Sal
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£1179(from/pp) SAVE £320pp
£1265(from/pp) SAVE £250pp
An all-inclusive resort located on Algodoeiro Beach, a great base to explore the island of Sal.
The Yhi Spa is the perfect place to unwind, why not treat yourself to a relaxing massage, or a dip in the Jacuzzi, well worth the additional charge.
Beach and pool towels are available for a small deposit which is refundable on the return of the towel card at the end of your stay.
Boasting luxurious facilities and lush tropical gardens, Meliã Tortuga is a haven in Cape Verde’s eternal summer. Each room is decorated in a sleek and contemporary design, creating a unique and comfortable atmosphere. With three pools to choose from, including a kids’ pool, there are no shortage of spots to unwind. If the beach is more your style, the stunning golden sand beach is on your doorstep, complete with a bar and restaurant. The hotel is just a short drive to Santa Maria town, where there are plenty of eateries to enjoy and live entertainment.
Guests can try out a variety of activities throughout their stay, including fishing, scuba diving and even kite surfing, as well as fitness classes, including Zumba. For a more relaxed activity, there are also yoga and board games available to play. Children’s activities are available at the Miniclub Kids & Co (Available for children aged 5 to 12).
Evening entertainment is available each night, both on the beach, at the kids’ club, at the late bar and on the piazza. Dance the night away at a traditional dance show, soak up the sunset with the DJ at the beach and the little ones can enjoy a mini disco every night!
With four bars and a lounge area to choose from you will always be able to sit back and enjoy a refreshment at your leisure. With a pool bar serving soft drinks, cocktails and hot drinks, and a late bar offering an exclusive and elegant place to enjoy a wide range of drinks. Meliã Tortuga boasts five restaurants offering a varied choice of dishes, with one international buffet and four à la carte restaurants.
Official hotel rating: 5 star
Suite
From £1,179pp
Sleeps up to 2
Suites are 430 ft² and are located on either the ground or first floor. They come with a bedroom, queen sized bed, bathtub, TV, cosy living room and dining area, as well as a terrace or balcony with garden view.
Two Bedroom Suite
From £1,221pp
Sleeps up to 4
Two-bedroom Suites are 645 ft² and are located on either the ground or first floor. They come with two bedrooms, one with a queen sized bed and the other with two single beds, a lounge with open-plan kitchen, as well as a terrace or balcony with garden view.
Family Suite
From £1,263pp
Family Suites are 592 ft² and are located on either the ground or first floor. They come with two bedrooms, one with a queen sized bed and the other with two single beds, a lounge, 2 bathrooms - one with a shower and the other with a bathtub, as well as a terrace or balcony with a garden view.
Three Bedroom Villa
From £1,399.50pp
Sleeps up to 6 (4 adults)
Three Bedroom Villas are 1237 ft² and span over two floors. They come with three bedrooms, one with a queen sized bed and two further bedrooms with two single beds, a lounge and 3 bathrooms. They also feature a private pool, a garden and terrace.
White sand beaches and turquoise sea.
Principally a beach resort with long stretches of white sand and an abundance of water sports Sal is really an island for beach lovers as most of the island's sights and attractions can be seen in half a day.
By night, Santa Maria, the main tourist area in Sal boasts a lively atmosphere with a good choice of bars and restaurants.
Sal is the most developed of all the Cape Verde Islands in terms of tourism yet still has a very barren landscape. In the north of the island you will find a salt lake in an extinct volcano crater, an impressive sight. Marine life around the coast of Sal and the rest of the archipelago is high with countless species including flamboyant tropical fish, dolphins and turtles.
Live music plays a huge part in Cape Verdean culture and is often performed live in various bars in Santa Maria during the evening. This is a unique experience and one not to be missed.
A large percentage of visitors come to Sal for the water sports and it's hardly surprising. Sal's long sandy beaches and turquoise water make a wonderful playground for water sports enthusiasts. It is also the perfect place for relaxing in the sun and enjoying long walks along the coastline. Sal is considered to be amongst the world's top five windsurfing locations so it is not uncommon to see bright coloured sails dotted about the ocean. Kite surfing, diving and deep-sea fishing are also very big on Sal. There are plenty of places to hire equipment, have lessons and organise trips.
Santa Maria beach on Sal is simply stunning, offering four and a half miles of golden white sand. You can always find your own piece of paradise here, whether it be enjoying long romantic strolls along the shoreline and relaxing into the pure peacefulness, or hunting out the excellent water sports that the waters provides the perfect playground for.
The following are just a couple of festivals that take place on Sal:
Nossa Sra. De Piedade (Our Lady of Pity) 15th August - Mass, processions, swimming contests and music festival on beach with local musicians.
Santa Maria Festival (Municipality Day) 16th & 17th September - Music festival
It's important to remember that tourism is still very much in its infancy in Cape Verde. There's ongoing development on the islands, so you may see and hear building works, so if there's work taking place in or next to your chosen hotel, we will advise if you we think it will affect your holiday. You may also encounter locals selling paintings and handicrafts, however they're quite harmless.
With constant breezes the Islands don't disappoint for windsurfing holidays and the keenest windsurfer can pretty well count on being able to windsurf every day; however the seas and wind dictate that you need a fairly high level of competence and experience.
Due to their position within the winter tradewind belt, the Cape Verde Islands boast near perfect wind conditions from late November to June and so the Island of Sal has been a popular haven for windsurfing holidays for years.
On Sal, the main area for windsurfing is at the southern end of the island in Santa Maria. The bay here has a white sandy beach stretching for approximately 4km with a steep sand entry in parts.
For the more experienced, seeking the rush of some serious wave riding then a visit to Punta Preta, on the rougher west side, is a must. Waves here can reach up to 8ft running onto a stony shore break.
The Cape Verde Islands are a diver's paradise with wrecks to explore, rich tropical underwater flora and a massive array of fish including shoals of rockfish and bream, dolphins, turtles and sharks.
Cat sharks are frequently seen and with some luck you can also observe tiger sharks, lemon sharks, hammer-head sharks and mako sharks.
We are pleased to offer diving with Cabo Verde Diving based on the beach near the Meliá hotel in Santa Maria, Sal. Dives, courses and equipment hire can be arranged by your resort representatives or prior to your holiday.
Cabo Verde Diving offers dives every day in the morning and afternoon. Night dives and dive packages (6 or more dives) can also be arranged.