Santa Maria Beach, Sal | Top 100 Bikini Destinations
SANTA MARIA, SAL / CAPE VERDE
Where the pier meets the bay,
Santa Maria Beach.
A Sal day of white sand, turquoise water, and the morning catch at the pier, with a light layer for the trade winds.
Plan your beach day ↘TOP 100 BIKINI DESTINATIONS / SAL
Beside the fishing pier,
a long bay of white sand.
Santa Maria Beach curves for several km along the south coast of Sal, the flat, dry island that is home to one of Cape Verde’s main international airports.
The town’s wooden pier, the Pontão, is the landmark: fishing boats bob beside it and the day’s tuna and wahoo are landed on its boards. The water on the west side of the pier is usually the calmest for a swim. Steady trade winds blow for much of the year, which makes the east of the bay a kitesurfing playground.
ON THE WORLD MAP
Off the coast of West Africa.
Santa Maria Beach, Santa Maria, Sal, Cape Verde
01 / GETTING THERE
Start in Espargos.
Arriving on Sal
An aircraft departing over Espargos, the town beside Sal's international airport.
Photo: Ladislav Luppa ↗ · CC BY-SA 3.0 ↗ · Display cropGet around Santa Maria
The town is compact and easy to walk, and the beach runs along its southern edge. Taxis, aluguers, quad tours, and rental cars cover the rest of the island. Roads to the north and west can be rough; agree any taxi fare and waiting time in advance.
On the beach
Beach bars, sunbed rentals, and water-sports centers line the sand. Ask about the day’s wind and currents before you swim, and keep clear of kitesurfing zones.
02 / BEACH ESSENTIALS
Know before you go.
A town beach with soft sand, plenty of food and drink, and services run by the beach bars and hotels.
01 / HOW TO GET THERE
Walk from the town center
Santa Maria’s streets end at the beach, and the Pontão pier is the easiest landmark. From hotels further along the bay, walk along the sand or take a short taxi ride into town.
02 / BEACH ACCESS
Level sand from town
The approaches from the town and the pier are short and mostly level. Soft sand makes wheelchair access difficult without help; some hotels have boardwalks to their own sections of the beach.
03 / THE SAND
Fine, pale, and wide
The beach is a broad sweep of fine, pale sand that stretches for several km east and west of the pier. Wind can lift the sand on breezy afternoons, so pick a spot in the lee of a beach bar or wall.
04 / FOOD & WATER
Grilled fish by the sea
Beach bars and town restaurants serve grilled fish, salads, and cold drinks all day. Tap water is generally desalinated; most visitors drink bottled water. Prices are often shown in both euros and escudos.
05 / CHAIRS & UMBRELLAS
Rent from a beach bar
Beach bars, clubs, and hotels rent sunbeds and umbrellas, often with a minimum spend. Ask the price before you sit down, and secure umbrellas firmly in the wind.
06 / RESTROOMS & SHOWERS
At the bars and hotels
Restrooms and showers are run by beach bars, restaurants, and hotels for their customers. Bring small change and buy a drink or a snack to use them.
03 / THE BEACH
A day at Santa Maria Beach.
The bay from the pier
Santa Maria's beach and bay seen from the pier.
Photo: Michelle Boon ↗ · CC BY-SA 4.0 ↗ · Display crop01 / MORNING
Visit the pier
Watch the boats come in and the catch being cleaned on the Pontão in the morning.
02 / SWIM
Choose the sheltered side
Swim on the west side of the pier, where the water is usually calmest.
03 / WIND
Watch the kites
East of town the wind picks up; enjoy the kitesurfers from the sand and keep out of their way.
04 / SUNSET
Walk the bay
Walk the sand west at the end of the day as the light turns gold.
Start at the Pontão while the fishermen land the morning catch, then settle on the sand west of the pier for a swim. Have lunch at a beach bar, rest through the hottest hours, and walk the bay in the late afternoon light. On windy days, the eastern beaches belong to kitesurfers and windsurfers; watch from a safe distance.
NEARBY BEACHES
Four other beaches on Sal.
Distances below are straight-line measurements from the Santa Maria pin. Most of these beaches are wilder than the town bay, with strong wind, waves, or currents and few services. Arrange a taxi or a rental car and check conditions first.
Ponta Preta
A wild stretch of coast west of town, known for powerful waves that draw expert surfers and windsurfers. It is a place to watch the sea rather than to swim.
- Best for
- Watching big waves and riders
- Facilities
- Few or none; a beach restaurant nearby
- Good to know
- Strong waves and currents; not suitable for casual swimming.
Kite Beach
A long, windswept beach east of Santa Maria, lined with kite schools and their colorful kites. On windy days the sky fills with riders.
- Best for
- Kitesurfing lessons or watching from the sand
- Facilities
- Seasonal kite schools and simple bars
- Good to know
- Stay clear of launch areas and lines; the water is choppy and currents are strong.
Murdeira Bay
A quieter bay on the west coast, with rocky shores, rock pools, and calmer water on many days. It is part of a protected marine area.
- Best for
- A peaceful swim and snorkel away from the crowds
- Facilities
- Limited; a resort and few services nearby
- Good to know
- Wear water shoes on the rocks and respect the marine protected area.
Pedra de Lume
A small harbor village on the east coast below the old salt crater, with fishing boats pulled up on a sandy shore.
- Best for
- Combining a short beach visit with the salt crater
- Facilities
- Village cafés; facilities at the salt-crater entrance
- Good to know
- This is a working harbor; swim only away from boats.
Distances are straight-line from Santa Maria Beach. Facilities change by season, so check on the day.
04 / MUST-SEE PLACES
Three places that shaped the island.
01 / PEDRA DE LUME / EAST COAST
Salinas de Pedra de Lume
Float in the salt lake inside an extinct volcanic crater, where salt was once harvested for export. Recent visitor guides report an entry fee of about €6 (CVE 660), cash only, and daily hours of about 9:00 to 17:45. Shower off the salt before you leave.
Map and directions ↗02 / BURACONA / NORTHWEST COAST
Buracona and the Blue Eye
Lava rocks, a natural swimming pool, and a cave where sunlight turns the water a glowing blue. Visitor guides report a small cash entry fee of about €3. Go between about 11:00 and 13:00 on a sunny day, and swim only when attendants say it is safe.
Map and directions ↗03 / PALMEIRA / WEST COAST
Palmeira harbor
The island’s main port is also a working fishing village. Walk the harbor in the morning, watch the boats unload, and stop for a coffee on the square. Entry is free.
Map and directions ↗EXPLORE THE AREA
Santa Maria and the south coast.
The pin marks the sand just west of the Pontão pier. The town lies directly behind the beach; hotels line the bay to the east and west.
Open the interactive map ↗BEYOND THE BEACH
Salt, lava, and lighthouses.
These real photographs show Sal beyond Santa Maria. Captions note where each image was taken.
The salt crater
The salt pans inside the crater at Pedra de Lume.
Photo: Ingo Wölbern ↗ · Public domain ↗ · Display crop
The old salt railway
The abandoned salt cable-car station at Pedra de Lume.
Photo: Cayambe ↗ · CC BY-SA 3.0 ↗ · Display crop
Buracona
Waves breaking over the lava rocks at Buracona on Sal's northwest coast.
Photo: Cayambe ↗ · CC BY-SA 3.0 ↗ · Display crop
Pedra de Lume lighthouse
The red lighthouse at Pedra de Lume above the sea.
Photo: JeLuF ↗ · CC0 ↗ · Display crop05 / SIX HOTELS
Find your base.
SANTA MARIA / OLD TOWN
Atlantic Sal Hostel
$ Budget · about CVE 3,300–5,000 (€30–45) per night (checked 2026-11)
A small hostel with shared kitchens and private rooms a few minutes’ walk from the beach and the pier. Confirm the room type, bathroom arrangements, and check-in time.
Atlantic Sal Hostel on Google Maps ↗PONTA PRETA / WEST OF TOWN
Aparthotel Ponta Preta
$ Budget · about CVE 5,500–8,800 (€50–80) per night (checked 2026-11)
Self-catering apartments on the western side of Santa Maria, toward Ponta Preta. Plan a walk along the sand or a short taxi ride into town.
Aparthotel Ponta Preta on Google Maps ↗SANTA MARIA / NORTH OF THE CENTER
Hotel Da Luz
$$ Mid-Range · about CVE 8,500–10,500 (€77–95) per night (checked 2026-11)
A mid-sized hotel with a pool a few streets back from the sea, about a 10-minute walk to the beach. Good value for a town base; confirm whether breakfast is included.
Hotel Da Luz on Google Maps ↗MURDEIRA BAY / WEST COAST
Murdeira Village Resort
$$ Mid-Range · about CVE 10,000–16,500 (€90–150) per night (checked 2026-11)
Apartments and villas on the quieter west coast, about 9 km north of Santa Maria. Choose it for calm water and space; arrange a car or taxi for trips into town.
Murdeira Village Resort official site ↗SANTA MARIA / BEACHFRONT
Hotel Morabeza
$$$ Upscale · about CVE 13,500–24,000 (€123–217) per night (checked 2026-11)
A long-established beachfront hotel with gardens and its own stretch of sand, a short walk from the town center. Confirm the board basis and whether your room faces the sea.
Hotel Morabeza official site ↗SANTA MARIA / RESORT STRIP
Hotel Riu Palace Santa Maria
$$$$ Luxury · about CVE 40,000–55,000 (€365–500) per night, all-inclusive (checked 2026-11)
A large all-inclusive resort on the beach outside the town center. Compare room categories and check what the package includes before booking.
Hotel Riu Palace Santa Maria official site ↗
WHEN TO GO
Choose the day you want.
Sal is dry and sunny for most of the year. The trade winds blow most strongly from about November to May, bringing cooler sea breezes and good kitesurfing. Late summer and early fall are warmer and calmer, with the chance of an occasional shower. Climate and conditions ↗
06 / FOOD, LANGUAGE & LOCAL LIFE
From sand to table.
Cachupa, the national dish
A plate of cachupa, Cape Verde's slow-cooked corn and bean stew.
Photo: Xandu ↗ · Public domain ↗ · Display cropWhat to order
Try cachupa, the slow-cooked stew of corn, beans, and meat or fish, and fried cachupa with an egg for breakfast. Grilled tuna, wahoo, and octopus come from the boats at the pier. Ask about the catch of the day and its price before you order.
Local habits
Greet people before you ask for anything; a “bom dia” goes a long way. Cover up when you leave the beach for shops and restaurants. Ask before photographing fishermen at work, and leave the pier clear for those who are landing the catch.
A LITTLE PORTUGUESE
Useful on the beach and in town.
- Bom dia
- Good morning, the usual greeting
- Obrigado / Obrigada
- Thank you (said by a man / a woman)
- Quanto custa?
- How much does it cost?
- A conta, por favor
- The bill, please
SIX RESTAURANTS
Where to eat.
SANTA MARIA / TOWN CENTER
Café Criolo
$ Budget · about CVE 800–1,600 (€7–15) per person (checked 2026-11)
A local favorite for cachupa, seafood rice, and grilled octopus at fair prices. Closed on Sundays; come early for lunch.
Café Criolo on Google Maps ↗SANTA MARIA / RUA 15 DE AGOSTO
Cape Fruit
$ Budget · about CVE 700–1,400 (€6–13) per person (checked 2026-11)
Smoothie bowls, fresh juices, and light breakfasts and lunches. A good stop before the beach; it closes in the afternoon.
Cape Fruit on Google Maps ↗PONTA PRETA / WEST COAST
Ponta Preta
$$ Mid-Range · about CVE 1,600–3,300 (€15–30) per person (checked 2026-11)
A seafood restaurant at the wild western end of the bay, open through the day into the early evening. Pair lunch with a walk to watch the waves.
Ponta Preta on Google Maps ↗SANTA MARIA / BEACHFRONT
The Bounty Beach Restaurant
$$ Mid-Range · about CVE 1,600–3,000 (€15–27) per person (checked 2026-11)
A relaxed beachfront spot for grilled fish, salads, and cold drinks, open from morning until late. Ask about sunbeds when you order.
The Bounty Beach on Google Maps ↗SANTA MARIA / WATERFRONT ROCKS
Odjo d’Agua
$$$ Upscale · about CVE 2,500–4,400 (€23–40) per person (checked 2026-11)
A hotel restaurant set on the rocks at the water’s edge, with views across the bay. Reserve a table near the edge for sunset.
Odjo d’Agua official site ↗SANTA MARIA / RUA AMÍLCAR CABRAL
Chez Pastis
$$$$ Luxury · about CVE 4,400–7,700 (€40–70) per person (checked 2026-11)
A small courtyard restaurant with Mediterranean and seafood dishes and two evening sittings. The owner states that cards are not accepted, so bring cash and book ahead.
Chez Pastis official site ↗SAL AFTER DARK
Three bars.
Ocean Café
A busy bar and pizzeria on the town square, open from breakfast until late. A good place to start the evening. Map ↗
Bikini Beach Club
A beach club with a pool, bali beds, a bar, and a restaurant, about 10 minutes from Santa Maria by taxi. The owner lists late opening on Fridays and Saturdays and closes on Mondays. Official site and events ↗
Sal Beach Club
A casual beach bar and restaurant on the sand for sundowners. Check the evening program locally. Map ↗
Santa Maria’s nightlife centers on the square and the beachfront. Live music, often morna and coladeira, appears in bars and restaurants. Agree taxi fares before late rides, and carry small notes.
SAL EVENT CALENDAR & MONEY
Plan around the celebrations.
Carnival · late winter
Parades, costumes, and music fill the streets of Santa Maria and Espargos in the days before Lent. Expect road closures and busy restaurants.
Sal events calendar ↗Santa Maria music festival · late summer
A beach music festival in Santa Maria brings Cape Verdean and international artists to a stage on the sand. Book accommodation early for festival dates.
Sal cultural events ↗Currency / Cape Verdean escudo
Prices use CVE, written with the $ symbol after the escudos (for example, 1$000). The escudo is pegged to the euro at about CVE 110 to €1, and euros are widely accepted, often at a rounded rate. Carry cash for taxis and small restaurants.
Banco de Cabo Verde ↗07 / WHAT TO WEAR
A bikini for the bay, a cover-up for town.
SAL BEACH KIT
Swim.
Walk.
Stay out.
On the sand
Wear the Santa Maria Stripe high-waisted bikini with a light shirt and a hat that stays put in the trade winds.
At the pier
Wear sandals or shoes on the boards and around the boats, and keep a cover-up handy for walking through town.
In town
Change into light clothes for dinner; a thin layer helps when the evening breeze picks up.
SIZE GUIDE
Check your measurements.
Compare your chest, waist, and hips with the garment-specific chart. Measurements below are reproduced from the linked product.
| CHEST (inches) | WAIST (inches) | HIPS (inches) | |
| XS | 33 ⅛ | 25 ¼ | 35 ⅜ |
| S | 34 ⅝ | 26 ¾ | 37 |
| M | 36 ¼ | 28 ⅜ | 38 ⅝ |
| L | 39 ⅜ | 31 ½ | 41 ¾ |
| XL | 42 ½ | 34 ⅝ | 44 ⅞ |
| 2XL | 45 ⅝ | 37 ¾ | 48 |
| CHEST (cm) | WAIST (cm) | HIPS (cm) | |
| XS | 84 | 64 | 90 |
| S | 88 | 68 | 94 |
| M | 92 | 72 | 98 |
| L | 100 | 80 | 106 |
| XL | 108 | 88 | 114 |
| 2XL | 116 | 96 | 122 |
BEFORE YOU LEAVE
Good to know.
Which airport serves Santa Maria?
Amílcar Cabral International Airport (SID), beside Espargos, about 16 km north of Santa Maria. Taxis and shared aluguer minibuses make the trip.
Is Santa Maria Beach good for swimming?
The water west of the pier is usually the calmest. Follow local advice and any flags, avoid kitesurfing zones, and be careful on windy days when currents strengthen.
Do I need cash?
Yes. Cards are accepted in many hotels and larger restaurants, but taxis, aluguers, and smaller places often take cash only. Euros are widely accepted.
When is it windiest?
The trade winds are strongest from about November to May, which is the main kitesurfing season. Late summer is usually calmer and warmer.
Can I see the fishermen at the pier?
Yes. Boats land the catch at the Pontão during the morning. Watch from the side, keep the walkway clear, and ask before taking photographs.
FOG & FOUNDRY / SWIM
Sunset stripes for the Santa Maria bay.
Warm sunset wave stripes cover a high-waisted bikini set with a padded top. Check the fabric, care details, and chest, waist, and hip measurements before choosing a size.
Explore the Santa Maria Stripe bikini ↗
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