Places / Africa / Cape Verde
Santa Maria
Visited in August 2016
At a glance
- Country
- Cape Verde
- Region
- Sal
- Population
- 25,779
- Best time to go
- All year
- Main airport
- Sal Amílcar Cabral International (SID)
- Coordinates
- 16.60°N, 22.91°W
Country visited City visited Still to go Click a pin or country to read more. Zoom with + and −, a double-click or a pinch.
Overview
Santa Maria is the main resort town on Sal, a flat, desert island in Cape Verde best known for its long white beaches and steady winds. What began as a fishing village and salt port now has a waterfront of hotels, bars and dive schools.
The old centre still has a small-town feel, with fishermen landing tuna at the pier every afternoon. Come for sunshine, warm water and some of the world's best conditions for kitesurfing and windsurfing.
Things to see
-
Photo: Cayambe, CC BY-SA 3.0 Santa Maria beach
Kilometres of soft white sand and turquoise water stretch either side of town, sheltered and good for swimming.
-
Photo: Adrião, CC BY 3.0 Santa Maria pier
Watch fishermen land and clean their catch on the wooden pier, the liveliest scene in town.
-
Photo: Ingo Wölbern, Public domain Pedra de Lume salt lake
A salt lake inside an extinct volcanic crater where you can float effortlessly in the dense water.
Tickets and tours -
Photo: Cayambe, CC BY-SA 3.0 Buracona
Natural rock pools on the west coast, with the sunlit Blue Eye cave glowing at midday.
Tickets and tours
Things to do
-
Photo: Cayambe, CC BY-SA 3.0 Learn to kitesurf
Reliable trade winds make Kite Beach and Ponta Preta world-class spots, with schools for every level.
-
Photo: ukanda, CC BY 2.0 Watch nesting turtles
Loggerhead turtles nest on Sal's beaches in the summer months; join a guided night walk with a conservation group.
-
Go diving or snorkelling
Clear water, wrecks and reefs lie just offshore, with plenty of dive centres along the seafront.
-
Wade with lemon sharks
In the shallows of Shark Bay, young lemon sharks swim close around your legs.
Where to stay
Town centre
Small hotels and guesthouses close to the pier, bars and restaurants. Best for independent travellers.
Hotels in Town centreWest beachfront
Large all-inclusive resorts along the sand, convenient for families.
Hotels in West beachfrontEast towards Kite Beach
Quieter apartments and resorts, handy for kitesurfers.
Hotels in East towards Kite Beach
Getting around
Santa Maria is compact and walkable. Taxis and shared minibuses run to Espargos and the airport, and quad bikes and tours cover the rest of the island.
The airport is around 20 minutes north of town by taxi or transfer.
When to go
Sal is sunny and dry year-round. November to May is windiest, best for kitesurfing, while summer is calmer and warmer, with turtle nesting season running from July to October.
Plan your trip to Santa Maria
- HotelsBooking.com
- Tours and ticketsGetYourGuide
- FlightsKiwi.com
- Attraction ticketsTiqets
- Airport parking, lounges and transfersHoliday Extras
- Car hireAuto Europe
- Mobile data (eSIM)AiraloCode DAN9406 for money off
- GuidebooksAmazon
Some of these are affiliate links: if you book through them I may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. More about this.
Guide last checked October 2026. Opening times and prices change, so check before you go.