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

Blue water is the main event here. This six-hour schooner ride links Angra dos Reis with some of the finest swimming spots around Ilha Grande, including Lagoa Azul, Praia de Araça, the Botinas Islands, and Gipoia Island. I like the low $12 price and the chance to see several locations in one outing. The main catch is food: lunch may cost extra, and the onboard snack choices are limited.

I also like the mix of open-water cruising, white-sand beaches, and easy snorkeling stops. You are not stuck on one beach all day. The possible drawback is the loose timing. One departure reportedly ran about an hour late because of a group coming from Rio, though the lost time was made up at the end.

• Lagoa Azul offers the clearest snorkeling stop, with fish and starfish in a natural aquarium.
• The Botinas Islands are small, scenic, and surprisingly deep, despite their shallow-looking water.
• Praia de Araça and Praia de Japariz show different sides of Ilha Grande Bay, from quiet scenery to a beach lunch stop.
• The $12 base price is excellent for a six-hour boat outing, but check carefully if lunch is included in your booking.
• A large group of up to 100 people may join, so this suits social sightseeing more than a private escape.
• The boat leaves at 11:30 a.m. from Santa Luzia Station, then returns to the same meeting point.

What This Ilha Grande Boat Trip Really Offers

This is a straightforward way to see the waters around Ilha Grande without arranging several separate boat rides. You board at Estação Santa Luzia on Avenida Júlio Maria in central Angra dos Reis, then spend about six hours moving between coves, beaches, and small islands.

I see the appeal immediately. Ilha Grande has more than 100 beaches, and many are easiest to appreciate from the water. A schooner gives you a broad view of the forested hills and bright bays while taking you to places that would be awkward to reach on foot.

The tour is best understood as a sightseeing and swimming day, not a tightly timed luxury cruise. Each stop is listed at roughly 35 minutes, with about an hour at the lunch stop. The boat carries as many as 100 people, so you should expect a shared group setting and a livelier atmosphere.

At about $12 per person, the value is strong if your goal is to see several beautiful places at a low cost. You will need to keep your expectations realistic. The schedule can shift, the meal may be expensive, and the experience is not designed around personal service.

Starting at Santa Luzia Station at 11:30 a.m.

The meeting point is Estação Santa Luzia435, on Av. Júlio Maria in central Angra dos Reis. The tour begins at 11:30 a.m. and ends back at the same point, which keeps the day simple if you are staying in Angra.

The area is near public transportation, another small but useful advantage. You do not need to arrange a separate return transfer from Ilha Grande. After the final stop, the boat brings you back to where you started.

I would arrive early enough to find the boarding area without rushing. The advertised time is clear, but group departures can be affected by late arrivals, especially when passengers come from farther away. One delayed departure lost about an hour because of a group from Rio, but the schedule was extended at the end.

That detail tells you how to approach the day: keep your afternoon flexible. This is not the right outing if you have a strict evening reservation or a bus to catch immediately after the planned return.

Lagoa Azul and the Natural Aquarium

Lagoa Azul is one of the strongest parts of the trip. The stop takes you into a natural aquarium where you can snorkel among several kinds of fish and see starfish in clear water.

The name gives you a good idea of the setting. The water is blue-green, and the white sand below helps make the bay look bright and open. For many people, this will be the most memorable stop because it combines scenery with an activity rather than just a quick photo from the boat.

You get about 35 minutes here. That is enough for a refreshing swim and a short snorkeling session, but it is not a long water excursion. If snorkeling matters to you, have your equipment ready before the boat reaches the stop so you do not spend half the visit getting organized.

The stop is free, meaning there is no separate admission charge. Its value comes from the setting and the chance to see marine life in a calm natural area. I would not expect a guided marine lesson or a long exploration. This is a compact, accessible introduction to the bay.

Praia de Araça and the Quiet Side of the Bay

Praia de Araça, also identified as Freguesia de Fora, gives you time to relax around Ilha Grande’s picturesque bay. The view includes distant rainforest and surrounding mountains, with the beach framed by the island’s green slopes.

This is a good counterpoint to Lagoa Azul. Instead of focusing only on fish and clear water, you get a beach stop where you can stretch your legs, swim, or simply enjoy the tropical scenery. The visit lasts about 35 minutes, so think of it as a pleasant pause rather than a full beach afternoon.

The boat also passes several quiet beaches that are accessible from the ocean. That matters because a boat tour lets you see more of the coastline than you could cover during a short land visit. You may find that the views between stops are just as enjoyable as the formal stops themselves.

Praia de Araça is not presented as a major activity center. Its strength is the setting. If you prefer a calm beach break and views of mountains meeting the sea, this part of the route should suit you well.

Japariz Beach and the Cost of Lunch

Praia de Japariz is the main meal stop. It has golden sand and turquoise water, with conditions described as suitable for swimming, surfing, and snorkeling. The stop gives the day a longer pause, with roughly an hour available.

The practical issue is the meal. The restaurant, Bar do Luiz, can receive the menu on the boat so you can choose your food before arriving. Your order is then prepared for service when you reach the beach. That system may save some waiting time, especially with a large group.

But lunch is where the bargain can become less attractive. A simple plate of chicken fillet with french fries has been priced at R$170 when lunch was not included. Onboard snack choices may be limited to items such as Fandangos, so I would not rely on the boat for a cheap meal.

Check your exact booking option before departure. The experience is offered with or without lunch included, and the difference matters. If lunch is not part of your package, bring suitable snacks if permitted and confirm the food rules with the operator. Drinking alcohol onboard is prohibited, and the supplied information says drinking onboard is not allowed.

The beach itself remains a good stop even if you skip the restaurant. You can use the time for swimming or relaxing on the sand. Still, food costs should be part of your budget calculation, because the $12 headline price does not tell the whole story.

Botinas Islands, Clear Water and a Surprising Depth

The Botinas Islands are two small stone islands that look almost like twins. They sit outside Ilha Grande itself but within the bay around the island, and they are included because the water and scenery are worth the short trip.

This is another snorkeling stop. The sea is calm and colorful, and the bottom is covered with white sand. From above, the water can look much shallower than it really is. Do not let that appearance fool you: the area around the islands reaches depths of up to 10 meters.

That fact is worth taking seriously. Clear water can make depth hard to judge, especially when you are focused on the rocky islands and fish below. Stay within your comfort level and follow the boat crew’s instructions.

The stop lasts about 35 minutes. It is short, but the islands create one of the most photogenic views of the day. I like this stop because it adds something different from the beaches. You get low stone formations, open water, and a strong sense of the bay’s scale.

Gipoia Island and Praia das Setas

The fourth stop is on Gipoia Island, at Praia das Setas. This visit lasts about an hour and is tied to the lunch portion of the route.

Gipoia adds another island setting to a day already centered on Ilha Grande. The pace is still relaxed, but the longer stop gives you more room to eat, swim, or enjoy the beach without watching the clock every few minutes.

The restaurant connection is Bar do Luiz, where the menu can be chosen in advance while you are still aboard. This is convenient, but it does not make the meal inexpensive. If your booking does not include lunch, ask about the price before ordering.

The beach stop also gives you a useful break from sitting on the boat. Six hours on the water can feel long if you never get ashore. Praia das Setas helps break up the ride and gives you time in a more traditional beach setting.

What the $12 Price Does and Does Not Cover

The base price is unusually low for a six-hour boat trip through Angra dos Reis and Ilha Grande. For that amount, the route includes several scenic stops, swimming opportunities, snorkeling locations, and a return to the original meeting point.

I consider it excellent value for basic sightseeing. Even if you spend only a short time at each beach, reaching Lagoa Azul, Araça, the Botinas Islands, and Gipoia in one day would otherwise require more planning and separate transport.

The price becomes less impressive if you expect lunch, premium drinks, or a small group. Food may be extra, onboard drinking is prohibited, and the boat can carry up to 100 people. This is a budget group excursion, not a private charter.

There is onboard service, and the operator can be reached at 24 999890167 for details. I would use that contact to confirm the lunch option, food arrangements, and any question about the boat before booking.

Timing, Group Size and Comfort

A six-hour outing with four stops sounds easy, but the day can feel full once you add boarding, cruising, swimming, and lunch. The stops are generally short, with three visits around 35 minutes and a longer one-hour visit connected to the meal.

The group limit of 100 is important. A boat of that size can make boarding, ordering lunch, and getting into the water less personal. On the other hand, it can suit you if you enjoy a social outing and want to keep costs low.

The schedule may not run like a train timetable. A one-hour delay was reportedly made up at the end, but that still affects your plans. I would leave extra time after the tour and avoid booking a nonrefundable evening activity too close to the expected return.

Most people can take part, and the experience is near public transportation. The main physical demands are boarding the boat, moving around during stops, and handling short swimming or snorkeling sessions. Specific accessibility details are not provided, so contact Angra dos Reis Turismo if you need special arrangements.

Who Will Enjoy This Boat Ride Most

I would recommend this tour to you if you want:

• A low-cost introduction to Angra dos Reis and Ilha Grande
• Several beaches and islands in one day
• Short snorkeling stops rather than a long technical excursion
• A shared boat atmosphere
• A simple departure and return point in central Angra
• Flexibility around lunch and beach time

I would be more cautious if you want a quiet private boat, a precise timetable, or a meal included at a modest price. The tour gives you a lot of scenery for little money, but you trade away control and consistency.

Families and casual swimmers may appreciate the variety, though the water depth around the Botinas Islands deserves care. People focused on photography should enjoy the clear water, small rocky islands, white sand, and mountain views. Food-focused visitors should plan ahead rather than assume the cheapest meal will be available.

Booking, Cancellation and Weather Details

Confirmation is provided at the time of booking. You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the 11:30 a.m. start time. Cancellations made within 24 hours are not refunded, and changes inside that period are not accepted.

The experience depends on good weather. If poor conditions cancel the outing, you will be offered another date or a full refund. That policy is useful for a water-based day, since the quality and safety of the stops depend heavily on sea and weather conditions.

Should You Book the Ilha Grande Schooner Ride?

Book it if your priority is maximum scenery for very little money. Lagoa Azul, the Botinas Islands, Praia de Araça, Praia de Japariz, and Gipoia Island give you a broad look at the bay in one six-hour outing.

Go in prepared: check whether lunch is included, bring snacks if allowed, avoid tight evening plans, and expect a large shared boat. If you can accept flexible timing and limited onboard food, this is a sensible budget choice. If you want privacy, quiet, or carefully controlled service, spend more on a smaller boat instead.

FAQ

Where does the schooner ride start?

The tour starts at Estação Santa Luzia435, on Av. Júlio Maria in Centro, Angra dos Reis, Brazil.

What time does the tour begin?

The scheduled 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 tour visit?

The route includes Lagoa Azul, Praia de Araça, the Botinas Islands, and Gipoia Island with a stop at Praia das Setas.

Is lunch included?

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

Can I buy drinks onboard?

Drinking onboard is prohibited. The supplied information also advises contacting the agency about onboard service.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

You will be offered a different date or a full refund if poor weather causes cancellation. You can also receive a full refund by canceling at least 24 hours before the scheduled start time.