Time To Kitesurf is a kitesurf and surf school in Santa Maria with a friendly vibe, good equipment and step-by-step teaching. It works best if you have time and patience; it can frustrate you if you expect immediate water time or fast results.

Scuba Team Cabo Verde is a calm, well-organised dive school, great for try-dives and certified divers. Small groups, patient instructors and strong marine life stand out. It works best if you accept that weather and the sea’s pace shape the whole experience.

Santa Maria Dive Center delivers well-run dives, expert guides and strong marine life for both beginners and certified divers. It works best if you stay flexible. Where it can fall short is booking management when your schedule leaves no room to move.

Santa Kite School is a small, safety-focused school centred on real learning. Ideal for beginners or anyone with fear, it stands out for patient instructors, a calm atmosphere, and flexible organisation that prioritises confidence and steady progress over pressure.

Sal SurfCamp & School once had an excellent reputation for its friendly atmosphere and close-knit team, but recent reviews point to disorganisation and reliability issues. It may work if everything aligns, but today it raises genuine doubts.

Mitu & Djo Kite Surf School is a hybrid space at Kite Beach with lessons, rentals and a restaurant. It can work very well for beginners, but creates friction around prices, services and coexistence. It isn’t neutral: the experience depends greatly on who you meet and how you engage.

Island Kite School is strongly beginner-friendly, with patient instructors and a spot that makes learning feel easier. Progress is often fast and safe. It’s not competitive or flashy: you learn properly here, and you actually enjoy the process.

ION Club Sal is a highly structured school with excellent equipment and technical teaching in demanding spots. It suits riders looking for method and progression. It’s less flexible and more expensive than other options, so booking with clear expectations matters.

Filu @ Surf is a windsurf school with patient instructors and a well-kept, relaxed spot by the sea. It works both for learning and for taking a break with a drink. Just note: paired lessons can include waiting time between turns.

Eco Dive School Cabo Verde is often praised for warm, attentive instruction and a safe feeling, especially for beginners. However, a few accounts report serious protocol issues. It works when trust clicks; when it doesn’t, the experience can linger.

Kite Beach is Santa Maria’s most active coastline: constant wind, all-day kitesurfing and simple beachfront bars. Great for riding or watching, not for calm swimming. High energy, little shade and an authentic atmosphere that doesn’t try to please everyone.

Ponta Sinó, known as Kite Beach, is a wide, windy beach near Santa Maria. Great for kitesurfing, long walks and open sea views. Not the calmest for swimming, but it offers space, clean scenery and an untamed island feel.