Shark Watching in Cape Verde: The 15 Best Trips

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

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

Explore Sal with a local guide such as Kiki, Vanessa, Tony or Nani. Float in Pedra de Lume’s salt lake, watch lemon sharks at Shark Bay, see Buracona’s Blue Eye and stop at a desert mirage. Air-conditioned minibus transport, entry fees, hotel pickup and drop-off are included.

“We liked most: - our guide Tony. He was just excellent! - the itinerary. The pace was right and we saw and experienced everything! - ac bus. It was the biggest asset since we didn’t have to burn ourselves in the sun and swallow dust on the road! We were lucky to choose the Sal Experience!”

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

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

Spend about seven hours touring Sal with a certified local guide such as Nany or Christian. See lemon sharks at Shark Bay, float in Pedra de Lume’s salt crater, visit Buracona’s Blue Eye, and explore Palmeira, Espargos, Santa Maria, Murdeira, and Kite Beach. Hotel pickup, transport, insurance, and guide photos are included.

“Excellent value for money. Our guide was very knowledgeable and entertaining. The roads are pretty bad and you get bumped around in the minibus but not enough to spoil the day.”

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

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

See Sal’s best-known sights by minibus, from Buracona’s Blue Eye and the Pedra de Lume salt lake to lemon sharks at Parda Bay. Guides such as Yannick, Yuri, Nelson, and Ismael share local stories in several languages. Bring cash for entry fees, water, sun protection, and shoes that can handle rocks and salt.

“I had the most incredible day on a tour in Sal today. The team of three, our driver, photographer, and guide, made everything run so smoothly and created such a relaxed, fun atmosphere. A special thank you to Yannick, our guide. He was truly exceptional, calm, kind, and always attentive. He explained everything so clearly, shared so much about Cabo Verde’s history and culture, and constantly checked in to make sure everyone was comfortable and having a great time. What touched me most was his genuine love for Cabo Verde, you can see it in the way he speaks, the care he shows, and the pride he takes in sharing…”

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4.Shark Bay Experience from Santa Maria

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 345 reviews · 2 hours · from $35

From Santa Maria, your guide takes you to Shark Bay on Sal’s east coast, where lemon sharks gather in shallow water. Watch from shore with binoculars or wade among the young sharks with provided water shoes. Expect about an hour at the bay, plus hotel pickup and return in a private vehicle.

“Great experience. All guides very knowledgeable with some good banter mixed in”

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5.Shark, Turtles, Cave, Sandboarding & Tasting Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 328 reviews · 4 hours - 270 minutes · from $70

Join Gil Taxi & Tours Boa Vista for a four-hour 4x4 trip across the island’s south. Guides such as Veronique, Joshua, and Cuckoo lead you to turtle and shark bays, Morro de Arreia for sandboarding, Varandinha caves, Santa Monica Beach, and a local grogue and ponche tasting in Povoação Velha. Hotel pickup and photos are included.

“We were a group of 6, our guide Veronica made our tour fun. She’s so interactive and made us all feel so comfortable. The tour itself self was amazing, from start to finish. We would definitely recommend to anyone. Thank you Veronica and Gil for an awesome experience.”

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6.Santa Maria, Sal: All inclusive Salt Lake, Blue Eye and Shark Bay

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 311 reviews · from $52

See Sal’s main sights in a small group of up to 16 people, with hotel pickup, a local guide, entrance fees, salt-lake floating, Buracona’s natural pool and a close look at lemon sharks. Guides such as Nany, Manny, Chan and Christian add local stories. Bring water shoes and choose a sunny day for the best Blue Eye view.

“Amazing experience. Exactly what we wanted. Not too long but you can see most of the Island treasures. Our guide was great. He had a lot of knowledge about the Island life and history. Shark bay was fantastic. Floating in salt lake is something you need to experience yourself. Can't even describe it. Wrong time of the year and red flag on Blue eye but still great. Our guide told us and show us a lot about the Island, capital city, day to day life. Thank you very much Macau!( hope it's the correct spelling)”

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7.Salt Lake Tour, Shark Bay and Pedra de Lume Village

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 274 reviews · 3 hours · from $36

This three-hour Sal tour combines Shark Bay, the old village of Pedra de Lume, and a salt lake inside a dormant volcanic crater. Your local guide explains Sal’s salt trade and island life, then helps you see lemon sharks at close range and float in extremely salty water. Hotel transfers from Santa Maria, Murdeira, and Espargos are included.

“Shark Bay was great. Transport was good. Would have liked more information about Pedra de Lume and the salt lakes”

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8.Blue Eye, Salt Lake, Lemon Sharks, Palmeira

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 248 reviews · 7 hours · from $32Best value

Spend about seven hours exploring Sal with a multilingual guide such as Yannick, Rony, Daniel, or Fabio. Swim at Murdeira Bay, see Buracona’s Blue Eye, cross the Terra Boa desert, visit Palmeira and Espargos, wade with lemon sharks, and float in Pedra de Lume’s salt pools. Bring cash for entrance fees and lunch.

“Had a lovely day out Went to lots of different places Highlight was shark bay Was a long day and felt lunch should have been a bit earlier than 3pm as we were picked up at 9. And dropped back at 4.45pm”

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9.Turtle, Shark, Santa Monica, Sandboard & Tasting

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 228 reviews · 4 hours · from $76

Spend four hours crossing Boa Vista’s west coast in a 4x4 with guides such as Fredy, Evandro, Julie, and Cristiano. Sandboard at Morro de Areia, watch for green turtles and lemon sharks, stop at Santa Monica Beach, then taste grogue, ponche, and local snacks in Povoação Velha. The route is active, dusty, and packed with variety.

“What an outstanding day. Julia and Christiano were the perfect hosts. Pick up on time, knowledgeable and informed us of everywhere we were going and what to expect. It was a fabulous day and well worth the money I have to say. Would definitely recommend and if we visit the island again we will definitely book again. Thank you for a fabulous day”

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10.Salt Mine, Natural Pool, and Shark Bay Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 165 reviews · 6 hours · from $34

Spend six hours touring Sal from Santa Maria with a local guide such as Emerson, Domingos, or Jay. Visit Kite Beach, salt mines, Miragem, Buracona’s Blue Eye, Palmeira, and Lemon Shark Bay. Transport may be a 4x4 pickup or minivan, and optional entry fees, lunch, and photos cost extra.

“Emerson is an excellent local guide with fantastic insights on Cape Verde life and the changes that are ongoing. The future is bright in paradise. We had a multi national group who were all included in the commentary and conversation. The tour is excellent showing multiple sides of the island starting in the south going through the middle and the Atlantic coast landscape, via the mirage, blue hole, fishing village, lunch is Espargos (which was of excellent quality and price - recommend the Cachupa at 11 euros as recommended by Emerson - massive portion! Drinks were reasonable too) The afternoon was spent with the sharks which are very present, the…”

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11.Shark Bay Shark Watching Experience from Santa Maria

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 97 reviews · from $34

From Santa Maria, a local guide takes you to Shark Bay to watch lemon sharks in shallow coastal water. You can stay on shore or enter the bay with provided water shoes. The trip starts at 2:30 pm, lasts about two hours, and usually carries no more than 14 people. Guides such as Chan and Nanny are praised for their friendly approach.

“Great tour of the island! Seeing baby sharks in Shark bay, swimming in the salt lake, the blue eye buracona - best day of the holiday so far!”

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12.Island Adventure with Shark Experience from Santa Maria

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 88 reviews · from $50

Spend about seven hours touring Sal by 4WD from Santa Maria with a local guide. Visit Murdeira, Espargos, Palmeira, Buracona, Terra Boa, and Pedra de Lume, then wade near lemon sharks at Parda Bay. Guides such as Jon, Djon, Danison, and Hamlet have led this trip. Bring water shoes, sunscreen, swimwear, and dry clothes.

“Our tour guide could not have been a nicer guy and made sure we were looked after. He was a local guy so knew lots about the island. Enjoyed seeing all of the sights but our favourite was the sharks and the salt mine where we floated in the water. Thanks guys.”

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13.Half-Day Sal Island Tour with Shark Experience from Santa Maria

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 75 reviews · from $40

Travel from Santa Maria with a guide such as Mamadu or Mamadou for a four-hour look at Sal beyond the resort zone. You’ll visit Murdeira, Palmeira, Espargos, Ponta Preta, Buracona, Pedra de Lume, Terra Boa, and Shark Bay. Hotel pickup, transport, and a professional guide are included, while entrance fees, food, and water shoes cost extra.

“La bonne humeur de Mamadou et sa disponibilité ! Ensuite le faite d’être en petit comité c’est plus sympa 😊”

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14.BEST VALUE small group island tour w/SHARK experience & salt lake

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 52 reviews · from $46

Spend 6 to 7 hours touring Sal with a local guide, visiting Shark Bay, Pedra de Lume salt pans, Buracona’s Blue Eye, Palmeira, Espargos, Murdeira, and Terra Boa. Hotel pickup, transport, insurance, and multilingual guiding are included. Bring water shoes, sunscreen, a swimsuit, and extra cash for entry fees and lunch.

“Overall happy with the trip packed a lot in. Would have preferred total cost of package rather having to pay out three more times for shoe hire and attractions etc. However we'll worth doing and a way to explore the beautiful country.”

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15.4×4 Tour – Sandboard, Shark & Green Turtle’s Bay, Snacks & Drinks

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 44 reviews · from $79

Spend about 4.5 hours crossing Boa Vista by 4x4, sandboarding the Morro de Areia dunes, looking for green turtles and lemon sharks, then tasting local food and grogue in Povoação Velha. Small groups of up to eight, hotel pickup, and guides such as Fredy and Christian make this an active introduction to the island.

“Exceptional guide who made the trip totally amazing, with an excellent knowledge. Sand boarding was amazing just not walking back up the dune🤣. Seeing both turtles and sharks in natural habitat was perfect.”

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