Discover Paraty’s Best Islands on an Exclusive Schooner Tour

Paraty’s prettiest water is best seen from the water, and this five-hour schooner cruise gives you four chances to swim, relax, and take in the coast. The Aquamarina II is a modern double-decker boat with cushioned seating, a bar, restaurant, slide, and even Starlink Wi-Fi.

I like the mix of quiet beach time and onboard fun. I also like the practical touches, especially the support boat for reaching shore, toilets, floatation mats, and a freshwater rinse before returning to the pier. The main consideration is timing: each stop lasts about an hour, so this is a quick sample of several places rather than a slow day on one beach.

• Four coastal stops: Visit Ilha dos Cocos, Praia da Conceição, Lagoa Azul, and Praia da Lula in one outing.
• A boat built for comfort: Use the shaded and cushioned areas, tables, chairs, toilets, bar, and restaurant.
• A slide for all ages: The onboard slide adds a playful option between swims.
• Easy access to shore: A motorized support boat helps you reach the beaches without a long swim.
• Practical extras: Starlink Wi-Fi, floatation mats, music, and a freshwater bath are included.
• Flexible booking: You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure and reserve now without paying immediately.

Why This Paraty Schooner Tour Works

This is not a bare-bones boat transfer. The Aquamarina II is part sightseeing cruise, part floating beach club, and part family outing. You can sit at a table, stretch out on cushions, order a drink or meal, use the slide, or simply watch the coast pass by.

That range matters because people use a boat day in different ways. You may want to swim at every stop. Someone in your group may prefer a chair and a cold drink. Children may make a beeline for the slide, while you may value the toilets and freshwater rinse more than any photograph.

The crew is described as kind and considerate, which fits the overall design of the outing. The experience aims to keep things easy and sociable rather than rugged or highly private. Music plays while the boat is moving, and the onboard photographer can record moments that are awkward to capture from the water yourself.

The listed price is $23 per person, a strong value if you use the boat’s facilities and visit all four stops. Food and drinks cost extra, so budget for those separately. At this price, the tour makes particular sense for anyone who wants a full half-day on the coast without arranging a private boat.

Finding the Yellow Heart at the Tourist Pier

The Aquamarina II is anchored at the Tourist Pier in Paraty and should be easy to identify. Look for the yellow Instagram-style heart, triple slide, and swing set up for photographs.

Arrive at least 30 minutes before the 10:30 a.m. departure for check-in. Go to the staff at the boat, give your name or show your voucher, and keep your identification with you. The activity returns to this same meeting point, so you do not need to arrange a separate ride back from another beach.

Wear light clothing and bring sunscreen, a towel, and swimwear. A hat or cover-up is also sensible, though only the first items are specifically required by the operator. Bring a snorkel if you have one, since the clear water and fish are part of the appeal at the swimming stops.

The boat accepts payment by PIX, card, or cash for purchases onboard. If you need a special meal, tell the staff ahead of time so the restaurant can adjust its options where possible.

Ilha dos Cocos: Your First Hour in Clear Water

The first stop is Ilha dos Cocos, where the plan is to spend about an hour around clear water and marine life. Starting here gives you an early chance to swim before settling into the rhythm of the day.

This stop should suit you if your priority is seeing fish and getting into the water quickly. Floatation mats are available, which help if you want to rest without constantly treading water. A snorkel can add more to the stop, though snorkel equipment itself is not listed as included.

The support boat is an important detail. Instead of making every person swim from the schooner to shore, it can carry you to the beach areas. That makes the tour more workable for children, less confident swimmers, and anyone who wants to save energy for the rest of the day.

Keep your expectations measured. The stop lasts about an hour, and the tour serves several places, so you will not have unlimited time to search for marine life. Still, Ilha dos Cocos provides a useful first taste of Paraty’s coastal water and sets up the rest of the cruise.

Praia da Conceição: Calm Water and White Sand

Praia da Conceição is presented as a peaceful beach with white sand and calm water. It is the stop to favor if you want to slow down, sit near the shore, or take a break from the more active parts of the boat.

You can use the support boat to reach the beach, then spend the allotted time swimming or relaxing. The calm water should appeal to families and anyone who prefers a gentler swim. It is also a good point in the schedule for photographs, since the beach itself provides a change from the open deck and railings of the schooner.

The tradeoff is that one hour moves quickly. If you want a long beach stay, a private boat or a dedicated beach outing would give you more control. This tour instead gives you variety, allowing you to compare several coastal settings in one morning and afternoon.

Lagoa Azul: Fish, Photos, and a Natural Aquarium

Lagoa Azul is the most clearly focused swimming stop. The water is described as transparent, with colorful fish that can be seen below the surface. Bring a snorkel if you want to make the most of this hour.

The name suggests a blue-water setting, but the real reason to pay attention is visibility. You may prefer to swim here rather than spend the entire stop taking pictures. The boat’s photographer can help capture the moment, while the Starlink connection lets you share images during the outing if the signal works well in your position on the water.

Wi-Fi is an unusual extra on a boat tour, but it should be treated as a convenience, not the main reason to book. The best use of Lagoa Azul is to put the phone away for part of the hour and look below the surface. Then you can reconnect, send a few pictures, and return to the water.

As with Ilha dos Cocos, conditions can affect what you see. The tour depends on safe weather, and water clarity can vary with the day. If conditions are not suitable for sailing, the outing is rescheduled or the amount paid is refunded.

Praia da Lula: A Quiet Final Beach Stop

Praia da Lula is the last listed beach stop and is described as a more secluded place for relaxing and taking photographs. Ending here gives you a final chance to leave the boat, stretch your legs, and enjoy a quieter shore before returning.

This stop may suit you best if you have already had enough swimming and want a calmer finish. You can use the hour for pictures, sit on the beach, or take one last swim. Since the tour’s schedule is shared among four stops, keep an eye on the return time so you do not miss the support boat.

The appeal of Praia da Lula is contrast. Ilha dos Cocos and Lagoa Azul focus more on clear water and marine life, while Praia da Lula offers a slower beach setting. You do not have to choose one style of outing for the whole day.

Life Aboard Aquamarina II Between Stops

The double-decker layout gives you options during the sailing sections. Cushions offer a softer place to sit, while tables and chairs work better if you order food, use your phone, or want a stable place for a camera.

The bar and restaurant sell drinks and meals at an additional cost. This is useful because five hours is long enough for hunger to become a problem, especially after swimming. Check the available choices when you board, and contact staff in advance about dietary restrictions rather than assuming the regular menu will suit you.

The onboard toilets, with separate facilities for men and women, remove one common worry on a half-day boat trip. Floatation mats add another layer of comfort, especially for people who want to rest on the water without going ashore at every stop.

The triple slide and swing are the playful centerpieces. Adults can use them too, and children may see the boat itself as part of the attraction rather than merely transportation. Music provides background during the cruise, though if you want a silent, nature-focused trip, the sound system is worth considering.

At the end, a freshwater bath lets you rinse off salt water before you return to the pier. It is a small feature, but you will appreciate it if you are heading straight to another activity afterward.

Wi-Fi, Photography, and the Social Side of the Day

Starlink Wi-Fi is available throughout the tour. That can be handy for sending a quick photograph, checking a message, or sharing your location with someone back home. It also makes this a better fit for people who want to post during the outing instead of waiting until they return to shore.

I would still bring your phone in a waterproof pouch. The data connection does not protect your device from spray, and the most useful moments happen around the water. The photographer onboard offers another way to get pictures without asking a companion to stay behind the camera.

The boat’s yellow heart, swing, and slide are clearly designed for photographs. If you prefer understated scenery and minimal staging, those features may feel a little showy. If you are traveling with children, friends, or a partner and want recognizable images from the day, they add value.

Who Will Get the Most From This Tour

I would recommend this outing to you if you want variety, comfort, and a lively boat setting. It suits families, couples, groups of friends, and solo visitors who prefer a structured day rather than negotiating a private boat arrangement.

Pet owners also have a practical reason to consider it: the service allows pets onboard. You should still bring whatever your animal needs for water, shade, and comfort, since the provided information confirms pet access but does not describe a dedicated pet area.

The tour is less suitable for someone seeking complete peace and quiet or a private itinerary. You will share the schooner with other people, listen to background music, and follow a fixed schedule. The four one-hour stops offer broad coverage, but not the freedom to stay longer at the beach you like best.

Language should be manageable for many visitors. Guides are available in Portuguese, English, and Spanish. No individual guide names are provided, so you should select the language you need when checking availability.

Price, Weather, and Booking Flexibility

At $23 per person, this is an inexpensive way to spend five hours visiting four coastal spots. The value improves if you plan to swim, use the slide, enjoy the seating areas, and make use of the support boat rather than treating the schooner as a simple ride.

Remember that meals and drinks are optional purchases. The price includes the cruise and onboard facilities, but not the restaurant tab. You should also bring sunscreen, a towel, swimwear, and possibly a snorkel, which keeps your extra spending under control.

Weather is the key factor. Sailing only goes ahead in favorable conditions. If the sea is unsafe, the tour is rescheduled or your payment is refunded. You can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps your plans flexible.

The experience carries a 4.6 rating from 13 reviews, with kind and considerate staff singled out as a strong point. That praise matters on a boat trip, where clear help with boarding, beach transfers, food, and safety can shape the entire day.

Final Call: Book It If You Want Variety

Book the Aquamarina II if you want four Paraty beaches and islands in one half-day, plus a comfortable boat, swimming time, a slide, and optional food. The $23 price gives you a lot of structure and equipment for the money.

Choose another option if you want a private boat, a quiet natural outing, or several hours at one beach. For most people looking for an easy, social introduction to Paraty’s coastal water, this schooner tour is a practical choice. Arrive early, pack your swim gear, and save some energy for the slide.

FAQ

Where does the Aquamarina II tour start?

The tour starts at the Aquamarina II, anchored and visible at Paraty’s Tourist Pier. Look for the yellow heart, triple slide, and swing, then check in with the staff using your name or voucher.

How long is the boat tour?

The activity lasts five hours and returns to the same meeting point at the Tourist Pier.

Which islands and beaches does the tour visit?

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

How long do you spend at each stop?

The itinerary allows about one hour for the listed sightseeing stops. The exact order and timing may depend on sailing conditions.

Is Wi-Fi available onboard?

Yes. Starlink Wi-Fi is available throughout the tour.

Are food and drinks included?

No. The boat has a bar and restaurant, but drinks and meals are optional purchases. Tell staff in advance if you have 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?

The tour is subject to favorable weather. If conditions are not safe for sailing, the activity is rescheduled or the amount paid is refunded.