The 15 Best Speedboat Trips in Brazil

1.Saco do Mamanguá Speedboat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 182 reviews · 6 hours · from $49Our pick

Spend six hours on a shared speedboat from Paraty, visiting Ilha dos Cocos, Engenho Beach, Cruzeiro Beach, and a late-day surprise stop. You can snorkel in clear water, carry drinks in the boat’s iced cooler, or take the steep 1.5-kilometer trail to Pico do Pão de Açúcar. The captain may speak limited English, so translation can be useful.

“Woooow!!!!!! We fell in love with Brazil today! We loved to take the small boat instead of one of the bigger boats , because it could reach different beautiful islands which were less crowded! The guide translated, using his phone. He took us to breathtaking beaches and places. It’s definitely worth the money and the experience!!! Definitely recommend this boat tour.”

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2.7h Speedboat Tour of Paradise Islands

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 94 reviews · 7 hours · from $74

Spend seven hours island-hopping from Vila do Abraão to Cataguases, Botinas, Piedade, Dentista, and a final lunch stop on Ilha Grande. The Portuguese-speaking crew keeps the day simple: ride, hear the stop time, then swim, snorkel, walk, or relax. Bring cash, beachwear, and a towel. Snorkel gear is rented near the pier.

“Went to quite overcrowded beaches, was expecting more niche places for the price.”

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3.Shared Speedboat Tour with Beer Included!

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 68 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $60

Start at Urcabar in Urca at 10:00 am for a shared speedboat ride toward the Cagarras Islands. Expect about three hours on the water, swim stops, Rio views, cold beer, water, soda, and inflatable floats. Guides may include Antonio or Ricardo, but commentary and the exact route can vary.

“This was one of the most stressful experiences I’ve had while traveling. I originally booked a shared boat tour, and everything seemed fine at first. But after I paid through Viator, the operator tried to push me into switching to a private tour, then demanded a much higher price than what was originally agreed upon. When I questioned the new amount, they tried to charge me even more by manipulating exchange rates and adding hidden fees through PayPal. I showed clear proof of what I had already paid and what was actually due, based on their own pricing. Instead of correcting it, they became aggressive, dismissive, and even accused me…”

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4.Private VIP Paradise Ilha Grande Speed Boat and Transfer from Rio

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 51 reviews · 9 to 10 hours (approx.) Top rated

Travel from Rio to Ilha Grande in a private air-conditioned vehicle, then visit several beaches by comfortable speedboat. Guide Tatiana, Romeo, Romeu, or Angelica may lead the day, with swimming, snorkeling, scenic stops, a historic church, and lunch at Saco do Céu. The listed price covers up to four people.

“Great day exploring 6 different beaches on the big island! Romeo our guide spoke English very well over a multitude of topics and was well engaged with us throughout the day. It’s a solid two hours each way from Copacabana but worth the trip because of the beauty of the islands. The speedboat was well equipped including an awning. Lunch though additional was excellent. It was great to avoid the crowds. Highly recommend!”

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5.5-Stop Ilha Grande Speedboat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 40 reviews · 5 hours · from $34Best value

Join a Portuguese-speaking guide at Estação Santa Luzia for a five-hour shared speedboat trip around Ilha Grande. Swim at Lagoa Azul, Grumixama, Cataguás, and Freguesia de Santana, with time for lunch at Praia das Flechas. The boat holds up to 18 people, and a foam noodle is included.

“Não tinha nada de paradisíaco. Passeio simples, pouco atrativo. Não faria novamente”

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6.360° Circumnavigation Speed Boat Tour – 8h

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 31 reviews · 8 hours · from $94

From Vila do Abraão, Ilha Grande Hiking takes you on an eight-hour, Portuguese-language speedboat loop around the island. You stop at Caxadaço, Parnaioca, Aventureiro, and Meros for swimming, snorkeling, photos, and shore time. It is self-guided, so you set your own pace, but beach access can require wading or a short swim.

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7.6-Hour Speedboat Tour to Blue and Green Lagoons

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 31 reviews · 6 hours · from $62

From Vila do Abraão, a Portuguese-speaking captain takes you by speedboat to Green Lagoon, Blue Lagoon, and Enseada das Estrelas. You get time to swim, snorkel, float with pool noodles, and eat at a local restaurant. Bring a jacket, rent snorkeling gear near the pier, and expect a lively shared tour.

“Unfortunately the guide did not understand a word of English so it was hard to know how much time we had at every location. Besides that, the trip was great, the lagoons were amazing and we had enough time to swim in the lagoons and other beaches we visited. We also had a stop for lunch and walking on the beach. Definitely bring a coat or thick jacket as the wind can be very cold on the boat.”

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8.SpeedBoat Tour – Beach Tour with Beer

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 26 reviews · 3 hours · from $56

Set out from Urca Pier with a live guide in English, Spanish, or Portuguese. Cruise past Sugarloaf Mountain, Copacabana, Arpoador, Niterói, and more, with time for swimming at selected spots. Beer, soda, and mineral water are included. Captain Rafael is noted for careful driving and lively local commentary.

“Eigene Anreise mit dem Taxi (günstig). Dort Angekommen waren wir mit Skipper zu 5 auf dem Boot. Der Guide war super freundlich. Die Getränke waren die ganze Tour kostenfrei so viel man wollte. Am Ende durfte man sich noch was für den Weg mitnehmen. Super! Würde ich wieder machen!”

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9.Private Speedboat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 18 reviews · 3 - 5 hours

Take a private speedboat from Marina da Glória with up to 13 people, choosing a 3, 4, or 5 hour route toward Urca, Vermelha Beach, or Niterói’s Adão e Eva Beach. Bring food and drinks for the onboard barbecue. Portuguese-speaking sailor Wellington is especially thoughtful, though Google Translate may help.

“This was by far the best experience during our time in Rio. The organizer, Flavia, was so incredibly kind and helpful with all logistics. And our captain Wellington was SO nice and thoughtful. We loved the experience so much that we ended up booking it twice during our trip. Definitely ask for Wellington to be your captain! He doesn't speak much English, but we used Google Translate back and forth and still had a wonderful time.”

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10.Glória: Sunset Speedboat Cruise with Drinks and Snacks

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 15 reviews · 3 hours · from $63

Set out from Marina da Glória on a small speedboat for three hours of Rio views, photo stops, and a swim at Adão Beach. You’ll see the Museum of Tomorrow, MAC Niterói, Urca, Sugarloaf Mountain, and Christ the Redeemer at sunset. English and Portuguese guides include Rosane, Alexia, and Rachelle.

“Nous avons reçu des messages pour nous dire d’être 30min en avance à la Marina et nous avons dû attendre 1h avant que le bateau parte parce qu’il fallait attendre qu’ils fassent assez de réservations pour partir. Ensuite ils ont voulu séparer les groupes car les capacités max du bateau ne correspondaient pas. La guide Rachelle parlait français et était très gentille. La balade était jolie mais au moment de se baigner ils y avaient des jetski lancés à pleine vitesse qui ont manqué de nous passer dessus. Au lieu de le faire remarquer aux conducteurs, ils nous ont dit de pas s’éloigner du bateau. Il y avait de la…”

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11.Speedboat tour of 2 islands and 11 beaches

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 14 reviews · 4 - 7 hours

Take a private speedboat along Búzios’ north coast with stops at Tartaruga, Azeda, João Fernandes, Ilha Feia, and more. The boat carries up to 11 people and includes a grill, cooler, ice, water, bathroom, snorkels, and floats. Bring your own food and drinks for a barbecue at sea. English and Spanish help is available online.

“The trip is just perfect. The driver is professional and very friendly everything was great!”

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12.Preguicas River Speedboat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★3.8 · 14 reviews · 5 hours · from $35

Set out from Barreirinhas by transfer and speedboat with a Portuguese-speaking guide. Cruise the Preguiças River, walk the dunes of Pequenos Lençóis, see the monkeys at Vassouras, climb near Mandacaru Lighthouse, and finish at Caburé, where river and Atlantic meet. The $35 price is appealing, but lunch timing and pickup details need attention.

“We enjoy the tour, we met funny monkeys, swam, relaxed, enjoyed beautiful views.”

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13.Private Speedboat Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 14 reviews · 3 - 5 hours

Take a private speedboat from Marina da Glória for 3, 4, or 5 hours along Rio’s coast. Your Portuguese-speaking sailor handles the boat and cooks your food on the onboard grill. Choose among routes toward Urca, Vermelha Beach, or Niterói’s Adão e Eva Beach, with views of Sugarloaf Mountain, Botafogo Bay, and Ilha da Laje.

“J’avais pris 4h d’excursion et pensais pouvoir voir Copacabana, éventuellement Ipanema depuis la mer En fait, la ballade se limite à aller sur Niteroi et revenir dans la baie de Botafogo voir le coucher du soleil. Alors qu’il faisait un grand soleil, la mer était soit disant trop houleuse pour sortir de la baie. Je pense que c’est pour consommer moins de carburant. Nous avons navigué à toute petite vitesse pour faire passer le temps. Il a même fallu que je négocie et que le pilote appelle sa direction pour que nous allions voir le musée do amanha, alors qu’il nous restait 1h30 et qu’il voulait nous faire attendre le…”

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14.A Private Speedboat Experience in Mamangua

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5 reviews · 6 hours

Sail with Thiago on a six-hour private speedboat tour through Saco do Mamangua near Paraty. Stop at quiet beaches, snorkel, visit Lagoa Azul, and optionally hike Pico Pao de Açúcar for a wide view of the tropical fjord. The route is flexible, and Thiago speaks English, Spanish, and Portuguese.

“L’activité était superbe malgré un temps mitigé. Thiago est un super skipper, et connaît des endroits top. Nous n’avons pas pu voir le fjord ni faire la randonnée à cause de la pluie mais nous avons visité d’autres endroits où il ne pleuvait pas et nous avons même vu une étoile de mer! Thiago est très serviable et attentionné. Je vous recommande cette activité.”

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15.Private speedboat tour in Rio de Janeiro

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 5 reviews · 4 - 5 hours

Spend 4 to 5 hours on a private, two-level speedboat from Marina da Glória. A Portuguese-speaking sailor handles the boat and cooks your food on the onboard grill. You’ll cruise past Sugarloaf Mountain, Urca, and Ilha da Laje, then stop at Urca, Vermelha Beach, or Niterói’s Adão e Eva Beach, depending on sea and wind conditions.

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