Testimonials Ikigai Sailing - Hear from Our Ikigai Sailing Family

It has been a month since my return, and only now am I beginning to put into words a bit of what this amazing experience aboard IKIGAI has meant for me.

Immersed in the practically unspoiled paradise of San Blas, on a beautiful boat, surrounded by special souls, for 10 days I breathed in rhythm with the wind and the waves, flooded with light and blue.

I could tell many unique and unforgettable things about this journey: the warm welcome and authenticity of the Guna people, the incredible colors of the coral reef, the hundreds of small islands laden with palm trees and the astonishment in front of each one of them, the night skies overflowing with stars, the heart-to-heart talks with Paola, the silent smiles from David, the joy of spotting dolphins or the exhilaration of being visited by sharks, the mystical and spectacular encounter with a giant ray while snorkeling, the real connections with the guests on board, the joyful dances to the rhythm of salsa (or maybe it was bachata?!), the special taste of honey in coffee every morning, the feeling of total freedom each time the sails are raised, the delicious authentic food prepared with care and love (raw fish carpaccio, handmade bread, octopus salad, grilled barracuda etc etc ... and the BEST carbonara of my life!)

But there is so much, much more. IKIGAI is above all a profound experience for the soul.

On board, the mind ceases to think and makes room for life.
Enchanted by the beauty all around, in complete silence, practicing meditation and yoga, one lives a visceral experience that brings you back to who you really are, what you really want, perceiving yourself inside the world, and in harmony with it.
Eliminating all false urgencies and distractions, only what matters remains. A brutally beautiful inner exploration, in which you face your vulnerabilities and accept them, learning that you can also go beyond yourself, trusting someone, and discovering a strength you didn’t know you had.

The deep peace, clarity, and trust felt during the free diving experience, when surrounded by all that blue, are surreal… as is the ecstasy that follows it!
I truly learned how to breathe (and how not to breathe!) during these days, cradled by the waves and the wind, with my eyes full of blue.

The pulsating heartbeat of IKIGAI is Luca. Captain, yoga master, freediving instructor, friend, cook, brave and unconventional man, dreamer, and perpetually evolving soul. Luca literally takes you by the hand, with great skill and care, and allows you to accompany him for a little piece of his dream, gifting you with a different and enlightening perspective from which to view the world and yourself, as well as filling your eyes with beauty and intensity. Thank you for dreaming so strong and sharing it!

You return home changed, at peace with yourself, aware that the world is an incredible place, and deeply grateful to have the privilege of being alive.

Of course, getting off IKIGAI is one of the hardest things I have ever done, but I believe that an invisible thread made of sea, silence, and pure beauty will always keep me intimately connected there.

Stepping aboard the Ikigai catamaran and sailing among the pristine islands of the San Blas was much more than just a vacation: it was a profound, timeless experience, one that deeply enriched me and left a lasting impression long after I returned home.

The archipelago is breathtakingly beautiful: wild little islands, crystal-clear waters, a thriving coral reef, sharks, manta rays, wind, and sun.
A place that remains protected and authentic, where the local Guna Yala people welcome you with kindness and simplicity, making everything even more special.

The Ikigai catamaran is extremely comfortable and meticulously designed down to the last detail: there’s truly nothing missing on board. From the espresso machine to the bread oven, right down to the barbecue, every comfort exceeds expectations. My favorite spot? Without a doubt, the hammocks at the bow: perfect for relaxing, reading, or simply letting yourself be rocked by the sea.

The days flowed in a perfect balance between adventure and relaxation.
Yoga and meditation in the morning, structured workouts and boxing sessions on pristine white-sand beaches, volleyball games, snorkeling, and diving.
The introduction to freediving was a visceral and powerful experience for me. Learning to breathe, to listen to myself—a dive not only into the sea but also into my own inner self, accompanied by such intense and profound emotions.

The atmosphere on board was extraordinary: smiles, laughter, sharing, and the exchange of different languages and cultures. A warm and authentic atmosphere that makes you feel part of a small family.
Much of this is thanks to Luca and Paola:
two special people who welcomed us, looked after us, and spoiled us with natural warmth, energy, and enthusiasm.
Getting to know them as people, as well as professionals, was a true privilege, and I am truly grateful.

And then the food… simply excellent. Breakfasts always meticulously prepared, lunches and dinners featuring freshly caught fish, creative dishes, and authentic flavors.
From the carbonara prepared to perfection by Luca, to the lobsters, to the sashimi made from freshly caught fish, right down to the surprise birthday cake prepared by Paola.
Every meal was a moment of shared pleasure and genuine connection.

Safety on board was impeccable. Navigation was always handled with great care, professionalism, and the right equipment. I felt constantly in expert hands, free to enjoy every moment in total peace of mind.

Swimming with sharks, observing sea eagles just a few meters away, meditating at sunset, dancing under a starry sky around the campfire, and experiencing the simplicity of life at sea with special people who share your passions—all of this made this trip unforgettable.

I would recommend this experience without any hesitation.
Ikigai is not just a catamaran, but a place for the soul: a space where you can rediscover balance, energy, and a sense of what truly matters.

Heartfelt thanks to Luca and Paola 💙
A journey I will carry with me forever…and one I hope to repeat as soon as possible.

Elisa~

The first word that comes to mind after this 10-day experience aboard Ikigaisailing is THANK YOU. Thank you for bringing us back to the natural rhythms of life, with so many new experiences for me, such as meditation, yoga, and diving, which allow you to reconnect with your body and mind. A fundamental disconnect from the "matrix." Thank you for your professionalism, but above all for the empathy you managed to establish from the first time. Your ability to listen and share your stories on board, even over a good glass of wine. See you soon again.

A unique experience. A fascinating journey, first and foremost within oneself. From the moment you step on board, you can feel the passion driving the Ikigai Sailing project, and this makes everything magical—more so with each passing day. You feel so at home that you forget you have to leave.
The care, attention, and enthusiasm sweep you away in every single activity.
We meet as guests, we say goodbye as friends. A heartfelt thank you to Luca and the crew for making these days simply unforgettable.

It’s a different way to experience Guna Yala aboard a catamaran. More intentional.
Aboard the Ikigai, you get more than just a vacation—you get a routine that gradually resets your lifestyle, a gift you take home with you. Living on board felt like home; every day brought a beautiful smile and energy from the crew. I loved this experience. I loved the way I experienced San Blas this time! Thank you, Ikigai team ✨

We spent three unforgettable days in San Blas aboard the Ikigai catamaran — without a doubt, the best vacation of my life.
My wife, my eight-year-old daughter Laura, and I enjoyed every single moment of this unique experience. The scenery is simply breathtaking, with crystal-clear waters and paradise-like islands, but what truly made it special was the complete experience both on board and on the islands.
A special highlight goes to Captain Luca. Extremely experienced, attentive, and always in a great mood, he leads the boat with confidence and provides a remarkable sense of safety and calm. More than an excellent captain, he is a natural host — always focused on creating the best possible experience, choosing perfect spots to anchor and making every moment memorable.
The crew was outstanding. Paola and Davi were amazing at all times — attentive, helpful, and always bringing a positive energy that made everything even better. Their teamwork creates a light, welcoming, and enjoyable atmosphere throughout the entire trip.
Another highlight of the trip was the workouts we were able to do, both on the islands and on the catamaran. Training surrounded by such stunning views, with the sound of the ocean and an incredible atmosphere, turned a simple routine into something truly special. It was the perfect balance between relaxation and activity.
And the food… absolutely outstanding. Every meal prepared by Luca, Paola, and Davi was a unique experience, made with great care and full of flavor.
In the end, it’s hard to fully describe it. This is not just a trip it’s something you need to experience for yourself. Without a doubt, these were the best days of our lives, and we are already looking forward to coming back.

The experience with Ikigai Salining was phenomenal. Great crew, healthy food and life changing activities and excursions. This is a trip I want to repeat with Ikigai Sailing. The treatment and way of working gives you a feeling of being home with your family. Special thanks to Luca, Paola and Hanan for this experience.

It's not just a trip or a cruise; for me, it's been an experience I'll never forget. It's not just the staff's professionalism and hospitality, but the combination of everything that touched me deeply. The place is magical, the ship is comfortable, and the people are lovely. The activities and food are focused on physical and mental well-being. I can only be grateful to the Ikigai team 🫶🏻

Lucky!
We felt truly fortunate when, not long ago, a dear friend of ours met Luca on a beach in Los Roques.
From that moment, we learned about the Ikigai Sailing project. Even before taking part in this incredible experience, we watched this crew of dreamy sailors from afar. Shortly thereafter, we found ourselves aboard the catamaran with them. Lucky!

My partner and I enjoyed every single moment of this memorable journey.
We discovered the beauty of being able to rely on someone. Luca guided us with professionalism, safety, and tranquility toward new activities: meditation, yoga, freediving, and spearfishing. We surpassed our physical and mental limits, learned to slow down, to look within. We felt regenerated and stronger.

Surrounded by the unique atmosphere of the Caribbean Sea, the Ikigai crew is a perfect mix.
We cannot fail to mention Paula's sweetness and Luca's passion for cooking. Together, they pampered us, preparing delicacies from the sea every day. We felt at home.
We discovered places that made us cry, we shared emotional moments watching the sunset, we met the resilient Guna people, with a deep spiritual connection to nature. We immersed ourselves completely in this adventure, we felt part of the Ikigai Sailing "family" and nothing compared to the grandeur of the nature of the San Blas Islands.
I don't think we'll ever be able to put it into words.

Ours is just a goodbye; we'll meet again in the new world; Ikigai has stolen our hearts.

——————————

We felt truly lucky when, not long ago, a dear friend of ours met Luca on a beach in Los Roques.
From that moment on, we learned about the Ikigai Sailing project. Even before taking part in this incredible experience, we watched this crew of dreamers from afar.

My partner and I enjoyed every single moment of this memorable journey.
We discovered the beauty of being able to trust someone. Luca guided us with professionalism, confidence, and calmness toward new activities: meditation, yoga, free diving, and spearfishing. We pushed past our physical and mental limits; we learned to slow down and look within ourselves. We felt regenerated and stronger.

Surrounded by the unique atmosphere of the Caribbean Sea, the Ikigai crew is a perfect mix.
We simply must mention Paula's kindness and Luca's cooking passion. Together, they prepare delicious seafood dishes every day. We felt right at home.
We shared emotional moments watching the sunset, we met the Guna people, with a deep spiritual connection to nature.

We immersed ourselves completely in this adventure; we felt like part of the Ikigai Sailing family.
We'll meet again in the new world.

I went with my wife, my two daughters, four cats, and my parakeet. We really enjoyed the experience; everything was excellent! 10/10

What a lovely and crazy experience I had on board with this crew! You have all you need on this boat, it’s very confortable. And the most amazing part is the kindness of the crew. They want you to live the best experience ever. The Food is excellent!
Sunset with whales 🐳 is unforgettable. Merci

I spent 6 nights in January on Ikigai – and I cannot think of a better start of my vacation/ sabbatical then this.
First of all, San Blas Islands feel like paradise. Living on a boat and seeing different islands, waking up and going to bed to the sound of the waves and the wind is amazing.

And on top of this, there is the Ikigai experience with Luca as the captain and Paola as the chef. They form such a perfect team! Food and Italian Espresso is just – wow!! 😍
We did meditation, yoga and workouts together on the boat or on a remote island. Went snorkeling and got to know the specifics of San Blas.

I really didn’t want to leave after my initially planned time – and even for this wish Luca found a great solution.
Grazie per tutto!

A floating home with strangers that became friends. That was my experience on Ikigai boat.
A dream coming true, where I was all the time next to the sea, with all the comfort I love to have in my daily life; I´m talking about waking up in the middle of paradise, jumping in the water, visit the reef, having a double espresso, do my work out, jump in the water again, have a delicious breakfast, water again, delicious lunch, freediving, watching the sunset, delicious dinner, watching the stars and repeat! Plus a lot of sea adventures here and there…

I spent 21 days aboard the Ikigai. Fantastic, you say: on a boat, in the San Blas Islands, Kuna territory. It’s easy to imagine it being fantastic. First of all: to find the San Blas Islands, you have to get there and “adapt”. And you also have to respect the Kuna and their territory: movie-like beaches and atolls. This, thanks to Luca, seems like a natural occurrence aboard the Ikigai. From the moment you cross your legs at the bow for meditation as soon as you wake up, to the last star you turn off (even at the stern, if you like) before going to sleep, you live in a simply more adapted way. Without giving up anything…not even a good espresso and bread. Adapting, however, means a lobster barbecue, which the Captain never fails to provide.

21 days without shoes or flip-flops, completely barefoot…and you’ve probably never been there since you’ve been wearing them…and you don’t even realize it.

Siamo stati a San Blas con Ikigai per una decina di giorni. L’arcipelago è bellissimo, ancora protetto dai locali da un turismo di massa. Una vacanza fuori dal tempo in uno scenario naturale bellissimo: isolette selvagge, locali ospitali, barriera corallina, squali, delfini, sole e vento…
Ikigai è un catamarano molto confortevole, su cui non manca nulla.
Luca e Paola ci hanno viziati ed accuditi con ottima cucina, attività fisica, meditazioni, chiacchiere e ottima compagnia.
Luca è l’amico che ha il coraggio di fare quello che tutti sognano di fare, con grande energia e entusiasmo. Grazie e… buon vento!

We stayed with Luca for six days in January of 2026 sailing through the SAN Blas Islands in Panama and had an amazing experience.
The snorkelling was the best we’ve ever seen. We saw sharks, puffer fish, dolphins and so much more!
Luca kept us busy everyday with exploring different Islands and snorkelling areas.
Food on board was absolutely amazing and included lots of seafood.
The boat was clean and really nicely setup.
I will be booking again!

The time spent on the catamaran IKIGAI left me with unforgettable moments and experiences from the island of Dominica. The food on the boat was delicious, especially the fresh caught and prepared fish and the Italian spaghetti carbonara was the best I have ever eaten. Both guys Brano and Luca are not only great freedivers but also chefs!
Thank you Brano and Luca for activities like spearfishing and freediving, snorkeling and guided tour of Dominica Island connected with swimming in waterfalls with crystal clear water in conjunction with thermal springs….

Merci à Luca et Brano pour cette formidable expérience à bord de leur superbe catamaran. Ces quelques jours de croisière entre la Dominique et la Martinique resteront l’une de mes plus belles expériences en mer. Découverte des fonds marins, cours de voile, séance guidée de respiration le tout accompagné d’une cuisine soignée, de cabines et espaces communs très confortables mais surtout d’une gentillesse et d’une bonne humeur permanentes…rien ne manque à bord. Je recommande très vivement!

Stepping on Ikigai you immediately feel welcome and free. A stylish vessel to get out there and explore. Luca and Brano know what they’re doing and are great people to be around. Thanks guys!

My vacation on Ikigai was absolutely fantastic! Not only did I get to enjoy the stunning views of the ocean every day, but I also had the opportunity to meet some truly amazing people. The atmosphere on board was so welcoming and friendly, it felt like we were all old friends by the end of the trip….

Absolutely amazing experience. Aware of needs, friendly, knowledgeable, attention to detail. Highly recommend!

È stato un viaggio fantastico fuori dal tempo e dal mondo! Ci siamo lasciati trasportare da vento e onde fino alle isole più remote dei caraibi… Tobago Cays, Saint Vincent, Saint Lucia, Bequia.. ogni giorno una nuova sorpresa, ricca di emozioni e coinvolgimento! Un sogno i tramonti morbidi in barca, due risate tra amici e un bicchiere, introduzione al free diving, le nuotate tra tartarughe marine e mante!…