Meliá Dunas Beach Resort & Spa
Santa Maria
Meliá Dunas Beach Resort & Spa is a strong choice for UK travellers looking for a relaxed Cape Verde golf holiday with sunshine, beach time and a nearby round rather than a full traditional golf resort setup. Set in Santa Maria on Sal Island, the resort has direct access to the beach, outdoor pools, restaurants, family rooms, children’s activities and spa and wellness facilities, giving it plenty for couples, families and groups who want an easy all-inclusive-style escape.
The golf angle comes from nearby Viveiro Golf & Country Club, described by the club as the first and only grass golf course in Cape Verde. It is an 18-hole course on Sal Island with Atlantic Ocean views, maintained fairways and greens, and a more unusual desert-meets-green landscape that gives the round a different feel from the usual European golf break.
For golfers, this works best as a sunshine holiday with golf included, rather than a destination built around playing several championship courses. You can enjoy a round or two at Viveiro, spend time on the beach, explore Santa Maria, or make the most of Sal’s relaxed island pace. The resort is also well placed for a simple holiday base, with The Times describing Meliá Dunas as around 15 minutes from the airport and five minutes from Santa Maria town.
For a Cape Verde golf break with winter sun, warm weather, spa facilities and a gentle introduction to golf on Sal, Meliá Dunas Beach Resort & Spa is a practical and appealing option.
Sal Airport
15km


England’s best golf tour operator 2026 winner
Time Zone:
GMT+1
Currency:
€ (Euro)
Temperature:
-4°C - 25°C
Cost of a Beer:
£4.50
Cost of a 3-Course Meal:
£30
Hashtag Guide
About The Area
Santa Maria is a brilliant choice for golfers who want a Cape Verde golf holiday built around winter sun, beach life and relaxed island charm. Set on Sal Island, this lively resort town is known for its long sandy beach, clear warm water, restaurants, shops, bars and water-based activities, with Santa Maria Beach stretching for around 8 km along the coast.
Golf here is still developing, so Santa Maria is better suited to relaxed holiday golfers than those looking for a packed championship itinerary. The key local option is Viveiro Golf & Country Club, which describes itself as the first and only grass golf course in Cape Verde, with an 18-hole course on Sal Island and views towards the Atlantic Ocean. It gives visitors a very different type of round, combining desert surroundings, ocean air and year-round sunshine.
Away from the course, Santa Maria has plenty to keep the holiday feeling full. You can enjoy beach days, kitesurfing, boat trips, diving, turtle experiences in season, island tours, the Pedra de Lume salt crater and the famous Blue Eye at Buracona. The area also works well for easy evenings, with beachside restaurants and a laid-back town centre.
For UK golfers, Santa Maria is ideal if golf is part of the trip rather than the whole trip. Hashtag Golf Travel can help shape a Cape Verde escape around sunshine, resort comfort, island exploring and a few enjoyable rounds in a truly different setting.








