fishing villages, an enchanting lagoon and even a dip in an extinct volcano's crater lake. Tito, one of our local expert guides, says, “from fishing villages to volcanic craters, you'll see how Sal has been shaped over thousands of years.”

You'll take a ride in a comfy minibus as an expert guide shows off the best of this island. Your drive will take you to the quaint village of Palmeiras, full of cutsie shops and cozy cafes, where you'll get...

✔Transport
✔Guide
✔Guided tour
✔Exclusive TUI itinerary

What to remember

Viewing of the Buracona ‘blue eye' cannot be guaranteed, as the optical illusion depends on the sun's position on the day

Bring bathing gear and sunblock

Bring a towel

Bring money for extras or gratuities

This experience doesn't follow our general cancellation policy. If you need to cancel, you must do so at least 24 hours in advance to receive a full refund

Not suitable for those with reduced mobility due to uneven paths or steps

Not suitable for those with reduced mobility due to moderate walking distance during tour

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Booking Fee

Cancellation Fee

Reviews

great

4.4/5

Based on 63 reviews from verified customers

All ratings (63)

Excellent (43)

68%

Great (11)

17%

Average (5)

Poor (2)

Bad (2)

Bernd B

July 2026

From Germania

Traveled as As a couple - 57 years old

Excellent

Sehr schöner Ausflug

Neil

June 2026

From Regno Unito

Traveled as Alone - 56 years old

Didn't like the roads .you can't change that! Liked that the minibus was air-conditioned. The TUI guide was fabulous

Tony&Deb

Traveled as As a couple - 43 years old

Ronaldo the guide was really knowledgeable and could answer any questions. He made sure we were able to see everything as promised. Also highly entertaining and personable. Would definitely recommend

Ann Woolley

Traveled as As a couple - 42 years old

Jackie

May 2026

Traveled as With friends - 44 years old

Our tour guide Stefan was very informative about the History of Cape Verde including politics and areas of interest....He explained every part of the tour with precision....kept a good schedule and felt very safe.

Watty

Traveled as As a couple - 47 years old

Average

Jacqueline (Jacks)

April 2026

Traveled as As a couple - 44 years old

The Tui Rep (Elaine) at Riu Cabo Verde recommended this half day tour to us as it would be easier for my Husband. Our Tour Guide (Stephan) was very professional, personable, informative and very funny. We learnt a lot about the Island of Sal and it's history. It was a great day out. Our Driver was pretty good as well. It was quite upsetting seeing the Shanty Town and how some people are forced to live. My Husband didn't have the energy to do the Salt Lake, but l did and it was bizarre but ok.

Cat

Traveled as Alone - 43 years old

Our tour took in a few places on Sal. It was made really special by our guide Stefan. Stefan was very informative and gave us a real insight into Cape Verde's history. Also fantastic insight into life on Sal today. Stefan and our driver were really courtious, supportive of all members of our group. Stefan made so much effort to making the trip accessible, especially as I and others had mobility issues. He ensued we were all safe without resticting our excursion

Anne

March 2026

Traveled as As a couple - 41 years old

Our guide was excellent ,very imformative driver was good overall enjoyed the experience very much

Inte helt nöjd

February 2026

From Svezia

Traveled as As a couple - 51 years old

Poor

Ön Sal har inte många sevärdheter att erbjuda det kan man förstå. På denna tur fick man snabbt se några av de få som finns. En fiskarby, det blå ögat (som inte var blått vid den tidpunkten vi anlände tyvärr) , en hägring och slutligen den nedlagda avsaltningsanläggnigen där vi gavs möjlighet att bada i det starkt salthalttiga vattnet. Vi tyckte utflykten var så speciell kort sagt.

Lesley Davidson

Was so disappointed as guide knew we would be unable to see eye due to time of year and location of the sun, the couple of minor stops were pointless Should have been informed this before booking Not responsibility of the guide, he was lovely

Marcel

Traveled as As a couple - 31 years old

Bathing in salt lake is a must, no need to go to Dead sea. Didnt use that half minute shover for 1€ there, wasnt so bad just little itchy. Blue eye not visible in winter months but waves in lagoon were epic. Also got free tasting of local spirits at fishing vilage and cute dogs there..

Annie

Traveled as As a couple - 35 years old

Our guide, Edmilson, was great. Very knowledgeable and good fun. It felt like we packed so much into 4 hours and yet nothing felt rushed.

Lowther

January 2026

Traveled as As a couple - 40 years old

The whole experience was excellent. Our guide Lucy was amazing, her knowledge & information was fantastic. We enjoyed every moment & would definitely recommend this experience.

JaxUK

Traveled as Alone - 48 years old

Great

I really enjoyed the salt pan floating. The walks around Esteponas and Palmirah were interesting and the guide Stefan was very good.

Karin

Traveled as As a couple

Ok so the guide Lucy was the best. Very fun and bubbly and informative. The salt lake was good and the blue eye was ok but the rest was pretty boring. Get there is not a lot to see on Sal but not sure seeing a kindergarten or the shanty town is relevant or needed. £40 each for this trip was way too much.

Helen

Traveled as As a couple - 34 years old

Arrived at the hotel late which was worrying initially but the tour guide was fabulous, friendly and knowledgable about the island. She spoke a number of languages and was very engaging. Stopped in some lovely places and the salt lake in particular is worth a visit

Holiday often

December 2025

Tui, cancelled the night before, after the Tui in resort meeting.

JJ

Very little to see. Knowingly took us to the blue eye at the wrong time. 'Mirage" was a damp squid. Overall a poor experience, but was decent value for money given minimal cost and Ronaldo the guide was very knowedable.

Hans

November 2025

Traveled as As a couple - 58 years old

Rici

Traveled as As a couple - 45 years old

Nicky

It was well worth doing. I loved seeing all the fresh fish freshly caught and visiting the villages. I enjoyed the alcohol tasting in one of the village shops which enabled me to buy ones which I had enjoyed. The salt lake was an experience and enjoyable.

Miu

Traveled as Alone - 38 years old

Guide Rodriguez und der Fahrer waren top und sehr sympathisch. Die Aufenthalte empfand ich zum Teil als viel zu kurz - vor allem im Verhältnis zur Fahrzeit. Der Zeitpunkt des Stopps am Blauen Auge war schlecht gewählt, da der Sonnenstand das Phänomen gar nicht zuließ. Dafür ein organisiert endloses Rumsitzen in der überteuerten Bar dort. Der Fischmarkt in Palmeira hätte auch viel mehr Zeit verdient. Trotzdem war es eine informative Tour, da Rodriguez als Local sehr authentisch erzählt hat.

Traveled as With family - 42 years old

Rita and Dave

September 2025

Experience of guided tour informative, kept safe by crossing roads . Interesting, saw many historic places. Learnt about individual areas. Fishing town Palmeria. Loyalty figs to the fisherman owners. How schools have emerged in the local areas. Saw a private school. See poverty,in a few areas people generally seem to be coping with life .

Sharon

Traveled as Alone - 34 years old

Unfortunately the weather turned bad so we were unable to go and look at the blue eye, it had been closed off for safety reasons as the area was very wet and hazardous. Instead our lovely tour guide took us on a tour of one of the local villages, he was very informative and great fun to be with. The salt lake was fabulous, I've never experienced anything like it before. It was very relaxing floating without any effort. Overall a very nice trip, had a lovely time :)

Suzanne

Traveled as With family - 43 years old

A great little half day tour to see a bit of the island & island life if you don’t wish to spend a whole day on a bus getting off & on this is the one for you & is great in a wee minibus only 8 of us. Our driver & Stefan our TUI guide were excellent. Stefan was so helpful & informative with the history & knowledge of the island. He looked after us well. Was definitely worth doing & great value.

Nev

August 2025

Kerry Harrison

Traveled as As a couple - 30 years old

AFMWalsh

Guide amazing and very informative all through experience. Enjoyed by us sll

Stuart

July 2025

Traveled as With family - 25 years old

Clare

June 2025

Traveled as With family - 26 years old

Fab guide

Les

Traveled as As a couple - 46 years old

Stephan was very informant about everything and his Knowledge was excellent Felt safe where we went

Ann Crossey

Chris

Traveled as As a couple - 66 years old

Guide and driver very helpful as we are both disabled. Nothing was too much trouble to help us getting on and off the mini bus

Jonathan foster

Traveled as As a couple - 38 years old

The tour guide was brilliant should have been informed at the buracona lagoon that there steps down and no rails at end

Ehepaar

May 2025

Traveled as As a couple - 48 years old

Anonymous

Manda

Traveled as With family - 29 years old

Excellent Excursion both staff Ronaldo and driver pleasant and professional. Well done guys from England ????

Ian Morgan

April 2025

Traveled as With family - 44 years old

Loved the variety of stops. Glad we only opted for 1/2 day version - I think the full day would have been too much

Jean Lindsay

March 2025

Traveled as With friends - 47 years old

The guide was very good, but there is really nothing to see. The souvenir shop we stopped at was so bad and so poor, it was not a great experience. the blue eye - the tour must know what time the sun hits the water in the cave - sun and timing is not rocket science. Our tour was not there at the right time. Mirage is a joke. The bathing in the salt lake is really not good. It should be clear that people with mobility issues would struggle. Overall, the island is so poor and so desolate.

Humblebee

Traveled as As a couple - 39 years old

Lloydy

February 2025

Excellent tour giving an overview of the islands highlights. The blue eye is disappointing at this time of year and is just a dark pond in a hole.

Helen Taylor

Traveled as With family - 38 years old

Chrissie

Our guide, Ronaldo, was superb. He was really informative and knowledgeable, but he had a good sense of humour too. Our trip covered everything we wanted to see. We chose this trip for that reason. As I am coeliac (gluten free), we did not want to go on a a trip which included a meal. So this one was ideal.

Merv

Traveled as Alone - 42 years old

Was very good..

Bikeit123

Very knowledgeable guide Ronaldo. A very nice guy. Answered all the questions asked to him. A good sense of humour

Janet

January 2025

Length of trip right and guide very knowledgeable

Jon

Duration of the trip was just right. Enough time to enjoy the places we visited. Our guide was knowledgeable and interesting. Excellent.

David Colvine

Traveled as With family - 32 years old

Not really that informative Wife fell on slope down to salt lake on loose cobbles guide was no where to be seen eventually he got first aid box The eye can’t be seen in the winter they tell you this once your on the bus Just didn’t enjoy it really

Penny 22

November 2024

Traveled as As a couple - 53 years old

The whole experience of standing in the water with the sharks swimming around you fantastic the guides gave you so much knowledge about them I would definitely go again if you are unsteady on your feet you would have to take extra care as its very rocky there

Rotangi

Besser mit dem Bus als mit dem Jeeps

Chopper

Jan

Traveled as With friends - 42 years old

Good overall trip, Stephan was excellent very informative friendly and considerate

AM

Traveled as With family - 31 years old

Es war schön mehr vom Land zu sehen und zu erfahren, allerdings waren mache Sachen (Saline) einfach nur ein Durchschleusen in kürzester Zeit. Das war sehr schade

Andrea

October 2024

The tour guide Rynaldo was amazing. He knew so much about the whole island. He made our holiday and needs an award

Ali

Traveled as As a couple - 32 years old

We purposly booked this trip for the salt lake experience, however this part of the trip was very rushed & all the other tours seemed to arrive at the same time so there were queues for changing in /out of costume a d then we were 'hurried' along by our guide as a result!

Stephanie

September 2024

Enjoyed salt lakes and blue eye especially plus beach stop on way back.

Simon

August 2024

From Paesi Bassi

Bijzondere ervaring met een zeer kundige gids die het ook boeiend kan vertellen. Ook fijn dat het maar een paar uur duurt, makkelijk in te plannen op de dag

Saintdave

July 2024

Baracuna blue eye was spectacular and the salt lake was an experience for a non swimmer like me. Nice walkabout of a couple of towns but could have done without the fishing village as not much there. The guide, Ronaldo, was tremendous.

Jaxh

June 2024

Really enjoyed the guide Ronaldo's enthusiasm and the knowledge he had and the way he presented the facts about the history and culture of the island . He was five star

David R.

Great trip. The guide was fantastic, helped my wife get back from the Salt Lake by fetching a 4x4 to pick her up. Also good knowledge of the island.

May 2024

Wife has walking disability, however tour guide took it at her pace. Concerned about getting down to see blue light, but not a problem. Main issue was to get to salt lake, but the guide got one of the 4x4's to take us down and back up. Whole experience was really good and would recommend the trip.