Sal
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Positives
- Generally uncrowded Shapely reef waves
- Exploration possibilities
- Wind/Kitesurfing heaven
- Guaranteed sunshine
Negatives
- Inconsistent, seasonal swells
- Windy
- Flat desert landscape
- Fairly expensive
Sal surf travel guide
Cape Verde surfing centres on Sal, the flattest island and the main tourist entry point. Dry, hot Saharan winds scour the rocky earth and it is so arid many of its landscapes would not look out of place on the moon. It has become synonymous with wind and kitesurfing, since the year-round NE trades provide cross or offshore conditions on the west coast as well as holding some excellent righthand reefs and points for the sail-less.
Surf spots in Sal
Research the 11 surf breaks in Sal and discover what spots suit the current conditions.
Break lowdown
We’ve collated the wave data giving you a unique insight into the 11 breaks in Sal.
When to go
Surf and weather statistics to help plan your surf trip to Sal
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Travel Information
General
- Current Time
- Tourists
- 710,000
- Population
- 543,767
- Tourist Info
- Tourist Info
Security
Health
Money
- Currency
- CVE
- Exchange rate
- $1 = 85 CVE CVE
Cost of living
Communication
- Dialing in
- +238
- Dialing out
- 00
- Language
- Portuguese, Criuolo
Electricity
- Plug Type
- cf
Visas
Europeans, Americans, Canadians and Brazillians and some others do not need a visa. Australian, NZ, South Africans and many other nationalities do. It is strongly advised to check the latest Visa requirement updates as it seems to change quite often.
Check with the Cap Verde Embassy first! or check
Getting There
Major airlines fly from European cities to Amílcar Cabral International Airport (SID) with national airline TACV and TAP (cheapest from Lisbon). You can also fly from Las Palmas, Fortaleza and Boston. Air tickets to Cape Verde are usually expensive. Domestic flights link Sal with Boa Vista, São Nicolau, São Vicente and the capital Santiago on TACV. Irregular inter-island ferries link to Santo Antao and Brava which have no functioning airport.
Getting Around
It’s a small island and almost everything lies within walking distance of Santa Maria. Car rentals (Suzuki Jimny 4WD) are very expensive (fr $520/w), a Quadbike is even more at ($90/d) or a bike. To rent a taxi for a return trip to one of the west coast spots further north will cost $50/rt.
Accommodation
There’s a wide variety of international hotels (RIU, Melia Tortuga, Morabeza fr $93/p/n/dble). Cheap ‘pensãoes’ (Hotel Santa Maria Beach fr $24/p/n/dble). The budget meal is cachupa, at $5, western food costs more like $25.
Activities
Sal is the place to learn to windsurf or kitesurf with one of the many schools. The diving is some of the best in the West Africa area, such as the Buracona hole.
Hazards & hassles
Sharp lava rocks and urchins are a common danger. Most visiting surfers are actually windsurfers, while the locals tend to ride bodyboards. Minimal localism and only 1 shark fatality in 2001 on a diver.
Handy Hints
Bring everything including booties. There are a few surf shops (Surf ‘n Soul, Tout’sab) and basic rental boards are available through the windsurf schools (Soultripping).
Due to global pandemic, Visas, Getting There, Getting Around or Accommodation information and pricing may have changed. Always check Government Travel Advice before travelling.