Dive Sites around Sal

There are over 30 dive sites around Ilha do Sal ranging from very shallow to extremely deep. Most dive sites are dived in half day trip by RIB (Rigid Inflatable Boat) although shore dives are also available. Most dive centres are based in Santa Maria.

Tchuklasta: Located 4km off shore. Starting at a depth of 14m and dropping down to around 40m this deep dive site is good for pelagic fish encounters such as tuna, marlin. Barracuda can be seen in huge schools. Reef sharks and green turtles are common. Manta rays and whale sharks also visit here. Reef fish include schools of yellow tail snapper, grouper, triggerfish and trumpet fish. In rocky crevices look for moray eels, lobster and shrimp. Currents can be strong here at times.

Buracona/ Regona: Favourite Cape Verde dive sites. A series of interconnected caverns and tunnels that open out to the sea at 22m deep. The underwater cave scenery is stunning as light streams through into the black basalt cavern. Divers can ascend up a vertical volcanic rock tunnel and surface into the sunshine of the "Sala do Sol" (the sun room) before exiting back down the tunnel. Nurse sharks can often be found resting in the caverns. Crabs, lobster and shrimps are numerous on the cavern walls.

Lighthouse Point (Ponta Do Farol): A wall dive with a cave at the maximum depth of 45m. Large schools of fish including snapper and surgeonfish plus barracuda and jacks. Crustaceans inhabit the wall.

Cavala: A deep wall dive that starts at 29m and drops off to 65m deep. A great pelagic fish dive site. Tuna, trevally, mackeral and barracuda are all common. Reef fish includes trigger fish, soldierfish and parrotfish. Currents can be strong here.

3 Caves: aka Tres Grotes is a shallow dive suitable for all levels of diver. Maximum depth is 18m and currents are minimal. There are three caves which can be entered. Lobster inhabit the cave as do a myriad of reef fish. Turtles are often seen here. This is also a popular night dive location.

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