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Sal Island Lemon Shark Experience with Native Guide

Recommended by 91% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Santa Maria, Cape Verde
Great choice
10+ bookings last month.
  • 2 hours (approx.)
  • Pickup offered
  • Mobile ticket
  • Offered in: English

Overview

    What's Included

    • Hotel pickup and drop-off
    • Native certified nature guide
    • Lemon Shark Experience
    • Water shoes for the activity
    • All necessary equipment
    • Liability insurance
    • Child seat available free of charge upon request
    • Personal expenses

    Meeting and Pickup

    Pickup points

    Select a pickup point

    Pickup details

    Complimentary pickup is available from your hotel, accommodation, Amílcar Cabral International Airport (SID), or another pre-arranged location. If your accommodation is not listed during booking, simply send us the name or address after your reservation, and we'll arrange your pickup accordingly. Your native certified guide will be easy to identify, wearing an official Sal Experiences uniform and ID badge, and holding a clearly visible yellow Sal Experiences sign.

    Operating hours
    .2:30 pm

    What To Expect

    1

    Shark Bay

    Additional Info

    • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
    • Not wheelchair accessible
    • Near public transportation
    • Infant seats available
    • No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
    • Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
    • Baby car seats are available free of charge upon request.
    • Please bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses and a waterproof camera or GoPro if you wish to take your own photos.
    • Water shoes suitable for walking on rocky surfaces are provided free of charge for your safety and comfort.
    • The experience takes place in shallow, knee-deep water.
    • This activity is not recommended for travelers with reduced mobility or difficulty walking on uneven and rocky surfaces.
    • Participants should be physically able to walk on uneven, rocky surfaces.
    • Travelers under the influence of alcohol or drugs will not be permitted to participate.
    • Suitable for most travelers.
    • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 20 travelers

    Cancellation Policy

    You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

    Traveler Photos

    Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)
    Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)
    Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)
    Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)
    Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

    Featured review

    Grant_G
    Amazing from start to finish. Our tour guide Chan was fantastic. Highly advise this operator above all others. Other operators were making people get out after 20mins, Chan said we could have as long as we wanted. We had 40mins with the sharks. Amazing experience.

    Reviews

    4.6
    based on 109 reviews
    Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
    Sort by: Most insightful

    A must!

    ginab1975, Jun 2026
    Just brilliant! Fantastic communication before we went, right through to drop off. We were looked after, and had the best time!

    Great experience! So...

    Becky_H, Feb 2026
    Great experience! So amazing to be so close to these incredible creatures in their own environment. Would highly recommend. The shore is very rocky so sensible water shoes is a must and do take care when walking. It was windy when we went so lots of waves. The sharks are just beautiful though - worth it! 💙

    Lots of sharks to see ❤️

    Clive_P, Oct 2025
    Great experience saw lots of sharks swimming between our legs some quite big ones 😳 Loved it and seeing them in their natural environment was awesome we would recommend.

    Lemon Shark trip

    Sharon_W, Feb 2025
    Well organised. Fun. Collected from the hotel. The lemon sharks were fascinating. Enjoyable all round.

    Great afternoon

    Joanne_E, Jan 2025
    Really enjoyed this trip. Weird having sharks brushing past you. So glad I bought a waterproof case for my phone so I could video them under water

    Nice experience

    Martta_H, Jan 2025
    Very nice experience but not for person who has troubles to move/use legs. I didn’t realise that we are in so deep water-> maybe dry pants would be nice😀

    Baby sharks

    beverley_k, Jul 2024
    Great trip need good water shoes. The shark just swim around around got amazing photos. The tour guide has good local knowledge of the area.

    Shark watching

    Darren_S, Jul 2024
    Great time observing lemon sharks in Thier natural environment with great guides . Very knowledgeable and friendly safe sea to walk in.

    Nice sharks but average experience

    Vikaash_B, Sep 2023
    Nice experience but unfortunately in a Portuguese group and guide in at the site spoke Portuguese while we specifically pointed out that we wanted an English guide which was an option. Looked like we were put in a different group because we switched cars halfway there. That was disappointing

    Fantastic must do experience

    Jenny_W, Sep 2023
    Fantastic must do experience, excellent guide Nanny made a wonderful experience even better.. thank you.

    Excellent adventure

    Helga_S, Aug 2023
    Everything was excellent The staff the sharks Recommended 100% ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ Excellent adventure Worth trying it

    Great experience

    Natalia_K, Feb 2023
    Great experience, nice team, all went well. The weather was not the best (low tide) but guys were very supportive and brought positive vibes. Thanks

    The best experience, must visit!

    Christina_A, Aug 2022
    The experience was incredible. From the moment the drivers picked us up right till they dropped us off. We got some useful information whilst on the drive there and back about the island and things to do. Once we got to shark bay, we were given shoes which was included in the price ( otherwise they have to be rented). We had a lovely guy who led us out in to the sea and gave us a lot of information! The water was so clear and the lemon sharks were easily seen and so many of them. We even spotted a bigger shark further out! Being able to see them in their natural habitat was amazing for such a small price too!

    Response from Host, Sep 2022

    Thank you for recomming us Christina, our mission is to offer you a unique experience and make sure you enjoy in the best way your vacation and we are glad that you are satisfied. We will be pleased to welcome you again on Sal island and show you more Sal highlights. Have a great day.

    Shark paddle

    Nicola_F, Aug 2022
    Great service from start to finish. Quite an experience to paddle with the sharks. We didn't have to wade too far out and the sharks just swam around our legs. Definitely need water shoes, these were all sorted through the booking. Fab experience. Chan the guide was so friendly. Only negative and this is nothing to do with the tour operators but when we arrived it really upset us that one of the locals had a monkey on a chain!! Not acceptable in this day and age.

    Sharky

    Hugo_S, Jul 2022
    It is so nice to see the litlle lemonsharks surround you woensdag tot stand unto your kees deep in the warm waters of the rock ocean floor. I had planned to swim with thebigger ones but they are verry shy so you would have to go much further intoo the bay which was not recommended by our guide..

    Amazing island tour!!

    Vanessa_T, Jun 2022
    Great tour of the island! Seeing baby sharks in Shark bay, swimming in the salt lake, the blue eye buracona - best day of the holiday so far!

    Response from Host, Jun 2022

    Thank you for recomming us Vanessa, our mission is to offer you a unique experience and make sure you enjoy it in the best way and we are glad that you are satisfied. We will be pleased to welcome you again on Sal island and show you more Sal highlights. Best regards

    Sharktastic experience

    BertJan_V, Jun 2022
    Great trip, well arranged by Sal Experience team from the booking and onwards. Updates via whatsapp and also quick response in case of questions

    Best tour in Sal

    Grant_G, Jun 2022
    Amazing from start to finish. Our tour guide Chan was fantastic. Highly advise this operator above all others. Other operators were making people get out after 20mins, Chan said we could have as long as we wanted. We had 40mins with the sharks. Amazing experience.

    Shark experience

    Emma_I, Mar 2022
    Great communication, lovely guides, fab experience! Would 100% recommend this company and tour to any visitors to the island.

    Awesome

    Christopher_T, Jan 2022
    Great experience,amazing to see these sharks in their natural habitat.our guide chan was brilliant,highly recommend this tour

    Response from Host, Jan 2022

    Hi Christopher, thank you for taking the time to rate our service, we are very happy you enjoyed the day and had a great experience, that is our mission! Shark experience is a must do for all wildlife lovers visiting Sal island, Cape Verde and Chan is really a great guide, passionate and very knowledgeable. Thank you!

    Shark bay

    Eva_V, Nov 2021
    Really beautifull to see the baby sharks! Chan was very friendly and helpfull. We will book another tour to see more of the island with them.

    Response from Host, Jan 2022

    Hello Eva, thank you very much for taking the time to rate our service, we are very happy that you enjoyed your day and had a great experience, that is our mission! Chan is a really great guide, passionate and very knowledgeable. It was a great pleasure to welcome you here and provide you with this experience, a must do for a nature and wildlife lover visiting Sal island, Cape Verde, Thank you!

    Made my girlfriends holiday!!!

    Michael_T, Nov 2019
    We had a slight issue with response to emails regarding timings etc but this turned out to be just the way that our guide worked. He was early to pick us up from the hotel and in fact the time we got to the bay was perfect just as our guide said as it was alot quieter. We got amazing videos or the sharks and the look on my girlfriends face when we saw them so close made the day and our holiday.A great trip and would happily recommend this to anyone.

    Response from Host, Mar 2022

    Thank you for recomming us Michael, our mission is to offer you a unique experience and make sure you enjoy it in the best way and we are glad that you are satisfied. We will be pleased to welcome you again on Sal island and show you more Sal Experiences highlights. Best regards

    That they picked up earlier...

    Camilla_W, Mar 2026
    That they picked up earlier than it said on the ticket was a minus we had to rush. Got a message 10 minutes after we were supposed to meet the bus. Even so, it was cool to experience. Awesome when the sharks swam between their legs. You should have good balance to be able to go out to the sharks because there are rocks and corals on the bottom and long way out until you get to your knees. Recommend seeing sharks in their natural habitat.
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    Haie da - gäste glücklich!

    Andre_M, Apr 2024
    Die Haie waren beeindruckend und in grosser Zahl anwesend. Die Fahrt pünktlich und der Begleiter mehrsprachig und sehr freundlich. Es gab keine aufdringlichen Verkäufer was den Ausflug uns entspannt geniessen liess.

    Response from Host, May 2024

    Vielen Dank, dass Sie uns empfohlen haben, Andre! Unser Ziel ist es, Ihnen ein einzigartiges Erlebnis zu bieten und sicherzustellen, dass Sie das Beste aus Ihrem Urlaub machen, wir freuen uns, dass Sie zufrieden sind. Besuchen Sie uns regelmäßig, wir freuen uns, Sie begrüßen zu dürfen und Ihnen weitere Highlights der Insel Sal zu zeigen. Beste grüße

    Hele leuke ervaring!

    Peter_Z, Sep 2023
    Leuke ervaring en heel goed te zien en goed te doen voor iedereen voorzichtig lopen in warm water en je ogen uitkijken naar de baby’s

    Trop mignon 🦈

    Steven_B, Jul 2023
    Très belle aventure et expérience 🤩 Suite au contact avec l’organisateur, nous avons rajouté l’excursion à la saline dans le cratère de Pedra de Lume. Le guide parle parfaitement français et anglais.

    From $34.98

    per person

    up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)

    Book ahead!
    On average, this is booked 16 days in advance.

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