Looking to swap dreary British rain for 7km of powder-soft white sand? Welcome to Sal, Cape Verde’s undisputed superstar island. Basking in warm 22°C to 30°C temps all year round and sitting just a breezy 6-hour flight from the UK (with zero jet lag to ruin your vibe), Sal is the ultimate shortcut to proper sun.
It delivers world-class, Caribbean-standard beaches and massive five-star all-inclusive resorts - minus the painful Caribbean price tag or long-haul flight time. Whether you're up for epic kitesurfing, bobbing like a cork in the hyper-saline waters of the Pedra de Lume salt crater, or spotting nesting loggerhead turtles and migrating humpbacks, Sal punches way above its weight for value. Absolute top-tier winter sun holiday vibes!
Good to know for your Holidays to Sal
Sun on tap - expect reliable warmth year-round between 22°C and 30°C. Summer hits a scorching 28–30°C (July–October), while winter stays delightfully balmy at 22–25°C (January–March).
Bargain Spends - the local currency is the Cape Verdean Escudo (CVE), but Euros are widely accepted. Grab a local beer at a Santa Maria beach bar for £2–£4, tuck into fresh-grilled fish for £12–£20, or grab a bottle of local grogue (sugarcane rum) for around £6.
Getting around on the cheap - hop on an aluguer (a shared local minibus) between Santa Maria and Espargos for just £1–£2. It’s the easiest way to explore without hiring a car.
Entry details - UK and Irish passport holders don't need a visa for stays up to 30 days. You’ll just pay an Airport Security Tax (around £25 per person) online before you fly.
Tourist tax - there's a small tourist tax of €2 per person per night (capped at 10 nights / €20 max per guest), usually paid at your hotel.
Stress-free arrivals - Santa Maria is super walkable, English is widely spoken across resorts, and Amílcar Cabral International Airport is only 15–18km away (a quick 20–30 minute transfer).
Weather & best time to visit Sal
Sal is a year-round paradise, but depending on when you pack your sunnies, the island serves up slightly different perks:
November to May (The Winter Sun Sweet Spot) - the classic dry season featuring clear blue skies, steady warmth, and unbeatable all-inclusive value. Temps sit between 22°C in January/February and 25°C by May. March and April are fantastic for spotting migrating humpback whales and enjoying comfortable temperatures for day trips.
June to October (Turtles, Wind & Warm Waters) - temperatures peak at a sizzling 28°C–30°C with slightly higher humidity. This is prime time for watching loggerhead turtles nest on the beaches, and when Atlantic trade winds create world-class windsurfing and kitesurfing conditions. It’s also quieter, cheaper, and warmer underfoot.
Where to stay in Sal
Virtually all of Sal's top resorts are grouped around Santa Maria on the south coast, making your trip super easy to navigate - the beach, your hotel, and the local town are all practically on your doorstep.
Families
Santa Maria Beach’s protected bay offers calm, shallow waters perfect for family holidays. Family resorts here feature amazing kids' clubs spanning babies (8 months+) right up to teens. For a slightly quieter patch of sand with easy resort access, check out the Algodoeiro Beach stretch just east of town.
Couples
Adults-only hotels on Santa Maria Beach offer slick infinity pools and spa setups without the sound of splash zones. If you want pure peace, Murdeira on the west coast offers a sheltered, romantic bay away from the crowds, while Ponta Preta (west of Santa Maria) puts you right on the doorstep of wilder coastlines and surf spots that are top-tier for your next couples' holiday.
Groups
The sprawling five-star resorts along Santa Maria Beach have multiple pools, à la carte restaurants, and lively bars to keep everyone on group holidays happy. Plus, staying central means live music nights and beach bars are just a short walk away.
Best beaches in Sal
From bustling resort strips to wild, wind-swept bays, Sal’s coastline is top-tier:
Santa Maria Beach - the main event - a 7km arc of brilliant white sand lined with beach bars, seafood spots, and the iconic wooden pier where fishermen bring in their daily catch. Calm, turquoise waters make it ideal for swimming all day.
Ponta Preta Beach - located 3km west of Santa Maria, this wide, uncrowded stretch brings dramatic swells, making it a famous playground for world-class surfers and windsurfers.
Algodoeiro Beach - sitting just east of central Santa Maria, this calmer stretch shares the same soft sands and sheltered water as the main beach, but with a much more relaxed energy.
Murdeira Beach - a tranquil bay on the west coast boasting crystal-clear waters and brilliant local snorkelling.
Kite Beach (Praia da Fragata) - located east of Santa Maria, this is a world-famous pilgrimage site for kitesurfers powered by Atlantic trade winds. Grab a drink and watch the pros flip through the air!
Sal holidays for every type of traveller
No matter your holiday style, Sal delivers maximum beach for your spend:
Families - Santa Maria Beach offers sheltered paddling, brilliant resort kids' clubs, and fun day trips - like night turtle walks with Project Biodiversity (June–October), animal feeding at Viveiro Sanctuary, and swimming in the "Blue Eye" lava pool at Buracona.
Couples - unwind in stylish adults-only hotels, take sunset catamaran cruises along the coast, indulge in oceanfront spa treatments, or spot humpback whales in spring.
Groups - take a quad bike tour across Sal's lunar-style interior and salt mines, book a high-seas big game fishing charter, or hit Santa Maria town for live morna music and beach bar hopping.
Watersports Enthusiasts - world-renowned conditions for kitesurfing and windsurfing, with Kite Beach topping the bucket list for pros and beginners alike.
Hotels in Sal
Sal boasts one of West Africa's finest hotel line-ups, centred around the gorgeous sands of Santa Maria.
Luxury
Hilton Cabo Verde Sal Resort (Santa Maria) - five-star beachfront luxury featuring stylish rooms, ocean suites, Bounty's Creole dining, a luxurious spa, and a dedicated kids' club.
Melia Llana Beach Resort & Spa (Santa Maria) - five-star adults-only (16+) sanctuary featuring two lagoon pools, four restaurants, a YHI Spa with Turkish bath, and direct access to 7km of beach.
Melia Tortuga Beach Resort & Spa (Algodoeiro Beach) - five-star suite and villa complex with private pool upgrades, four outdoor pools, tropical gardens, champagne bars, and fine dining.
Mid-range
Robinson Club Cabo Verde (Santa Maria) - beachfront adults-only retreat boasting an infinity pool, rooftop sauna, beach volleyball, and DJ sets.
Hotel Riu Palace Cabo Verde (Sal) - 24-hour all-inclusive luxury with four restaurants (including a poolside steakhouse), six bars with swim-up service, and heated winter pools.
Morabeza (Santa Maria Beach) - four-star beachfront resort featuring three freshwater pools, tennis courts, mini-golf, and three fantastic restaurants.
Sol Dunas Family Fun (Santa Maria) - family mega-resort featuring four pools, waterpark slides, three kids' clubs, a YHI Spa, and evening mini discos.
Melia Dunas Beach Resort & Spa (Santa Maria) - sister beachfront resort to Sol Dunas with shared family facilities, expansive pools, and great entertainment.
Boutique and value
Design Suites Boutique Hotel (Santa Maria) - adults-only boutique option with Superior rooms, Netflix-equipped TVs, a sea-view infinity pool, and a Sky Lounge for sunset cocktails.
Tropical Aparthotel (Santa Maria) - wallet-friendly self-catering apartments with kitchens, a large outdoor pool, sun terrace, and an on-site mini market.
Agua Hotels Sal Vila Verde (Santa Maria) - spacious apartments with optional all-inclusive, two pools, playground, and free shuttle to Ponta Preta beach.
Da Luz Hotel (Santa Maria) - great-value two-star base with a pool, clean rooms, and a prime location just minutes from Santa Maria Beach.
Practical travel info for Sal
Direct flights from the UK land at Amílcar Cabral International Airport in about six hours. Santa Maria is a quick 20–30 minute transfer away. Because Cape Verde shares the UK time zone in winter (GMT) and sits just 1 hour behind during BST, you can dive straight into your holiday without any jet lag fog!
Getting around is dead easy. Hop into shared aluguers (minibus taxis) for £1–£2 to visit Espargos, or grab a quick local taxi to check out the Pedra de Lume salt crater, Buracona, or Kite Beach.
Travel essentials
Visas & Entry - no visa required for stays up to 30 days for UK/Irish passport holders. Just pay the Airport Security Tax (£25) online before you fly.
Money - Cape Verdean Escudo (CVE), though Euros are widely accepted in resorts. Carry some cash for local beach bars and markets.
Tourist Tax - €2 per person per night (capped at €20 max per guest).
Tap Water - stick to bottled water for drinking.
Language - Portuguese is the official language, Kriolu is spoken daily, and English is widely understood in resorts.
Local lingo
While Portuguese is official, locals speak Cape Verdean Creole (Kriolu) every day. English is widely spoken in resorts, but tossing out a few Kriolu phrases will earn you instant smiles:
Bon dia (bohn DEE-ah) – Good day! Great for greeting cafe owners or hotel staff.
Obrigadu (oh-bree-GAH-doo) – Thank you! (A subtle Kriolu twist on Portuguese).
Saúde (sah-OO-jay) – Cheers! Mandatory when raising a glass of local grogue.
Sabi (SAH-bee) – Lovely/Tasty! The perfect word when tucking into fresh seafood.
Morabeza (mor-ah-BEH-zah) – The famous local word for warmth, hospitality, and easy-going island vibes.
All inclusive holidays in Sal
Sal is built for the ultimate all-inclusive experience. With year-round sunshine, 28°C peaks, and mega five-star resorts sitting right on the sand, going all-in means unlimited food, drinks, and poolside lounging without ever pulling out your wallet.
Hotel Riu Palace Cabo Verde (Sal) - premium 24-hour all-inclusive featuring four restaurants, six bars (including swim-up service), and heated winter pools.
Melia Llana Beach Resort & Spa (Santa Maria) - five-star adults-only luxury with lagoon pools, fine dining, YHI spa access, and direct beach views.
Sol Dunas Family Fun (Santa Maria) - the ultimate family setup with waterpark slides, four pools, three kids' clubs, and evening entertainment.
Melia Dunas Beach Resort & Spa (Santa Maria) - expansive family-friendly all-inclusive setup offering shared access to top-tier resort facilities.
Book your all-inclusive Sal holiday with On the Beach today and get more sun for your spend!
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FAQs
How do I get to Sal?
How do I get to Sal?
Direct flights from UK & Ireland airports to Sal's Amilcar Cabral International Airport take around six hours. Cape Verde is on the same time zone as the UK in winter (GMT) or one hour behind in British Summer Time, so no jet lag. The airport is right in the middle of the island, around 15 to 18 km from the Santa Maria resort strip, with transfers taking 20-30 minutes.
Do I need a visa?
Do I need a visa?
No. Cape Verde dropped the entry visa requirement for UK & Ireland citizens in 2024 for stays up to 30 days. There is an Airport Security Tax (Taxa de Segurança Aeroportuária) of around £25 per person, payable online before you fly via the Cape Verde immigration website. Most resorts will guide you through this if you forget.
Is all-inclusive worth it on Sal?
Is all-inclusive worth it on Sal?
For most travellers, yes. Off-resort dining is limited to Santa Maria town and a handful of standout restaurants, so all-inclusive packages generally work out better value than going room-only. The big Sal resorts are properly designed around the all-inclusive model with multiple restaurants, unlimited drinks, all-day snacks and entertainment included. Worth combining with a few off-resort meals for the proper Cape Verdean food experience (cachupa, fresh-grilled fish, grogue) but you don't need to eat out every night.
What's the food and drink scene like beyond the buffet?
What's the food and drink scene like beyond the buffet?
Santa Maria has a properly good independent restaurant scene worth exploring. Try cachupa (the national dish, a slow-cooked stew of beans, hominy, vegetables and meat or fish), fresh-grilled mahi-mahi or wahoo straight off the fishermen's boats at the pier, queijo de cabra com doce de papaia (goat's cheese with papaya jam), and pastel com diabo dentro ("pastry with the devil inside", spicy fish-stuffed pastries). Wash it down with a Strela beer (the local lager) or grogue (Cape Verdean sugarcane rum).
Can I see turtles or whales on Sal?
Can I see turtles or whales on Sal?
Yes to both, depending when you visit. Loggerhead turtles nest on Sal's beaches between June and October, with Project Biodiversity running guided night-walk excursions to watch the females coming ashore to lay eggs (or, later in season, the hatchlings making their dash). Humpback whales migrate through Cape Verde waters in March and April, with boat trips out of Santa Maria heading offshore for sightings. You can also snorkel with nurse sharks and rays year-round at Shark Bay near Santa Maria.
When's the best time to visit Sal?
When's the best time to visit Sal?
Sal is a year-round destination with each season offering something different. Summer (July to October) is hottest at 28-30°C and is peak turtle-nesting season. Winter (December to February) is cooler at 22-25°C and slightly windier (peak kitesurfing conditions). Spring (March to May) is whale-watching season. Autumn (September to November) brings warm calm seas and the least wind. Cape Verde sits outside the main Atlantic hurricane track so it's a properly reliable winter sun destination.