Explore Cape Verde
Explore Cape Verde
5
Cultural ToursEco ToursPrivate ToursNature & Wildlife ToursDay Trips
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
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About
Explore Cape Verde's excursions allow you to enjoy the wonderful nature on the island, in small groups and led by guides who love their job. Sal's first and best Eco-tourism company.
Santa Maria, Cape Verde
Meets animal welfare guidelines
Awards
Travelers' Choice
2024
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
557 reviews
Excellent
506
Very good
42
Average
10
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Lucy0304
Whitstable, UK7 contributions
Jan 2020
Went on the trip through TUI and felt it was definitely worth it. We needed to hire one pair of water shoes, which seem to have been upgraded since some of the reviews here - they were like sturdy clogs which did the job well. The shoreline is rocky and there are urchins so some sort of thick soled water shoe is a must. The guide (Carlos) was very helpful and informative. He told us that they recommend not paying attention to the pet monkeys as using them for tourism is frowned on by local organisations etc. We waded into the shallows and saw many young lemon sharks swim right around our feet at maybe 15-30 cm away. They were very curious but didn't come closer than that. We waded out a little deeper where two larger juveniles were swimming and stayed back. They swam to within about 15 to 20 metres of us and we had some great views. I agree that the shoreline has a lot of rubbish around, but that should make us more aware of ourselves. I asked the guide about it and he told me there are big beach cleans involving locals and companies every two to three months. He also told me that the winds and currents blow so much rubbish onto the beaches that they really struggle to keep up and its a big problem for them. It's a sad sight but important we see it and we try to help these biologists with their work.
Written January 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for this review and I am happy that you enjoyed your time with Carlos and the sharks. It is great to see the sharks in their natural environment and its also good to hear that you appreciate the efforts made by all our staff to keep the beaches and seas clean around Sal. We take part in as many beach cleans as we can and we also inform guests on ways they can help also. Thank you so much for choosing Explore Cape Verde and hopefully we will see you again in the future.
Written March 10, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
LostAtSea94
59 contributions
Nov 2021 • Friends
Bike tour and hike
We recently went on the bike and hike tour around Sal and it was fantastic! Definitely the best tour we have been on during our week in CV.
Our guide, Carlos, picked us up nice and early from our hotel and then took us to a local bike hire shop. We started the tour with a visit to the salt lakes, then proceeded to cycle to the kite surfing beach and then hiked up to Serra Negra mountain. We enjoyed panoramic views of the island and beaches and Carlos informed us about the local culture, economy and history. The team at Explore Cape Verde were very friendly and we would recommend visiting them on your trip (they accept foreign currencies for the tours!)
As we stayed in an all inclusive, the main tours offered were organised by TUI. I would suggest avoiding these. They are overpriced and most of the money is kept by TUI. It is far better to go on a local tour by Explore Cape Verde as they can offer competitive prices and they organise environmentally friendly tours, which help preserve the beauty of CV.
We recently went on the bike and hike tour around Sal and it was fantastic! Definitely the best tour we have been on during our week in CV.
Our guide, Carlos, picked us up nice and early from our hotel and then took us to a local bike hire shop. We started the tour with a visit to the salt lakes, then proceeded to cycle to the kite surfing beach and then hiked up to Serra Negra mountain. We enjoyed panoramic views of the island and beaches and Carlos informed us about the local culture, economy and history. The team at Explore Cape Verde were very friendly and we would recommend visiting them on your trip (they accept foreign currencies for the tours!)
As we stayed in an all inclusive, the main tours offered were organised by TUI. I would suggest avoiding these. They are overpriced and most of the money is kept by TUI. It is far better to go on a local tour by Explore Cape Verde as they can offer competitive prices and they organise environmentally friendly tours, which help preserve the beauty of CV.
Written November 19, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JennieWellerPoley
Aylesbury, UK31 contributions
Jan 2020
Wonderful visit to see the Lemon Sharks. Our guide was so knowledgeable and passionate about his cause. We saw baby sharks and he took the trouble to point out the larger sharks in the ocean further away. Would I go again? Yes I would. I forget his name, but I am sure it began with a G (I would up load a photo if there was the facility). He was so inspiring to listen to- an highly educated person informing me about wildlife in Cape Verde. Thank you Explore Cape Verde!
Written January 18, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi there, I am guessing you were with Jordi, he is an exceptional guide and biologist. I will make sure he reads this review. Thank you for joining us for the shark experience and thank you for choosing Explore Cape Verde, it would our pleasure.
Written March 10, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Ellen
St Buryan, UK14 contributions
Apr 2022 • Couples
If you want to experience baby lemon sharks swimming around your feet then this is 5 star! You’re picked up from the reception of your hotel, the pick up time if on your ticket, I booked on the app when we were already on our holiday and it was easy peasy. The journey is about half an hour or so north from Santa Maria and it’s great to be able to see so much of Sal, you also drive through Espargos the capital of the island. On the way Caroline gave us so much fascinating information about the island, life there and all the conservation, particularly about the turtles! When we got there we rented sea shoes for 2 euros each which are a must because it’s so rocky. It’s not unmanageable though just take it steady and enjoy the view! Lots of baby sharks swam around us and out to see we could see the fins of the bigger sharks! We also saw star fish, crabs, sea slugs etc! The best thing about all of this is they don’t allow groups to feed or touch the sharks, you are seeing them in their natural environment and trying to impact on them as little as possible while your there. Also, there is lots of plastic all over the beaches which js a visual of what we can all do to help the planet. Thank you for a great trip!
Written April 21, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Liza A
Oxford, UK30 contributions
Mar 2024 • Couples
Wow what can I say??! We were picked up from our hotel and the guide was really nice and welcoming. He spoke English which was really good! The information that he gave us was fantastic and it wasn't just about the sharks it was all about the environment of cape Verde and other animals and plants here and where they are found. It was so obvious that he cares a great deal about what he does and how we can all help. We saw loads of sharks and we were told that the guys that feed the sharks to come close are not doing the sharks any good. The sharks were swimming around us without any food ( in fact last year we went to shark bay and went out with one of these guides and we saw more sharks this time without the food!) it is amazing for see the sharks so close (they even swim and touch your legs if you are lucky!)
Can't recommend this tour enough it was well worth the money and we came away with some fantastic videos and photos of the sharks and loads more knowledge too !
Can't recommend this tour enough it was well worth the money and we came away with some fantastic videos and photos of the sharks and loads more knowledge too !
Written March 26, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mark M
22 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
The Lemon Shark experience is well worth the time and money.
A short ride to Shark Bay and your knee deep in shark infested waters. But these sharks are just babies, learning to hunt and scavage before growing large enough to head out into the wilds of the Atlantic Ocean.
We had dozens of them swimming around our feet, and not one took a nibble.
Our informative guide was really interesting and knowledgeable. Apparently sharks really don't like the taste of humans - too much iron in our blood!
If you don't have water shoes or crocs, you can rent a pair for 3 Euros. And make sure to go in your flip flops rather than messing around with trying to dry your feet to put shoes back on.
The Lemon Shark experience included some timely environmental awareness messages as we discussed the impact of our behaviour on the oceans.
Make sure to book with this reputable firm rate than any of firms who act in an unethical manner, such as feeding the sharks to attract them which risks them not developing the necessary skills to survive as adults in the deeper open waters.
Well worth taking a couple of hours out from your Cape Verde holiday to enjoy the Lemon Shark trip.
A short ride to Shark Bay and your knee deep in shark infested waters. But these sharks are just babies, learning to hunt and scavage before growing large enough to head out into the wilds of the Atlantic Ocean.
We had dozens of them swimming around our feet, and not one took a nibble.
Our informative guide was really interesting and knowledgeable. Apparently sharks really don't like the taste of humans - too much iron in our blood!
If you don't have water shoes or crocs, you can rent a pair for 3 Euros. And make sure to go in your flip flops rather than messing around with trying to dry your feet to put shoes back on.
The Lemon Shark experience included some timely environmental awareness messages as we discussed the impact of our behaviour on the oceans.
Make sure to book with this reputable firm rate than any of firms who act in an unethical manner, such as feeding the sharks to attract them which risks them not developing the necessary skills to survive as adults in the deeper open waters.
Well worth taking a couple of hours out from your Cape Verde holiday to enjoy the Lemon Shark trip.
Written November 16, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ben Thomas
2 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
Ventured into Santa Maria and came across you guys, professional shop front which gave us confidence to book. We were not disappointed, professional and knowledgeable guides made the turtle walk better than expected, so much so that we returned and booked the island tour and shark experience. Carlos, Jody and Patrick were great guides and I would highly recommend their tours for individuals, couples or families alike. A+++++
Written August 24, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alex S
17 contributions
Apr 2023 • Couples
We loved the lemon shark experience with Carlos and our driver Stephen. They were both really welcoming and Carlos spent a lot of time telling us facts about the island and Cape Verde in general on the way to the bay which was amazing and we enjoyed! Once there, it was clear Carlos was very passionate and knew so much about the lemon sharks and we spent about an hour in the water being able to have the small sharks swimming by our feet whilst looking at the bigger lemon sharks up ahead. Carlos was amazing and did not use tricks such as trying to bait the sharks with bottles of fish blood like some of the unofficial tour guides. We would 100% recommend this tour.
Written April 28, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lindaadd
Suffolk, UK862 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
We enjoyed our encounter with the lemon sharks in Shark Bay. My husband is a shark fanatic so this was a must for us. It is a short excursion, 2 hours foot to door but this is long enough for this experience.
You are collected from your hotel and glen some Island facts on the way. The group is small and personal. The company owner Jeremy was on our tour and was personable and informative. This company support the local people, the environment and the Island so please favour them over the locals who will offer you a slightly cheaper experience but we witnessed them feeding the sharks, to attract them to their group, which is a huge no no. Please do not use them
We hired the shoes, a must as it is rocky underfoot. They are €2 to hire. We waded in and had several sharks swimming around our feet. The other group did entice them away by feeding them but we saw enough of the. Before they arrived to experience them in their natural environment. The water is warm. The guides give you all the information on these sharks, their habits; breeding; feeding; temperament etc.
A well priced natural encounter that supports locals and protects the sharks
You are collected from your hotel and glen some Island facts on the way. The group is small and personal. The company owner Jeremy was on our tour and was personable and informative. This company support the local people, the environment and the Island so please favour them over the locals who will offer you a slightly cheaper experience but we witnessed them feeding the sharks, to attract them to their group, which is a huge no no. Please do not use them
We hired the shoes, a must as it is rocky underfoot. They are €2 to hire. We waded in and had several sharks swimming around our feet. The other group did entice them away by feeding them but we saw enough of the. Before they arrived to experience them in their natural environment. The water is warm. The guides give you all the information on these sharks, their habits; breeding; feeding; temperament etc.
A well priced natural encounter that supports locals and protects the sharks
Written February 23, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for taking the time to review our shark experience excursion. I am so happy you had a great time with us and the sharks. I have to agree that feeding the sharks is something that needs to stop now and I can assure anyone reading this that Explore Cape Verde will never feed the sharks or be part of any group feeding the sharks. We respect the sharks and the environment they live in. Thank you for choosing Explore Cape Verde and we hope to see you again in the future.
Written March 10, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Lucky_Ange
East Dean, UK89 contributions
Jun 2024 • Family
Took the Lemon Shark experience today with ExploreCV. Great eco-tourism company, love their ethics.
Got collected from the hotel by a minibus and was given a quick run down of the local interest points enroute.
Got a great round up on the lemon sharks and their lifecycle, how endangered they are, then got to wade out and have the young sharks swim around us while birthing sharks were giving birth just beyond the waves.
We would recommend you wear bathing outfits and be fully prepared to get wet. We were told originally swimwear wasn’t necessary but the tide was high and we literally were wet up to the armpits!!
The guide, Niko, who was a marine biologist was very knowledgeable and couldn’t have been more helpful.
Quite a rocky coast so you need to take your time wading out. You can hire crocs if you don’t have beach shoes.
Great trip and good to know some of the proceeds of our trip are also going towards the loggerheads turtle project on the island too.
Got collected from the hotel by a minibus and was given a quick run down of the local interest points enroute.
Got a great round up on the lemon sharks and their lifecycle, how endangered they are, then got to wade out and have the young sharks swim around us while birthing sharks were giving birth just beyond the waves.
We would recommend you wear bathing outfits and be fully prepared to get wet. We were told originally swimwear wasn’t necessary but the tide was high and we literally were wet up to the armpits!!
The guide, Niko, who was a marine biologist was very knowledgeable and couldn’t have been more helpful.
Quite a rocky coast so you need to take your time wading out. You can hire crocs if you don’t have beach shoes.
Great trip and good to know some of the proceeds of our trip are also going towards the loggerheads turtle project on the island too.
Written June 26, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
A Tripadvisor member
Dartmouth, United Kingdom
2 contributions
How is the weather in late March please?
Written February 3, 2020
Windy with temp highs of 25c and lows of 18c
Written December 4, 2019
No, I didn't know that this was a thing.
The best weather to visit the Islands is in April though.
There are many places far away enough from the towns that you could potentially find extremely low light pollution and find some nice night time photography spots.
Written February 4, 2019
We had ten days in August quite a bit of cloud but early 30s during the day I would imagine late 20s it’s pretty stable throughout the year.
Written September 3, 2018
When is the cheapest time to visit Cape Verde?
Where is suitable for walking disabilities? Like the sound of the Melia Llana?
Written March 12, 2018
We went in October the weather was
very good always around 90 degrees
Mostly level for walking and you do have the large golf buggies that will take you about the complex free
Written August 6, 2018
if we come at Christmas will be able to wade with the lemon sharks?
Written November 18, 2017
Yes. The lemon sharks are usually around for most of the year.but even in main season, it's never a guarantee you would see them.
Written November 18, 2017
Why cant i prebook any trips is it because i am a single traveler?when i increase the booking number there is availability.
Written May 31, 2017
Hi Gordon, when I booked my experience I did it through my hotel so have not used thier site. I would suggest that ypu contact they guys via FB messenger, they are really helpful and should be able to advise you further. This experience is suitable for solo travellers as you go in groups. I hope that is of some use.
Regards, Vanessa.
Written June 1, 2017
tillybuss
Tonbridge, United Kingdom
I'm going in early part of June how much money is advisable to take can you use a travel money card to pay for trips etc many thanks in advance
Written May 19, 2017
The only time I needed money was when I went into town and got some souvenirs, for the taxi back from town (3 euro) and when I got some snacks on resort! We booked all excursions at the hotel which had card machines, we took 100 euros for 7 days (we stayed all inclusive) and struggled to spend it!
Written May 19, 2017
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