When winter settles over the UK and daylight becomes scarce, the island of Sal in Cape Verde offers an irresistible escape. Set in the Atlantic Ocean just off the west coast of Africa, this sun-soaked island has become one of the most appealing winter destinations for travellers seeking warmth, beaches and a relaxed pace of life. With temperatures hovering around 24C in December, Sal provides the kind of reliable sunshine usually associated with much longer-haul destinations.

The island is famous for its sweeping beaches, shallow turquoise waters and beautifully simple scenery. Santa Maria Beach forms the heart of tourism on the island, a long stretch of soft sand lined with colourful fishing boats and gentle waves perfect for swimming.

Visitors stroll the waterfront promenade, watch the skilled kite surfers who flock to the island for its steady winds, or spend afternoons wandering the small-town streets where music drifts from beach bars and restaurants serve freshly caught seafood.

Sal maintains a calm and welcoming atmosphere. Its main town, Santa Maria, mixes local culture with a distinctly laid-back holiday feel. 

The island’s established tourism scene means that everything, from accommodations to water sports, is easily accessible, while still preserving the slower rhythm for which Cape Verde is known.

Nature lovers are drawn to Sal for its marine life. The surrounding waters are warm year-round, making winter months ideal for snorkelling and diving.

Turtles nest on nearby beaches, dolphins often follow boats along the coast, and at certain times of the year, even bring whale sightings.

It’s a destination where sunny days blend effortlessly with adventure, all without the crowds typically found in more commercialised hotspots.

With demand for winter sun continuing to rise, the island is benefiting from increasing investment in tourism and greater international interest.

Accessibility to Sal will soon take another step forward as easyJet has announced a brand-new direct route from Bristol to Sal, launching on May 1, 2026.

This will become the airline’s third UK route to the island, joining its existing flights from Manchester and London Gatwick. The new service forms part of easyJet’s wider expansion next summer, which includes additional connections to destinations such as Bari in Italy, Seville in Spain and Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt.

For travellers dreaming of winter warmth, long beaches and clear blue seas, Sal already stands out as one of the most beautiful and dependable options.

With even easier access on the horizon, this Atlantic island paradise is set to become an even more popular escape in the years to come.