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

The best part of this six-hour schooner trip is the water. Lagoa Azul and the Botinas Islands offer clear, calm swimming spots where you can snorkel over white sand, fish, and starfish. The views of Ilha Grande’s forested hills and small beaches give the ride a pleasant sense of escape.

I like the chance to visit several places for a very low starting price, and I like that the route includes both Ilha Grande and the Botinas Islands. The main drawback is food: if lunch is not included, a simple chicken-and-fries plate has been priced at R$170, and snack choices on board may be limited.

Key points to know before you book

• Lagoa Azul is the main water stop: Bring swimwear and snorkeling gear if you have it.
• Four stops spread the day around the bay: Expect short visits of about 35 minutes at Lagoa Azul, Araça Beach, and the Botinas Islands, followed by about an hour at Gipoia Island and Praia das Setas.
• The starting price is unusually low: At $12 per person, the ride offers strong value, but confirm whether your chosen option includes lunch.
• Food needs planning: Drinking alcohol and other drinks on board are prohibited, and snack choices may be sparse.
• The schedule can shift: A one-hour delay was made up at the end on one occasion, so arrive without a tight evening plan.
• The boat can carry up to 100 people: This is a shared outing, not a quiet private cruise.

Why this schooner ride works as an introduction to Ilha Grande

Ilha Grande is known for more than 100 beaches, clear blue-green water, and forested mountain scenery. This outing gives you a quick look at several parts of the bay without asking you to arrange separate boats or beach transfers.

That makes the tour useful if you have only one day around Angra dos Reis. You will not get a long, unhurried stay at each beach, but you will see a good mix of swimming water, small islands, beach restaurants, and coastal scenery.

I see the trip as a simple sightseeing boat ride with time in the water, not as a luxury cruise. The low price reflects that. You are paying for access to a full route and several stops, while the details of food, timing, and onboard comfort need a little care.

The boat leaves at 11:30 am from Estação Santa Luzia at Avenida Júlio Maria 435 in central Angra dos Reis. The activity returns to the same meeting point after roughly six hours. Public transportation is nearby, and the group may include as many as 100 people.

Lagoa Azul: the first clear-water stop

Lagoa Azul is the strongest reason to bring a swimsuit. The stop takes about 35 minutes, which is enough for a quick swim and some snorkeling, but not enough for a slow afternoon on the water.

The area is described as a natural aquarium, with fish and starfish visible in the clear water. You will get the most from this stop if you are ready to enter the water soon after the boat arrives. Pack your swimwear under your clothes and keep any towel easy to reach.

The short visit is also the main limitation. If you prefer long swims or want time to explore every corner of a beach, the schedule may feel rushed. Still, for a first look at Ilha Grande’s marine life, Lagoa Azul gives the ride its most memorable water stop.

Araça Beach and the bay of Freguesia de Fora

Araça Beach, also identified as Freguesia de Fora, offers a change from the open-water snorkeling stops. Here the appeal is the setting: pale sand, tropical vegetation, distant rainforest, and mountains around the bay.

The boat spends about 35 minutes here. That is enough to stretch your legs, enjoy the view, and take a short swim if conditions allow. You are not getting a full beach day, so think of Araça as a scenic pause rather than the main destination.

The wider bay is part of the pleasure. The route passes quiet beaches that are easier to reach from the water than by land. If you like seeing small coastal places without hiking between them, this format makes good sense.

Botinas Islands and the illusion of shallow water

The Botinas Islands are two small rocky islands that look almost alike. Their calm, colorful water and white sandy bottom make them one of the most attractive snorkeling points on the route.

The water can look shallow because the bottom is so clear. Do not judge the depth by appearance. The area around the islands can reach 10 meters, so follow the boat’s safety directions and stay aware of where you are in the water.

This stop lasts about 35 minutes and is not on Ilha Grande itself. It is part of the bay around the island, and that distinction matters if you expect every stop to be on the main island. I like the inclusion because it adds a different setting, with rocky outcrops instead of another beach.

The Botinas Islands are also a good example of what this excursion does best. It links several visually different places in a single half-day trip. You get a taste of the bay rather than spending all your time in one cove.

Lunch at Japariz or Praia das Setas

Food is the part of the day that deserves the most attention before booking. The route includes a stop for lunch at a beach restaurant, with references to Praia de Japariz and Praia das Setas on Gipoia Island. The stop lasts about one hour.

One useful feature is the meal-ordering system at Bar do Luiz. The menu can be brought onto the boat, allowing you to choose before reaching the beach. The meal is then prepared for your arrival. That can save time during a one-hour stop.

The catch is the price if lunch is not included in your booking. A simple plate of chicken fillet with fried potatoes has been priced at R$170. That is a large extra cost compared with the $12 starting fare, especially if you are traveling with family or a group.

I would check the exact fare option carefully and ask what lunch includes before paying. Do not assume the low advertised price covers food. If lunch is excluded, bring snacks for the ride, although the onboard choices may be limited. One account found only Fandangos available for purchase.

Drinks also require planning. Drinking on board is prohibited, so do not expect to buy or consume drinks during the cruise. The supplied information also advises contacting the agency about onboard service at 24 999890167.

What the $12 price really gives you

At $12 per person, this is one of the more affordable ways to see several Angra and Ilha Grande stops in one outing. The value is strongest if you want a basic shared boat ride, enjoy swimming, and do not need a polished luxury setup.

You are effectively paying for the boat route and access to the stops. The low fare becomes less attractive if you add an expensive lunch, buy several snacks, or expect a private experience.

The tour has a 4.2 rating from 132 published ratings, which fits the overall picture: solid value, with some practical compromises. The most favorable view is that you can swim, see beaches, and visit the Botinas Islands without spending much. The caution is that food and timing can affect the day more than the low price suggests.

I would compare the total cost, not just the starting price. Ask:

• Is lunch included in the option you are selecting?
• What food and service are available on board?
• Is the departure time likely to shift?
• Are you comfortable with a group of up to 100 people?

Those answers will tell you more than the headline fare.

Timing, delays, and the right pace

The planned duration is about six hours, beginning at 11:30 am. In practice, the pace may not be exact. A one-hour delay occurred because a group arrived from Rio, but the lost time was added at the end.

That detail matters if you have an evening bus, dinner reservation, airport connection, or another paid activity. I would leave extra room after the stated return time. The boat route depends on group movement, loading, meal service, and water conditions.

You should also approach the stop lengths with realistic expectations. Three stops are listed at about 35 minutes each, while the lunch stop lasts about one hour. That is enough for a sampler route, not for settling into one beach for the afternoon.

The best attitude is go without a tight schedule. You will enjoy the ride more if you treat the day as a flexible bay cruise rather than a clockwork timetable.

Who will enjoy this most

This trip suits you if you want:

• A low-cost introduction to Angra dos Reis and Ilha Grande
• Several short swimming and snorkeling stops
• Beach scenery without arranging separate transport
• A shared social outing rather than a private boat
• A six-hour activity that returns to the central meeting point

It is especially practical for first-time visitors who want to see a number of places in one day. The route gives you enough variety to decide which beaches or islands deserve a longer return visit.

You may want a different arrangement if you need quiet, precise timing, or a long stay at one beach. The group limit of 100 people means the boat may feel busy, and the food costs can be high if lunch is not included.

It is also less suitable if you do not enjoy getting in and out of the water. The most appealing stops revolve around swimming and snorkeling, even though you can appreciate the scenery from the boat.

What to pack for a smoother day

Keep your packing simple but practical. Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and a change of clothes. A small bag with snacks is sensible, especially if your lunch option is not included.

If you own snorkeling equipment, bringing it may help, though the supplied details do not confirm rental availability. You should also keep your booking confirmation and the agency’s contact number accessible in case you need to clarify the lunch option or onboard service.

Do not plan to bring drinks for consumption on the boat. Drinking on board is prohibited. The food warning is worth taking seriously because the available snack selection may be narrow and the beach restaurant can be costly.

Weather, cancellation, and meeting details

The activity requires good weather. If poor conditions cause cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the 11:30 am start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted, and the cutoff uses local time.

Meet at Estação Santa Luzia, 435 Avenida Júlio Maria, Centro, Angra dos Reis, Rio de Janeiro, postal code 23900-600. The tour ends back at this meeting point. Confirmation is provided when you book, and most people can take part.

Should you book this Ilha Grande boat trip?

I would book this schooner ride if your priority is low-cost access to several beautiful water stops. Lagoa Azul, the Botinas Islands, Araça Beach, and the Gipoia area give you a varied day for a modest starting fare.

I would not book it blindly if lunch is important to you. Confirm exactly what is included, prepare for a potentially expensive restaurant meal, and bring snacks. I would also leave extra time after the scheduled return in case departure or meal service runs late.

For a flexible person who likes swimming, clear water, and shared boat trips, the value is convincing. For a visitor seeking a quiet private cruise or strict timing, the short stops and group size may feel less appealing.

FAQ

How long is the schooner ride?

The activity lasts approximately six hours.

What time does the tour start?

The tour starts at 11:30 am.

Where does the boat leave from?

The meeting point is Estação Santa Luzia, 435 Avenida Júlio Maria, Centro, Angra dos Reis, RJ, 23900-600, Brazil.

Where does the activity end?

The boat returns to the original meeting point at the end of the activity.

Which places does the route visit?

The route includes Lagoa Azul, Araça Beach in Freguesia de Fora, the Botinas Islands, and Gipoia Island with a beach lunch stop.

Is lunch included?

There are options described as with or without lunch, so you should confirm which option you are booking. Lunch is available at a typical local restaurant, including Bar do Luiz.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If the activity is canceled because of poor weather, you will be offered another date or a full refund.