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Secrets of Sal tour with villages, lagoon and crater visits
Excursions & day trips
Recommended by 85% of travelers
Sal, Cape Verde
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Secrets of Sal tour with villages, lagoon and crater visits

Free Cancellation
Language: English

Offered in:

English

Mobile voucher accepted
Duration: from 2 hours to 4 hours
Entrance Fees Included
Guided Tour
Instant confirmation
e-Voucher

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 we 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...

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What's included

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

Provider

Booking Fee

Cancellation Fee

Reviews

great

4.4/5
Based on 55 reviews from verified customers
All ratings (55)
65%
20%
7%
4%
4%
A

Anne

March 2026
From Reino Unido
Traveled as As a couple - 41 years old

Excellent

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

Inte helt nöjd

February 2026
From Suécia
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.
L

Lesley Davidson

February 2026
From Reino Unido
Traveled as As a couple - 41 years old

Poor

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
M

Marcel

February 2026
From Reino Unido
Traveled as As a couple - 31 years old

Excellent

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..
A

Annie

February 2026
From Reino Unido
Traveled as As a couple - 35 years old

Excellent

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.
L

Lowther

January 2026
From Reino Unido
Traveled as As a couple - 40 years old

Excellent

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

JaxUK

January 2026
From Reino Unido
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.
K

Karin

January 2026
From Reino Unido
Traveled as As a couple

Average

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.
H

Helen

January 2026
From Reino Unido
Traveled as As a couple - 34 years old

Excellent

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
H

Holiday often

December 2025
From Reino Unido
Traveled as As a couple - 34 years old

Poor

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

JJ

December 2025
From Reino Unido
Traveled as As a couple - 34 years old

Average

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.
H

Hans

November 2025
From Alemanha
Traveled as As a couple - 58 years old

Excellent

R

Rici

November 2025
From Reino Unido
Traveled as As a couple - 45 years old

Great

N

Nicky

November 2025
From Reino Unido
Traveled as As a couple - 43 years old

Excellent

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.
M

Miu

November 2025
From Alemanha
Traveled as Alone - 38 years old

Great

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.
H

Helen

November 2025
From Reino Unido
Traveled as With family - 42 years old

Great

R

Rita and Dave

September 2025
From Reino Unido
Traveled as As a couple - 44 years old

Great

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 .
S

Sharon

September 2025
From Reino Unido
Traveled as Alone - 34 years old

Excellent

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 :)
S

Suzanne

September 2025
From Reino Unido
Traveled as With family - 43 years old

Excellent

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.
N

Nev

August 2025
From Reino Unido
Traveled as As a couple

Excellent

K

Kerry Harrison

August 2025
From Reino Unido
Traveled as As a couple - 30 years old

Excellent

A

AFMWalsh

August 2025
From Reino Unido
Traveled as With family - 43 years old

Excellent

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

Stuart

July 2025
From Reino Unido
Traveled as With family - 25 years old

Excellent

C

Clare

June 2025
From Reino Unido
Traveled as With family - 26 years old

Excellent

Fab guide
L

Les

June 2025
From Reino Unido
Traveled as As a couple - 46 years old

Great

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

Ann Crossey

June 2025
From Reino Unido
Traveled as As a couple - 58 years old

Great

C

Chris

June 2025
From Reino Unido
Traveled as As a couple - 66 years old

Excellent

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
J

Jonathan foster

June 2025
From Reino Unido
Traveled as As a couple - 38 years old

Excellent

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

Ehepaar

May 2025
From Alemanha
Traveled as As a couple - 48 years old

Excellent

A

Anonymous

May 2025
From Reino Unido

Excellent

M

Manda

May 2025
From Reino Unido
Traveled as With family - 29 years old

Excellent

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

Ian Morgan

April 2025
From Reino Unido
Traveled as With family - 44 years old

Excellent

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

Jean Lindsay

March 2025
From Reino Unido
Traveled as With friends - 47 years old

Poor

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.
H

Humblebee

March 2025
From Alemanha
Traveled as As a couple - 39 years old

Excellent

L

Lloydy

February 2025
From Reino Unido
Traveled as As a couple - 51 years old

Great

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.
H

Helen Taylor

February 2025
From Reino Unido
Traveled as With family - 38 years old

Excellent

C

Chrissie

February 2025
From Reino Unido

Excellent

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.
M

Merv

February 2025
From Reino Unido
Traveled as Alone - 42 years old

Great

Was very good..
B

Bikeit123

February 2025
From Reino Unido
Traveled as As a couple - 47 years old

Excellent

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

Janet

January 2025
From Reino Unido
Traveled as As a couple - 47 years old

Excellent

Length of trip right and guide very knowledgeable
J

Jon

January 2025
From Reino Unido
Traveled as As a couple

Excellent

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

David Colvine

January 2025
From Reino Unido
Traveled as With family - 32 years old

Average

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
P

Penny 22

November 2024
From Reino Unido
Traveled as As a couple - 53 years old

Excellent

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
R

Rotangi

November 2024
From Alemanha
Traveled as Alone - 42 years old

Excellent

Besser mit dem Bus als mit dem Jeeps
C

Chopper

November 2024
From Reino Unido
Traveled as As a couple - 53 years old

Average

J

Jan

November 2024
From Reino Unido
Traveled as With friends - 42 years old

Excellent

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

AM

November 2024
From Alemanha
Traveled as With family - 31 years old

Excellent

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
A

Andrea

October 2024
From Reino Unido
Traveled as As a couple - 35 years old

Excellent

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

Ali

October 2024
From Reino Unido
Traveled as As a couple - 32 years old

Great

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!
S

Stephanie

September 2024
From Reino Unido
Traveled as As a couple - 44 years old

Excellent

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

Simon

August 2024
From Países Baixos
Traveled as With family - 42 years old

Excellent

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
S

Saintdave

July 2024
From Reino Unido
Traveled as With family - 43 years old

Excellent

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.
J

Jaxh

June 2024
From Reino Unido
Traveled as As a couple - 48 years old

Excellent

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
D

David R.

June 2024
From Reino Unido
Traveled as As a couple - 41 years old

Great

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.
A

Anonymous

May 2024
From Reino Unido

Excellent

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.

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