Catamaran Sailing Tour or Whale Watching at Boa Vista

Sal Rei Bay gives this outing its best feature: you get open-water sailing without being packed onto a large boat. Marc, the captain, keeps the trip personal, and the 13-meter catamaran has room to stretch out, listen to music, watch the water, and settle into the pace of the sea. In summer, the route includes Djeu Island and snorkeling. In winter, the focus shifts to humpback whales, approached under sail when conditions allow.

I like the small maximum group of eight, which matters on a boat more than it does on land. I also like the seasonal design: you get an island stop and time in the bay during summer, while winter offers a real chance to see whales without relying on a noisy, fast approach. The main consideration is nature’s timetable. Whale sightings are never guaranteed, and some people see whales only at a distance.

Key points at a glance

• A maximum of eight people: Expect more personal space than on a standard large catamaran cruise.
• Two seasonal experiences: Summer brings Djeu Island, snorkeling, and sailing in Sal Rei Bay. Winter is dedicated to whale watching.
• A 13-meter catamaran: The boat offers room to sit back during the roughly four-hour outing.
• Beach-to-boat transfers included: A dinghy carries you between Praia do Estoril and the catamaran.
• Simple refreshments onboard: Coffee, tea, another included drink, and fruit are provided.
• Whale watching with restraint: In winter, the crew uses sails when possible to approach whales with more respect for the animals.

Setting sail from Praia do Estoril

Your outing begins at Praia do Estoril near Sal Rei. The listed meeting point is 53CP+W3F, Sal Rei, Cabo Verde, and the activity ends at the same general meeting point after the return transfer.

You do not simply walk from the beach onto the catamaran. A dinghy takes you from shore to the boat, then brings you back at the end. That transfer is included, but plan for a beach departure rather than a marina-style boarding. The description gives 15 minutes for the transfer in each direction, followed by about three hours on the water.

I like this start because it puts you into the setting right away. You are not spending the first part of the tour on a bus or waiting around a harbor. Still, beach transfers can require a little care, particularly if you are carrying phones, cameras, or anything you do not want splashed. Keep valuables protected and follow the crew’s instructions.

The outing lasts about 3 hours and 45 minutes in total. That is long enough to feel like a proper half-day on the sea, yet short enough to leave room for another activity in Sal Rei.

Summer sailing, Djeu Island, and time to snorkel

In summer, the catamaran sails around Boa Vista Bay and Sal Rei. The boat then stops at Djeu Island, where you can transfer ashore, use the time for snorkeling, or stay aboard and relax.

This is the more varied version of the trip. You are not only sailing from point to point. You get a change of scene, a chance to see the island, and time in or beside the water. The stop also gives the outing a useful rhythm: sail, pause, explore, then settle back onto the catamaran.

Snorkeling is offered as an option, not a requirement. That matters if you prefer a quiet day on deck or if sea conditions do not suit you. You can choose to relax onboard rather than treat the stop as a race to get into the water.

The itinerary also mentions a shipwreck and turtles in the bay as possible sights, and one particularly full outing included both, along with a sunset. These are not guaranteed parts of every departure, so I would treat them as welcome extras rather than promises. The dependable core is sailing in the bay, stopping at Djeu Island, and having the choice of snorkeling or relaxing.

Djeu Island is likely to appeal most to people who want more than a basic boat ride. If your ideal afternoon means sun, sea air, a little exploration, and no rigid schedule, summer is the better match. If you mainly want to see whales, book during the winter season instead.

Winter whale watching under sail

Winter changes the purpose of the outing. Rather than visiting Djeu Island, the crew searches for whales in the waters around Boa Vista. The stated approach is to use the sails when possible, which reduces the need for a fast, noisy pursuit.

That approach is important for your expectations. This is wildlife watching, not a staged performance. The boat may find whales at a distance, or it may have a closer sighting. One outing produced a distant view of two whales. Another saw a humpback leap, followed later by a mother and calf surfacing around 30 meters away. Those differences are normal and are exactly why you should allow for luck.

The strongest part of the winter experience is the chance to see humpback whales in the wild while keeping the pace calm. When whales are present, the trip can become unforgettable. When they are not close to the boat, you still have several hours on the open sea, but you should not book this as a guaranteed close-up encounter.

Marc and his crew focus on looking after people onboard while respecting the animals. That balance suits you if you care about responsible wildlife viewing and would rather wait quietly than chase a whale for a photograph.

Bring patience. You may spend stretches of time scanning the water before anything appears. That is part of the outing, not a flaw in the service.

The catamaran and the value of a small group

The catamaran is 13 meters long, and the maximum group size is eight people. That is the detail that most changes the feel of the trip.

A small group gives you more space to sit where you like, move around, and find a clear view of the water. It also makes it easier to hear Marc and interact with the crew without competing with a crowd. One departure had only six people onboard, leaving plenty of room for a peaceful afternoon.

I would choose this boat over a larger cruise if comfort and quiet matter to you. The outing is built around a relaxed pace, with sailing, music, fruit, and time to watch the sea. It is not presented as a high-speed adventure or a party cruise.

Music is part of the mood, and the trip includes fruit plus coffee, tea, or another included drink. You can buy additional drinks from the bar, but those are extra. Since the excursion lasts nearly four hours, the included refreshments are useful, though they should not be confused with a full meal.

The small capacity also helps explain the price. At $84.92 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend time near Sal Rei. You are paying for a limited-capacity boat, a longer outing, crew attention, beach transfers, and seasonal activities rather than a quick sightseeing ride. For people who value room and a personal feel, the cost is easier to justify. If you only want a short trip on the bay, it may feel expensive.

What the three-hour route feels like

The central portion of the trip lasts about three hours, though the full experience includes the two beach transfers. The pace is intentionally unhurried.

You begin with the transfer from Praia do Estoril to the catamaran. Once onboard, the boat heads into the bay for sailing and the seasonal program. Summer departures divide the time between the bay, Djeu Island, and the option to snorkel. Winter departures use that time to search for whales.

I like that the plan leaves room for simple pleasures. You can sit in the sun, listen to music, eat fruit, and watch for turtles or other sea life. One especially full trip included snorkeling, Djeu Island, a shipwreck, turtles, and a sunset, but the exact mix will depend on the season, weather, timing, and what appears on the water.

The return follows the same basic pattern. A dinghy carries you from the catamaran back to Praia do Estoril, and the activity finishes at the meeting point.

Do not expect a long guided tour of Sal Rei’s history or a packed schedule of formal stops. The value is in the time spent at sea, the limited number of people, and the chance to experience Boa Vista from the water.

Comfort, weather, and practical planning

The experience requires good weather. If conditions make the trip unsafe or unsuitable, the operator offers another date or a full refund. That policy is reassuring, but weather can also affect what you see and how comfortable the crossing feels.

Wear clothing suited to sun and wind. Protect your phone and camera during the dinghy transfer, and bring anything you normally need for a few hours outdoors. The provided information confirms drinks and fruit, but not a full lunch, so plan accordingly rather than expecting a meal.

The meeting point is near public transportation. A taxi from your hotel is not included, so you need to arrange and pay for that separately if public transportation is not convenient. Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability, so do not leave this reservation until the last minute if your schedule is tight.

The tour is suitable for most people, but the beach-to-dinghy transfer is worth considering if you have mobility concerns. No detailed accessibility information is provided, so contact CatVerde before booking if you need specific assistance.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted, except when the operator cancels because of weather or because too few people have booked.

Who will enjoy this Boa Vista catamaran trip

I would recommend the summer version to you if you want a calm half-day with several kinds of activity. Djeu Island, snorkeling, sailing, and the option to stay onboard create a flexible outing for couples, friends, and families who do not all want the same thing every minute.

The winter version is best for people who are excited by wildlife but understand that nature sets the schedule. You need to be comfortable with waiting and with a sighting that may be distant. The reward can be a humpback breach or a mother and calf surfacing near the boat, but no responsible operator can promise that result.

This is also a good choice if you dislike crowded excursions. The eight-person limit is not a minor detail. It shapes the whole afternoon, giving you room to relax and making the boat feel more like a shared sailing trip than a standard tour.

I would look elsewhere if you want a guaranteed close-up whale encounter, a full meal, or a busy list of scheduled attractions. I would also think twice if a beach transfer or several hours at sea would be uncomfortable for you.

Should you book CatVerde’s sailing tour?

Book it if you want a small-group sailing experience with a gentle pace and a seasonal reason to go. Summer offers the best mix of sailing, Djeu Island, snorkeling, and downtime. Winter offers the more dramatic possibility of seeing humpback whales, with a crew that tries to approach under sail and give the animals space.

At $84.92, the price makes the most sense when you value comfort, room, and nearly four hours on the water. The strongest reasons to book are the eight-person limit, the 13-meter catamaran, and the chance to experience Boa Vista without a crowded deck.

Just keep your expectations honest. Whales may remain far away, and extra sights such as turtles, a shipwreck, or a sunset depend on conditions. If that sounds like a fair trade for a peaceful outing led by Marc and his crew, this is a strong pick for your time in Sal Rei.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran tour begin?

The meeting point is 53CP+W3F in Sal Rei, Cabo Verde, near Praia do Estoril.

Where does the activity finish?

The activity ends back at the meeting point after the return transfer to Praia do Estoril.

How long does the experience last?

The full activity takes approximately 3 hours and 45 minutes, including about 15 minutes for the transfer to the catamaran and 15 minutes for the return transfer.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is eight people.

What happens during the summer season?

Summer departures include sailing in Boa Vista Bay and Sal Rei, a stop at Djeu Island, and the option to snorkel or relax onboard.

What happens during the winter season?

Winter departures focus on whale watching. The crew tries to approach whales by sailing when possible, with more respect for the animals.

Are whale sightings guaranteed?

No. Whale sightings depend on nature and conditions. Some outings may produce distant sightings, while others may have closer views.

Are refreshments included?

Coffee, tea, another drink, and fruit are included. Drinks purchased from the onboard bar are not included.

Is transportation from my hotel included?

No. A taxi from your hotel is not included. The tour does include the dinghy transfer between Praia do Estoril and the catamaran.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund.