Sailing in Cape Verde: The 15 Best Days on Deck

1.All-Inclusive Half-Day Lounge Catamaran Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 486 reviews · 4 hours · from $81Our pick

Sail Sal’s west coast aboard the Lounge Catamaran Sodade, limited to 60 people despite room for 90. You’ll get hotel transfers, towels, snacks, unlimited beer and soft drinks, snorkeling gear, swimming, fishing, and a lively return with Cape Verdean music and dancing. Guides speak five languages.

“The trip was well organised. All the staff were polite,and left you feeling happy. We were extremely lucky too see whales on our trip. Overall an amazing enjoyable boat trip.”

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2.3-hour Catamaran Adventure on the waters of Sal Island

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 349 reviews · 3 hours · from $69

Sail Sal’s coast with Cape Verde Sailing on a relaxed 3-hour catamaran trip for small groups. Expect drinks, light snacks, a short swim or snorkel stop, and possible wildlife sightings. Crews may include Daisy, Wesley, Jair, Marcio, or Anna, with hotel pickup available.

“Super friendly crew. Anna, Joseph and Stephan (hope I didn’t get name wrong) Look after us from the start, drinks, dolphins very chatty and did everything they can to make it special experience. Anna was absolutely fantastic. Thank you guys to make it so special. Not many people on the catamaran make massive difference as well. Snorkelling and sweet pastries at the end of the trip. Highly recommended.”

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3.Lounge Catamaran SODADE Half-Day

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 295 reviews · from $71Top rated

Sail from Palmeira aboard the spacious SODADE catamaran for about four hours. Expect hotel pickup, a stop near Monte Leão in Murdeira Bay, swimming, optional masks, snacks, unlimited beer, wine, and soft drinks, plus a lively musical return with crew members such as Alina, Rony, and Lucy.

“Very friendly crew, good drinks and snacks. The ride was totally enjoyable, we had fun. Choppy seas around Sal aren't a problem for Sodade.”

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4.Catamaran Half Day – Beautiful day on the Atlantic Ocean

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 260 reviews · from $68Best value

From Santa Maria, you’ll spend about three hours aboard a catamaran along Sal’s southwest coast. Daisy, Wesley, and the crew keep the mood friendly while you swim, snorkel, sunbathe, enjoy drinks and local snacks, and watch for dolphins, turtles, and whales.

“Had a blast, sailing with the cats on the CATamaran! :) We had the luck to travel along the dolphins for good 10-15 minutes.”

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5.Lounge Catamaran SODADE Half-Day (Adults Only)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 232 reviews · from $79

Spend four hours aboard the adults-only SODADE catamaran from Santa Maria. Sail from Palmeira to Murdeira Bay, swim by Monte Leao, use the floating pool, snorkel or fish, and enjoy included beer, wine, soft drinks, snacks, and live crew entertainment.

“Great afternoon, the crew were very entertaining. Would definitely recommend. Beer, fizz and soft drinks. Light lunch was sandwiches, pizza, crisps, olives”

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6.Sal Island All-inclusive Adults-only Catamaran

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 163 reviews · 4 hours · from $81

Sail from Palmeira along Sal’s west coast on a new adults-only catamaran. Maria and the friendly crew keep the mood relaxed, with drinks, snacks, music, and a swim stop near Monte Leão. Pickup, towels, and an onboard cava toast are included.

“A atividade foi espectacular! Desde o início até ao final ! Animação a todo o tempo ! Enaltecer a Cláudia que teve uma energia 5 estrelas . Recomendo a 100%”

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7.Sailing yacht half day- with Cape Verde Sailing

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 138 reviews · from $68

Spend three hours aboard Lucy with Cape Verde Sailing, leaving from Santa Maria’s pier in a group of up to eight. Swim, sunbathe, and snorkel when conditions allow, while the crew serves snacks and drinks. Guides including Daniel, Bruno, Ricardo, and Reuben have earned praise for friendly, attentive service.

“Great experience with great skippers/guide! Can fully recommend for a good experience especially with friends”

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8.Full day Sailing yacht – Beautiful day on the Atlantic Ocean

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 70 reviews · from $150

Spend about six and a half hours aboard Lucy, a comfortable sailing yacht off Santa Maria. With a small group of up to eight, you’ll have time for relaxed sailing, snorkeling, lunch, snacks, an open bar, and wildlife watching, with crew such as Alica, Delphi, Bruno, and Marcio caring for the boat.

“Perfect, wat een mooie dag zeilen en chillen. Lekker ontspannend, beetje verbrand door de steeds aanwezige Kaapverdische zon. Een mooie lunch, en als afsluiting een kaasplank. Top day sailing. Thanks guys.”

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9.Sal, Cape Verde: Half day on Cuba Libre sailing yacht

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 27 reviews · from $81

Spend a half-day sailing Sal’s west coast aboard Cuba Libre, a small-group yacht with an attentive crew, open bar, tuna canapés, music, and possible dolphin, turtle, or whale sightings. Bruno and Henrik have earned praise for their friendly care, but swimming and snorkeling depend on sea conditions.

“Great trip! Got a great insight into sailing! It was a fantastic trip with really nice and cool guys on board! Just great! Thank you!”

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10.Half-Day Sailing Yacht Adventure in Sal Island – 3 hours

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 14 reviews · 3 hours · from $69

Sail Sal Island’s southwest coast aboard the classic yacht Lucy with a small group of up to 8 to 10 people. Expect quiet wind-powered cruising, drinks, light snacks, shaded seating, and an optional swim or snorkel stop. Guides speak several languages, though availability can vary.

“Quelle expérience inoubliable lors de notre sortie en voilier ! 🌊⛵ Un immense merci à Daniel et à toute son équipe pour leur accueil chaleureux, leur professionnalisme et leur bonne humeur communicative. Grâce à eux, nous avons vécu un moment magique et rempli d’émotions. Le clou du spectacle : avoir eu la chance d’apercevoir des baleines majestueuses et des tortues marines, un vrai cadeau de la nature ! 🐋🐢 Nous repartons le cœur léger et des souvenirs plein la tête. 💙 Anaïs, Maïssa et Kelly :)”

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11.Catamaran Sailing Tour or Whale Watching at Boa Vista

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 14 reviews · from $84

Join Marc and his crew for about 3 hours and 45 minutes aboard a 13-meter catamaran from Praia do Estoril. Summer trips include sailing around Sal Rei Bay, Djeu Island, snorkeling, and time to relax. Winter trips focus on whale watching under sail, with groups limited to eight people.

“Marc and his friend were great and really looked after us. We had the best time and saw humpback whales once from a distance leaping from the water and then a while later a mother and calf around 30 metres away coming up to the surfacRead more”

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12.Sal Island Catamaran Cruise with All-inDrinks and Snacks

★★★★★★★★★★3.2 · 8 reviews · 2 hours · from $73

Sail from Palmeira along Sal’s coast on a brand-new catamaran with drinks, snacks, music, and room to sunbathe. Maria’s local insight adds context about Monte Leão, seabirds, and the Murdeira Bay marine reserve. Expect a relaxed swimming stop, though space and drink choices may be limited.

“Great vibes, the crew made a lot of effort to keep us entertained. Thank you!”

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13.Private full day – Sailing Yacht

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews

Set sail from Santa Maria at 10:00 a.m. aboard Lucy, a spacious yacht for up to eight people. Captain Lucas and the crew guide you along Sal’s southwest coast, where you may spot dolphins, turtles, whales, and flying fish before snorkeling among colorful fish.

“Got (Covid) ‘stranded’ en familie on Sal Island, Cape Verde for 3 months, having gone there for just a week’s holiday pre Christmas. An amazing experience, and the highlight definitely our wonderful sailing trips with Lucas and team. This is the Read more”

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14.Catamaran cruises on Sal Island

★★★★★★★★★★3.7 · 3 reviews · from $70

Sail aboard the catamaran Bazov from Palmeira along Sal’s west coast. Stop near Monte Leão for open-sea swimming, snorkeling, and time on the front nets, with snacks, drinks, music, and dancing. Hotel transfer is included, and whales may appear from February to May.

“Great experience with extraordinary staff. We saw two whales. Great”

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15.Sal Island All-inclusive Adults-only Catamaran Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · from $81

Sail Sal’s west coast from Palmeira toward Monte Leão on a new adults-only catamaran. Maria and the crew set a relaxed, festive mood with drinks, snacks, music, swimming, snorkeling gear, towels, and African dance routines before returning to shore.

“This was a fun experience from beginning to end. The crew were attentive and great fun. The catamaran was spotless and extremely comfortable. Towels were provided as well as snorkeling equipment. The dancing with the crew to African dance routines was a great way to finish the afternoon. Excellent experience ❤️”

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