×

Cabo Verde🇨🇻 | beachesSanta Maria BeachWooden pier, kitesurf schools, seafront live music, walk-up cafés | things to do and best time to go

Explore Ribeira da JanelaExplore Praia de Santa Mónica

Backpacking in Santa Maria Beach
🏆 Top pickbeach ranked #1
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 22, 2026

You can walk off the sand and be eating a cheap lunch within five minutes, which is rare for a beach this good. Santa Maria Beach sits at the southern tip of Sal island in Cabo Verde, with the town running right along the shore. The sand is pale and fine, the water turquoise, and the beach is cleaner near the pier than at the far edges, where wind-blown litter sometimes collects. Swimming is easy on calm mornings, but the Atlantic swell and currents can pick up, so watch the flags. Kitesurfing and windsurfing are strong here, and snorkeling is decent off the rocks near the pier. Resort stretches get crowded and pricey, so skip the loungers and walk toward the quieter western side. Guesthouses and small cafés sit a street or two back from the front. Go late afternoon, when fishermen bring in their catch on the pier and the day’s heat finally eases.

Discover everything you want to know in the 📖 Cabo Verde Travel Guide.


example page 0 from our offline Travel Guide for Cabo Verde
example page 1 from our offline Travel Guide for Cabo Verde
example page 2 from our offline Travel Guide for Cabo Verde
example page 3 from our offline Travel Guide for Cabo Verde
example page 4 from our offline Travel Guide for Cabo Verde
example page 5 from our offline Travel Guide for Cabo Verde
example page 6 from our offline Travel Guide for Cabo Verde
example page 7 from our offline Travel Guide for Cabo Verde
Loading the map 🌍
CLICK TO FILTER
cities
towns
villages
landmarks
national parks
hikes
beaches
attractions
festivals
regions
SHOW COUNTRY’S BESTSHOW ALL

✨ Why go?
Ranked #1 beach in Cabo VerdeWhy Santa Maria Beach should be on your travel list

Santa Maria Beach works as a pause because everything a backpacker needs sits within a short walk of the sand: guesthouses, grocery shops, ATMs and surf and kite schools. People come for the wind first. The steady breeze that cools the afternoon also makes this one of the main kitesurfing and windsurfing spots in the Atlantic, and lessons are easy to book on the spot, even for a complete beginner.

The second reason is the wooden pier at the center of the beach. Local fishermen sell and clean fish there in the morning, and in the evening it fills with travelers, musicians and kids jumping into the water. It gives the place a social heart you can join without any planning.

The third is the way Santa Maria Beach links to the rest of the island. Salt flats, lava pools and empty bays are a short … read more 👉
Santa Maria Beach works as a pause because everything a backpacker needs sits within a short walk of the sand: guesthouses, grocery shops, ATMs and surf and kite schools. People come for the wind first. The steady breeze that cools the afternoon also makes this one of the main kitesurfing and windsurfing spots in the Atlantic, and lessons are easy to book on the spot, even for a complete beginner.

The second reason is the wooden pier at the center of the beach. Local fishermen sell and clean fish there in the morning, and in the evening it fills with travelers, musicians and kids jumping into the water. It gives the place a social heart you can join without any planning.

The third is the way Santa Maria Beach links to the rest of the island. Salt flats, lava pools and empty bays are a short ride away, so you can use the town as a base and still see wilder corners. Add the dependable sunshine and the relaxed pace, and a planned two nights often turns into five.

💡 HighlightsDon't-miss highlights and experiences

  1. The Santa Maria Pier: The best-known landmark here is the weathered wooden pier, a place where fishermen land and gut their catch in the morning. Walk out for views back across the bay, and try a dip off the steps. Late afternoon, it’s a gathering spot for the whole town.
  2. Swimming and Sunbathing on the Main Beach: The long strip of pale sand has clear turquoise water that is usually gentle in the mornings. Walk away from the resort loungers toward the western end, where there is more space and fewer crowds.
  3. Kitesurfing and Windsurfing: Santa Maria is one of the main wind-sports spots in Cabo Verde thanks to its reliable breeze. Schools along the beach rent gear and teach beginners in the shallow, sandy-bottomed bay, while experienced riders head out beyond the break.
  4. Snorkeling Around the Rocks:
… read more 👉
  1. The Santa Maria Pier: The best-known landmark here is the weathered wooden pier, a place where fishermen land and gut their catch in the morning. Walk out for views back across the bay, and try a dip off the steps. Late afternoon, it’s a gathering spot for the whole town.
  2. Swimming and Sunbathing on the Main Beach: The long strip of pale sand has clear turquoise water that is usually gentle in the mornings. Walk away from the resort loungers toward the western end, where there is more space and fewer crowds.
  3. Kitesurfing and Windsurfing: Santa Maria is one of the main wind-sports spots in Cabo Verde thanks to its reliable breeze. Schools along the beach rent gear and teach beginners in the shallow, sandy-bottomed bay, while experienced riders head out beyond the break.
  4. Snorkeling Around the Rocks: The rocky areas near the pier hold small reef fish, and on calm days visibility is good. Bring your own mask if you can, since rental quality varies, and stay close to shore because currents can pull outward.
  5. Sunset and Live Music on the Seafront: In the evening the promenade fills with beachfront bars, grilled seafood and live local music, often morna or funaná. Order a drink, find a seat facing the water and let the night unfold. It is lively without being a party scene.
If you only have one afternoon at Santa Maria Beach, head to the pier in the late afternoon, watch the fishing boats come in and stay on for the music.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

Things to do around Santa Maria Beach

Sal Island Full-Day Tour with Native Certified Guide

Sal Island Full-Day Tour with Native Certified Guide

4.9(1390) 7h
From €35
per personViator
Horse Riding in Sal Island - Cabo Verde

Horse Riding in Sal Island - Cabo Verde

4.9(549)
From €52
per personViator
Sal Island: 2H Buggy Desert Adventure - 1000cc

Sal Island: 2H Buggy Desert Adventure - 1000cc

4.9(501) 2h
From €145
per personViator
Sal Island: 4H Buggy Adventure Coast-to-Coast - 1000cc

Sal Island: 4H Buggy Adventure Coast-to-Coast - 1000cc

4.9(475) 4h
From €259
per personViator
Sal Island Half-Day All-Inclusive Shark Bay, Blue Eye & Salt Lake

Sal Island Half-Day All-Inclusive Shark Bay, Blue Eye & Salt Lake

4.8(509) 4h
From €45
per personViator
Catamaran Half Day - Beautiful day on the Atlantic Ocean

Catamaran Half Day - Beautiful day on the Atlantic Ocean

4.8(383) 3h
From €59
per personViator
Lounge Catamaran SODADE Half-Day

Lounge Catamaran SODADE Half-Day

4.8(343) 4h
From €62
per personViator
Lounge Catamaran SODADE Half-Day (Adults Only)

Lounge Catamaran SODADE Half-Day (Adults Only)

4.9(271) 4h
From €69
per personViator
Discover Scuba Diving in Sal

Discover Scuba Diving in Sal

4.9(222) 5h
From €109
per personViator
Turtle Watching Adventure

Turtle Watching Adventure

4.8(152) 3h
From €39
per personViator

Ratings based on Tripadvisor reviews. When you book through this link, you support our work at no extra cost to you.

🌤️ When to go?Choosing the right time of year

  • November to January: Santa Maria on Sal island is dry and breezy, with daytime highs of 25 to 28°C (77 to 82°F) and sea temperatures near 23°C (73°F). Christmas and New Year week brings the highest bed prices and fullest beach.
  • February to May: Wind peaks, which kitesurfers and windsurfers love and sunbathers tolerate. Highs run 24 to 28°C (75 to 82°F), and rooms cost less than in midwinter.
  • June to August: Warm and calmer, 28 to 31°C (82 to 88°F), with the nesting turtles arriving from about June. Rain is rare and the beach is quieter, so deals are easy to find.
  • September to October: Hottest and most humid at 29 to 33°C (84 to 91°F), with the only real chance of showers on Sal, and the sea at its warmest, near 26 to 27°C (79 to 81°F). Prices are lowest and sunlight lasts about 12 hours year-round.
… read more 👉
  • November to January: Santa Maria on Sal island is dry and breezy, with daytime highs of 25 to 28°C (77 to 82°F) and sea temperatures near 23°C (73°F). Christmas and New Year week brings the highest bed prices and fullest beach.
  • February to May: Wind peaks, which kitesurfers and windsurfers love and sunbathers tolerate. Highs run 24 to 28°C (75 to 82°F), and rooms cost less than in midwinter.
  • June to August: Warm and calmer, 28 to 31°C (82 to 88°F), with the nesting turtles arriving from about June. Rain is rare and the beach is quieter, so deals are easy to find.
  • September to October: Hottest and most humid at 29 to 33°C (84 to 91°F), with the only real chance of showers on Sal, and the sea at its warmest, near 26 to 27°C (79 to 81°F). Prices are lowest and sunlight lasts about 12 hours year-round.
Book a late January or February visit if you want kitesurf lessons without the holiday premium.


source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: highly recommended for travelingFEBFebruary: excellent for travelingMARMarch: excellent for travelingAPRApril: highly recommended for travelingMAYMay: excellent for travelingJUNJune: excellent for travelingJULJuly: highly recommended for travelingAUGAugust: fair for travelingSEPSeptember: fair for travelingOCTOctober: fair for travelingNOVNovember: highly recommended for travelingDECDecember: highly recommended for traveling
cabo-verde-beach-santa-maria-beach
© Google |

✈️ The backpacker research shortcutCabo Verde Travel Guide

An offline-friendly backpacking guide with optimized travel routes, ranked highlights, transport advice, and the best areas to stay.
example page 0 from our offline Travel Guide for Cabo Verde
example page 1 from our offline Travel Guide for Cabo Verde
example page 2 from our offline Travel Guide for Cabo Verde
example page 3 from our offline Travel Guide for Cabo Verde
example page 4 from our offline Travel Guide for Cabo Verde
example page 5 from our offline Travel Guide for Cabo Verde
example page 6 from our offline Travel Guide for Cabo Verde
example page 7 from our offline Travel Guide for Cabo Verde
The digital guide (234 pages) contains:
✅ 57 highlights, ranked by travel appeal
✅ Optimized 2, 3 & 5-day travel routes
✅ Cities, national parks, landmarks, beaches
✅ How to get around
✅ Offline-friendly for travel without Wi-Fi
👉 Click to see all 30+ guide features

📅 Plan smarter in minutes, not weeks
✅ Month by month travel advice
✅ Festivals & national holidays
✅ Budget expectations

🗺️ Go to the right places, skip the overrated ones
✅ Honest pros & cons of destinations
✅ Top hikes, parks & viewpoints
✅ Lesser-known places most travelers miss
✅ Clear “worth it vs skip it” guidance

🛏️ Travel smoothly without rookie mistakes
✅ Best areas to stay
✅ Transport systems explained simply
✅ Common scams & safety advice
✅ SIM cards, money & practical tips

🌍 Understand the country, not just visit it
✅ Culture & traditions
✅ 52 Essential phrases & customs
✅ Festivals worth planning around
✅ Traveler-friendly historical context
✅ Insights that make places more meaningful

📱 Built for real travel conditions
✅ Fully downloadable PDF
✅ Works completely offline
✅ Optimized for phone use
✅ Useful in remote areas & buses
✅ Everything in one place
Stop searching, start planning
Get instant access to your full guide. 30‑day money-back guarantee.
+ Add another guide for just

By proceeding you agree to our terms.
Sent to your inbox immediately after payment • 100% Secure Checkout
Best Backpacking Travel Advisor 2025 tourism awardBest Backpacking
Travel Advisor
2025
What others say about Take Your Backpack Guides:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Fantastic, amazing amount of information!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
My goodness this is amazing, it's what I've been looking for hats off too you!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I think this is absolutely BRILLIANT
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Very complete and informative. It's still missing places, but I gotta to commend you
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is truly amazing, thank you, can't wait to explore it with my kids!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Awesome resource, thank you!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is amazing! Can't wait to explore the ones I haven't seen
⭐⭐⭐⭐
I love this! Well done, great idea.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thanks for taking the time to make this gem!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This might be the best website I've ever seen.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Congratulations, and thank you so much for your work; it's incredibly valuable.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
In all seriousness I think you did a great job pointing out the important spots
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
10/10 very good
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
As someone who's only just starting to visit regularly this is awesome, thank you.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thank you very much! I'm going to visit my dad, it's going to be very useful!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is really cool! We'll be travelling for the first time and this definitely come in handy.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
You are now our minister of culture, congratulations 👨‍💼
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Just wanted to tell you that this is a pearl! Going to follow your recommendations.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is so cool. I'll definitely be using the resource for my travels soon.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is very impressive! Good work.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is an amazing and informative site. Very well done!

🛏️ Where to stay?Where staying makes the most sense

The streets just behind the main pier in Santa Maria town are where most backpackers end up, and for good reason. Everything is within a ten-minute walk of the sand: the pier itself, the dive and kite schools, supermarkets, ATMs and a row of cheap restaurants serving fish and cachupa for roughly €6 to 10 a plate. Guesthouses and hostels cluster here, with dorm beds typically around €15 to 25 and private rooms from about €35 to 60, rising in winter.

The lanes running east from the pier toward the town’s edge are a little quieter and cheaper, still close enough to walk to the beach in 10 to 15 … read more 👉
The streets just behind the main pier in Santa Maria town are where most backpackers end up, and for good reason. Everything is within a ten-minute walk of the sand: the pier itself, the dive and kite schools, supermarkets, ATMs and a row of cheap restaurants serving fish and cachupa for roughly €6 to 10 a plate. Guesthouses and hostels cluster here, with dorm beds typically around €15 to 25 and private rooms from about €35 to 60, rising in winter.

The lanes running east from the pier toward the town’s edge are a little quieter and cheaper, still close enough to walk to the beach in 10 to 15 minutes. They suit solo travelers who want sleep after a night out, while the pier area itself has the evening bars and live music, so expect noise.

The zone west of the pier toward the kite-surfing flats attracts a sporty crowd who cook together, share gear talk and book lessons by the day. It is a fine pick for meeting people with common interests, though you give up some nightlife convenience.

Stay in town rather than in the large all-inclusive resorts along the coast. Those are pricey, isolated and short on social spaces, and you will rely on transfers to reach restaurants or other budget travelers.
Best hostels in Cabo Verde


Best quality hotels in Cabo Verde

🛡️ SafetyScams, Hazards, and Annoyances

Santa Maria Beach is generally safe and easy, with a long stretch of fine sand and a gently sloping entrance that suits most swimmers. Waves are usually modest near the pier, where locals and visitors swim, but the Atlantic can push strong swell and currents on windier days, particularly away from the town end. Swim where other people are in the water, stay within standing depth if the surf looks heavy, and take rough days off. Red flags are not always posted, so judge conditions yourself.

The sun is the most common problem. Near-constant wind hides how hard it burns, so use high-factor sunscreen, a hat and plenty of water, and head out before midday or after mid-afternoon. Jellyfish are uncommon, though a few Portuguese man o’ war wash up some seasons, so look at the sand before wading in. … read more 👉
Santa Maria Beach is generally safe and easy, with a long stretch of fine sand and a gently sloping entrance that suits most swimmers. Waves are usually modest near the pier, where locals and visitors swim, but the Atlantic can push strong swell and currents on windier days, particularly away from the town end. Swim where other people are in the water, stay within standing depth if the surf looks heavy, and take rough days off. Red flags are not always posted, so judge conditions yourself.

The sun is the most common problem. Near-constant wind hides how hard it burns, so use high-factor sunscreen, a hat and plenty of water, and head out before midday or after mid-afternoon. Jellyfish are uncommon, though a few Portuguese man o’ war wash up some seasons, so look at the sand before wading in.

Petty theft of phones and bags left unattended does occur. Keep valuables at your guesthouse and avoid leaving belongings alone while you swim. After dark, stick to lit streets near the pier, which is normal for any resort town.
Check Country Safety

FAQCommon questions from travelers

Santa Maria Beach is in the south of Sal island, about 20 minutes (roughly 18 km) by road from Amílcar Cabral International Airport. A taxi costs about €15 to 20 and is the simplest option, while shared aluguers from Espargos run for roughly €1.5 to 2. Flights from Lisbon take about four hours, and inter-island flights from Praia or Mindelo take about an hour.
Santa Maria Beach is excellent for swimming on calm days, with clear water around 22 to 27°C (72 to 81°F) and a sandy bottom. Surfing and especially kitesurfing and windsurfing are strong, with steady wind from about November to May and lessons costing around €50 to 80 an hour. Snorkeling is possible along the rocky edges and on boat trips, and gear rental runs about €8 to 15, but visibility is better off the beach than directly at the pier.
Yes, Santa Maria Beach is free to enter and no tickets are required, since it is a public stretch of sand running along the town. Sunloungers and umbrellas at beach bars and resorts typically cost about €5 to 10 a day, often refunded against a drink or lunch. Walking onto the pier is also free, and showers or toilets near the beach cost small change in euros or local currency.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Cape Verdean beaches near Santa Maria Beach

Explore more nearby:

  • Ponta Preta Beach—powerful waves, kitesurfing hotspot, shifting sandbars, open Atlantic| 3 km away
  • Praia de Atalanta—shipwreck, volcanic rocks, wind exposure, wild surf| 44 km away
  • Praia de Chaves—wide bay, golden dunes, beach bars, sunset views| 55 km away

💡 Not sure where to go next?
Create a personalized itinerary for Cabo Verde including Santa Maria Beach and the places that fit your trip.

Generate my itinerary

👉 Discover all beaches

Or checkout all Cabo Verde has to offer (think cities, towns, villages, national parks, hikes, beaches, festivals)
Explore Cabo Verde
Country photo of Cabo Verde
© Google Images

We 💚 feedbackIs it worth it?

Santa Maria Beach pairs best with a loop around Sal: spend a couple of nights here, then rent a quad or share a taxi to the salt flats of Pedra de Lume and the lava pools of Buracona. Then, if your route continues, take a ferry or short flight to Boa Vista for emptier dunes. I would bring my own snorkel mask and sunscreen, because both cost more on the island.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on in-depth research, insights shared by experienced travelers, and feedback from the local travel community in Cabo Verde. While every effort is made to keep the information accurate and current, conditions can change — so if you spot anything incorrect or outdated, please get in touch.



🙋‍♂️ Give feedback

👋 Meet the founderWho’s Behind Take Your Backpack?

Johan, backpacker and founder of TakeYourBackpackHi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past 3 decades, I’ve backpacked through 90+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.

This site is built on a combination of firsthand travel experience and carefully curated insights from other backpackers. Many guides are based on places I’ve personally visited, while others bring together tips, observations, and practical advice shared by trusted travelers I’ve met along the way.

The goal is to provide realistic, experience-driven guidance — not generic itineraries — so you can explore destinations with better context, clearer expectations, and more confidence.

Read the full story