Diving in Sal

In Sal you have many possibilities to explore the underwater world, no matter your skill level. From caves only 18 m deep, to a wall as deep as 65 m, here you can find several diving centers that will help you discover the best place for you.

3 grotes: This spot includes, as the name reveals, three beautiful caves bursting with marine life. Turtles, tropical fishes and different types of lobsters are some of the species you will encounter while diving. The relatively shallow waters (maximum depth of 18 m) make this an ideal spot for beginners wanting to experience their first caves.

S. Antão: Don’t be mistaken by the name. Although it has the name of another island, this spot is located just outside the shores of Sal and it consists of a shipwreck that lays just 8 m below surface in a sand bottom (maximum depth of 12 m). Here you can find small species of fishes, cat-sharks and rays.

Dunas: If you want to see turtles, this is the spot for you. Between June and December, turtles come back to Cape Verde through these waters to mate and nest at the beach right in front of this spot. Here you will find a small wall (maximum depth of 12 m) where you can also discover many small species of colorful nudibranchs, morays and tropical fishes. Definitely a place to visit even if you’re a beginner in the sport.

Champignon: A little north of Dunas, there’s another wall (14 m maximum depth) that goes by the name Champignon. The type of dive is similar to Dunas, as well as the species you will encounter. The only difference is that in good days the visibility in this area might reach 60/70 m.

Ancora: This is a small wall, 16 m deep, where you will find many tropical fishes, as well as rays and cat-sharks. The open waters make this a good spot for any type of proficiency level.

Farol: This is an all-level type of diving spot. Even for beginners, Farol offers multiple possibilities of holes and caves to explore. Ranging from a depth of 6 m to 17 m, you can find many different crustaceans as well as morays and small fishes, like the trumpet and the frog fish.

Caldeira-Bolama: A 1900 century shipwreck lies in this spot, just a few meters bellow the surface. The vessel itself is completely destroyed by now, so the only part you can actually see is the chimney. From there on you can follow a canyon that goes deeper into the water, reaching a maximum depth of 19 m.

Bera de Coral: On the east side of the island, away from all the other diving spots mentioned, lies this wall where you can reach a maximum depth of 20 m, perfect for beginner divers. Other than the morays, lobsters and nudibranchs, you can also expect some lovely cat-sharks and cuttlefish.

Peridão: This is not just another wall, reaching a maximum depth of 22 m, because this one has a special local that lives here! Ugo is a very nice green-turtle that, generally, lets you get close enough for a picture. We can’t guarantee you will be lucky enough for a selfie, but you can always try!

Pontinha/Pontinha profunda: This is the ideal diving spot for beginners looking for a small challenge, or any other level looking for a simple dive. A wall between 14 and 30 m conceals a lot of small species of nudibranchs, morays, lobsters and rays. Going a little deeper, you can find a “shelf” at 30 m, where you might be able to see some of the bigger fishes and rays that come up from the deep waters.

Boris shipwreck: If you love diving in shipwrecks, you will definitely not want to miss this one. 28 m deep in the ocean, lies the wreck of a soviet vessel that was transporting people from Senegal, in January 2006. Kwarcit-Boris quickly became an artificial reef for hundreds of fishes, rays, morays, cat-sharks, nudibranchs and crustaceans. Its basements and command room are still feasible for a safe visit.

Buracona: This is a place worth checking, whether inside or outside of the water. This volcanic cave forms an underwater tunnel that leads into a big hole where the sunlight hits during most of the day, creating unique effects on the water. The deepest point on this excursion lies 28 m deep, so you won’t find any big animals around. You will, however, have one of the most exciting experiences of your life, due to the complete darkness in which you will find yourself, until you reach the “blue eye”, deep inside the tunnel. Given the darkness and the tightness of some parts of this dive, we do not recommend it for first-time cave divers.

Ponta Preta Profunda: This spot, on the west part of the island, is quite mediterranean when it comes to the species that you might find here. On the first few months of the year, between January and April, you can find whales roaming these waters, and during the summer months some turtles and bull-sharks. The maximum depth of this spot is 31 m.

Morro das Pedras: This small rock formation, isolated in the middle of a sandy stretch of ocean floor, is the perfect location to visit in just one dive. With its base located 32 m deep, it has lots of species to observe, due to the several small wholes that formed in the rock surface, but it’s small enough that you can make a whole round with just one bottle.

Cavala: This diving spot is particularly attractive for proficient or expert divers, as it starts at a depth of 28 m and continues down to 65 m deep. On one side you have an immense wall, with all the tiny species that live in such places, while on the other you have the deepest blue world opening up to you. Other than big fishes such as tunas and marlins, you might also see some mantas, bull sharks and even hammer-heads.

Choclassa: A few kilometers away from the shoreline of Sal, you can find this amazing spot. With a depth range that goes from 14 to 300 m, this spot is ideal for proficient and expert divers who are looking for marlins, tuna fishes, whales, turtles, rays, mantas and many types of sharks. The really lucky ones, in certain times of the year, can even find whale sharks swimming in these waters!

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