The Blue Eye (Olho Azul) at Buracona is a flooded cave on the north-west coast of Sal that glows a vivid electric blue when the midday sun shines into it. It is one of the most visited sights on the island, and one of the easiest to get wrong: arrive at the wrong time and all you see is a dark hole. This guide covers when to go, how to get there, what it costs and how to combine it with the rest of Sal.
The Blue Eye at a glance
| Where | Buracona, north-west coast of Sal, about 6 km north of Palmeira |
|---|---|
| What | A cave connected to the sea, lit blue by the midday sun |
| Conditions | Sunny sky needed; strongest in the summer months |
| Opening hours | Daily, 09:00–18:00 |
| Entry fee | Around €3 per adult, cash; children free |
| Time needed | 30 minutes to 2 hours |
| Facilities | Café-restaurant, toilets and souvenir stalls |
| Swimming | Natural rock pool only, when the sea is calm |
| Getting there | Car, taxi, quad or island tour |
What is the Blue Eye?
Buracona is a stretch of black lava coast where the Atlantic has carved caves, channels and pools into the rock. One of these caves, about 24 metres deep, is open to the sky through a small hole and connected to the sea by an underwater tunnel. When the sun is almost overhead, its light shines through the opening, reaches the sandy floor of the flooded cave and reflects back up as a brilliant blue circle: the Blue Eye, Olho Azul in Portuguese and Odjo Azul in Kriolu.
You view it lying or kneeling at the edge of the opening and looking down. Attendants at the site show visitors where to stand and help with photos.
When to see the Blue Eye
| Before 11:00 | Quiet, good for the rock pool; the Eye is only faintly lit |
|---|---|
| 11:00–13:00 | The Eye glows blue on sunny days; also the busiest time for tours |
| After 14:00 | The glow fades as the sun drops; mostly a dark pool |
| Cloudy days | Little or no effect, whatever the time |
The glow depends on the sun being high, so it is usually strongest in the summer months and weaker in mid-winter, when the sun stays lower. Many island tours stop here around midday for that reason, which makes the viewing platform busy. If you are travelling independently, arrive a little before 11:00, swim first, and watch the Eye brighten as the sun climbs.
For the rest of the year's weather, see weather on Sal.
How to get to the Blue Eye
Buracona is on the wild north-west coast, about 6 km north of Palmeira. From Santa Maria it is roughly 40 minutes by car; from Espargos, less. Follow the signs for Buracona from Palmeira; the last stretch crosses a bare, stony landscape.
- Hire car or 4x4: the most flexible option, and it lets you time your visit for midday. See car rental in Cape Verde.
- Taxi: agree a return price and waiting time before you set off.
- Quad or buggy: many quad tours include Buracona.
- Island tour: the easiest option. Most full-day tours stop at the Blue Eye around midday, along with the salt pans at Pedra de Lume and the lemon sharks at Shark Bay.
There is no reliable public minibus to Buracona.
Book a tour to the Blue Eye
Prices, times and availability are shown on GetYourGuide. Many tours offer free cancellation.
Sal island tour with a local guide
- About 6 hours, hotel pick-up
- Buracona Blue Eye, Pedra de Lume salt crater, Palmeira
- Private option available
Blue Eye private tour with pick-up
- Private trip to Buracona
- Hotel pick-up included
- Timed for the midday glow
Quad and buggy tours on Sal
- Off-road to the wild side of the island
- Small groups with a local guide
- Pick-up in Santa Maria
Affiliate links: we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. How this works.
Entry fee, opening and facilities
- Opening hours: daily from 09:00 to 18:00.
- Entry: around €3 per adult, paid in cash (euros or escudos). Children go free. Prices can change.
- Facilities: a café-restaurant, toilets and souvenir stalls near the entrance. Some sellers can be persistent; a polite no is enough.
- Cards: do not count on paying by card.
- Shoes: the lava is sharp and uneven. Wear closed shoes or sturdy sandals, not flip-flops.
- Shade: there is little. Bring water, a hat and sunscreen for the midday visit.
Swimming at Buracona
Next to the Blue Eye is a large natural rock pool, filled by the sea. On calm days it is a lovely place to swim and snorkel; on rough days the waves wash over the lava platform and the pool is closed. Only swim where and when the attendants allow, never near the blowholes, and never turn your back on the sea. Swimming in the Blue Eye cave itself is not allowed.
For safer beach swimming on Sal, see the beaches of Sal.
What to combine with the Blue Eye
- Palmeira: the island's port village, 10 minutes away, with simple fish restaurants for lunch.
- Pedra de Lume: float in the salt pans inside an old volcanic crater on the east coast.
- Shark Bay: wade among harmless lemon sharks in shallow water.
- Murdeira: a quieter bay on the west coast on the way back south.
More ideas for your stay: things to do on Sal and where to stay on Sal.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best time to see the Blue Eye on Sal?
Between about 11:00 and 13:00 on a sunny day, when the sun is high enough to shine straight down into the cave. The effect is usually strongest in the summer months. In the afternoon or under cloud, the Blue Eye is little more than a dark pool.
How much does the Blue Eye cost?
Entry is around €3 per adult, paid in cash in euros or escudos at the entrance. Children go free. Prices can change, so bring a little extra.
What are the Blue Eye opening hours?
Buracona is open daily from 09:00 to 18:00. To see the blue glow, plan to be there between about 11:00 and 13:00 on a sunny day.
Can you swim in the Blue Eye?
Not in the Blue Eye itself. You can swim in the natural rock pool next to it when the sea is calm, and only where the attendants say it is safe.
How far is the Blue Eye from Santa Maria?
Buracona is on the north-west coast of Sal, about 6 km north of Palmeira and roughly 40 minutes by car from Santa Maria.
Can you visit the Blue Eye without a tour?
Yes. You can drive or take a taxi from Santa Maria or Espargos and follow the signs from Palmeira. There is no reliable public minibus, so most visitors either hire a car, take a taxi or join an island tour.
Is the Blue Eye worth visiting?
Yes, if you time it right. On a clear day around midday the glow is striking, and the lava coast, blowholes and rock pool make the trip worthwhile. Arrive in mid-afternoon or on a cloudy day and it can be a disappointment.
How long do you need at the Blue Eye?
About 30 minutes to see the Blue Eye itself. With a swim in the rock pool, a drink at the café and a walk along the lava coast, allow one to two hours.