Schooner ride with or without Lunch Included – Angra dos Reis and Ilha Grande

Blue water comes with a low price. This six-hour schooner trip links Angra dos Reis with some of the prettiest spots around Ilha Grande, including Lagoa Azul, Araca Beach, the Botinas Islands, and Gipoia Island. I like the snorkeling stops and the chance to reach quiet beaches by boat rather than trying to connect them overland. I also like the simple $12 starting price, which makes this an easy way to see the bay.

The main catch is food. If lunch is not included in your booking, the meal can cost far more than the tour itself, and the onboard snack choice may be limited. You should also allow extra time, since the boat may run late when collecting a group from Rio, although one delayed departure was reportedly made up at the end. Go with patience, swimwear, and a snack.

Key points to know before you book

• Four water stops in about six hours: The route visits Lagoa Azul, Araca Beach, Botinas Islands, and Gipoia Island.
• Snorkeling is the main event: Lagoa Azul and Botinas have clear water, fish, starfish, and white sandy bottoms.
• Lunch needs careful checking: Choose the lunch option if available, or confirm exactly what your booking covers before setting out.
• The boat leaves at 11:30 am: Meet at Estação Santa Luzia 435 in central Angra dos Reis.
• The price is unusually low: At $12 per person, the trip offers strong value if you mainly want scenery, swimming, and a boat ride.
• It is a large-group outing: The maximum is 100 people, so this is not a private or quiet sailing trip.

Why this Angra dos Reis boat trip makes sense

Ilha Grande is known for its many beaches and clear blue-green water. A boat is the practical way to see several of them in one day, especially when the points of interest are spread across the island and nearby bay.

This is not a luxury yacht charter or a carefully timed private cruise. It is a shared schooner outing with several stops, a fixed meeting point, and a broad route through the Angra dos Reis area. That distinction matters. You pay little, see a lot, and accept a less polished schedule.

I like the balance of activities. You are not stuck on the boat for six hours, and you are not asked to spend the whole day at one beach. Instead, you get repeated chances to swim, snorkel, take photos, and sit on the sand. The stops are short enough to keep the route moving, though anyone wanting a long, quiet beach day may find the pace a little rushed.

The tour usually sells around 12 days ahead, so it is sensible to reserve before your trip if your dates are fixed. Confirmation is provided at booking, and the outing ends back at the same meeting point.

Meeting at Santa Luzia at 11:30 am

The departure point is Estação Santa Luzia 435, on Avenida Júlio Maria in central Angra dos Reis. The area is near public transportation, which helps if you are staying in town and do not have a car.

The scheduled start is 11:30 am. That is a useful time for anyone who wants a slower morning, but you should still arrive with enough time to find the station and check in. With a maximum group of 100 people, boarding may take a little organization.

Keep your expectations realistic about the clock. A delayed departure of about an hour was reported when a group was arriving from Rio de Janeiro. The lost time was made up at the end, but that kind of delay can affect your evening plans. I would avoid booking a tight dinner reservation, bus connection, or onward transfer immediately after the stated six-hour duration.

The return is to the original meeting point. There is no separate hotel drop-off listed, so plan to make your own way back to your accommodation.

Lagoa Azul, the first look at Ilha Grande’s underwater world

The first major stop is Lagoa Azul, described as a natural aquarium in Ilha Grande Bay. The water is suited to snorkeling, with fish and starfish visible in the clear shallows.

This is the stop that gives the trip its strongest sense of place. The attraction is not simply looking at the island from the deck. You get into the water and see what makes this bay special below the surface. The combination of pale sand, clear water, and marine life makes Lagoa Azul a memorable first stop.

You have about 35 minutes here. That is enough for a swim and a short snorkeling session, but not enough for a leisurely exploration. If snorkeling is important to you, be ready when the boat arrives. Keep your mask and swimming gear easy to reach instead of buried in a bag.

The itinerary does not state whether snorkeling equipment is provided, so confirm this with Angra dos Reis Turismo before departure. The same applies to any onboard service, which can be checked by contacting the agency at 24 999890167.

Araca Beach and the rainforest-framed bay

The second stop is Araca Beach, also called Freguesia de Fora. Here the appeal shifts from underwater viewing to a more traditional beach stop, with pale sand, tropical scenery, distant rainforest, and mountains around the bay.

This is a good place to slow down after the first swim. You can relax on the yacht, enjoy the view, or spend time in the water and on the beach. The setting shows why Ilha Grande is often included among Rio de Janeiro’s top natural attractions.

The stop lasts about 35 minutes, so it is still a short visit. You will have time to enjoy the shoreline, but not to wander far or settle in for a full beach afternoon. That limitation is common on a route covering several locations, and it is the price of seeing more than one corner of the bay.

The itinerary also refers to quiet beaches reached from the ocean and a lunch stop at Praia de Japariz, a golden sand beach with turquoise water. The schedule description links this part of the outing with swimming and snorkeling, so you should expect the route to include more than simply anchoring at Araca Beach.

Botinas Islands and clear water over white sand

The Botinas Islands are two small rocky islands outside Ilha Grande itself, but within the bay around it. They look almost like twins and are known for calm, colorful water.

This is another prime snorkeling location. The white seabed makes the water look surprisingly shallow and bright. Do not let that appearance fool you. The water around the islands can reach 10 meters, so use care and follow the boat crew’s instructions.

The stop lasts about 35 minutes. That gives you enough time to appreciate the view and swim, but it is not a place to treat casually. The islands are small stone outcrops, not broad beaches, so the main pleasure comes from the water and the scenery rather than walking around.

I like that this stop adds variety to the route. Lagoa Azul gives you the natural aquarium experience, while Botinas offers open-water views around two distinctive rock formations. If you prefer calm swimming and clear water to long walks, this part of the trip should suit you well.

Gipoia Island and the Praia das Setas lunch stop

The final listed stop is Gipoia Island, with a visit to Praia das Setas and lunch at Bar do Luiz. The restaurant has a practical system: the menu is brought onto the vessel so you can choose your meal before reaching the beach. The food is then prepared for your arrival.

That arrangement can save time on a short stop. Instead of sitting down and waiting to decide, you can make your choice while still on the boat. The stop lasts about one hour, making it the longest scheduled break of the day.

This is also the part of the trip where the price question becomes important. A review described a simple chicken fillet with fries at 170 Brazilian reais when lunch was not included. The onboard snack selection was reportedly limited, with Fandangos given as the only easy purchase.

For that reason, I would strongly consider the lunch-included version if the difference in price is reasonable. If you choose the basic option, bring your own food if permitted and confirm the rules before boarding. Drinking alcohol or other drinks on board is prohibited according to the tour information, so do not plan to bring beverages for the boat.

The wording of the experience allows for a version with or without lunch. Check the exact option selected during booking. A low headline price can lose some of its value if you then face a costly meal with no practical alternative.

What $12 really buys you

At $12 per person, this is an inexpensive way to spend six hours on the water around Angra dos Reis and Ilha Grande. The value is strongest if you want access to multiple viewpoints and swimming spots without paying for a private boat.

You are paying for a broad route rather than personal service. The maximum group size is 100, so the boat may feel busy, especially during boarding, meal arrangements, and water stops. The low price makes that trade-off easier to accept.

The tour also covers several places that would be difficult to combine independently in one short outing. You reach Lagoa Azul, Araca Beach, Botinas Islands, and Gipoia Island in a single day, with swimming and snorkeling built into the route.

The weak point is the extra spending at lunch. If you need a full meal and do not select the included option, the restaurant price can be a serious part of your day’s budget. Ask for the current lunch details before booking rather than assuming the $12 price covers food.

With a rating of 4.2 from 132 ratings, the overall picture is positive but not perfect. That feels fair for a basic shared boat tour with strong scenery, short stops, and some schedule uncertainty.

How to prepare for a better day

Pack for water, sun, and a little waiting. Your essentials should include swimwear, a towel, sun protection, and a bag that keeps clothing and electronics dry. The tour information does not confirm equipment rental, so ask about masks and snorkels before departure.

Bring a snack if the operator permits outside food. This advice is especially important if you do not purchase lunch in advance. The onboard food choice may be narrow, and the restaurant meal can be expensive compared with the base tour price.

Keep your schedule open after the excursion. The stated duration is about six hours, but the departure may be delayed and the finishing time adjusted. One delayed outing recovered the lost hour, but you should still avoid arranging something that cannot move.

You should also be comfortable with basic boat travel, short swimming stops, and a large shared group. Most people can participate, and the experience is near public transportation, but no special private transfer or small-group setting is listed.

Who will enjoy this schooner ride most

I would recommend this trip to budget-minded visitors who want a first look at Ilha Grande and the surrounding bay. It is particularly useful if you want several water stops but do not want to organize boat transport yourself.

It should suit swimmers, casual snorkelers, couples, families, and groups of friends who value scenery over a polished luxury service. The white sand, clear water, fish, starfish, small islands, and mountain views provide plenty to enjoy even when the timetable moves quickly.

It is less suitable if you want silence, privacy, or precise timing. A group of up to 100 can feel very different from a private sailing trip, and the short stops leave little room for lingering. It may also disappoint anyone expecting an all-inclusive day, since lunch and onboard services depend on the option you select.

Should you book this Ilha Grande boat trip?

Book it if you want a cheap, full water day with several attractive stops and you can stay flexible about timing. The $12 starting price is hard to dismiss, especially when the route includes Lagoa Azul and the Botinas Islands.

Choose the lunch-included option if available and affordable, or confirm the meal price before you go. Bring a snack, arrive at Santa Luzia before 11:30 am, and keep your snorkeling gear handy.

Skip it if you need a private boat, a quiet beach stay, or a tightly controlled schedule. For everyone else, this is a practical introduction to Angra dos Reis and Ilha Grande, with enough swimming, scenery, and island time to make the modest cost worthwhile.

FAQ

Where does the schooner ride start?

It starts at Estação Santa Luzia 435, Avenida Júlio Maria, Centro, Angra dos Reis, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

What time does the tour start?

The scheduled start time is 11:30 am.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately six hours.

Where does the tour finish?

The activity finishes back at the original meeting point.

Which places are visited?

The route includes Lagoa Azul, Araca Beach, the Botinas Islands, and Gipoia Island.

Is snorkeling part of the experience?

Yes. Snorkeling is offered at Lagoa Azul and the Botinas Islands, where you may see fish and starfish.

Is lunch included?

There are versions with or without lunch. Check the option you select when booking.

Can I buy drinks for the boat?

No. Drinking on board is prohibited.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 100 people.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted. If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund.