Sal Tours

If holidays for you are all about kicking back and catching up on some chill-out time, then this catamaran cruise around Sal is just what you're looking for. Your captain will cruise you out from Palmeira along the shores surrounding Sal, and it's the perfect moment for you to sit back to soak up some rays. There's drinks, snacks and local music on offer to get you into that holiday feeling. And once we've reached a spot near Monte Leão, we'll drop anchor to freshen up with a swim and some snorkelling. Now that we've stopped, you can also head out on to the nets where you'll be able to float above the sparkling water.

The freedom and exhilaration of flying top-speed through the air is an experience that's hard to beat. And you can do it in the tropical setting of Sal island, with hilltop views to boot.You'll be picked up from your hotel and taken to the base where your arrival will be welcomed with a refreshing drink to get you started. There will be a quick safety briefing and introduction to ziplining, then once you're ready, you'll drive up to the hilltop, followed by a short, but no less spectacular, walk.There are two platforms to launch yourself from, with the highest point at a towering 103m. You'll reach speeds of up to a 100km per hour as you hurtle down the steel ropes, which extend over 1000m. And if you can open your eyes for just a second, you'll catch flashes of Sal's idyllic landscape before you reach the end of the line.

As the name suggests, lobster is the word at LobStar – though wow runs it a close second. You'll be saying it when you set eyes upon it, when you see the views from the terrace and when you are served your Cape Verdean speciality lobster meal – you can choose either lunch or dinner. The restaurant is in a beautiful, rustic stone hut at the foot of the pier where fishermen daily land their catch. LobStar's chefs source their seafood from here – so it's a case of straight off the boat and on to your plate. Wine and live music are included. Meat and vegetarian menus are also available.

This beach party is the essence of the Cape Verdean spirit. Sun, sand, sea – and dancing. And there's no better way to soak up the vibe than with this beach barbecue and bonfire experience. As the sun sets over Sal, you'll be whisked off to the beach club of local windsurfing legend, Josh Angulo. Learn of his world champion-winning exploits as the aroma of meats and vegetables grilling on the beach barbeque fills the air. Wash it all down with a couple of tasty cocktails, as the super-friendly team at the club stoke the roaring beach bonfire. Gather round for nice chats and maybe boogie a traditional Cape Verdean funana dance.

The desolate beauty of inland Sal is in stark contrast to the white sands of its coast. After a stop at Murdeira Bay, you'll trundle off-road to Palmeira on the west coast. Its palm-lined streets are dotted with mural-painted cafés and tiny shops. Then it's on to the Buracona lagoon. Next, witness the ocean-like sands of Terra Boa before enjoying an elevated view of Espargos, the capital. Wind down with a natural spa treatment – by floating in the salty waters of Pedra de Lume. By choosing a TUI Collection excursion, you are contributing to local projects supported by the TUI Care Foundation – thank you for your help.

Sal is a special nesting ground for the loggerhead turtle. So if you're a wildlife-lover, this experience is not to be missed. When the sun sets, you'll head to the sands of a protected beach where rare turtles come to nest. Watch from the comfort of a tent complete with coffee and tea facilities, as an expert biologist fills you in on this incredible spectacle of nature.

Sal boasts a wealth of sights. Start off with a trip to the world-renowned Kite Beach. Then it's down the coast to have a brief stroll at Murdeira Bay. The palm-lined streets and bright mural walls of the village of Palmeira await next, before moving inland to the Buracona lagoon and the mirage plains of Terra Boa. After lunch, explore the capital, Espargos, before heading to Pedra de Lume salt flats for a float. By choosing a TUI Collection excursion, you are contributing to local projects supported by the TUI Care Foundation – thank you for your help.

Santa Maria Bay on the southern tip of Sal isn't just famed for its amazing beach. It's also one of the island's top water sports meccas – and there's no better way to get your adrenaline pumping than a bit of jet-skiing and water-skiing. To kick things off, you'll jet-ski for about 30 minutes – or 15 each if two of you share the jet ski – before switching to a water ski, or wakeboard if you prefer, for another 30 minutes. Epic fun.

A Cape Verde adventure that combines a speedboat ride around Sal's coast with a pulse-pounding survival experience. Set sail into Santa Maria Bay with a specialist in biodiversity to learn about the island's incredible marine life and coastal habitats. Then, plunge into the open water to find out what it would take to survive if you were lost at sea.

An amazing view of Sal's diverse coastline as you gently cruise the crystal-clear waters of the South Atlantic is what's on offer here. This is a morning of exploring the tropical seas aboard your private boat – with some refreshing snorkelling in the mix, too. Carve a route through the lapping waves, navigating around the imposing, rocky headland en route to the postcard-worthy Murdeira Bay. As your skipper drops anchor in the tranquil waters of the sheltered bay, you'll have the option to explore the tropical wildlife beneath the surface by snorkel. A thoroughly relaxing way to spend a morning at sea.

Adrenaline-fuelled adventure is the name of the game on this thrilling session. Carve through warm, azure Atlantic waters on your awesomely powerful jet-propelled craft - on what can be either a 30-minute, 1 or 2 hour session. You'll charge down Santa Maria's gorgeous coastline, spewing up a stream of water in your wake. There's 8km of beach front at this spot, so you have plenty of coastline to play with – including exploring the stunning Murdeira Bay. If you've never been on a jet ski before, you're in for a real treat – and these tropical waters are the perfect place to really open up the throttle.

Make a splash in Sal with a wet and wild banana boat experience. Hop on one of these fun inflatables for a fast-paced 15-minute ride across the water. Pulled along by a speedboat, you'll tear over the Atlantic Ocean to see just how long you can hang on for. Guaranteed to be better fun than your bog standard bucket and spade day by the beach.

The volcanic landscape of Sal provides a very special geographical feature – the salt lakes of Pedra de Lume. These lakes – or ‘salinas' – are located in the crater of an extinct volcano and form the lowest point in Cape Verde. As you enter the waters, you won't have to paddle too hard to stay afloat – the waters are 26-times denser than sea water, so you'll bob around in them like a cork. Soaking in this natural wonder isn't the only serene activity on this afternoon excursion – you'll be treated to a wonderfully relaxing spa treatment in the Salinas spa centre before you brave the salty waters.

Want to try watersports while you're on holiday? Get a dose of wet and wild action with a water-skiing or wakeboarding lesson. Whisked to Sal's south coast, you'll learn all the basics before being pulled along by a powerful motorboat to see how long you can skim the surface for. No previous experience is required, but maximum fun is guaranteed.

The tropical sheltered waters that surround Sal are perfect to learn to scuba dive in. With waters so tempting, you're in just the place to try out scuba diving for the first time. This is the ideal opportunity if you don't fancy signing up for a full course, but you've always wanted to know what it's like to breathe underwater. You'll get to grips with the equipment in a swimming pool, then get comfortable with breathing and moving properly underwater. After this swimming pool instruction and quick theory lesson, you'll be whisked off to the nearby coast where you'll get to put your newly acquired skills into practice on a short sea dive.

Speed demons will rejoice with these adrenaline-pumping buggy tours. Ideal for manoeuvring over sandy terrain, you'll get to see even more of the island as you rev, race and rumble down tracks you never knew existed. Whether you opt for the two or four-hour tour, you'll get to take the helm and navigate winding tracks to viewpoints over the island's beaches, sand dunes and turquoise shores. But before you set off, there's a quick safety briefing from your guide and time to change into some overalls and goggles – to protect you and your clothing. And if you opt for the night-time buggy tour, you'll see Sal under the twinkling of the stars.

You'll see Sal from two different angles on this tour. First, you'll take in the beautiful scenery of salt pans and sweeping beaches from the back of a trusty steed with an hour's horse riding experience. Then, admire it all from above as you hit the heights for a zip-line adventure over Sal's rocky, coastal clifftops.

Ramp up the romance levels with this couple's horse riding experience. Side by side with your significant other, you'll ride along the sands of a Sal beach. After an hour of soaking up the scenery atop your trusty steed, a classy seafront setup awaits. There'll be plush pillows, prosecco on ice and complete privacy for you and your partner to sit and watch the sun go down.

Mother Nature might as well have designed the beaches and dunes of Sal for quad biking – because they're ideal for this adrenaline-pumping activity. You can choose either a two or four-hour quad ride. Once you've sped past Serra Negra mountains and the white salt flats, you won't be far from Kite Beach. This beach gets its name from the legions of kitesurfers who come here for the huge swells and high winds. This excursion is almost a whistle-stop tour of the island – with a rip-roaring bit of fun in a quad being the icing on the cake.

The Sal coastline is a perfect backdrop for a cruise – and this adults-only catamaran trip makes the very best use of it. After pick-up from your hotel, you'll hop aboard a brand-new catamaran and set sail along the west coast. Alongside plenty of room to relax, there's drinks, snacks and local music on offer too, to really get those holiday vibes going. Once we've reached our idyllic spot near Monte Leão, we'll drop anchor to freshen up with a swim and some snorkelling. When we've stopped, you can also head out on to the nets where you'll be able to float above the sparkling water and dry off in the sun.