Sal Island: Catamaran cruises on Sal Island

Sal looks different from the water. This catamaran trip gives you wide coastal views, a swim near Monte Leão, and a pleasant break from the island’s dry inland scenery. I especially like the chance to float on the catamaran’s front nets and the possibility of spotting whales or dolphins on the return trip.

The $70 price includes hotel transfer, the cruise, snacks, and drinks, which makes it a fair half-day outing for anyone wanting an easy day on the sea. The main caution is the boat’s diesel smell: one sailing had enough fumes in the cabin to make several people sick, and snorkeling was not possible.

Key points to know before booking

• Monte Leão swim stop: After roughly an hour from Palmeira, the catamaran anchors near this distinctive coastal landmark for swimming.
• Front nets over the water: You can stretch out above the sea, then dry in the sun while the boat rests at anchor.
• Whale season runs from February to May: Sightings are not guaranteed, but one outing saw two whales and another saw one.
• All-inclusive onboard service: Snacks and drinks are included, with music and dancing during the cruise.
• Marine nature reserve: Murdeira Bay protects important sea turtle and seabird populations.
• A real comfort concern: Diesel fumes affected snorkeling on at least one trip, so anyone prone to seasickness should plan carefully.

Leaving Palmeira for Sal’s west coast

Your day begins with pickup from your hotel, followed by boarding the catamaran Bazov at Palmeira port. The cruise then follows Sal’s west coast, giving you a view of the island that you cannot get from the road.

From the deck, Sal appears spare and open. The coast slips past while you settle into the rhythm of the boat. There is no long list of scheduled sights to memorize. The point is to sit, watch the shoreline recede, and enjoy several hours with fewer decisions to make.

I like this start because it lets you see Sal from a fresh angle without turning the trip into a demanding excursion. Pick a comfortable place, protect yourself from the sun, and let the captain handle the route.

The trip takes about an hour to reach Murdeira Bay. That is a useful detail when planning your day. You will spend a meaningful part of the outing underway, so this suits you best if you enjoy being on the water rather than needing constant activity.

Murdeira Bay and the Monte Leão swim

The main stop comes near Monte Leão, a characteristic coastal feature and one of the most appealing points on the route. Here, the captain drops anchor so you can swim in the clear open sea.

This is not a sheltered beach stop. You enter the water from the catamaran, which gives the swim a more direct, boat-trip feel. If you are comfortable in open water, it can be a refreshing change from a hotel pool or sandy beach.

You can also use the nets at the front of the boat. They place you above the sparkling water, close enough to feel the movement of the sea without actually swimming. This is likely to be one of the nicest parts of the trip for anyone who would rather sunbathe than get wet.

Bring a towel for the return to the deck. The boat’s setup gives you two easy choices: swim and dry in the sun, or claim a place on the nets and enjoy the view from just above the water.

The bay is a marine nature reserve because of its important populations of sea turtles and seabirds. That adds value to the stop, even if you do not see wildlife during your own visit. Keep your expectations sensible. The reserve status protects the area, but it does not promise a turtle sighting or a particular snorkeling experience.

Snorkeling, swimming, and the diesel question

The trip is presented as a swimming and snorkeling cruise, but snorkeling may be the less reliable part of the day. One outing had such a strong diesel smell in the cabin that several people became sick, and the snorkeling activity could not go ahead.

That does not mean every sailing will have the same problem. Still, it is the clearest practical warning attached to this experience. If you are sensitive to fuel smells or prone to motion sickness, stay in the open air when possible and consider bringing any personal remedy you normally use for boat trips.

The swimming stop remains the stronger reason to book. You can cool off near Monte Leão, use the nets, and enjoy the sea even if underwater visibility or onboard conditions are not ideal.

Biodegradable sunscreen is specifically requested. Use it before boarding and reapply as needed, especially during the open-water portion of the trip. You should also pack swimwear and a towel. Those items sound obvious, but they matter here because the main activity is a swim from the boat rather than a walk onto a beach.

Snacks, drinks, music, and dancing onboard

This is not a bare-bones transfer to a swimming spot. Snacks and drinks are included, and music plays onboard. Dancing is also part of the atmosphere, so the tone can shift from quiet sightseeing to a livelier boat party.

That mix makes the cruise a good choice for couples, friends, and families who want a social outing without arranging food and drinks separately. You can spend the sailing time chatting, listening to music, sunbathing, or moving around the deck.

I would not choose it if you want a silent nature cruise. The music and dancing are part of the experience, not an optional extra. At the same time, the boat also gives you space to sit back and watch the coast, so the day is not only about noise and activity.

The included refreshments help the $70 price make sense. You are paying for transportation from your hotel, time on the catamaran, a staffed swim stop, snacks, and drinks. If you would otherwise pay separately for a hotel transfer and a boat outing, the package is reasonably convenient.

The value is weaker if you mainly want a short swim. Roughly an hour is spent reaching Murdeira Bay, and the full experience is built around the cruise itself. You are paying for the ride, the open-water setting, and the relaxed onboard mood as much as for the stop.

Watching for whales and dolphins on the return

The return journey is your best chance to look for whales and dolphins. The strongest period for whale watching is February through May, though wildlife is never guaranteed.

There have been sightings of two whales on one outing and one whale on another. That is encouraging, but you should treat it as a lucky bonus rather than the central promise of the cruise. If you see nothing, the trip still includes the coastal views, swim, nets, refreshments, and music.

Bring patience. Marine wildlife may appear quickly and far from the boat, so stay alert without spending the whole ride staring at one patch of water. The open deck should be the best place to look, especially during the return along the coast.

The possibility of whales gives the ride a little purpose beyond sunbathing. It also makes the February to May timing more attractive for wildlife-minded visitors. Outside that period, you can still enjoy the boat trip, but whale sightings should play an even smaller role in your decision.

What the marine reserve adds to the trip

Murdeira Bay is more than a pretty place to stop. Its marine nature reserve status reflects the importance of the area for sea turtles and seabirds.

That context changes how I would approach the swim. You are not simply stopping in empty water. You are visiting a protected area where the natural setting matters, so use biodegradable sunscreen and avoid disturbing wildlife if you see it.

No specific turtle or seabird sighting is guaranteed. The reserve is valuable even when the animals remain out of sight. It helps explain why this part of Sal was selected for the stop and gives the cruise more substance than a standard boat ride with a quick swim.

The experience does not provide a detailed wildlife program in the information available. If your top priority is identifying birds or learning about marine ecology, you may want a more specialized nature excursion. If you mainly want a pleasant sea day with a protected bay and a chance of wildlife, this cruise fits better.

The boat, the timing, and the practical feel

The catamaran is called Bazov, and the cruise leaves from Palmeira. Hotel pickup is included, which removes one of the usual hassles of arranging a port transfer.

The available information does not give a precise total duration, departure time, group size, or cabin layout. You should check those details before paying, especially if you need to fit the trip around another activity.

The route itself is easy to understand: pickup, boarding at Palmeira, about an hour along the west coast, a swim and snorkeling stop near Monte Leão, then a return trip with the chance to see whales or dolphins.

The trip is not suitable for wheelchair users. That matters because boarding a catamaran and entering the sea from the boat require mobility that is not available to everyone.

Languages offered are Italian, English, Portuguese, and French. That gives you a good chance of following the safety instructions and general announcements, though the exact language used during your sailing is not specified.

You can reserve now and pay later, which helps if your plans are still moving around. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure. Keep the cutoff in mind, since weather, health, or a change in your island schedule could affect your plans.

Who will enjoy this catamaran cruise?

I would recommend this outing to you if you want a low-effort day on the sea. The hotel transfer, included drinks, and simple route mean you do not need to organize much.

It also suits you if you like a mix of calm and social time. You can sit in the sun, use the nets, swim near Monte Leão, then join the music and dancing when the mood changes.

Families and groups may appreciate the easy format, though the open-water swim means you should be comfortable with the conditions and supervise children closely. The supplied information does not state whether flotation equipment or child pricing is available, so check those points before booking for a family.

It is less suitable if you need a quiet, highly structured excursion, guaranteed snorkeling, or a fully accessible boat. It is also a questionable choice if diesel fumes quickly make you ill.

Whale watchers should think of the cruise as a chance, not a dedicated whale safari. February through May offers the best timing, and the sightings of one or two whales show what is possible. But the main experience remains the coastal cruise and swim.

Is $70 a fair price for Sal?

At $70 per person, the price is reasonable for a package that includes hotel transfer, the catamaran cruise, snacks, and drinks. You are also getting a designated swim stop, onboard entertainment, and a chance to see wildlife.

The value depends on how much you enjoy the journey between activities. Since it takes about an hour to reach Murdeira Bay, this is not a quick excursion built around nonstop snorkeling. I see it as a relaxed sea day with one main swim and plenty of time on deck.

The price feels strongest when you take advantage of the whole package. Swim near Monte Leão, use the nets, watch the coast, keep an eye out for whales, and enjoy the refreshments rather than treating the cruise as a simple ride.

The price feels less attractive if snorkeling is your only goal. Because one sailing had a serious diesel-fume problem and could not offer snorkeling, you should book for the overall experience, not for a guaranteed underwater session.

Should you book the Bazov catamaran cruise?

Book it if you want an easy, sociable boat day with coastal views, an open-water swim, and included refreshments. The nets, the Monte Leão stop, and the possibility of whales from February to May give the trip enough variety to keep the ride interesting.

Skip it if you are highly sensitive to diesel smells, need wheelchair access, or want a dedicated snorkeling or wildlife tour. For the best chance at whale sightings, choose a date between February and May, but still treat any animal encounter as luck.

My practical call: this is a good fit for a flexible Sal itinerary and a fair choice at $70, provided you are happy to spend much of the day enjoying the boat itself.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise leave from?

The catamaran leaves from Palmeira port on Sal Island. Hotel pickup is included before boarding.

How long does it take to reach the swimming area?

It takes about one hour from Palmeira port to reach Murdeira Bay and the swimming area near Monte Leão.

Is snorkeling included?

Snorkeling is part of the planned stop, but it may not be possible on every sailing. One outing could not offer snorkeling because diesel fumes in the cabin made several people sick.

Can I see whales or dolphins?

You can watch for whales and dolphins on the return journey. The best period for whale sightings is February through May, but sightings are not guaranteed.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, and biodegradable sunscreen. These are the listed items needed for the swimming and sunbathing portion of the cruise.

Is the cruise suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The experience is not suitable for wheelchair users.