Overview
Key facts
- Duration:7 nights
- Suitable for: Children aged 8 years and over
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What's included?
- Transfers: Return airport transfers to and from all activities
- Accommodation: 7-nights accommodation at the Hilton Cabo Verde Resort
- Meals: 7 breakfasts, 1 lunch
- The following activities are included in the holiday: Tour of Sal*, Half-day Catamaran tour, Ziplining, Snorkelling and Project Turtle Tracker (if travelling in July or August). The order of activities is subject to change
- Equipment, training, and supervision for all activities with local guides.
A note on flights: whilst flights to and from Cape Verde are not included in the holiday price, our team will happily provide a quote and arrange them for you. Simply ask one of our travel experts for details of the available options for you.
*Please note: the entrance fee to Buracona, the salt flats and hire of sea shoes are not included and must be paid locally in cash. The total for this is approximately 13 Euros per person.
Sal Island, boasts golden sunshine and pleasant temperatures all year round. One of the three sandy eastern islands of the Cape Verde archipelago in the central Atlantic Ocean, Sal is named after its salt flats.
Discover giant humpback whales to tiny baby turtles; the sea around this tropical paradise teems with life. You'll snorkel amongst an array of fascinating native sea life and encounter the thrill of paddling between lemon sharks during a tour of the island.
From ziplining down the Serra Negra Mountain to basking in the warm waters of an Atlantic Ocean inlet, this adventurous holiday will allow you and your family to fully explore the equatorial paradise which will be your home for the week.
Image credits: Cape Verde Tourist Board, Hilton Hotel Cape Verde, Barracuda Tours DMC & Incoming
Agenda
Agenda
Show full agenda-
Day 1 Flights, Arrival & Welcome
Upon arrival at Amílcar Cabral International Airport, you will be picked up by one of our local guides and transferred to the luxurious beachside Hilton Cabo Verde Resort. Located directly on the shore of the Santa Maria Beach, you will be able to step straight onto the white sands and feel the grains between your toes.
Once you’re all settled in and unpacked, we recommend you spend your first night soaking off your jetlag in one of the hotel’s pools or topping up your tan by the beach. With a swim-up bar and two restaurants on-site, there’s no need to venture far this evening!
Included Meals: None -
Day 2 Free Day
You will be spoilt for choice at the hotel's extensive breakfast buffet. There are live cooking stations and plentiful displays of fresh fruit, baked goods and hot and cold choices. Be sure to enjoy a leisurely morning in the Magellan Restaurant whilst deciding how you would like to spend your time today.
Kitesurfing is a popular activity in the warm waters of the equator. There’s nothing quite so magical as gliding over waves rippling with the wind that holds your kite aloft. If you’ve always wanted to try it but never found the time, take it now – you and your family will be learning from the best!
As well as being a friendly and encouraging guide, Mitu Monteiro is perhaps best known to extreme sports fans as a World Kite Surfing Champion. Don’t worry about having to get it right straight away, however – this three-hour lesson is for beginner groups and suitable for younger children.
Please see the personalise tab for all the optional activities to choose from.
Included Meals: Breakfast -
Day 3 Full Day Tour of Sal Island
Stock up on a hearty breakfast this morning ready for the day’s adventures, which will take you around the full length and breadth of Sal Island and introduce you to the island’s astonishingly varied sights.
Your first stop will be the island's capital, Espargos. Discover how the locals live before setting off for Terra Boa, a scenic desert location far inland which boasts mirages. Your next stop will be a visit to the fishing port village of Palmeira, then Buracona, with its natural pool and the famous “Blue Eye” caused by seawater and freshwater meeting.
After a visit to Sharks’ Bay to wade with the lemon sharks, your tour concludes with an unforgettable visit to the Pedra de Lume salt pans and an opportunity to float a lake that is 26 times saltier than seawater. Scrub your skin with the lake's mud before rinsing off and leaving your skin feeling revitalised and youthful.
Lunch in a local restaurant will be included in today’s adventures, offering a choice of fish, meat or vegetarian meals. Try the cachupa, a slow-cooked, hearty stew made with beans, corn kernels, vegetables and fish or meat.
*Please note: the entrance fee to Buracona, the salt flats and hire of sea shoes are not included and must be paid locally in cash. The total for this is approximately 13 Euros per person.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch -
Day 4 Free Day
If you haven't already, why not have a change of scenery this morning and enjoy breakfast overlooking the ocean at the hotel's beachfront restaurant, The Bounty? Savour a fresh and wholesome menu of fruits, pastries, cold cuts, eggs, fresh orange juice, and brewed coffee whilst listening to the gentle lapping of waves on the shore. The rest of the day is yours to spend as you please. Why not take a stroll to the centre of Santa Maria, challenge the family to a petanque tournemant or indulge in a luxurious treatment in the hotel's on-site spa.
Included Meals: Breakfast -
Day 5 Half-Day Catamaran Tour
After your breakfast this morning, you will transfer from the hotel to Palmeira, the island's main port, where you will embark onto a beautiful catamaran. Your relaxing sailing trip will travel along the scenic coastline from Palmeira, stopping at 'Lion Mountain' where you will be offered the opportunity to go snorkelling. Don’t fancy getting your hair wet? You can also try fishing, swimming or just relaxing on board.
During the trip, the crew will provide fun and friendly entertainment and point out natural wonders. Whilst we cannot guarantee this, there is the possibility to see whales from February to March or turtles from June to September. You are definitely guaranteed a fun afternoon!
Included Meals: Breakfast -
Day 6 Zipline and (for July and August departures) Project Turtle Tracker
The big one! While the idea of ziplining may be a daunting one for those afraid of heights, there is no better place to face your fears than Zipline Cabo Verde. After a jeep transfer to the base, you'll take a 15 minute steep walk to the top of the mountain (we recommend sturdy shoes for this) with rest breaks possible along the way. The staff here are very experienced at dealing with more hesitant adventurers and are happy to take the time to familiarise guests with the equipment. The guide will teach you about the rules you need to follow, explain the basics, and hook you up on the steel wire using a harness and making sure you are safe and ready to fly.
Your flight down the side of the mountain will take you over thousands of years of geological history, from the smooth granite caused by the initial eruption to the scrub-like desert which clung to it in the aftermath.
If you are travelling in July or August, we have also included a fascinating visit to meet the passionate team behind Project Biodiversity where you can learn all about the Loggerhead Sea Turtle and have a chance to see them up close. Project Biodiversity is committed to the protection and conservation of this endangered species.
Following a short transfer, you will meet in a whimsical bell tent where refreshments will be served before your introduction to the biology of sea turtles and the safeguarding work underway on the Cape Verde islands.
After the briefing, the group will take a walk along the beach to observe the turtles nesting ground. What an incredible experience!
Included Meals: Breakfast -
Day 7 Snorkelling off Santa Maria Pier
Why simply admire the Atlantic Ocean when you could dive beneath it? If you’ve never snorkelled before, don’t worry: it’s easy enough and your experienced guides will happily instruct you and your family on the correct procedures. You will be provided with all the equipment you need.
The waves around this stretch of coastline are gentle, meaning you can focus entirely on the schools of fish swimming close enough to touch without having to worry about the waves.
Your final afternoon will be spent admiring the aquatic majesty of Cape Verde’s ecosystems, which play host to a variety of endangered species and a high proportion of marine species which can only survive here. After a few blissful hours spent enjoying gentle waves, you will paddle back to the starting point before being dropped back off at your hotel.
Included Meals: Breakfast
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Day 8 Departure
Unfortunately, it’s time for your adventures to come to an end. Depending on your flight time, you’ll either enjoy breakfast in the restaurant or it will be boxed up to take to the airport. You will then be transferred back to Amílcar Cabral International Airport to reminisce about your memories on the flight home.
Included Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation
Accommodation
Included in price
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Hilton Cabo Verde Resort
Nights: 1-7
The Hilton Cabo Verde Resort, a local landmark, has plenty to do for children of all ages. With a spa, watersports centre and two pools, there’s plenty to get the whole family entertained (as well as a kids’ club for the hotel’s youngest guests). As well as a huge outdoor swimming pool with both children-only and general areas, the hotel is located directly on the shore of the Santa Maria Beach, allowing you to step out of your front door and directly onto sand.
In terms of food, The Magellan serves buffet-style dishes between 6AM and 10PM. The Bounty Beach Restaurant offers a DJ, live kitchen, and handcrafted cocktails, which can also be purchased at the swim-up bar. If you're really feeling adventurous, La Victoria restaurant serves up unique tasting menus combining African and European cuisine and reinventing local classics.
The hotel’s rooms are very spacious with fantastic views of the beach. Facilities include ensuite bathroom, cable TV, hair dryers, a mini bar and air conditioning.
Facilities:
- Spa, On-site restaurants, Outdoor pool, Fitness centre
- Swimming pool with children-only and general pools
- Free parking and WiFi
- For those quiet moments - a reading room, a TV room and various sun terraces
- A 24 hour concierge service and dedicated tour desk
- An exceptional healthy breakfast boasting local and seasonal ingredients
Personalise
Personalise this tour
Our pick
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Coast to Coast Off Road Adventure
This exciting full day adventure will introduce you to the full spectrum of the island’s varied nature and geology, visiting volcanic formations, wetlands, erosion-carved ravines, protected fauna, and beaches that normal tourist excursions are not allowed to see. As well as an oasis in the middle of the desert, you will travel to Terra Boa, a place which offers a great opportunity to take pictures of the mirages of legend. After a 50-minute stop in the salt marshes where you can float in water 26 times saltier than seawater, you will finish up visit “Shark's Bay” to wade with the island’s resident lemon sharks.
Available: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday at 09:00
Duration: approximately 8 hours
Please note: the entrance fee to Buracona, the salt flats and hire of sea shoes are not included and must be paid locally in cash. The total for this is approximately 13 Euros per person.
From £48 per adult
From £24 per child
Other options
Activities
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Traditional Cape Verdean Evening
When in Rome, do as the Romans do. When in Cape Verde, enjoy drinks and dinner at an authentic local restaurant and a show of local music and dances. The cuisine served in Sal is a reflection of the island’s mixed heritage, combining Western European and West African cuisine. You’ll find traditional Portuguese delicacies and Alentejo wines served in most of the island’s cafes, as well as international dishes and accompaniements. Shake off your inhibitions and accept the dancers' invitation to join them up on stage. It will be a night to remember.
Available: Wednesday
Duration: approximately 3 hours
From: £29 per adult
From: £29 per child -
Segway Tour
Suitable for children as young as six, this tour is the perfect way to discover the desert and the beaches of the south. As well as visiting the salt flats of Santa Maria, surrounded by beautiful sand dunes, your guide will take you to Kite Beach, a beautiful white sandy beach full of colourful kite surfers. Located on the southwest coast of the island, Ponta Preta is Sal's most beautiful beach – a perfect spot to enjoy a hearty lunch!
There are a range of durations to choose from:
45 minutes - £29per person
1.5 hours - £48 per person
Available: everyday except Sunday at 09:00 and 15:00
Duration: various available
From: £29 per adult
From: £29 per child -
Beginner Kitesurfing Lesson
Kitesurfing is a popular activity in the warm waters of the equator. There’s nothing quite so magical as gliding over waves rippling with the wind that holds your kite aloft. If you’ve always wanted to try it but never found the time, take it now – you and your family will be learning from the best!
As well as being a friendly and encouraging guide, Mitu Monteiro is perhaps best known to extreme sports fans as a World Kite Surfing Champion. Don’t worry about having to get it right straight away, however – this three-hour lesson is for beginner groups and suitable for younger children.
Duration: approximately 3 hours
From: £96 per adult
From: £96 per child
Dates & Prices
We include more, no hidden costs
Tourism Tax: those aged 16 years and over must pay a Tourism Tax of €2.50 per person, per night. This must be paid at the hotel reception
Price per person: based on 2 adults (12+) and 1 child (4-11) sharing a King Guest Room
Dates
Next season’s dates and prices
You can make a pre-reservation to secure your holiday at this stage by paying an initial deposit of only £50pp. The provisional departure dates, prices and itineraries remain subject to change. We will contact you when the final dates, prices and itineraries are confirmed, and you will have 14 days to decide if you would like to go ahead. You will then need to pay the remainder of your deposit to confirm your booking in full. If you decide not to travel, we will refund your initial £50pp payment. Our Travel Experts will happily provide you with full terms and a complete quotation. Please note: where listed in the What’s Included section, pre-sales prices include return UK flights.Please note: the prices below are subject to change due to availability at the respective hotels; supplements may apply. Please note: our payment and cancellation terms will be unique to each booking – they will be confirmed with you at the time of quotation.
Departure dates between | |||
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Wed 08 Jan 2025
to Tue 08 Apr 2025 |
Adult price (per person):
£1495.00
to £1675.00 |
Children (4-11 years):
£445.00
to £495.00 |
Enquire |
Wed 09 Apr 2025
to Mon 30 Jun 2025 |
Adult price (per person):
£1115.00
to £1235.00 |
Children (4-11 years):
£445.00
to £495.00 |
Enquire |
Tue 01 Jul 2025
to Mon 18 Aug 2025 |
Adult price (per person):
£1315.00
to £1475.00 |
Children (4-11 years):
£490.00
to £545.00 |
Enquire |
Tue 19 Aug 2025
to Tue 23 Sep 2025 |
Adult price (per person):
£1150.00
to £1290.00 |
Children (4-11 years):
£490.00
to £545.00 |
Enquire |
Wed 24 Sep 2025
to Fri 31 Oct 2025 |
Adult price (per person):
£1495.00
to £1675.00 |
Children (4-11 years):
£445.00
to £495.00 |
Enquire |
Terms
For our full booking terms and conditions please click here
The Specifics
Group Size
We always try to provide an approximation of the group size you can expect to be with for the duration of each of our holidays. It may be that you are joined by others for parts of your holiday (such as transfers and particular activities) but the above number reflects those you can normally expect to be with from beginning to end. If group size is something which is particularly important to you, please speak to our Travel Experts and they can suggest the best holidays for you.
Tailor-made holiday group sizes will vary for all activities as will the group size for any additional activities you book.
Minimum numbers required for a holiday to operate
Some of our holidays require a minimum number of participants to operate (as listed in the ‘Group Size’ section). If your holiday departure has not yet reached the minimum number, you will be told at the time of booking. In the unlikely event that your chosen date is not guaranteed by nine weeks before your scheduled departure date, we will contact you to discuss the available options as per our booking conditions.
Minimum and maximum age
The minimum age for this holiday can be found in the ‘Key Facts’ section of the holiday overview.
Younger family members may be able to participate but may not be able to take part in all activities. Please contact one of our Travel Experts if you have any questions.
Itinerary amendments
The order of activities listed in this agenda is provided for guidance only, your final and detailed itinerary will be provided either with your final travel documents (which are uploaded into your online account around a week prior to departure) or upon arrival.
Medical History and Advice
We want our holidays to be accessible as they can be and will do our best to accommodate any special requests and requirements where possible. We have a wide range of holidays and destinations and so our travel experts will help find the best holiday for you.
In order to give us the best possible chance to do this we ask that if you or any member of your party has any medical condition or disability which may affect your holiday or has any special requirements, that you tell us at the time of enquiry or booking. You must also promptly advise us if any medical condition or disability which may affect your holiday develops after your booking has been confirmed. You may need to provide a doctor’s note and proof of insurance in some cases as the health and safety of our clients is absolutely paramount.
In providing this information you are allowing us to work with our expert local partners to ensure that your whole party can enjoy the holiday. By letting us know in advance we can discreetly work with you to adapt any part of the holiday which may potentially be challenging. Being able to prepare for this in advance makes an incredible difference to what we can offer and minimises any impact on your party and the rest of the group.
Unfortunately, if you choose not to share this information with us in advance then it may limit some or all of the itinerary you have booked, and we cannot be held accountable for any additional costs or missed activities resulting from this.
It is vitally important that you advise us prior to departure of any medical or dietary condition relating to any member of your party so that we may notify our local staff before you arrive. We recommend only drinking bottled water from bottles with unbroken seals and be vigilant about the use of ice in drinks and ice cream.
Insurance
Insurance is not included in your holiday, but it is a pre-requisite to travelling with us. You will need to ensure that you have cover for all the activities that you will be participating in during your holiday.
It is extremely important that you take out a suitable travel insurance policy at the time of booking. Plans do sometimes change, and you will need this policy should you need to cancel your holiday.
If you are struggling to find a suitable policy then details of our preferred provider, who will cover you for all the activities we offer, can be found on our website by clicking here. Please note that this policy is available to EU residents under the age of 75 only.
The UK Foreign Office Advice
Our clients’ safety is at the centre of everything we do, and our operations team continually assesses and monitors the destinations we feature. We carry out thorough risk assessments and work closely with all of our suppliers to continually follow best practice. For up to date travel advice the UK government offers its Travel Aware website as well as the advice detailed below.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office Advice
We receive all updates from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) with regards to travel advice and we always ensure that we follow this advice in our operations. The FCO issues travel advisories for countries based on a very wide range of factors. They may provide notification about things as simple as a football match and crowds, or they may go so far as to advise against all travel to a region. We ask all our clients to refer to the relevant Travel Advice by Country for the destinations they are visiting in order to make an informed decision on the safety of the destination based on the details provided. It also provides vital information regarding entry requirements, embassy information, local laws and customs as well as specific safety and health. Guests should take responsibility for keeping themselves up to date with this advice. Please also ensure that, if you are transiting through another country, you have read the advice and meet the entry requirements for that destination too.
The FCO travel advice is applicable to British Passport Holders. Most governments will issue their own travel advice for a region and, if you are not a UK resident then you can find some helpful links below:
Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/
New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade http://www.safetravel.govt.nz/
Canadian Consular Affairs Bureau http://voyage.gc.ca/
The U.S. Bureau of Consular Affairs http://travel.state.gov/content/travel/english.html
If the FCO deems that there is an unacceptable level of risk for UK citizens then, together with the government, they may issue an advisory against all travel to a region or country. If such an advisory is published, then we will act accordingly, and this may require the cancellation, curtailment or amendment of a holiday itinerary. These decisions are made on the basis of ensuring our clients’ safety and will affect all clients on the holiday, regardless of their nationality.
If one of our local experts suggests an amendment due to a situation which develops locally then we may also take the decision to amend an itinerary appropriately.
If we have to cancel your holiday prior to departure you will be offered the option of an alternative trip (where any price difference will either be refunded to or covered by you) or a full refund of the monies paid.
If we have to curtail a holiday, then you will be refunded for any costs for the elements we have been unable to deliver, where we have been able to secure a refund from our suppliers. If we must reroute a holiday, then any basis for refund is determined on a case by case basis and dependent on whether the central holiday experience was provided or not.
Booking activities locally
Additional activities can be booked locally in almost all our destinations. However, as per our booking conditions, we cannot be held responsible for any injury or loss incurred through participation in activities which are booked at your destination outside of our holiday itinerary (see our ‘Terms and Conditions’ for further details).
When arranging any such activity please always ensure that safety is your primary concern.
In some of our destinations, you can borrow or hire equipment for use in your free time. You do so entirely at your own risk. You must ensure that you are correctly prepared, have the necessary equipment and knowledge (maps, etc.) and ensure that where applicable, you follow marked routes. We recommend discussing your plans with the local teams who will be able to advise on the most suitable options for you.
Always let the reception/guide know where you are planning to go and take a torch and mobile phone (with the hotel/guide’s phone number stored). It is also a good idea to leave your contact number and the time you expect to return to the hotel should the hotel need to contact you.
Flight schedule changes and connecting transportation
On your documentation, we will confirm your flight schedule. Sometimes the flight number, routing and timings might change prior to your departure. If the change is classed as a significant change then we will contact you to discuss this. Please see our booking conditions for details.
Flight schedule changes can impact on your pre and post-holiday travel arrangements if these have been booked separately to your holiday. We strongly recommend that you do not book transport (such as trains or transfers), car parking or non-connecting flights to the departure point for your holiday until you have received your final confirmed travel times when your final travel documents are issued. We are not responsible for the effect of any schedule change on your pre or post travel arrangements. We strongly recommend that you do not purchase non-flexible or non-refundable tickets to avoid cancellation and penalty charges.
Booking your own flights cancellation disclaimer
If you have chosen to book your own flights, then you will need to wait until we confirm to you that the holiday departure has met the minimum numbers required to run (if applicable to your chosen holiday). Once the holiday is guaranteed to run, you will be informed and you can then make your arrangements.
If transfers are included in your holiday, please ensure that any potential flights will be met by our standard transfers (speak to one of our Travel Experts for advice) otherwise private transfer supplements may be applicable. Once your flights are booked, please send us a copy of your detailed flight itinerary.
Please be aware that most tickets are non-refundable in the case of cancellation. For this reason, we strongly advise you check the rules of the ticket and check the limitations of your cancellation insurance before booking. We cannot be held liable, in the unlikely eventuality that we should be forced to cancel or amend your trip, for losses incurred relating to any flight booking you have made.
Terms and Conditions
Our full booking terms and conditions can be found on our website: https://www.activitiesabroad.com/booking-conditions
Please note: our payment and cancellation terms will be unique to each booking – they will be confirmed with you at the time of quotation. The terms listed above are noted as a guide only
Please note that the following cancellation terms supersede in part those mentioned in Section 7 of our general booking terms and conditions.
- Up to balance due date (this is normally 16 weeks prior to departure however some holidays differ. If this applies to your holiday you will be advised at the time of booking) - Loss of deposit (including the full cost of flights or other services where paid at the time of booking)
- Between balance due date and 92 days prior to departure – 50%
- 91 to 24 days prior to departure – 75%
- 23 or less days – 100%