Santa Maria, Sand beach in Sal, Cape Verde
Santa Maria is a wide sandy shore on the southern coast of Sal Island with warm, clear waters. The beach has a gentle slope into the sea and multiple access points where visitors can enter the water.
This shore transformed from a small fishing village into a tourist destination after the nearby airport was built. That change shaped what the place became and how people here earn their living today.
Fishermen work at the pier in the mornings, selling their catch and keeping traditional methods alive. This daily scene reflects how the community has stayed connected to the sea.
Visitors can find changing areas, showers, and small restaurants near the shore. Swimming conditions are good throughout the year, though wind patterns vary by season.
Sea turtles arrive on the beach at night during late summer months to lay their eggs in the sand. This natural event draws people interested in wildlife and happens only during specific times of year.
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