Buracona – Blue Eye: where nature puts on a show and you wait your turn in the sun

Buracona – Blue Eye, Sal Island

Buracona – Blue Eye: where nature puts on a show and you wait your turn in the sun

The first time you visit Buracona someone inevitably tells you: “It’s a must-see.” And you believe it, of course. You arrive, pay the entry fee, wait in line under the sun, and when your turn finally comes, you get exactly five seconds to decide whether it was worth it. Welcome to the place where nature gives everything… and tourism logistics lag a little behind.

General description

Buracona is a volcanic bay on the northwest coast of Sal Island, famous for the “Blue Eye”: a cave where, at the right angle and the right time, the sun shines through an opening and turns the water into a glowing electric-blue circle. When the effect works, it’s stunning; when it doesn’t, you’re basically staring at a very deep hole with fairly dark water.

The surroundings, however, are next-level: black lava cliffs, waves crashing hard into the rocks, quirky volcanic formations, and a developed area with a natural pool, viewpoint, small geological museum, restaurant and souvenir shop. Well maintained, but clearly geared toward the tour-group circuit: arrive, take photos, buy magnet, move on.

The entry fee is about 3 euros per person. Cheap for what the site offers… expensive if you arrive on a cloudy day and the famous eye stays in “black-eye mode.”

How to get there

Buracona is located about 6 km north of Palmeira, at the end of a dirt road seemingly designed to test how patient you are with vibrations.
You can get there by:

• Rental car
• Taxi
• Organised tour

The final stretch is a dirt track—bumpy but manageable. There is no public transport, and if you come by bike, prepare yourself: beautiful scenery, but the terrain doesn’t help.

Inside the site there is a parking area and clear signage to everything: the cave, viewpoints, natural pool, museum… and of course the souvenir shop you’ll inevitably walk through.

What to do

Although everyone comes for the Blue Eye, the place offers more than a quick peek:

• See the Blue Eye: the main attraction. The access is slightly tricky, with uneven rock and limited handrails. Move slowly and wear good shoes.
• Swim in the natural pool: when the sea allows it, it’s fantastic. Crystal-clear water, a rock-carved pool, and a sort of volcanic hard-mode jacuzzi vibe. With strong waves, access is closed.
• Climb the viewpoint: panoramic views of the volcanic shoreline, crashing waves and, on the right day, a spectacular sunset.
• Visit the geological museum: small but helpful to understand the landscape.
• See the Cape Verde shell map: a quirky and unexpectedly charming touch.

A typical visit lasts between 45 minutes and 1.5 hours, depending on the queue for the Blue Eye and how much time you spend exploring.

Practical tips

Closed shoes with good grip: the terrain is rocky and slippery.
Water and sunscreen: most of the visit is under direct sunlight.
Patience for queues: on excursion days, the line to view the Blue Eye can take 10 to 30 minutes or more.
Prices: entry 3 euros; restaurant and souvenirs inside, with tourist-standard pricing.
Swimming conditions: the natural pool only opens when the sea is calm.

If you’re an advanced diver, there is the option to dive into the cave, with two underwater entrances. This is strictly for Advanced Open Water level or higher: currents, darkness, a technical entry and mandatory dive light.

Best time to visit

The Blue Eye effect only appears with high sun, clear skies and between 10:00 and 14:00. No sun = no blue halo.

Still, the site is worth visiting for its volcanic cliffs, the natural pool (if open), and the dramatic coastline—especially at sunset.

Is it worth it?

It depends on the sun and your expectations.
If you arrive on a clear day, at the right hour and without a crowd, Buracona is a fantastic stop.
If you get clouds, long queues and the pool closed… you’ll understand why some call it a “tourist trap.”

My honest take: it’s worth including in a Sal Island tour. The landscape alone makes up for the queue chaos.