Book private or shared sailing tours from Vila Franca do Campo aboard the catamaran Explora.
Browse available tours below.
Sail along the Vila Franca do Campo coastline to the famous natural islet pool — 2.5 hours of swimming, snorkeling and paddleboarding on a 47ft catamaran. Available as a private charter or shared tour.
Explore Tour →Watch the Azores sun dip below the Atlantic horizon from the deck of a 47ft catamaran. Enjoy cocktails, snacks and golden light along the coast of Vila Franca do Campo — available as a private charter or shared tour.
Explore Tour →A full-day private sailing adventure along the stunning south coast of São Miguel — 7 hours of sailing, swimming, snorkeling and a chef-prepared lunch aboard the 47ft catamaran EXPLORA. Exclusively yours for up to 21 guests.
Explore Tour →* Lowest off-peak rate — varies by date.
Discover São Miguel from the ocean with SailZen, a local sailing company based in Vila Franca do Campo, on the south coast of the island. Our sailing tours are designed for guests who want more than a simple boat ride: they are personal, comfortable and shaped by the rhythm of the wind, the sea and the island.
Aboard our sailing catamaran Explora, you can enjoy private and shared sailing tours along the volcanic coastline of São Miguel, with ocean views, sheltered bays, swimming moments when conditions allow, and the beautiful scenery of the famous Islet of Vila Franca do Campo.
Whether you are looking for a private catamaran tour, a shared sailing experience, a sunset tour, a family boat trip or a special celebration at sea, SailZen welcomes you onboard with comfort, safety and a true Azorean spirit.
Our sailing tours depart from Vila Franca do Campo, one of the most beautiful coastal areas of São Miguel and a privileged starting point to explore the south coast by sea.
Private tours are ideal for couples, families, groups of friends, celebrations and small company moments. With the boat reserved for your group, the experience becomes more personal, flexible and comfortable.
For guests who prefer to join a smaller group, our shared sailing tours offer a relaxed way to enjoy SailZen without booking the full boat privately.
Depending on the weather and sea conditions, we may sail along the coast, enjoy time at anchor, swim in the Atlantic, use snorkeling equipment or simply relax onboard with a drink from our SailZen Floating Bar.
As always at sea, the final route is adapted to the conditions of the day. Safety comes first, and our crew will always choose the best possible sailing experience according to wind, waves and visibility.
SailZen offers sailing tours in São Miguel, Azores, but we are not a licensed whale-watching operator. For this reason, we do not sell, advertise or promise whale and dolphin watching experiences.
During our sailing tours, natural encounters with marine wildlife may sometimes happen, as we are sailing in the Atlantic Ocean, where whales, dolphins, turtles and seabirds can occasionally be seen. However, these encounters are always natural, unpredictable and never guaranteed.
When wildlife appears during a SailZen tour, we enjoy the moment respectfully and without changing the nature of the experience. We do not chase animals, approach them intentionally, or operate the tour as a whale-watching activity.
Our focus is sailing: enjoying the wind, the sea, the coastline of São Miguel and the comfort of our catamaran Explora.
If your main goal is to go whale watching in the Azores, we recommend booking with a properly licensed whale-watching company.
SailZen offers different sailing tours in São Miguel, Azores, depending on the size of your group and the style of experience you are looking for.
Our VIP Experience is designed for guests looking for a more exclusive and refined private catamaran tour in São Miguel.
This experience is ideal for couples, families or small private groups who value extra comfort, privacy and a more intimate onboard atmosphere.
The VIP Experience includes:
Our Classic Experience is the best option for larger private groups looking for a relaxed and comfortable boat tour in São Miguel.
This private catamaran experience can welcome up to 21 guests onboard, making it ideal for:
The Classic Experience offers a spacious and social atmosphere while still keeping the SailZen feeling: personal, warm, professional and connected to the sea.
Our shared sailing tours are perfect for guests who want to enjoy SailZen without booking the full boat privately.
To maintain a genuinely high level of comfort, space and quality onboard, we limit our shared tours to a maximum of 12 guests.
This allows everyone to enjoy more space, better service and a more relaxed sailing experience along the south coast of São Miguel.
A sunset sailing tour in São Miguel is one of the most beautiful ways to end the day in the Azores. As the island softens into golden light, we sail along the south coast and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of the Atlantic.
This experience is perfect for couples, families, honeymooners, small groups and private celebrations looking for a relaxed and memorable evening onboard.
Drinks are available for purchase through our SailZen Floating Bar, so you can enjoy the moment with comfort while the ocean sets the pace.
In summer, sunset tours usually depart in the evening according to the sunset time, with the exact schedule adjusted depending on the season.
When sea conditions allow, our sailing tours may include time for swimming and snorkeling in a beautiful sheltered area along the south coast of São Miguel.
The Atlantic Ocean around the Azores is full of life and colour, and even a simple swim from the boat can become a special memory.
Snorkeling is always subject to safety, visibility and sea conditions. Our crew will decide the best and safest option on the day.
We never force the ocean. We follow it.
The Islet of Vila Franca do Campo is one of the most iconic natural landmarks in São Miguel. During our sailing tours, guests often enjoy beautiful views of the islet from the sea, especially when conditions allow us to sail nearby.
Please note that entering or anchoring inside the islet is not possible due to local regulations. Access to the inside of the islet is only available through the official ferry service.
With SailZen, the experience is different: we enjoy the islet from the perspective of a sailing boat, surrounded by ocean, wind and the volcanic landscape of São Miguel.
SailZen is not a mass-tourism boat trip. We are a small local sailing company, and every experience is prepared with care, attention and respect for the sea.
Our tours are suitable for travellers who want a more personal way to discover São Miguel: families looking for a special holiday memory, couples celebrating a meaningful moment, friends sharing time together, or companies planning a relaxed private experience for a small team or VIP guests.
The atmosphere onboard is comfortable, warm and informal, but always professional. We like to keep things simple, beautiful and well prepared.
A sailing catamaran is a comfortable and stable choice for exploring São Miguel by sea. Compared with smaller boats, it offers more space to relax, easier movement onboard and generous social areas for couples, families, groups and private events.
Our catamaran Explora was chosen for performance, comfort and safety. It is spacious, elegant and ideal for sailing tours, private charters, sunset experiences and multi-day adventures in the Azores.
This is not just transport. It is part of the experience.
To ensure a smooth, safe and high-quality experience for everyone onboard, outside food and drinks are not permitted during SailZen tours.
Drinks are available for purchase onboard through our SailZen Floating Bar. Exceptions apply for children and guests with medical requirements.
For selected private experiences, food and drinks may be included or adapted according to the experience booked.
The Azores are wild, beautiful and Atlantic. That is exactly what makes sailing here so special.
Every SailZen tour depends on weather and sea conditions. Wind, waves, visibility and safety are always considered before and during each experience.
Sometimes the best route is not the longest one, but the one that gives guests the most comfortable and enjoyable time at sea.
Our motto says it best:
GoWhereTheWindWillTakeYou
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance to protect your booking in case of unexpected travel changes, delays or personal circumstances.
