At Shark Bay (Baía dos Tubarões) on Sal's east coast you wade into shallow, clear water while juvenile lemon sharks glide past a metre or two away. It is the most memorable half hour on the island for many visitors, and it is entirely safe: these are young sharks in their nursery, not predators looking for company.
Shark Bay at a glance
| Where | East coast of Sal, near the salt flats south of Pedra de Lume |
|---|---|
| How | Wade out from the shore with a guide |
| Bring | Water shoes, sun protection, cash |
| Not suitable for | Anyone unsteady on sharp, uneven rock |
| Combine with | Pedra de Lume and the Blue Eye |
How the visit works
You park above the bay and walk down to a rocky shelf. Old shoes or rented booties are essential, because the bottom is sharp volcanic rock. You wade out to knee- or thigh-deep water and stand still while the guide positions the group.
Within a few minutes, lemon sharks a metre or so long begin to pass, drawn by the shallow nursery water rather than by food. Responsible operators do not feed them, so their behaviour stays natural: slow, curious passes rather than a feeding frenzy. The whole visit usually takes half an hour to an hour.
Is it safe, and is it ethical?
Safe: juvenile lemon sharks are not dangerous to humans, and no serious incident has been recorded at Shark Bay. Move calmly, keep your hands to yourself and stay where the guide tells you.
Ethical: this is a shark nursery, and the animals are here because the shallows protect them. Choose an operator that does not feed the sharks or let people grab them, keep groups small and time your visit with the tide rather than chasing the animals into deeper water. Do not visit if the sea is rough.
You will not meet these sharks on Sal's swimming beaches; they stay in the shallow bays of the east coast. For where to swim, see the beaches of Sal.
Getting there and when to go
- Getting there: about 10 to 15 minutes by car from Santa Maria, on the east coast. Taxi, hire car, quad or organised tour.
- Tide: go at low tide, when the water is shallowest and the sharks are closest.
- Shoes: water shoes or old trainers; flip-flops are useless on the rock.
- Money: bring cash for the local fee and booty rental.
- Children: fine for confident children who can stand steadily in moving water, with an adult beside them.
Tours that include Shark Bay
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
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
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Frequently asked questions
Is Shark Bay on Sal safe?
Yes. The lemon sharks in the bay are juveniles, about a metre long, and are not dangerous to people. There has never been a serious incident there. Keep calm, stay upright and follow your guide.
What sharks are at Shark Bay in Cape Verde?
Juvenile lemon sharks. The shallow bay is a nursery where young sharks spend their first years before moving into deeper water.
When is the best time to visit Shark Bay?
At low tide, when the water is shallow and the sharks pass closest to the shore. Ask your guide or hotel for the day's tide times.
Do you need water shoes at Shark Bay?
Yes. The bottom is sharp volcanic rock and shell. Bring old trainers or water shoes, or rent booties at the site.
Can you visit Shark Bay without a tour?
You can drive there yourself, but a guide knows where the sharks pass and keeps the group from crowding them. Most visitors come on an island tour or a dedicated excursion.
Can you swim or snorkel with the sharks?
No. You wade in knee- to thigh-deep water and watch. Swimming and chasing the animals is not allowed, and there is nothing to see with a mask in such shallow water.