Barlavento Islands dive sites

Yes, lemon sharks are regularly encountered at several dive sites around Sal, particularly at sites like Shark Point on the southern coast. Nurse sharks are also common. The sharks are wild and free-swimming, and while sightings are frequent, they are not guaranteed on every dive. The best season for shark encounters runs from June to November.

Sal Island is excellent for beginners, with several sheltered sites around Santa Maria offering calm conditions and shallow depths. Multiple dive centres offer PADI and SSI certification courses in various languages. The warm water and generally mild currents make it a comfortable place to learn. More experienced divers can access deeper and more current-exposed sites.

Sal has the most developed diving infrastructure in Cape Verde, with numerous dive centres based in Santa Maria offering daily trips, equipment rental, and certification courses. The island's international airport receives direct flights from Europe, making logistics straightforward. Other Cape Verde islands offer diving but with fewer operators and more basic facilities.

Diving at Santo Antão is arranged through a small number of operators based in Porto Novo or on neighbouring São Vicente island. The ferry from Mindelo (São Vicente) to Porto Novo takes about one hour. Due to the island's remoteness, it is advisable to book dive trips well in advance. Most diving is done as day trips with a local boat captain and guide.

Santo Antão offers a more rugged, expedition-style diving experience with stronger currents, deeper volcanic pinnacles, and less tourism infrastructure compared to Sal. The marine life tends toward larger pelagics due to the nutrient-rich Atlantic upwellings along the island's coast. Sal offers more sheltered sites and a wider range of difficulty levels.