A calm day on the Atlantic changes your whole mood. This private sailing trip from Santa Maria gives you a spacious catamaran experience with a crew focused on safety, plus time to snorkel in clear water near the south-west coast of Sal.

What I like most is how you’re not stuck with a crowded tour vibe. Instead, you get a small group and lots of attention, and you also get extras baked in—open bar, snacks, Wi‑Fi, and snorkeling equipment. The one thing to consider is that wildlife and whale sightings are never guaranteed; nature runs the schedule.

Highlights You’ll Actually Notice Right Away

• Small-group private feel on a spacious catamaran, with crew attention
• South-west route around Ponta Sino for a shot at whales, dolphins, turtles, and flying fish
• Snorkeling gear included so you can get in the water without hunting rentals
• Open bar plus snacks and drinks make anchor stops more relaxing
• Wi‑Fi on board is helpful if you want to share photos in real time
• Experienced, safety-focused crew (you’ll see it in how they brief and manage the boat)

Lucy the Catamaran: What “Private” Means on Sal

The big win on Sal is that you can go from a beach day to an ocean day without giving up comfort. This trip sails on Lucy, a catamaran designed to feel open and roomy rather than cramped. And because it’s private for your group (up to 8 people), the experience doesn’t turn into a group scramble. You spend more time looking for sea life, and less time waiting your turn.

You start at the Pier of Santa Maria around 10:00 am, and you end back at the same spot. The listed duration is about 3 hours, so think of this as a focused sailing-and-snorkeling outing rather than a long all-day crawl through stops on land. If you’re hoping for a full day with multiple long on-water legs, this one is more like a premium “best time of day” plan: sail, hunt wildlife, then anchor and get in.

Two things matter here: the boat setup and the pace. The catamaran gives you stable, comfortable movement, and the crew keeps the flow smooth—especially at the moment when the boat drops anchor and it’s time to snorkel or swim.

The Route Around Ponta Sino: Wildlife Time Without the Land Constraints

You’ll head south-west around Ponta Sino, and that’s where the ocean does its best impression of a nature documentary. On this route, you have chances to spot dolphins, sea turtles, flying fish, and even whales—but the key word is chance. The trip explicitly notes that sightings aren’t guaranteed.

Here’s why this part is worth caring about. From shore, you might see the ocean and hope for movement. Out here, you’re in the water’s working space—closer to where animals surface, swim, and pass through. Even if you don’t get whales, you can still get dolphins and turtles, and flying fish are the kind of thing that only makes sense once you’re watching the water from above.

Also, this is one of those trips where crew skill matters more than hype. A good captain and crew know when to slow down, when to change position, and how to keep things safe while you’re all scanning the horizon. If you’ve ever watched people point at the sea while the boat keeps swinging around, you know how frustrating that is. This one is built to avoid that.

Snorkeling by Anchor: What You’re Likely to See

After the sailing portion, you’ll drop anchor and get time to snorkel or swim among colorful fish. Snorkeling equipment is included, which is huge value. You’re not trying to figure out rental availability or wait while someone else gets suited up.

What you see underwater depends on conditions and where the crew positions the boat, but you’re not going in blind. The experience description sets the expectation of colorful fish, and at least one guest added an extra wow moment: the chance to see a sunken Madonna statue while snorkeling. That’s not something you should bank on, but it tells you the water here can have real structure below the surface—not just sand.

A practical note: anchor snorkeling can be smooth, but you still want to respect the water’s rules. Wear your gear snugly, keep your mask clear, and don’t rush the first minutes. If you’re new to snorkeling, go slow at the start—you’ll settle in fast once you feel your breathing and buoyancy.

Crew and Comfort: Captain Lucas and Daniel’s Calm-Handling Style

This is the kind of tour where the crew’s vibe shows up in the details. In particular, the experience often features Captain Lucas and sailor Daniel, and the theme is consistent: a friendly, relaxed atmosphere with a serious commitment to safety.

You’ll feel it in moments like:

• how they manage the deck and get people ready for water time
• how they handle the boat during animal-spotting stretches
• how they keep the group comfortable even when the ocean has its own opinions

Since your group stays small, it’s not just about the captain driving and everyone watching. The crew has bandwidth to help you adjust gear, answer questions, and keep the experience from turning into a stressful rush. That’s part of why this trip gets strong praise: the day feels easy.

The “Included” Part Is the Real Value

Price matters, but the way this one is priced matters even more. It’s $1,051.75 per group (up to 8). That sounds high at first glance—until you factor in that it’s private, and multiple costs are already covered.

Included items in your trip:

• Snorkeling equipment
• Alcoholic beverages (open bar)
• Bottled water
• Snacks
• Soda/pop
• Wi‑Fi on board

So you’re paying for the boat, the crew, and the whole comfortable package. If you split the group cost among several people, the per-person number becomes far more reasonable than it would be for solo bookings where you’d still pay separately for drinks, gear, and transportation.

If you’re the type who hates paying extra for the “good parts” of a day (like gear rentals or buying water all afternoon), you’ll appreciate the way this tour handles it up front.

Timing From 10:00 am: When to Expect the Day to Feel Best

Starting at 10:00 am is a smart choice. Mid-morning tends to be when you’ve got enough daylight for good spotting and good visibility for snorkeling, without the day feeling like it’s already spent. Also, it avoids the early morning wake-up trap that makes vacations feel like chores.

Because the outing is about 3 hours, you should also plan your day around that reality. Give yourself buffer time to get to the pier in Santa Maria without rushing. Bring items that keep you comfortable for a short but active ocean window: sun protection, light swimwear you can dry off in, and something quick to cover up afterward.

Who This Trip Suits Best (And Who Might Prefer Something Else)

This is ideal if you want:

• a private catamaran experience without the high-stress, big-group energy
• wildlife spotting with a route that makes sense from the water
• snorkeling time built into the schedule with gear already included
• a comfortable day that includes food and drinks on board

It’s also a great choice if you’re visiting Sal and want an experience that feels different from the usual beach routine. Sailing adds movement, sea life adds excitement, and anchoring adds that payoff moment when you finally put your head in the water.

The main consideration is expectation-setting. If you only care about whales, you might be disappointed, because sightings aren’t guaranteed. If you’re open to dolphins, turtles, flying fish, and whatever the ocean is offering that day, you’ll likely have a much better time.

Practical Tips to Get the Most From Your Sailing Time

You can make this trip smoother with a few smart moves:

• Bring sun protection. Even with shade on a catamaran, you’ll be exposed while sailing and snorkeling.
• Keep your phone protected. Wi‑Fi is included, but salt water and decks are not forgiving.
• Ask for help with snorkeling setup. The crew can adjust fit and help you get comfortable fast.
• Plan for motion. Even calm water moves a little on boats. If you’re sensitive, take it easy at first and settle in.
• Bring a towel or quick-dry layer. You’ll likely want something after the water time.

And keep one mindset: you’re on the ocean. The best day isn’t the one with guaranteed wildlife—it’s the one where you slow down, scan the water, and enjoy the calm.

Should You Book This Private Full-Day Sailing Trip?

If you want a small-group private sailing experience on Sal with snorkeling gear and food/drinks included, I’d book this without hesitation. The cost is justified by what you get: boat + crew + open bar + snorkeling equipment + Wi‑Fi, all wrapped into one group price.

You should think twice only if you’re specifically hunting one outcome (like guaranteed whales) or you need a true full-day schedule with multiple long stops. Based on the time window, this works best as a short, high-quality ocean block—sail out, look for wildlife, anchor, snorkel, back to port.

If that sounds like your style, this trip on Lucy is exactly the kind of “make the island feel bigger” day that’s worth planning around.

FAQ

How long is the sailing trip?

It’s listed as about 3 hours.

Where does the tour start?

It starts at the Pier of Santa Maria (Santa Maria, Cabo Verde).

What time does it begin?

Start time is 10:00 am.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. It’s private, with only your group participating.

How many people can be in a group?

Up to 8 people per group.

Is snorkeling gear included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included.

Are drinks and snacks included?

Yes. The trip includes alcoholic beverages, bottled water, snacks, and soda/pop.

What kind of wildlife might you see?

You may see turtles, dolphins, flying fish, and whales, but sightings are not guaranteed.

Does the tour require good weather?

Yes. It requires good weather, and if poor weather cancels the trip, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Is Wi‑Fi included?

Yes, Wi‑Fi is included on board.