Santa Maria Beach Beach
Sandy beach on Sal island popular for windsurfing
On Sal island, Santa Maria Beach attracts visitors with long sandy shores, reef-protected swimming and consistent trade winds that support wind- and kitesurfing; beachfront restaurants and hotels serve as the tourist hub.
Santa Maria Beach at a Glance#
About Santa Maria Beach#
Santa Maria Beach (Praia de Santa Maria) is a long sandy beach on the southern tip of Sal island in Cape Verde, adjacent to the town of Santa Maria. It is one of Sal’s primary tourist beaches and resort areas.
The town of Santa Maria and its beachfront developed into a tourism center during the late 20th century, with infrastructure and resorts oriented toward beach and water sports tourism.
The beach runs along the southern coastline of Sal island, immediately adjacent to the town of Santa Maria and its harbor.
- Water activities: Shallow reef and protected lagoons near the shore make it suitable for swimming, snorkeling, and beginner wind- and kite-surfing when conditions are right.
How to Get to Santa Maria Beach#
Santa Maria Beach is on the southern tip of Sal Island, a short taxi or local minibus ride from Amílcar Cabral International Airport (SID). The town of Santa Maria is within walking distance of the airport-area road along the coast; most hotels are a short walk from the beach.
Tips for Visiting Santa Maria Beach#
- Bring sun protection and a hat-Sal is very sunny and reflective beaches can intensify UV exposure.
- Late afternoon winds can pick up; water sports operators know the shifts and time activities accordingly.
- Combine a beach visit with a brief trip into Santa Maria village to see local fishing life.
Best Time to Visit Santa Maria Beach#
Best from November to June when weather is drier and wind conditions are consistent for water activities.
Weather & Climate near Santa Maria Beach#
Santa Maria Beach's climate is classified as Hot Desert - Hot Desert climate with hot summers (peaking in September) and warm winters (coldest in February). Temperatures range from 18°C to 28°C. Very dry conditions with minimal rainfall with a pronounced dry season.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Ideal | 18° - 24° | 21° | 3 mm | some cloud | 75% | 7.1 m/s | 1.5 very high | 11.1h |
| February | Excellent | 18° - 24° | 21° | 1 mm | partly cloudy | 78% | 7.1 m/s | 1.8 very high | 11.5h |
| March | Ideal | 18° - 24° | 21° | 0 mm | some cloud | 81% | 6.9 m/s | 2.3 extreme | 11.9h |
| April | Ideal | 19° - 25° | 22° | 0 mm | partly cloudy | 81% | 6.8 m/s | 2.5 extreme | 12.4h |
| May | Ideal | 19° - 25° | 22° | 0 mm | partly cloudy | 83% | 7.0 m/s | 2.5 extreme | 12.8h |
| June | Ideal | 20° - 25° | 23° | 0 mm | partly cloudy | 85% | 6.0 m/s | 2.2 extreme | 13.0h |
| July | Excellent | 21° - 26° | 24° | 1 mm | partly cloudy | 84% | 5.0 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 12.9h |
| August | Excellent | 22° - 27° | 25° | 11 mm | partly cloudy | 82% | 4.6 m/s | 2.2 extreme | 12.6h |
| September | Ideal | 23° - 28° | 26° | 29 mm | partly cloudy | 83% | 5.0 m/s | 2.2 extreme | 12.1h |
| October | Ideal | 22° - 28° | 25° | 5 mm | partly cloudy | 81% | 5.5 m/s | 1.9 very high | 11.7h |
| November | Ideal | 21° - 27° | 24° | 1 mm | partly cloudy | 78% | 5.9 m/s | 1.6 very high | 11.2h |
| December | Ideal | 19° - 25° | 22° | 3 mm | partly cloudy | 76% | 6.4 m/s | 1.4 high | 11.0h |