Discover Paraty’s Best Islands on an Exclusive Schooner Tour

Paraty’s best water excursion is less about sailing past the coast and more about getting you into it. The modern Aquamarina II schooner carries you to four island and beach stops, with time to swim, snorkel, relax, and take photos. The water slide and freshwater rinse give the trip a playful edge.

I like the comfortable two-storey boat, especially the cushioned areas, tables, toilets, and onboard bar. I also like the crew’s kind, considerate service, along with the practical support boat that helps you reach shore without a long swim. The main thing to consider is that this is a five-hour group boat outing, so the schedule may feel brisk if you want a quiet, unhurried beach day.

Key points to know before you book

• Four water stops in five hours: Visit Ilha dos Cocos, Praia da Conceição, Lagoa Azul, and Praia da Lula.
• A boat built for comfort: Use the cushioned seating, tables, chairs, toilets, slide, and freshwater rinse.
• Starlink Wi-Fi at sea: You can send photos and messages during the cruise, weather and signal conditions permitting.
• Optional food and drinks: The bar and restaurant let you stay onboard without packing a full meal.
• Useful beach access: A motorized support boat makes getting to the beaches easier.
• Pets are welcome: You can bring your pet, which is unusual for a half-day boat trip.

Starting at Paraty’s Tourist Pier

The Aquamarina II is anchored at the Tourist Pier and should be easy to spot. Look for the yellow heart, triple slide, and Instagram-style swing. At check-in, present your name or voucher to the staff.

Plan to arrive at least 30 minutes before departure. The supplied departure guidance gives 10:30 a.m. as the check-in time, but you should confirm the exact start when you book, since available times can vary.

Bring your ID, swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, and light clothing. Snorkel gear is recommended if you want to see fish at the clearer-water stops. You can pay for onboard purchases with PIX, card, or cash. If you have dietary restrictions, tell the staff ahead of time so the restaurant can adjust its options.

The boat returns to the same pier, so you do not need to arrange a separate ride back from a beach. That simple start and finish make this a handy choice if you have only part of a day free in Paraty.

Aquamarina II, a floating base for the day

The Aquamarina II is a modern, double-decker schooner with several ways to spend the sailing time. You can sit at tables and chairs, stretch out in cushioned areas, listen to background music, or watch the coast from the upper level.

This setup matters because not everyone wants to spend five hours in the water. Some people in your group may prefer shade, conversation, food, or a steady seat while others use the slide and swim. The boat gives you those choices without turning the trip into a bare-bones transport ride.

The slide is one of the boat’s main attractions. Adults and children can use it for a quick splash, although anyone seeking a calm and quiet cruise may find the music and slide activity more lively than expected.

Floatation mats are available, giving you another way to rest in the water. The men’s and women’s toilets are useful on a five-hour outing, particularly for families and anyone who would rather not plan the day around shore facilities.

Starlink Wi-Fi is available throughout the tour. That is a fun extra if you want to share photos right away, but I would treat it as a bonus rather than the reason to book. You are still going out on the water to swim and enjoy the scenery, not to spend the day staring at a phone.

Ilha dos Cocos, your first chance to swim

The first stop is Ilha dos Cocos, where the focus is calm water and marine life. You can leave the boat for a swim, use a floatation mat, or snorkel if you bring or arrange your own equipment.

Starting here makes sense. It gives you time to settle into the boat, test the water, and get comfortable before the later stops. The clear conditions are meant for looking below the surface, so bring a mask if seeing fish is important to you.

The support boat is a practical feature here and at the later beach stops. It helps move passengers between the schooner and shore, so you do not have to make a long swim while carrying a towel, phone, or other items.

Keep your expectations sensible. This is a scheduled stop, not a private island day with unlimited time. You get about an hour at the main stops, and the crew needs to keep the group moving so all four locations fit into the five-hour outing.

Praia da Conceição, a quieter beach pause

Praia da Conceição offers white sand and calm water. This is the stop for slowing down, sitting on the beach, and enjoying a more peaceful stretch between swims.

I would use this hour differently from Ilha dos Cocos. At Cocos, you may want to focus on fish and the water. At Conceição, you can simply wade, rest, take photos, and enjoy the beach. The calm water should also suit anyone who is less confident in open water, though all swimming depends on the day’s conditions.

The support boat makes this stop easier to enjoy because you can reach the beach without treating the swim from the schooner as a challenge. Pack only what you need, however. Sunscreen, a towel, and swimwear are essential, and keeping valuables secure is always sensible around boats and beaches.

Lagoa Azul, the clearest water of the day

Lagoa Azul is presented as the tour’s natural aquarium. The transparent water gives you the best chance to see colorful fish, making this the stop where a snorkel can add the most to your visit.

If you only pack one extra item, make it a snorkel. The tour recommends bringing one, and the value is clear here: you can look beneath the surface instead of treating the stop as a simple swim.

The boat’s slide and floatation mats also work well at a stop like this. You can enter the water in a playful way, float for a while, or swim at your own pace. The crew’s role is important, since a kind and attentive team makes a difference when passengers are moving between the schooner, the support boat, and the water.

As with every stop, conditions can change with weather and sea safety. If the captain decides sailing is not safe, the tour is rescheduled or the amount paid is refunded. That policy is worth remembering when you plan this as the centerpiece of a tightly timed holiday.

Praia da Lula, the final photo stop

Praia da Lula is the last named stop and is suited to relaxing and taking photos. After several swims, this beach gives you a gentler finish before the return sail.

You may find that the final stop feels especially welcome. A five-hour boat trip can be tiring, even when the mood is easygoing, and a beach pause lets you dry off and settle down. Use the photographer onboard if you want help recording the day, rather than trying to manage your phone in the water.

The word photo stop should not mean you need to pose every minute. Take a few pictures, then put the phone away. The best part of a place like this is the short break from a fixed schedule, even if the overall tour still needs to keep to its return time.

Food, drinks, music, and the freshwater rinse

The onboard bar and restaurant sell drinks and meals at an extra cost. This is convenient, especially if you do not want to carry food on and off the boat. You should budget for those purchases separately from the ticket price.

The dietary restriction note is useful. Contact the staff before departure if you need an adapted option. Do not assume every special meal can be prepared at the last minute.

Background music plays while you sail. For many people, that adds to the holiday mood. If you prefer silence and bird calls, this may be a minor drawback. The boat has enough room to find a less central seating area, but it is still a social cruise rather than a private charter.

At the end, you can use the freshwater bath onboard to rinse off salt and cool down. It is a small feature, but a very practical one. You will appreciate it after several swims, especially if you plan to continue sightseeing in Paraty once you return to the pier.

What the $23 price really gives you

At $23 per person, this is a strong-value way to see several of Paraty’s coastal stops in one outing. The price includes five hours on the schooner, all four planned locations, seating, toilets, Wi-Fi, the slide, floatation mats, music, the support boat, and the final freshwater rinse.

You still need to pay extra for food and drinks. You should also bring sunscreen, a towel, and swimwear rather than expecting those items to be supplied. Snorkels are recommended, but the information provided does not say that snorkel equipment is included.

The value is highest if you want variety. A private boat could give you more control over timing, but at this price the Aquamarina II lets you reach four popular water locations without arranging separate transport. You also get a proper boat structure instead of a simple open vessel.

The tradeoff is freedom. You follow the group’s route and timing, and each stop is limited. If your ideal day means spending four hours on one beach, this is not the right format. If you want a broad sample of Paraty’s water scenery in half a day, the cost is easy to justify.

Who will enjoy this schooner trip most

I would recommend this experience to families, couples, groups of friends, and solo visitors who want a social day on the water. The slide, mats, beach stops, Wi-Fi, and restaurant give different members of a group several ways to enjoy the same outing.

It is also a good choice if you are traveling with a pet. The pet-friendly policy removes one common obstacle, though you should still confirm any practical rules with the operator before departure.

Swimmers and snorkelers will get the most from the trip. You can still join if you prefer sitting on the boat, but the main appeal is the combination of clear water, beaches, and short swims.

I would be more cautious if you dislike group schedules, onboard music, or busy activity areas. The boat is designed for comfort and fun, not solitude. People looking for a quiet private charter should compare other options.

Service is another reason to consider it. The crew is described as kind and considerate, and that matters on a boat where passengers need help with boarding, beach transfers, food, and water activities. Good staff can turn a complicated half-day into an easy one.

Weather, languages, and flexible booking

The tour runs only in favorable weather. If conditions are unsafe for sailing, it will be rescheduled or the amount paid will be refunded. That is reassuring, but you should avoid placing this trip on the final few hours of your Paraty stay if a weather change would leave you with no replacement day.

Guiding is available in Portuguese, English, and Spanish. Confirm your preferred language when you reserve, especially if clear safety instructions and stop information are important to you.

You can reserve now and pay later, which helps if your plans are still changing. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. Those terms make this easier to fit into a flexible Paraty schedule.

Should you book the Aquamarina II?

Book it if you want an affordable, full half-day on the water with four different stops, a comfortable boat, and plenty of extras. The combination of Ilha dos Cocos, Praia da Conceição, Lagoa Azul, and Praia da Lula gives you swimming, snorkeling, beach time, and photo opportunities in one trip.

Skip it if you want a private, silent cruise or a long stay at one beach. The Aquamarina II is a social boat with music, a slide, optional onboard dining, and a set route.

For most visitors, the $23 fare makes this an easy value choice. Bring sunscreen, a towel, swimwear, and a snorkel, arrive early at the Tourist Pier, and let the crew handle the moving between Paraty’s best water stops.

FAQ

How long does the Aquamarina II tour last?

The tour lasts five hours and returns to the Tourist Pier where it begins.

Which places does the tour visit?

The route includes Ilha dos Cocos, Praia da Conceição, Lagoa Azul, and Praia da Lula.

Where do I board the schooner?

The Aquamarina II is anchored and visible at Paraty’s Tourist Pier. Look for the yellow heart, triple slide, and swing, then show your name or voucher to the check-in staff.

What should I bring?

Bring identification, light clothing, sunscreen, a towel, and swimwear. A snorkel is recommended for seeing marine life at the stops.

Is food available during the tour?

Yes. The boat has a bar and restaurant, but drinks and meals cost extra. Tell the staff in advance about dietary restrictions.

Can I bring my pet?

Yes. The service is pet friendly and allows you to bring your pet.

What happens if the weather is unsafe?

If weather conditions are not safe for sailing, the tour will be rescheduled or the amount paid will be refunded.