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

Ilha Grande’s clear island waters are the star of this six-hour schooner ride from Angra dos Reis. You’ll snorkel at Lagoa Azul, float near the Botinas Islands, visit small beaches, and finish with time for lunch at a local restaurant on Gipoia Island. The scenery is the sort that makes a boat day worthwhile.

I like the low price, listed at $12 per person, and the variety packed into one outing: fish and starfish at a natural aquarium, white sand, forested mountains, and several swimming stops. I also like that the boat returns to the same central meeting point, so you do not need to arrange a separate ride home.

The main catch is the loose timing and the cost of food. One departure ran about an hour late, though the lost time was made up later, and a simple chicken-and-fries plate was reported at R$170 when lunch was not included. Bring a snack, and confirm exactly which lunch option you are booking.

Key points before you book

• Lagoa Azul offers the best snorkeling stop, with fish and starfish in clear, calm water.
• The Botinas Islands are outside Ilha Grande, but their white seabed and transparent water make them one of the day’s most photogenic stops.
• Praia de Araça gives you a quiet beach break, backed by rainforest and mountain views.
• Lunch takes place at Bar do Luiz on Gipoia Island, where the meal can be chosen before you reach the beach.
• The outing lasts about six hours, beginning at 11:30 a.m. and ending back at Estação Santa Luzia.
• The $12 price is attractive, but food costs can change the total, especially if lunch is not part of your booking.

A six-hour boat day around Angra dos Reis

This is a straightforward way to see several pieces of the Angra dos Reis and Ilha Grande area without arranging separate boats, beaches, and snorkeling trips. You meet at Estação Santa Luzia, at Av. Júlio Maria 435 in central Angra dos Reis, then board for a route through the island bay.

The boat ride itself is part of the appeal. Ilha Grande is known for more than 100 beaches, and the day gives you a sample rather than trying to cover the island on foot. You will not see everything, but you will get a useful mix of open water, small islands, swimming areas, and sandy beaches.

The departure time is 11:30 a.m., making this an easy fit for a relaxed morning. You should not expect a tightly timed sightseeing cruise. A one-hour delay has occurred when a group was coming from Rio, although the time was later made up. Plan around the six-hour estimate rather than a strict return time.

The group can reach up to 100 people. That matters if you prefer a quiet, small-boat outing. This is a shared excursion with a broad appeal, and the mood may feel more social and less personal than a private charter.

Lagoa Azul and the natural aquarium

The first major stop is Lagoa Azul, described as a natural aquarium in Ilha Grande Bay. The water is clear enough for you to see several species of fish and starfish, making this the main stop for snorkeling.

You should think of this as a chance to get in the water, not a formal guided marine tour. Admission is included, and the stop lasts about 35 minutes. That gives you time to swim and look beneath the surface, but not endless time for a long session.

The appeal of Lagoa Azul is simple: clear water, marine life, and the feeling of being far from a city even though Angra dos Reis is nearby. If snorkeling is high on your list, this stop gives the trip its strongest reason to exist.

Bring whatever personal swimming or snorkeling essentials you need, since the supplied details do not specify equipment rental or gear provision. The boat service can be contacted at 24 999890167 if you need to ask about what is available on board before booking.

Praia de Araça and the Ilha Grande bay

The second stop is Praia de Araça, also identified as Freguesia de Fora. Here, the emphasis shifts from snorkeling to relaxing on or near the boat and enjoying the setting around Ilha Grande Bay.

You will see tropical scenery, distant rainforest, and mountains surrounding the water. The beach is one of the quieter stops reached from the sea, which gives you a break from the structure of a city beach. The scheduled stop is about 35 minutes, so treat it as a short shore visit rather than a full afternoon at Praia de Araça.

This part of the route is useful because it adds variety. Lagoa Azul is about the water below you. Araça is about the sand, the surrounding hills, and the slower pace of a small coastal beach.

The descriptions also connect this section with additional quiet beaches and Praia de Japariz, where golden sand and turquoise water provide good conditions for swimming and snorkeling. The exact flow can depend on the boat’s timing and route, so you should view the day as a series of scenic stops rather than a rigid schedule with every minute guaranteed.

Botinas Islands, clear water with a deceptive depth

The Botinas Islands are two small rocky islands that look almost like twins. They are not on Ilha Grande itself, but they sit within the bay around the island and form one of the most memorable stops on the route.

The sea around them is calm and colorful, with a white sandy bottom visible through the clear water. That clarity can make the water appear shallow. It is not. The area can reach about 10 meters in depth, so you should not assume you can stand simply because you can see the seabed.

This is another snorkeling stop, scheduled for roughly 35 minutes. The islands offer the kind of setting that looks excellent from the boat, too: pale sand below, rock above the surface, and open water in every direction.

Use ordinary care here. Stay within your comfort level, pay attention to the crew’s instructions, and do not swim farther than you can manage. The beauty of the Botinas Islands is easy to enjoy without treating the stop as a test of swimming ability.

Gipoia Island and lunch at Bar do Luiz

The final listed stop is on Gipoia Island, at Praia das Setas. This is the longest shore stop, with about one hour set aside for lunch and time on the beach.

The meal is served at Bar do Luiz, a typical restaurant in the area. A useful touch is the way the meal can be selected before the boat reaches the beach. The restaurant takes the order on board, then prepares the food so it can be served when you arrive.

That arrangement can save time during a short stop. You are not spending the whole hour studying a menu after reaching shore. It also means you should pay close attention to the lunch arrangement when you book, since the experience is sold with or without lunch.

Food is the biggest value warning on this outing. One meal without lunch included was reported to cost R$170 for a simple chicken fillet with fries. That is a steep extra charge compared with the $12 tour price. If your booking does not include lunch, bring a packed snack and confirm the restaurant prices before ordering.

You should also know that drinking alcohol or other drinks on board is prohibited according to the tour details. A report from the boat noted that the only purchase available was Fandangos, so you should not count on a full snack service during the ride. The safest plan is to eat before departure and carry food if permitted, while following the operator’s rules.

What the $12 price really gives you

At $12 per person, this is priced as an accessible introduction to the Angra dos Reis and Ilha Grande bay area. You are paying for a shared boat outing with several stops, not a private yacht, a gourmet meal, or a highly customized day.

The value is strongest if you want to see many locations without spending much. Lagoa Azul, Araça, Botinas, and Gipoia each offer something different, and the route covers water views, beaches, snorkeling, and lunch time in one package.

The low price also calls for realistic expectations. Timing may be flexible, the group can be large, and lunch may cost much more than the cruise itself. Once food is added, the total price can look very different from the advertised fare.

Check the booking choice carefully. The title allows for a lunch-included or lunch-excluded version, while the listed details do not give a separate lunch price. Confirm what is covered before you pay, especially if you want to avoid the R$170 meal example noted above.

Timing, meeting point, and practical planning

The meeting point is Estação Santa Luzia, 435 Av. Júlio Maria, in Centro, Angra dos Reis. The activity ends back at that same meeting point, which simplifies planning for anyone staying in Angra dos Reis.

The tour starts at 11:30 a.m. and lasts around six hours. Since the route includes several water and beach stops, bring swimwear, sun protection, a towel, and clothing that can handle spray. These are practical suggestions for a boat day, not listed inclusions, so do not assume the operator supplies them.

Public transportation is nearby, and confirmation is sent when you book. Most people can participate, but the information does not give detailed accessibility specifications. If you need a particular boarding arrangement or have mobility concerns, contact Angra dos Reis Turismo before booking.

Weather matters. The trip requires good conditions, and poor weather can lead to a different date or a full refund. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Inside that 24-hour window, the payment is not refunded and changes are not accepted.

Who will enjoy this schooner ride

I would choose this outing if you want a broad sample of the bay at a low starting price. It suits people who like alternating between swimming, short beach visits, boat scenery, and a simple local meal.

It also works well for a first visit to Angra dos Reis. Rather than committing to one beach, you get several snapshots of the area, including the famous Botinas Islands and the natural aquarium at Lagoa Azul.

You may want a different experience if you dislike shared excursions, need exact departure times, or expect a quiet luxury cruise. A group of up to 100 people and the possibility of delays can make the day feel less polished.

Strong swimmers and casual snorkelers will find the route appealing, but you should respect the water depth around Botinas. The trip is not only about getting to beaches. Some of the best scenery is viewed from the boat, and the clearest water can be deeper than it appears.

My verdict on the Angra dos Reis boat day

I would book this schooner ride if the main goal is to see several beautiful water spots for a modest starting cost. The combination of Lagoa Azul, Botinas Islands, Praia de Araça, and Gipoia Island gives you a fuller picture of the bay than a single beach visit.

I would book the lunch-included version only after checking the exact terms. If lunch is not included, bring a snack and set aside extra money for the restaurant. With flexible timing, a potentially large group, and basic on-board service, this is best treated as a value-focused boat day, not a luxury sailing trip.

The strongest reasons to go are the snorkeling stops, the clear water around the Botinas Islands, and the chance to reach beaches that are easier to access by boat. If those are your priorities, the $12 starting fare offers a practical way into one of Rio de Janeiro state’s most scenic coastal areas.

FAQ

Where does the schooner ride start?

The tour starts at Estação Santa Luzia, 435 Av. Júlio Maria, Centro, Angra dos Reis, Rio de Janeiro.

What time does the activity begin?

The scheduled start time is 11:30 a.m.

How long does the boat trip last?

The experience lasts approximately six hours.

Where does the activity finish?

The boat returns to the original meeting point at Estação Santa Luzia.

Which places does the tour visit?

The route includes Lagoa Azul, Praia de Araça, the Botinas Islands, and Gipoia Island, including Praia das Setas.

Is snorkeling part of the experience?

Yes. Snorkeling is offered at Lagoa Azul and the Botinas Islands, with fish and starfish visible at Lagoa Azul.

Are the Botinas Islands on Ilha Grande?

No. The Botinas Islands are separate small islands within the bay surrounding Ilha Grande.

Is lunch included?

The experience is offered with or without lunch. Check your selected option before booking. Lunch is served at Bar do Luiz on Gipoia Island.

Can I buy drinks on the boat?

Drinking on board is prohibited according to the tour information.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

You can choose another date or receive a full refund if poor weather causes the activity to be canceled. Free cancellation is also available when you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time.