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Travel with Purpose
Tourism in Cabo Verde: Protect What You Came to See
Sal’s beaches, wildlife, and coastal ecosystems are globally important. Tourism has transformed the island. It brings economic opportunity, but it is also placing increasing pressure on the island’s ecosystems.
Your choices here directly shape its future.
A Fragile Island Under Pressure
Sal depends heavily on tourism. It is the island’s main economic driver, but also its greatest environmental pressure.
Unregulated or poorly managed tourism can lead to:
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disturbance of nesting wildlife
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degradation of coastal habitats
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long-term damage to fragile ecosystems
Without changes in behaviour and management, these impacts will continue to grow. At the same time, tourism has the potential to protect these environments if it is done correctly.
The difference lies in how it is practised.
What Does Responsible Tourism Actually Mean?
Tourism is often described as sustainable, responsible, or eco-friendly. In reality, much of what happens on the ground does not meet these standards.
Understanding the difference is essential.
Responsible Tourism
reducing harm and leaving a positive impact through individual behaviour
Sustainable Tourism
long-term positive impact for the environment and local community
Ecotourism
nature-based experiences with a positive impact on nature and conservation
In Sal, these distinctions matter.
The island is a critical habitat for loggerhead sea turtles and lemon sharks and coastal ecosystems are highly sensitive to disturbance. Everyday tourism activities can directly affect whether these species survive and reproduce.
Improving tourism starts with changing behaviour.
Why Responsible Tourism Matters
Whether you’re diving with marine life, surfing the waves, or enjoying local cuisine, your choices matter. Together, we can help reduce environmental impact, protect wildlife, and ensure tourism benefits local communities.
Every Visit Has an Impact
Tourism pressure is the result of many individual actions. What you do during your visit matters.
Common harmful behaviours:
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approaching or disturbing nesting turtles and other wildlife
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touching wildlife
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using lights on beaches at night
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driving off-road in sensitive coastal areas
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joining unregulated or wildlife-intrusive tours
These behaviours are still happening and are a major part of the problem.
Guidelines for Responsible Travel
Follow these rules and you will actively reduce harm:
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Respect Nature and Wildlife
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Observe wild animals, like sea turtles, birds, and sharks, from a distance, on land and in water - don’t touch or chase them, as it causes stress
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Never feed wildlife or disturb nesting or resting areas - you will involuntarily harm the species
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Avoid touching corals or removing shells, sand, or rocks from beaches - they are an important part of coastal ecosystems
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Avoid stepping, driving, riding or sitting over plants and dunes - they are natural coastal protection
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Do not participate in illegal hunting, killing, raising, confining, storing, transporting, or trading of wild animals, especially endangered, precious, and rare species
Protect Marine and Coastal Ecosystems
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Use environmentally friendly products that can be reused or recycled such as cloth bags or personal water bottles
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Use reef-safe sun protection when swimming or snorkelling - protect our biodiversity from chemicals
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Reduce your waste and collect any trash you find to help keep our nature clean - our coasts are full of marine debris and local waste management is lacing recycling facilities
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Stay on marked paths and respect local access restrictions - our ecosystems harbour many species, hiding in plain sight that will be disturbed or destroyed when you stray off path
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Try to use less polluting means of transport such as walking or cycling
Support the Local Economy
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Only chose government certified operators and guides and ensure your guides to adhere to wildlife and habitat protecting practices
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Choose environmentally conscious accommodation that invest in sustainable practices such as energy-saving and water-conserving mechanisms and wildlife friendly practices
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Choose handmade, eco-friendly souvenirs instead of products made from wild animals or imported products
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Be mindful of cultural practices and always ask before taking photos of people
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Contribute funds to wildlife and nature conservation activities if possible
Follow Regulations
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Read signage and verify whether you are in a protected area and what activities are allowed, and which are forbidden
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Always follow local rules and guidance from police and protected area staff
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Report infractions if you see illegal behaviour to help keep our biodiversity and ecosystems safe
Where Protection Matters Most
Some areas of Sal are under particularly high pressure and require strict care.
Choose Experiences That Protect Nature
Not all tourism in Sal is responsible.
Some activities contribute directly to environmental damage.
Before choosing an experience, consider:
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Does this activity disturb wildlife?
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Is the operator licensed and following regulations?
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Does it contribute to conservation or simply exploit nature?
Supporting responsible operators helps shift the overall tourism model.
For Visitors
If you are planning your trip, explore how to experience Sal in a way that reduces harm and supports conservation.
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Dedicate minimum 7 days to conservation efforts and become a volunteer
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Clean a section of our beaches yourself
Read through through our pages to learn more about:
Ways to Get Involved
By planning your journey right, you can leave a positive impact on Sal and it’s nature.
Find out more about the top things to do in Sal
Discover more about Sal’s Protected Areas
Support local conservation efforts:
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Find our how you can donate or what material you can bring on our Support page
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Dedicate minimum 7 days to conservation efforts and become a volunteer
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Join our beach clean ups, we advertise on Facebook or just clean a section yourself!
Collect trash bags in easily accessible areas if you cannot dispose of them yourselves and send us a message with a GPS location. -
Contact us to learn more.
Let's make Cabo Verde, a sustainable and enriching destination for years to come!