Join SailZen aboard catamaran Explora for liveaboard sailing trips in the Azores — 2-day getaways to 10-day island expeditions with a local crew. Browse available departures below.
Experience life totally off the grid guided by a professional crew aboard the catamaran EXPLORA for 2 days and 1 night. Cruise the south coast of São Miguel Island, swim in crystal-clear Atlantic waters, and sleep under the stars — fully private, no strangers.
Explore Trip →Explore São Miguel Island by sea aboard the privately chartered catamaran EXPLORA for 3 days and 2 nights. Cruise with a professional crew, swim in secluded bays, and wake up anchored in quiet Azorean waters — fully private for you and your group.
Explore Trip →Gather your crew and escape to the wild Azorean archipelago for 6 days and 5 nights aboard the private catamaran EXPLORA. Sail between islands, hike volcanoes, swim in pristine bays, and follow the wind — guided by a professional captain and cook.
Explore Trip →The ultimate Azores sailing adventure: 10 days and 9 nights aboard the private catamaran EXPLORA. Sail the full archipelago — volcanoes, whale watching, pristine anchorages, and nights under Atlantic stars — guided by an expert professional crew.
Explore Trip →* Lowest off-peak rate — varies by date.
Join SailZen aboard Explora, our Nautitech 47 sailing catamaran, for liveaboard sailing trips in the Azores designed for travellers who want more than a quick boat tour.
From short 2-day getaways to longer 6 to 10-day sailing adventures, our trips explore São Miguel and the wider Azores archipelago through volcanic islands, sheltered bays, coastal villages, open Atlantic passages and quiet moments at sea.
These are small, personal and flexible sailing experiences guided by a local professional crew who understand the rhythm of the islands, the weather windows, the anchorages and the ocean.
The Azores are a remote volcanic archipelago in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, made up of nine Portuguese islands surrounded by deep blue water, dramatic coastlines and some of the most beautiful sailing grounds in Europe.
A SailZen liveaboard sailing trip is not about rushing from one island to another. It is about following the wind, choosing the best route for the conditions, and discovering the Azores from the sea — slowly, naturally and with a true sense of adventure.
Depending on the trip length, weather and route, your journey may include island-hopping, open Atlantic passages, anchoring in sheltered bays, swimming from the boat, snorkeling when conditions allow, visiting local villages, hiking volcanic landscapes, tasting local food and enjoying peaceful time onboard our sailing catamaran Explora.
Our motto says it best:
GoWhereTheWindWillTakeYou
A liveaboard sailing trip with SailZen is a balance between ocean adventure, island discovery and comfortable life onboard.
Each trip is small by design. With a limited number of guests, the experience feels personal, relaxed and authentic — no crowds, no queues, and time for real conversations with your captain and crew.
During passage days, you can relax on deck, enjoy the Atlantic views, take the helm, learn to read the sails, or simply sit on the bow net and watch the ocean pass beneath you.
When conditions allow us to anchor close to shore, you may swim from the stern, explore by dinghy, visit local villages, hike volcanic landscapes or return to the boat for a meal onboard as the sun sets behind the island.
The Azores are rich in marine life, and during longer sailing passages, natural encounters with dolphins, whales, turtles or seabirds may happen. These moments are always wild, unpredictable and never guaranteed — part of the beauty of sailing in the Atlantic.
This is not a bareboat charter. Captain André and the SailZen crew are with you every nautical mile, making decisions, sharing the sailing and keeping the passage safe, comfortable and enjoyable.
SailZen liveaboard trips are intentionally small and personal. We are not a mass-tourism operation, and we do not believe in crowded sailing experiences.
Our catamaran Explora offers space, stability and comfort for multi-day sailing, while keeping the atmosphere warm, relaxed and familiar.
These trips are ideal for couples, families, solo travellers and small groups looking for an authentic Azores sailing adventure with a professional local crew.
No previous sailing experience is required. You can participate as much or as little as you wish. Some guests enjoy learning about sailing, while others prefer to relax, read, swim, eat well and enjoy the ocean.
For guests looking for a more exclusive experience, SailZen also offers private multi-day sailing charters in the Azores.
A private sailing trip is ideal for families, groups of friends, couples travelling together or special celebrations at sea. With the catamaran reserved for your group, the experience becomes more flexible, intimate and personal.
Together, we plan the best possible route according to your dates, group size, trip length and expectations — always keeping weather, sea conditions, safety and comfort as the main guide.
SailZen trips usually depart from Marina de Vila Franca do Campo, on the south coast of São Miguel Island.
Depending on the duration of the trip and the weather conditions, routes may explore São Miguel or continue towards other islands of the Azores, such as Santa Maria, Terceira, Graciosa, São Jorge, Pico, Faial, Flores or Corvo.
Longer trips offer more possibilities for island-hopping, open-water passages and discovering the diversity of the archipelago.
The Azores are wild and Atlantic, so fixed routes are never guaranteed in advance. The final itinerary is always adapted to the wind, sea state, safety, comfort and the best sailing window available.
SailZen liveaboard trips typically run from May to October, when conditions are generally more favourable for island-to-island sailing.
Even during the sailing season, the Azores remain Atlantic islands, and the ocean always has the final word. This is why flexibility is part of every SailZen trip.
Routes, anchorages, departure times and island stops may be adjusted before or during the journey to offer the safest and most enjoyable experience possible.
Our sailing catamaran Explora was chosen for comfort, stability and performance. Its spacious layout makes it ideal for multi-day sailing trips, with outdoor areas, social spaces and room to relax during longer passages.
Life onboard is simple, beautiful and connected to the sea. You wake up with the ocean around you, share meals onboard, watch the island coastline change with the light, and fall asleep to the sound of water against the hull.
It is not just transport between islands. It is part of the journey.
The Azores are known for their rich marine life, and natural encounters with dolphins, whales, turtles or seabirds may sometimes happen during longer sailing passages.
However, SailZen is not a licensed whale-watching operator, and we do not sell, advertise or promise whale or dolphin watching experiences.
If marine wildlife appears naturally during a sailing trip, we enjoy the moment respectfully, without chasing animals or changing the nature of the experience.
Our focus is sailing, island discovery, life onboard and the Atlantic journey itself.
Every SailZen trip depends on weather and sea conditions. This is especially important for multi-day sailing in the Azores, where wind, swell and visibility can change quickly.
Safety always comes first. Routes, anchorages, departure times and island stops may be adapted before or during the trip to provide the safest and most enjoyable experience possible.
Sometimes the best route is not the original plan. Sometimes it is the one the ocean allows.
That is real sailing.
SailZen liveaboard sailing trips are perfect for travellers who want a more authentic and adventurous way to explore the Azores.
They are ideal for:
You do not need previous sailing experience. You only need curiosity, flexibility and a love for the ocean.
Use the booking calendar above to check current availability, routes and trip lengths.
For custom dates, private charters, group requests or questions about the best trip for you, contact SailZen and we will help you choose the right sailing experience.
Prefer a shorter experience in São Miguel?
Discover our São Miguel day sailing tours from Vila Franca do Campo.
