Catamaran Direct Boat to/from Morro de São Paulo

semi-terristic is a mockery

The trip to Morro on the catamaran went ahead as scheduled—taking about 2.5 hours. However, the return trip on the catamaran at 3:00 PM—as originally booked—was cancelled without explanation. Instead, we were put on the "semi-terrestrial" route at 3:00 PM. As the fine print states, the maritime authorities can prohibit the crossing if wave conditions are too rough. Ironically, the catamaran *did* run at 11:30 AM, but for the 3:00 PM slot, we had to take a speedboat first - 10 min, then a bus - 1.45 hours, and finally a public ferry. That last leg was a nightmare: it took an hour to cover just 15 km, surrounded by drunken, rowdy men. It was far from pleasant—and a far cry from the catamaran experience we had been promised! It’s a trip we certainly won’t forget.

Response from the operator: The maritime authority prohibited the open-sea crossing from Morro de São Paulo to Salvador at your scheduled time. In such cases, we are required to follow the Second Naval District’s instructions and use the semi-terrestrial route, as clearly stated in the booking conditions. Earlier catamarans had different schedules and availability. This was a safety decision, not ours.

via Tripadvisor

Not pleasant

The price of the cost per trip and per person turns out to be by far greater than the standards expected for the means of transport: seats are dilapidated and broken, cleanliness is almost non-existent, not to mention the air conditioning which in some spots makes the temperature reach 20 degrees and in others even 28, so the system is dilapidated and absolutely poorly installed!

Response from the operator: Ci dispiace per l’esperienza segnalata. È la prima volta, in oltre cinque anni, che riceviamo un reclamo di questo tipo sui catamarani che operano la tratta Salvador–Morro de São Paulo. Nelle giornate molto calde, l’impianto di climatizzazione può impiegare più tempo a stabilizzare la temperatura. In ogni caso, trasmetteremo immediatamente la segnalazione alle compagnie responsabili affinché verifichino le condizioni indicate.

via Tripadvisor (translated)

Attention

The service left and arrived on time, both on the way to the nose and back. The trip takes two hours and 15 minutes to two hours and 30 minutes, depending on the sea state.There are conditions to attend in advance, which are informed at the time of taking the ticket, such as it is a journey by open sea. Although the road is shorter, it is not an excursion, it is a journey of almost two and a half hours, so you have to attend that there are people who may suffer dizziness or have a bad time. That said, there are things that can improve, such as the safety of catamarans and something to the Bahian government, the docks, especially that of the sau paul nose, which is not only small, but very insecure, without comfort zones to wait. You have to pay a tourist tax when entering the nose and you have to pay a fee to leave it. The same company offers a road option more than 80 percent of the route and then cross in a few minutes. While it is longer in hours, if you are with children, it may be a good option.

Response from the operator: Muchas gracias por tomarse el tiempo de compartir una evaluación tan detallada y equilibrada. Nos alegra saber que el servicio cumplió con los horarios tanto en la ida como en el regreso, y que la información sobre la duración del trayecto y las condiciones de navegación fue clara al momento de la compra. Como bien menciona, el catamarán directo es un transporte marítimo en mar abierto, no una excursión, y es importante que los pasajeros consideren posibles molestias como el mareo, especialmente en función del estado del mar. Agradecemos también sus observaciones constructivas sobre la infraestructura de los muelles y las condiciones de espera en Morro de São Paulo, así como el tema de las tasas locales, que son definidas por las autoridades y ajenas a la operación del transporte, pero que entendemos pueden impactar la experiencia del viajero. Por último, valoramos que haya mencionado la alternativa semi-terrestre, que efectivamente puede ser una opción más cómoda para familias con niños o personas sensibles a la navegación, aunque implique un mayor tiempo total de viaje. Comentarios como el suyo ayudan a otros viajeros a elegir la opción que mejor se adapte a su perfil y expectativas. ¡Gracias nuevamente por compartir su experiencia!

via Tripadvisor (translated)

Very long transfer

We couldn’t get the direct ferry and they rebooked us in the semi-terrestrial trip. Everything was on time (ish) but the trip is very long. First in a ferry to the closest island, then a bus trip to the other side of the island (this was the hardest and longest part) and then a speedboat to Morro de São Paulo that was fast but already at night. We arrived super tired.

via Viator

We have to solutioned the problem by our own!! No Refund Yet

I bought a USD 280 transfer in Catamaran from Salvador; Bahia to Morro. when we presented in the counter there was no plaza for us. Nobody assisted us from Viator and I didn't read the whatsup telling me that it was over saled. NO REFUND YET.. and NO INDEMNIZATION either.

via Viator