Sal Island

Sal Island is the most flat of the Cape Verde Islands, which lie west of Africa in the waters of the Atlantic Ocean. These days, the picturesque island belongs to the Republic of Cape Verde. Its name means “salt” in Portuguese.

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The island of Sal stretches for 30 kilometers and is up to 12 kilometers wide. It is home to 25,600 people. Unlike the other Cape Verde Islands, Sal has a less mountainous topography. Its highest point, the peak of Monte Grande, reaches a height of 406 meters. The sunny island enjoys clear weather almost all year round. Rainfall is rare, and the wet season lasts from August to mid-October.

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Video: Sal Island

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General Information

Sal is considered the oldest island in the archipelago. According to scientists, it is of volcanic origin and was formed about 50 million years ago. During the Middle Ages, the Moors came to the island for salt, and the Portuguese discovered Sal in 1460. For several centuries Europeans were unable to settle the island territory due to the arid climate, so in its valleys only grazed cattle. In the 30s of the XIX century in the crater of the extinct volcano discovered deposits of table salt. This contributed to the colonization of the island. The inhabitants mined salt and sold it to Brazil and African countries.

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Nowadays, the island of Sal has a well-developed infrastructure for tourism. This is evidenced by the fact that more than half of all visitors to the Republic of Cape Verde spend their vacations here. The beautiful natural conditions have made Sal an attractive destination for divers, boaters, surfers, windsurfers and kitesurfers.

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Boat trips along the coast are popular on the island. During trips on yachts and catamarans you can see interesting places, swim in the open sea, enjoy snorkeling and sea fishing. For lovers of the underwater world there are organized excursions on boats with a transparent bottom. Fans of educational tourism go to the ruins of the fortress Oásis de Algodoeiro, which the Portuguese military erected during the development of the island of Sal. Many tourists go to the small town of Santa Maria.

Diving on Sal Island

On the island of Sal there are several large diving centers that teach beginners, rent equipment, organize night dives and underwater safaris for experienced divers. Suffice it to say that there are more than thirty interesting dive sites near Sal.

The Blue Room, Palmiera site, Buracona Cave and Ponta do Farol reef are the most frequented by divers. In addition, there are three dive sites near the shores of the island where wrecks rest at depths accessible to beginners.

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Surfing, windsurfing and kitesurfing

Outdoor enthusiasts choose Sal Island because of the steady ocean breezes throughout the year. Six large surfing centers are open on the island, which are engaged in training beginners and renting modern equipment. Each center has a professional rescue service.

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Ponta Preta has the most athletes. When the light from the west, there are high waves. However, the coastline near Ponta Prete is rocky, so only experienced athletes are advised to surf this spot.

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Windsurfers and kitesurfers have long mastered the coast near Santa Maria. The coast of the city has the shape of a large horseshoe, in its center the water is always calm, so beginners train here. On the edges of the bay, which go into the open ocean, the conditions are more difficult, and these places are chosen by experienced surfers who can cope with large waves.

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Not far from Santa Maria is the simple Albatross spot. It is characterized by a steady side wind that produces low waves. But if you ride away from the shore, you can fall victim to big waves, wind sags and strong ocean currents.

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Many kitesurfers try to ride at the Salinas spot. Because of the wide beach, lack of strong currents, stable winds, and coral reef, the sport has become a great place for beginners to learn. Those who are not yet too confident in their abilities choose also the spot Kanoa, located in the south of the island of Sal. There are no strong winds in the cozy bay, and beginners can glide safely over small, safe waves. During mating season, humpback whales gather here, so the bay has the status of a marine reserve.

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How to get there

Travelers from Russia get to Amilcar Cabral International Airport on Sal Island only by making a connection. From Moscow to Sal, travelers fly from Moscow to Sal in about 9 hours with a connection in Lisbon, Madrid, Paris or Frankfurt. The main air harbor is located 2 km from Ešpargush – the capital of the island.

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