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

Ilha Grande’s best moments are on the water, and this six-hour schooner ride gives you several of them in one day. You’ll swim and snorkel at Lagoa Azul, pause among the clear waters of the Botinas Islands, and reach beaches that are difficult to visit from shore. It is a simple outing, not a luxury cruise, but the scenery does the heavy lifting.

I like the low starting price of $12 per person, especially if you mainly want a boat ride and swimming stops. I also like the range of scenery: small rocky islands, rainforest-covered hills, white sand, and the broad bay around Ilha Grande. The main catch is food. Lunch may cost extra, and one basic meal has been reported at R$170, so plan your food budget carefully.

Key points to know before you book

• Lagoa Azul is the main snorkeling stop: Look for fish and starfish in a natural aquarium setting.
• The Botinas Islands have unusually clear water: White sand below the surface can make the sea look shallow, but it reaches about 10 meters around the islands.
• Lunch is handled at Praia das Setas: Bar do Luiz takes meal choices onboard and prepares them for your arrival.
• The boat can carry up to 100 people: This is a shared excursion with a lively, group-oriented feel.
• Timing may be flexible: One departure ran about an hour late because of a group from Rio, though the lost time was made up later.
• Bring snacks and expect no onboard drinks: Drinking is prohibited, and food choices on the boat may be very limited.

Why this schooner ride works for a day in Ilha Grande

If you have only one day to see the bay around Ilha Grande, this trip covers a lot of ground without asking you to arrange several separate boat rides. The route links Angra dos Reis with four stops, each offering a different reason to get off the boat or move into the water.

The appeal is not formal guiding or a carefully timed luxury schedule. It is the chance to spend most of the day outside, surrounded by Brazil’s Costa Verde scenery. The boat carries as many as 100 people, so you should picture a shared outing rather than a quiet private sail.

At $12 per person, the base price is unusually low for a six-hour boat trip. That makes it a good fit if you want the transportation and basic sightseeing without paying for a full package. Read the lunch arrangement carefully before booking, since the final cost can rise sharply if you buy a meal at the restaurant.

The experience starts at Estação Santa Luzia, at 435 Avenida Júlio Maria in central Angra dos Reis. The stated departure time is 11:30 a.m., and the boat returns to the same meeting point. The departure area is near public transportation, which helps if you are staying in central Angra.

Lagoa Azul and the first look at Ilha Grande’s clear water

The first stop is Lagoa Azul, in the bay around Ilha Grande. This is the place to focus on snorkeling. The water is known for its blue-green color, and the stop is described as a natural aquarium where you can see several kinds of fish and starfish.

You get about 35 minutes here. That is enough time for a swim and a look below the surface, but it is not a long snorkeling session. Bring your own mask and snorkel if you have them, since the supplied details do not confirm equipment rental or onboard gear.

Lagoa Azul is valuable because it gives you a quick taste of what makes this part of the coast special. You are not simply looking at a beach from the boat. You are entering a sheltered area and seeing the sea floor directly. The clear water can make the stop feel more memorable than the short time suggests.

The practical point is to be ready before the boat arrives. With several people using the same stop, every minute matters. Keep your belongings organized and listen for instructions about getting back onboard.

Araca Beach and a slower hour in the bay

The next stop is Praia de Araca, also identified as Freguesia de Fora. Here you can relax on the boat or enjoy the beach while taking in the tropical setting. The view includes distant rainforest and surrounding mountains, giving you a broader sense of Ilha Grande than the close-up snorkeling stop at Lagoa Azul.

This stop lasts about 35 minutes. It is best treated as a short beach pause, not a full afternoon at one location. You can walk on the sand, swim, or simply sit back and enjoy the bay.

The route then continues toward quieter beaches reached from the ocean, with lunch scheduled at Praia de Japariz. The beach has golden sand and turquoise water, and the setting is described as suitable for swimming, snorkeling, and surfing.

The wording around the itinerary combines several beach areas, so exact timing may shift with boat operations and conditions. Do not expect to spend a fixed, leisurely block at every beach. The strength of the trip is variety, while the tradeoff is that no single stop receives a very long visit.

Botinas Islands, clear water with a misleading depth

The Botinas Islands are two small rocky islands outside Ilha Grande itself, but within the bay that surrounds it. They look almost like twins and are one of the most attractive stops on the route.

The water here is calm and colorful. A white-sand bottom lets you see clearly below the surface, and the sea may appear much shallower than it really is. Around the islands, the water reaches up to 10 meters. That detail matters, especially if you are not a confident swimmer.

Use care rather than relying on appearances. Clear water is inviting, but it does not tell you the depth. Follow the boat crew’s instructions and stay within your comfort level.

You get roughly 35 minutes at the Botinas Islands. For many people, this will be the most photogenic stop. The combination of bare stone, clear water, and open bay makes it feel distinct from the beaches. It is also another chance to snorkel, though you should not expect a private or empty setting on a boat that can carry 100 people.

Gipoia Island and lunch at Praia das Setas

The fourth stop is on Gipoia Island, at Praia das Setas. This is the longest listed stop, with about one hour available. It is the point where the day shifts from short swimming pauses to a proper meal and beach break.

Lunch is arranged at Bar do Luiz, a typical restaurant in the area. The useful detail is that customers can choose their meal while still onboard. The menu is brought to the vessel, and the food is intended to be ready when you reach the beach.

That system can save time, since you are not waiting until arrival to decide what to order. It also means you should ask about prices before committing. The lunch-included and lunch-not-included versions of the experience are different value propositions, and the advertised $12 price should not be treated as the final cost of a restaurant meal.

A direct practical warning: a basic plate of chicken fillet with french fries has been priced at R$170. If you are watching your budget, this is the biggest issue with the trip. Bring snacks, and compare the lunch option before you book. The information supplied says onboard drinks are prohibited, and one account found the only purchase option on the boat to be Fandangos, so do not count on buying a full meal or drinks during the cruise.

What the $12 price really covers

At $12, this is best understood as an inexpensive shared boat excursion with several scenic stops. The price is strong if your main goals are seeing Ilha Grande from the water, snorkeling, visiting beaches, and returning to Angra dos Reis the same day.

It is less attractive if you expect meals, drinks, personal service, or a tightly managed schedule to be part of the base fare. The optional lunch can be expensive, and the onboard service details are limited. Ask the agency about the available package before paying, especially if the choice is between a lunch-included and lunch-not-included version.

The low price also makes the tour useful for families or groups who want a broad introduction to the area. You can sample several places without paying for a private boat. On the other hand, anyone seeking silence, flexibility, or long stays at one beach may prefer a smaller charter.

The outing has an average rating of 4.2 from 132 ratings, which fits the experience well: generally worthwhile, with food and timing as the main points to manage. The strongest value comes from the water stops, not from the meal service.

Timing, group size, and the pace of the day

The advertised length is about six hours, starting at 11:30 a.m. and ending back at the Santa Luzia meeting point. The four listed stops total about two hours and 25 minutes, leaving the rest of the day for cruising between locations, boarding, lunch service, and changes in the schedule.

Do not build a tight evening plan around the exact return time. A departure has run about an hour late because a group arrived from Rio, although the time was made up at the end. The useful approach is to leave room in your schedule and enjoy the ride without expecting every minute to follow a stopwatch.

A maximum of 100 people is permitted. That number is important. You may need patience when boarding, choosing a place to sit, ordering food, or getting into the water. The advantage is the low price and the social energy of a shared boat. The disadvantage is less personal space and less control over the route.

Most people can participate, according to the supplied activity information, and the departure point is near public transportation. Confirmation is provided at booking. The trip depends on good weather, so poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund.

How to prepare for the schooner ride

I would prepare for this as a beach and boat day rather than a formal sightseeing tour. Pack snacks, swimwear, a towel, sun protection, and anything you need for snorkeling. Since drinks are forbidden onboard, check the current arrangements with the agency, Angra dos Reis Turismo, before departure.

Keep your bag compact. You will be moving between the vessel, beaches, and swimming stops, and a smaller day bag is easier to manage. The supplied information does not specify whether towels, snorkeling equipment, food, or drinks are included, so confirm those points before you go.

Be ready for changing conditions on the water. The experience requires good weather, and the operator may move the date or refund you if conditions force cancellation. If you are visiting Angra dos Reis for only a short time, leave some flexibility around this outing.

The booking contact supplied for onboard service is 24 999890167. Use it to clarify the lunch package, menu prices, and what can be purchased before you arrive.

Who will enjoy this trip most

I would choose this tour if you want a broad, low-cost introduction to the bay around Ilha Grande. It suits you if swimming, beach time, and simple snorkeling matter more than private service. It also works well for a first visit, since you can see Lagoa Azul, Araca Beach, the Botinas Islands, and Gipoia Island in a single outing.

Families and groups may appreciate the price, provided everyone is comfortable with a boat that may carry up to 100 people. Confident swimmers will get the most from Lagoa Azul and Botinas Islands, but you should still take the 10-meter depth around the islands seriously.

I would hesitate if lunch costs are a major concern and you cannot bring enough food with you. I would also hesitate if you dislike flexible timing or crowded shared excursions. The tour’s value depends on accepting a basic format in exchange for seeing several beautiful places.

Should you book this Ilha Grande schooner ride?

Book it if your priority is water, beaches, and variety at a low starting price. The snorkeling stops at Lagoa Azul and Botinas Islands are the highlights, while Araca Beach and Gipoia Island add sand, mountain views, and time to relax.

Before booking, confirm which version includes lunch and check the restaurant prices. Bring snacks, allow extra time for delays, and do not assume drinks are available onboard. With those limits understood, this is a practical way to sample the Angra dos Reis and Ilha Grande area without paying for a private boat.

FAQ

Where does the schooner ride start?

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

What time does the tour start?

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

How long does the experience last?

The schooner ride lasts approximately six hours and returns to the original meeting point.

Which places does the boat visit?

The route includes Lagoa Azul, Araca Beach, the Botinas Islands, and Praia das Setas on Gipoia Island. Praia de Japariz is also listed as a lunch stop area in the route details.

Is lunch included?

The experience is offered with or without lunch included. Check the selected option when booking, since the restaurant meal may cost extra.

Can I buy drinks onboard?

No. Drinking on board is prohibited.

How many people can join the boat?

The activity has a maximum capacity of 100 people.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

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