Half-Day Schooner Cruise and Snorkeling in Paraty Bay

Paraty Bay’s best feature is the way its islands and green coastline unfold from the water, with four chances to swim or snorkel along the way. At Ilha Comprida, schools of fish gather near the boat when the crew drops a little rice into the water, a simple, memorable moment that gives this stop a special appeal.

I like the mix of four distinct swimming stops and easygoing time aboard, and I like that tropical fruit is included while you take in the coastal views. One thing to weigh: lunch and mask-and-snorkel rental are extra, the crew speaks Portuguese, and a low rating of 3.2 from five ratings makes it worth confirming your booking is paid before you set out.

At a glance

• Ilha Comprida’s fish gathering: A small amount of rice draws schools of fish close to the schooner, making this a particularly appealing first snorkel stop.
• Four stops, about 40 minutes each: The route includes Ilha Comprida, Lula’s Beach, Blue Lagoon, and Red Beach. Listen for the schooner’s horn, which signals that it is time to return aboard.
• Lunch is extra: You can order lunch at the start so it will be ready at the Blue Lagoon stop. Food and drinks are not included in the $36 fare.
• Bring or rent your mask: Snorkeling equipment is available to rent, but it is not included. Tropical fruit is provided onboard.
• Meet in Paraty’s historic center: There is no hotel pickup. Collect your voucher at Avenida Roberto Silveira, 479, then go to the Paraty Tourism Pier.
• Tides affect the plan: Departure time and places visited can vary with the tide. The listed sea itinerary does not give a clear schedule for the advertised Tobogan and Poço do Tarzan waterfalls, so ask whether those are included before booking.

Four ways to see Paraty Bay from the water

This five-hour trip is a good choice if you want to spend a substantial part of your day on the bay rather than simply take a short boat ride. The schooner links four coastal stops, giving you time to snorkel, swim, or stay aboard and enjoy the scenery.

The value is in that combination, not in a long list of included extras. The fare is $36 per person, but lunch, beverages, snorkel gear, and transport to the pier are not covered. If you bring your own mask and plan to skip the onboard meal, the price is easier to assess; if you need to rent equipment and buy lunch, budget for more.

The crew speaks Portuguese and gives safety instructions before departure. The activity information does not promise a separate tour guide or commentary in another language, so don’t book this expecting a narrated tour in English. You can still enjoy the coastline and make your own day of it, but you may want to ask the operator what communication support is available if you need it.

There is a practical note about booking, too. The overall rating is 3.2 out of 5 from five ratings, and the supplied verified account describes being charged again at the pier after the booking platform had not paid the passenger’s place. That is one account, not proof that it will happen to you, but it is a good reason to confirm your reservation and payment status with the provider before heading to the pier.

The first stop: Ilha Comprida’s natural fish aquarium

Ilha Comprida is the first listed stop and the one with the clearest snorkeling draw. The crew drops a grain of rice into the water, and schools of fish gather around it. It is a small gesture, but it gives you a close look at the fish without needing a long swim or a complicated plan.

Bring an underwater camera if you have one, as the tour recommends. You can also choose not to snorkel and simply enjoy the stop from the schooner or in the water. The activity is intended to work for people who want to swim and those who prefer to sit back and take in the bay.

Each stop lasts about 40 minutes. That gives you time to get in, swim, and return to the boat, but it is not an open-ended beach visit. Keep track of the time and listen for the schooner’s horn. It signals that the stop is over and everyone needs to come back aboard.

Lula’s Beach: quiet water and a change of pace

The next stop is Lula’s Beach, described for its clear water and tranquil setting. After the fish gathering at Ilha Comprida, this is a chance to slow down, swim, and enjoy the shore rather than focus only on spotting fish.

The tour information does not promise a particular set of facilities or activities at the beach, so plan for a simple stop. You will have roughly 40 minutes, and conditions may affect the exact schedule. Pack sandals, swimwear, and a towel so you can get in and out of the water without fuss.

The schooner’s route depends on the tide, which means the departure time and locations may vary. Treat the named stops as the planned route, not a guarantee that every visit will run in exactly the same order or at the same time.

Blue Lagoon: lunch and a swim in calmer water

At the Blue Lagoon, the plan includes time to eat lunch onboard and swim in the lagoon’s blue water. Lunch is not part of the fare, so place your order at the beginning of the tour if you want a meal ready for this stop. The price and menu are not specified, so ask when ordering rather than assuming the cost.

This is the most useful stop for anyone who wants lunch without bringing a full meal along. It also gives the trip a natural pause between swimming sessions. Keep in mind that time ashore or in the water remains limited by the stop schedule, so don’t expect an extended meal break.

Tropical fruit is included onboard, but other food and beverages are not. If you have dietary needs, ask the crew about the lunch options before ordering. The available information does not describe specific dishes or guarantee that special requests can be met.

Red Beach: a final stretch of sand and scenery

Red Beach is the last listed stop. It is described as a place to relax, swim, and enjoy the fine sand and green surroundings. After three earlier stops, it gives you one more chance to choose your own pace: get back into the water, take in the view, or rest before the return.

As with the other stops, plan around the 40-minute limit and the horn signal. Don’t wander far from the schooner or assume the boat will wait beyond the set time. The short window is part of the trade-off: you see several locations in one outing, but you won’t have hours at any single beach.

The trip is best understood as a sampler of Paraty Bay. If you want a full beach day at one spot, this may feel rushed. If you like moving between islands and coves, the changing views are part of the appeal.

What to know about the waterfalls

The experience highlights mention the Tobogan and Poço do Tarzan waterfalls, but the detailed route describes four bay stops: Ilha Comprida, Lula’s Beach, Blue Lagoon, and Red Beach. It does not explain when or how the waterfalls fit into this five-hour schooner cruise.

That difference matters if the waterfalls are a reason you’re considering the trip. Ask Gray Line Brazil before booking whether waterfall visits are part of this departure, or whether the highlight refers to a different outing. The listed instructions focus on the schooner, beaches, swimming, and tide-dependent stops, so don’t count on seeing the falls unless the operator confirms it.

What to pack, and how to prepare

Bring sunscreen, sunglasses, swimwear, sandals, a towel, and tennis shoes. The recommendations cover both time on deck and getting around at the stops. An underwater camera is also worth packing if you want photos of the fish at Ilha Comprida.

A mask and snorkel can be rented, but the equipment is not included in the ticket. If you already own a set, bringing it avoids an extra rental cost and means you know how it fits. The tour also has a dinghy and flotation aids, and the crew gives safety instructions before leaving.

There is no hotel pickup or drop-off. You must get to the Paraty Tourism Pier in the historic center, the city’s only tourist pier, and collect your voucher at Avenida Roberto Silveira, 479, no more than 30 minutes before departure. Leave time to handle both steps rather than arriving at the pier at the last minute.

Is the $36 fare good value?

At $36 per person, the price is reasonable if you want a five-hour boat outing with four swimming stops and tropical fruit onboard. You are paying for the schooner cruise and crew, not an all-inclusive day. Once you add lunch, drinks, snorkel rental, and your own transport to the meeting point, the final cost will be higher.

The best value comes if you enjoy the boat ride itself and are happy to keep the day simple. You can bring your own snorkeling gear, skip the paid lunch, and still see the four named stops. If you expect a guide speaking English, hotel transfers, or food included, this package may not match what you have in mind.

Because the trip depends on tides, flexibility helps. The route and departure time may change, so avoid arranging another tightly timed activity immediately afterward. The tour offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure, and a reserve-now, pay-later option is available, but still confirm your booking payment status directly before travel.

Who should book this schooner cruise?

Book it if you want a relaxed way to reach several parts of Paraty Bay in one outing, and you’re comfortable with a Portuguese-speaking crew and a simple, self-directed day. It suits swimmers and snorkelers, but also people who would rather stay aboard and enjoy the views. Families may appreciate that snorkeling is optional, though everyone should be ready to follow the crew’s safety instructions and return promptly when called.

Think twice if you need hotel transport, want a guided account of the region in English, or are counting on the waterfalls without confirmation. The low rating and payment complaint also make it sensible to verify your voucher and payment before departure. If those details check out and the added costs fit your budget, this is a practical way to spend half a day on the water.

FAQ

How long is the schooner cruise?

The cruise lasts five hours. The four listed stops last about 40 minutes each.

Where do I meet the boat?

The departure point is the Paraty Tourism Pier in the historic center. Collect your voucher at Avenida Roberto Silveira, 479, no more than 30 minutes before the tour.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. There is no hotel pickup or drop-off, so you must make your own way to the meeting point.

Is lunch included in the price?

No. Food and beverages are not included. You can order lunch at the start of the tour so it is ready for the Blue Lagoon stop.

Do I need to bring a snorkel and mask?

You can bring your own or rent a mask and snorkel. Rental is available but not included in the price.

What language does the crew speak?

The crew and live tour guide speak Portuguese. No other language is specified.

Can the departure time or route change?

Yes. Departure time and the places visited can vary according to the tide.