The area known as Shell Cemetery Beach is a roughly kilometer long black rocky beach where large shells and shell fragments wash up from the ocean every morning. It can be found on the eastern edge of the town of Santa Maria, just across the southeastern tip of Sal Island.

Head here early in the morning for a walk on the beach, just like the locals who collect the shells and then clean and sell them on the Santa Maria pier. If you're lucky, you'll even come across large whole shells over 10 centimetres long. Otherwise, you'll find countless parts that have shattered on the rocks and reefs and are left behind - which is why the beach is called the cemetery of shells.

On the way back, before the rocky bedrock ends, you'll find a small sandy beach where you can easily get into the ocean and take a dip.

Hotels by the beach

This area isn't exactly ideal for vacationing, but even so, the suburbs have developed smaller hotel suites that are more welcome for individual travel. The best of them is definitely the 4-star hotel Budha Beach The Senses Collection, but even this is not currently offered by travel agencies.

The nearest hotels are in the centre of Santa Maria, but we recommend the southwestern tip of the island, where you'll find the best 5* resorts. Take a look at our Cape Verde holidays.