It is exciting to swim in a natural swimming pool. It is in general a pool mainly separated from the sea with rocks which makes the lagoons much warmer and more pleasant to dive in. The inviting pools are surrounded by spectacular scenery. Fancy a dip in a natural swimming pool? We have covered the best natural pools from the Cape Verde. Enjoy your dip!
Sal – Buracona
A famous and fantastic natural swimming pool in an area of lava rock coast with a beautiful ocean view. One part is called the Blue Eye. This is a gap in the rock that reaches down the ocean floor which is filled with minerals. As the sun hits the water inside the hole, the water turns into intense turquoise blue. This is of a rare beauty. Besides, the spot has underwater communication with the ocean and therefore it is also a very interesting diving spot. Swimming can be done in the natural lava pool connected to the Blue Eye. To avoid many other visitors go early to this spot on Sal.
Sal – Salt crater of Pedra de Luma
The salt crater is created from natural filtration in volcanic rock. The salt pounds are located inside a low volcano crater, though it is not longer active. The salt lakes have all kind of beautiful colors from pink to green depending of their stage. You can go swim in the salt lakes that are more than 25 times more salt than the ocean and therefore you will float on top of the water. You will float as you swim in one of saltiest waters in the world. Just like in the Dead See, it is a great experience you should not miss if you are visiting the Cape Verde Islands. For a superb view of the area it is recommended to climb to the top of the crater.
Sao Nicolau – Juncalinho
Situated on the North side of Sao Nicolau you will find the natural basalt swimming pools of Juncalinho. You can dip here in the amazing pools with blue and green colored water. Try to go there when the sea is in a calm state, then the pool just lies beyond the reach of the swell. You can get here in about 20 – 30 minutes with an algueres (mini bus) from Ribeira Brava.
Fogo – Ponta da Salina
Lava has formed here a natural swimming pool which is close by the village of Sao Jorge (north of Sao Filipe). Ponta da Salina is also the best place to swim on Fogo as the sea is mostly not calm. The black rocks and the cove make it with the white sea spray a place worth to visit.
Brava – Fajã de Agua
One kilometer south of the village Faja de Aqua there are beautiful natural swimming pools where you can bathe when the waves are not too high. Here you also have an amazingly view over the beautiful bay. When you also want to go to the beach, just walk a little further to the south and you will find a dark sand beach at Porto Portete.
Sao Vicente – Baía das Gatas
A semi natural barrier creates a lagoon which forms an immense natural swimming pool. This superb lagoon is located 12 kilometers from Mindelo town. There are some restaurants near the beach and during full moon in August it hosts a famous festival with music and eating. It is one of the best swimming spots on Sao Vicente.
Boavista – Olho de Mar
Heading to Olho de Mar you will also find the Morro Negro lighthouse. This lighthouse is built on a large rock at 150 meters high and offers a stunning panorama view. The Morro Negro lighthouse is the Eastern point of Boavista and of all the Cape Verde islands. Along the same track the wonderful and small natural swimming pool of Olho de Mar is located. It is carved out of lava by the waves and it is overlooked by a cliff with a kind of human face. You also have a small waterfall and a stream when it has rained.
Cannot get enough of these beautiful pools? Then have a look at our selection of the most beautiful infinity pools in Cape Verde.
Hans says
On São Vincente the beach you discribe is horrible poluted by the plastic soup.
We just did a 3,5 hour hike there and felt forced to walk on the mainroad as the sight of plastic was too depressing.
Cabo Verde has a huge plastic problem also on land.
CapeVerdeIslands.org says
Hello Hans,
Thanks for sharing, that does not sound well. We have been at the natural swimming pool Baia das Gatas a couple of weeks ago and we did not see any plastic there. It seems that the strong wind from the last weeks blow a lot of plastic to this area, coming also from the main land of Africa.
Best,
CapeVerdeIslands.org