Discover Paraty’s Best Islands on an Exclusive Schooner Tour

Paraty’s best island tour is less about sightseeing from a boat and more about getting into the water. The modern Aquamarina II takes you to four calm-water stops, with time to swim, float, relax on the sand, and watch fish through clear water. The triple slide, cushioned deck, and freshwater bath add a playful edge that suits families as well as adults.

I like the generous five-hour schedule and the practical setup. You can move between the schooner and shore by support boat, use the toilets, order food or drinks, and stay online with Starlink Wi-Fi. The staff also receive praise for being kind and considerate, which matters on a boat where small details affect the whole day.

The main drawback is that the tour depends on good sailing weather, and the four stops may feel structured if you want a quiet, private boat outing. Bring a towel and swimwear, arrive at least 30 minutes early, and remember that meals and drinks cost extra.

Key points to know before booking

• Four water stops in five hours: The route includes Ilha dos Cocos, Praia da Conceição, Lagoa Azul, and Praia da Lula.
• A boat built for comfort: The Aquamarina II has two decks, padded areas, tables, chairs, toilets, floatation mats, and background music.
• A proper family feature: The onboard water slide gives children and adults another way to enjoy the boat between beach stops.
• Easy shore access: A motorized support boat carries you between the schooner and beaches when needed.
• Useful modern extras: Starlink Wi-Fi lets you send photos during the trip, while the onboard photographer can record the day.
• Flexible for different groups: Portuguese, English, and Spanish are available, and pets are allowed on board.

Starting at the Tourist Pier with Aquamarina II

The boat is anchored at Paraty’s Tourist Pier and should be easy to spot. Look for the yellow Instagram-style heart, triple slide, and swing. At check-in, give your name or show your voucher to the staff.

Arrive at least 30 minutes before the stated 10:30 a.m. departure. That early arrival is not busywork. A boat tour has several boarding steps, and arriving late can create stress before the boat even leaves the pier. Bring identification, since it is specifically requested for check-in.

The Aquamarina II is a double-decker schooner with plenty of built-in features. You will find cushioned seating, tables, chairs, floatation mats, men’s and women’s toilets, a bar, and a restaurant. Background music plays while you sail, giving the trip a relaxed holiday feel rather than a silent sightseeing cruise.

You should not expect a small, private launch. This is a social boat experience with shared facilities and a planned route. That can be a plus if you want easy access to services and a lively atmosphere. If your ideal day means total quiet and no schedule, a smaller private charter may suit you better.

Ilha dos Cocos, your first hour on the water

The first stop is Ilha dos Cocos, where the clear water is the main attraction. You get about an hour here, enough time to swim, use a floatation mat, and look for marine life in the shallows.

Bring your own snorkel if you have one. Snorkels are recommended, but they are not listed among the included equipment. The water is described as clear and full of fish, so this is one of the stops where basic gear can make the experience more rewarding.

The first swim also gives you a chance to test the boat’s rhythm. You can stay in the water, sit on the deck, or use the support boat to reach the beach. You do not have to treat every stop as a race to shore. The value here is having several ways to enjoy the same place.

One hour passes quickly when a stop includes swimming and shore access. If you like taking long beach walks, you may find the schedule short. If you prefer a series of swims and scenic pauses, the timing should feel well judged.

Praia da Conceição for a slower beach break

Praia da Conceição is presented as a quiet stretch with white sand and calm water. Compared with the first island stop, this is the place to slow down. You can relax on the beach, wade in the shallows, or simply enjoy a change of view from the deck.

The calm water is useful for families and anyone who is not a confident swimmer. Still, you should follow the crew’s instructions and use the floatation mats sensibly. The tour offers fun features, but it remains a boat trip in open coastal water.

The beach stop also helps break up the time aboard. Five hours can feel long if you never leave the boat, especially with children. The combination of boat seating, beach time, and swimming keeps the day from becoming one long stretch in the same chair.

Keep your sunscreen close. Light clothing, sun protection, a towel, and swimwear are recommended. The Brazilian sun can be strong, and the open upper deck offers limited shelter by nature. The cushioned areas provide comfort, but they do not replace a hat or sunscreen.

Lagoa Azul, clear water and fish below

Lagoa Azul is the most obvious stop for people who want to see marine life. The water is described as transparent, with colorful fish visible below the surface. You can swim here, use a snorkel, or watch from the boat if you prefer to stay dry.

The phrase natural aquarium fits the setting, but keep your expectations sensible. This is a short recreational stop, not a guided marine biology outing. There is no stated promise of a formal snorkeling lesson or specialist equipment, so you should bring your own mask and snorkel if seeing fish is a priority.

This stop may be the best use of the tour’s included floatation mats. You can lie back on the water, take photos, and enjoy the setting without needing to swim continuously. The staff can also help with practical movement between the schooner and shore through the motorized support boat.

Starlink Wi-Fi is available throughout the trip. That is handy for sending a few photos while the water is still fresh in your mind. It is also worth treating the connection as a bonus rather than the purpose of the day. The best moments here happen with your phone put away, at least for a while.

Praia da Lula, the final coastal stop

Praia da Lula is the last beach stop and is described as a more secluded place for relaxing and photographs. By this stage, you will likely appreciate a gentler pause after several swims.

The final stop works well for photos because the tour includes an onboard photographer. The photographer can record moments for you, which means you do not need to hand your phone to another passenger every time you want a picture. Ask the staff how those photos are handled and whether any purchase or delivery terms apply, since those details are not specified.

As with the other beaches, the timing is limited. You get a taste of four locations rather than a full day at one beach. That is the tradeoff for covering several of Paraty’s popular coastal spots in one outing.

If you want to do nothing but read, sunbathe, and swim at a single beach, this route may feel too busy. If you enjoy variety and want to compare several settings in one half-day, the final stop rounds out the route nicely.

What the Aquamarina II adds between stops

The boat itself is a major part of the experience. The two-storey layout gives you more than one way to spend the sailing time. You can sit at a table, stretch out in a cushioned area, listen to music, or watch the coast from the deck.

The water slide is the feature most likely to shape the mood. It turns the return to the boat into another activity, especially for children. Adults can use it too, though anyone seeking a calm, low-key cruise may find the boat more playful than peaceful.

A freshwater bath is available at the end of the adventure. This is a small but valuable comfort after swimming in salt water. It lets you rinse off before returning to the pier, although you should still bring a towel and dry clothes if you want to feel fresh after the tour.

Food and drinks are available from the onboard bar and restaurant, but they are optional extras. You can pay on board by PIX, card, or cash. If you have dietary restrictions, tell the staff in advance so the restaurant options can be adjusted where possible.

The support boat deserves attention too. It makes the beaches easier to reach and reduces the awkwardness of getting from a larger schooner to shore. You should still expect normal boat-trip conditions, including movement on deck and the need to listen carefully during boarding.

Is $23 a fair price for five hours?

At $23 per person, the tour offers strong value if you plan to use the boat’s facilities and visit several stops. The price covers five hours on the water, access to four beaches and islands, the double-decker schooner, slide, toilets, seating, floatation mats, support boat, Wi-Fi, and the freshwater rinse.

You still need to budget for meals and drinks, since those are not included. A snorkel is also not listed as included, so bring your own if you want to see fish at Ilha dos Cocos or Lagoa Azul.

The value is strongest for families and mixed groups. One person can swim, another can sit in the shade or cushioned area, and children can use the slide. Pet owners also get an option that many boat tours do not provide, since this service allows pets on board.

The price is less compelling if you want privacy. You are paying for a shared schooner with organized stops, not an exclusive charter. That is not a flaw, but it is an important difference when comparing options in Paraty.

Who will enjoy this boat tour most?

I would point families toward this outing first. The slide, calm-water stops, onboard toilets, restaurant, support boat, and freshwater rinse solve many of the practical problems that can make a beach day tiring with children.

It also suits couples and friends who want a relaxed day with plenty of photo opportunities. You can swim at Lagoa Azul, sit together at Praia da Conceição, and use the boat’s seating instead of packing and unpacking beach gear at every stop.

The pet-friendly policy makes it useful for people who do not want to leave an animal behind. You should confirm any pet-specific boarding instructions before departure, since the available information confirms pets are allowed but does not describe size limits or onboard rules.

The tour is a good match for visitors who speak Portuguese, English, or Spanish. A live guide is available in all three languages, which should make safety instructions and the day’s schedule easier to follow.

You may want a different outing if you dislike background music, shared spaces, or fixed stop times. The Aquamarina II is designed for comfort and fun, not solitude. It gives you a broad taste of Paraty’s islands in one half-day rather than a private relationship with one quiet cove.

Weather, packing, and small practical details

The tour runs only in favorable weather. If conditions are not safe for sailing, it will be rescheduled or the amount paid will be refunded. That policy is sensible for an ocean outing, but you should avoid scheduling it as the one activity you cannot miss on the final day of your trip.

Pack light clothing, sunscreen, a towel, swimwear, and identification. A snorkel is recommended for the marine life stops. A waterproof phone pouch could also be useful, though one is not listed as provided.

You can use Wi-Fi on board, but keep your phone protected around the water slide and beach transfers. The boat offers photo help through its photographer, yet you should ask about the process before assuming photos are included in the ticket.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms give you some room to watch the weather and keep your plans flexible.

Should you book the Aquamarina II?

Book it if you want a value-minded half-day on the water, four scenic stops, and plenty of onboard comfort. The combination of clear-water swimming, a slide, food service, Wi-Fi, beach access, and a friendly crew makes this more than a basic boat ride.

Think twice if your priority is privacy, silence, or a long stay at one beach. The route is organized and social, and each stop is part of a wider five-hour schedule.

For most families, couples, friends, and pet owners, the low price makes the Aquamarina II an easy choice, especially if you arrive early and bring the right swimming gear. Keep your expectations focused on variety and good facilities, not a private island escape, and this should be a practical way to see more of Paraty’s coastal waters in one day.

FAQ

How long is the Aquamarina II tour?

The tour lasts five hours. Check availability for the current starting time, and arrive at least 30 minutes before the stated 10:30 a.m. departure.

Which islands and beaches does the tour visit?

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

Is food included in the tour price?

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

Is Wi-Fi available on board?

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

Can children use the water slide?

The tour includes a water slide intended for adults and children. You should follow the crew’s instructions when using it.

Are pets allowed on the schooner?

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

What languages are available?

The live tour guide service is available in Portuguese, English, and Spanish.