Azores sailing adventure trips

Feel the freedom of following the wind

When we leave the port, you will see the different shades of blue between the ocean and the sky. The stars, the moon and the sun with the sails above you. Nothing but time to dive into the wilderness and relax.

SAIL BOAT

Crewed yacht charter

Professional captain and cook/mate

Our priority is to guide you safely around the islands and experience this adventure in a familiar environment. As we remain professionals, we do everything we can to provide you with an enjoyable experience at sea and on land.

ROUTES

Private trips & Expeditions

Explore the Islands at your own rhythm

Our crew will guide you safely to achieve your goal, either you are a family with children, a group of friends looking for fun or a group of professionals looking for wildlife photography, marine conservation or scientific projects.

Shared trips & Cabin charter

Multi-cultural sailing adventure

When you join a shared trip, you are ready to meet other like-minded travelers who enjoy sailing together, adventure, sensitivity to wildlife and respect for nature. Join them alone or with friends.

10 Days sailing adventure video

Eco-tourism island hopping holiday

Azores sustainable tourism destination

Our trips are filled with positive energy and a pleasant atmosphere. In a unique harmony with nature, this is an experience that refreshes your soul and “recharges your batteries”. A balance between full adrenaline and pure relaxation surrounded by the ocean, where dolphins, whales, turtles, mantas, sharks and other species live together in a rich ecosystem.

Sail with us in the Azores or Atlantic Tour

Cruises, Long Passages & Atlantic Crossing

Our base is located in the Azores where we spend every summer season. In November 2022 we will leave for an Atlantic Tour and offer multiple-day sailing trips in Madeira, the Canary Islands, Cabo Verde, the Caribbean and Bermuda. You will also have the opportunity to sail with us during the long passages between these destinations.

Why would you join us sailing?

SailZen reviews & testimonials

You can read more reviews at Google Business, Facebook or Trip Advisor to get to know what our wonderful passengers have shared about their experiences during our trips.

Verified
Açores 2022 Une expérience unique! Un bateau d'expédition en alu complètement refait. Un skipper d'expérience, zen comme le dit son logo, tout en vous transmettant plein de connaissances sur la voile avec une maîtrise totale. Une découverte de lieux magnifiques, avec des rencontres de baleines, dauphins et autres. Sa compagne Rita est une artiste en cuisine, avec un sens artistique en plus de la qualité du goût. Plein de recettes locales et les déjeuners avec un yaourt fait maison. Des vacances comme on en rêve à tous points de vue.. Encore merci!
Bruno M
Bruno M
2022-08-24
Verified
Lifetime experience Overall evaluation: The best word to describe the experience would be lightness. Travelling with André and Rita on a sailboat makes you feel safe, relaxed and part of the company. I understand that all people are different, so I can't imagine how they manage to create that feeling. So now, on shore, our family is longing for all the great times, for our new friends André and Rita, and I want to thank them very much for that! Emotional evaluation: For the first time in our lives, our family has decided to spend a week on a boat. Basically, we decided because owning a sailboat is an old dream of mine and the family signed up for the experiment. So you can understand that it was a bit stressful :). I wanted to learn how to sail, my wonderful wife Eglė wanted to have elegant moments, and the kids wanted to have all the water fun they could. And I was worried that if everyone didn't like it, got seasick, couldn't use the toilet and so on, they would end up hanging me on the mast. André and Rita made everyone's wishes come true in one week, allayed all our fears and turned our time into a wonderful adventure that we didn't want to leave the boat at the end of. Everything was great: the sailing, the food, the music, the crew, the water activities, the board games, the space, the marinas and so on. On this boat you are welcome in every marina, every pub and every restaurant. And most importantly, in every sea. We even ended up all together at the Santa Rita Blues Festival! Rational evaluation: Sailing: 10/10. Andre&Rita's sailing experience is impressive, spanning all the world's oceans, and they are happy to share it if you are willing to learn. Food: 10/10 Excellent, very varied, delicious home-cooked food. Rita has foraged a wide variety of herbs and is constantly replenishing her supplies from local farms. And our children were constantly spoiled with desserts :) Comfort: 10/10 (if this is not first time on boat) 8/10 (for begginers) Space on board is always limited, but Irró has been well organised and thought out, so apart from the corner of the ceiling above the galley, everywhere is easy to move around. None of us got a bump or hurt anything. Hygiene: 10/10 (for sailors) 8/10 (for begginers) The ship has a 2 toilets and shower and uses organic detergents. Safety: 10/10 I would rate it even higher because the crew always keeps one eye on how you feel and always helps. Also, Andre's safety briefing deserves a special mention. Weather: 8/10, but it's the Azores and this year July was cooler. All the locals said they couldn't remember such a year. But in this case Adnre, knowing how much my wife loves the sun, was always trying to sail in sunshine.
Domantas G
Domantas G
2022-08-23
Verified
A Wonderful Family Experience! We (my husband and I, and our three children (ages 17, 15 and 13)) are first time sailors, and to be honest, we did not know what to expect. Sailing with Andre and Rita was the best choice we could have ever made. They are the best at easing you into the experience and making a most enjoyable and memorable trip. Our family absolutely loved sailing on Irro! Each morning, you are greeted by warm smiles and cheerful good mornings. Then comes one of the best parts of the trip, Rita’s amazing food/cooking! Andre is a wonderful person and Captain. He made all of us at ease with his knowledge of sailing and the seas. He answered all our questions and took us to some of the most beautiful areas of the islands….some completely remote where we saw four different types of dolphins, turtles and Portuguese man o war. One of the days, in Santa Maria, we swam from the boat and hiked to the port where we then met Andre and Rita at a local café. From there, we decided to tour the beautiful island, including the unforgettable red desert. The day our children will never forget though is when they were able to jump off cliffs into the ocean of a secluded bay. Later that evening, Andre took us spearfishing. Andre caught fish, which then he cleaned and grilled for an amazing fish bbq dinner. Additionally, we played on the kayaks and paddle board exploring the areas where we docked. We dove off the boat into the blue water. We lounged, we slept. Most of all though, we had the chance to “go where the wind will take you!” If you have the opportunity to sail with Andre and Rita (Sailzen), you should JUMP at the chance. Not only will you have an amazing time, but you will leave with two new friends! Thank you Andre and Rita!
Sara M
Sara M
2022-07-09
Verified
Sailing trip The trip of a lifetime! We had the pleasure of spending 10 days aboard Irro in June 2022 with Andre and Rita. We couldn’t have imagined a better way to see and experience the beautiful landscapes, wildlife, nature and culture of the Azores. We managed to pack a lot in - dolphins, hikes, unbelievable stargazing, bull running, cultural festivals, secluded moorings and almost deserted beaches, thermal pools and wineries! Andre and Rita go above and beyond - their passion for their business and love of the Azores are evident every step of the way. Do not hesitate to book the trip. You will not regret it! Until next time!
Heather
Heather
2022-07-06
Verified
Best (first) sailing trip!!! Thanks to Andre and Rita who made my first time on a sailing boat memorable. We had the best time during our 10 day sailing trip from Sao Miguel to Faial in May of this year. Andre is a very experienced sailor and Rita an amazing cook. Both of them are not only kind people but also a lot of fun! They made us feel comfortable and safe every day and took us to the best places on the island. We will definitely be booking another trip onboard of Irró very soon!
Melina L
Melina L
2022-06-28
Verified
Inesquecivel! Inesquecível é a descrição que faço para os dias passados na companhia do André e da Rita da Sailzen!!! Tenho pena, mesmo muita pena de não ter conseguido fazer a viagem de 10 dias a bordo.. Desde a dedicação, ao sorriso aberto de ambos, aos lugares maravilhosos visitados, ao contacto com a natureza, à preocupação com o impacto ambiental, à comida incrível, aos mergulhos, à troca de sorrisos e aos ensinamentos a bordo: foi INCRÍVELLLLLLLL! Venho com coração cheio e com amigos!!! "Tá lá!" Não pensem, arrisquem e experienciem o que a Sailzen tem para oferecer!!! Beijinhos e Até já!
AndreaSousa
AndreaSousa
2022-06-20
Verified
AMAZING WEEK! I had a 6 day trip with Sailzen sailing around Faial, São Jorge and Pico, and every day was amazing and full of unforgettable experiences. Besides the incredible sailing trip we had the opportunity to go hiking, swim in the ocean, fish, snorkel, eat delicious food, make new friends... we were even lucky enough to see whales in their natural habitat. Above all, Rita and André were spectacular and they really know how to provide a wonderful experience!
Nuno L
Nuno L
2022-06-17
Verified
Day trip sailing with sailzen We went for a day trip with Andre and Rita in May 2022. The experience was more than we hoped for! The crew was so welcoming and took such good care of us - we felt right at home. You really feel like you are in good hands with the crew. The planning beforehand was very good and Andre was quick to reply and set up the day trip beforehand. He regularly checked the weather to see which day would be best for a sailing experience, and was flexible in choosing the best date. As we enjoy sailing, we got a chance to take part in some of the tasks that were needed to be done onboard which we loved - it was a good learning experience for us. The meal that was prepared was also very good and it was so fun to get to try some of the local foods. After just a few hours onboard it felt like we had some new friends in Andre and Rita. We can highly recommend Sailzen for anybody looking for a top-notch sailing experience on the Azores and we look forward to coming back for one of their 10 day trips.
Filip B
Filip B
2022-05-21
Verified
Awesome sailing trip Sailing with Sailzen was an extraordinary experience. It was my first time sailing and Andrè and Rita made it very special. It was not just the sailing trip that made it special but also the trips on land, their company and of course the best food that Rita is cooking. They are great in adjusting the trip to your needs and sailing experience. I highly recommend it to everyone who is looking for a unique and personal sailing trip.
Alicia R
Alicia R
2021-11-03
Verified
2 beautiful people behind this boat Rita Thank you for all the morning smiles behind a smelly coffee 15 days of a wonderful experience Diving and trekking even a chance to drive the boat Be prepared for a wonderful sunrise and sunset every day
CGSharkATAK
CGSharkATAK
2021-10-07
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