Paraty: Schooner Boat Tour with Beaches and Snorkeling

Paraty’s best-known pleasures are its water and its islands, and this five-hour schooner trip gives you time to enjoy both. You’ll leave from the town’s pier and make four stops for swimming, sun, photos, or a try at snorkeling.

I like the generous time at each stop and the chance to see several parts of the bay in one outing. I also like that the boat has an open platform for getting into the water, a practical feature when you’re carrying a towel and trying not to make a production of your first swim.

The trade-off is that this is a shared boat trip, not a quiet private cruise. The boat can feel crowded, music may be loud, and the snorkeling may not live up to the promise of coral and fish.

At a glance

• Four stops, about 40 minutes each: You get time to swim, take photos, or sit on deck rather than making only quick shore visits.
• A selection of Paraty Bay beaches and islands: Possible stops include Lula da Praia, Praia Vermelha, Ilha Comprida, Ilha do Mantimento, and Ilha do Algodão. The exact four-stop route is not specified.
• Snorkeling is part of the appeal, but not a sure thing: The tour promotes coral, fish, and underwater forests, though the experience may be modest.
• Lunch costs extra: Food may be available aboard, but neither lunch nor drinks are included in the $34 price.
• Portuguese is the tour language: The guide and host are listed as Portuguese-speaking.
• A half-day on a shared boat: Expect five hours on the water, with crowd levels and music varying by trip.

Four stops make this a swim-first outing

The main attraction is not a narrated tour of Paraty. It is the chance to spend several hours moving between beaches and islands, with four stops built into the day. Each is scheduled for around 40 minutes, enough time for a swim, a few photos, and a rest on deck before the boat moves on.

That structure works well if you want a taste of different corners of the bay without arranging separate transport. You can choose how to use each pause. Swim if the water suits you, snorkel if conditions and equipment allow, or stay aboard and enjoy the view. The tour description does not specify what snorkeling gear is provided, so ask before booking if having gear is important to you.

The listed places include Lula da Praia, Praia Vermelha, Ilha Comprida, Ilha do Mantimento, and Ilha do Algodão. Since the tour makes four stops and names more than four possible destinations, don’t assume you will visit every one. The precise route is not given, and I’d treat the names as examples of the bay’s possible stops rather than a guaranteed checklist.

The stops are the heart of the outing, but they are shared with the rest of the boat. If many people head ashore or into the water at once, a beach may feel busy rather than secluded. One account describes stops at crowded beaches, so this is not the best choice if your priority is finding an empty stretch of sand. It is better suited to you if you’re happy to share the setting and value seeing several places in one trip.

What the schooner adds to the day

The boat is described as having an open platform that makes access to bathing areas easier. That matters: getting in and out of the water can be less awkward than climbing over a high side, especially when you’re managing a towel, swimwear, and sunscreen. The exact design and onboard facilities are not detailed, so don’t read the description as a promise of specific extras.

You’ll be aboard for five hours, including the time spent between stops. That gives the outing a relaxed, boat-centered rhythm, but it also means the shared atmosphere is part of the deal. One person described the boat as crowded, and another found the continuous music too loud. If you’re sensitive to noise or want room to spread out, be prepared for less quiet than you might get on a small private boat.

There is also a positive side to having a crew around. The crew has been described as friendly and cheerful, and their help made a difficult, rainy outing easier for one participant despite the language barrier. That is useful reassurance, though it cannot guarantee how every departure will feel. The guide and host speak Portuguese, so English-language explanations are not promised.

Snorkeling: keep expectations realistic

The tour is promoted around snorkeling among coral and fish, with underwater forests as part of the appeal. The bay’s clear water may make a swim a pleasure, but the available details do not say which stop is best for snorkeling, how long you can snorkel, or whether equipment is included. Nor is there a guarantee of seeing particular marine life.

One account found the snorkeling disappointing. That makes this a sensible trip to book for its combination of swimming, scenery, and island stops, rather than as a dedicated snorkeling expedition. If snorkeling is your main reason for going, contact the operator ahead of time to ask what equipment is supplied and what conditions to expect on your date.

Pack a mask and snorkel if you have your own and prefer familiar gear, but confirm what is allowed or needed with the operator. Bring a towel and swimwear even if you are unsure about snorkeling; swimming and relaxing by the water are central to the outing. A sun hat and sunscreen are on the recommended packing list, and both are practical when you’ll be outdoors for several hours.

Lunch aboard is an extra, not part of the fare

At $34 per person, the tour offers five hours on the water and four planned stops. That can be fair value if you want a guided group outing and don’t want to organize transport between several beaches yourself. The price is not all-inclusive, though: lunch and drinks are not included.

Food may be available to buy on board. One person found the meal good, while another considered the food expensive. Those experiences point to a useful bit of planning: bring enough money for an optional meal and drinks, but don’t count on lunch being part of the ticket. If you’d rather control your spending, eat beforehand or ask the operator what food is available and how much it costs.

The meal option may be convenient on a five-hour trip, since you can stay with the boat rather than make separate plans. But convenience and value are not quite the same thing. If the onboard menu or price matters to you, check in advance instead of assuming the advertised lunch highlight means a meal is included.

Check-in, weather, and finding the boat

The stated meeting point is Paraty Tours Agency, at Av. Roberto Silveira 479. One practical wrinkle is that the agency may be where you collect your ticket, rather than where you board. A participant in heavy rain had to find the boat at the port independently and found the process confusing among the many boats.

To avoid that scramble, confirm exactly where to go after checking in and how to identify your schooner. Your precise pick-up time is provided after booking, so check the post-booking message carefully. If the meeting instructions are unclear, contact the organizer before the day of the tour rather than waiting until you reach the pier.

Weather deserves thought, too. A boat outing is exposed to rain and cold, and the tour information does not promise a weather-based alternative. One outing in poor weather was uncomfortable, and the participant wished there had been a clearer option to cancel or switch activities. If the forecast looks bad, ask the operator what happens before you travel to the meeting point. The stated cancellation terms allow a full refund if you cancel at least two days in advance, but they do not describe a special policy for poor weather on the day.

Who will enjoy this Paraty boat trip

I’d consider this outing if you want an easy way to spend part of a day on Paraty Bay, enjoy swimming, and see a handful of beaches and islands without planning each stop yourself. It also suits you if a shared boat, a Portuguese-speaking guide, and a flexible, water-focused day sound fine.

It is less suitable if you want a quiet cruise, a small group, guaranteed snorkeling conditions, or lunch included in the fare. The trip can be busy, and music may be a factor. If you’re choosing it mainly for snorkeling, ask detailed questions first. If your priority is the whole boat-and-beach experience, with snorkeling as a possible bonus, the balance is better.

Families and anyone who needs particular boarding arrangements should confirm details with the operator, since the available information does not specify accessibility features or age limits. The open bathing platform sounds useful for water access, but it does not answer every mobility question. Ask before booking if you need to know about steps, seating, or assistance.

Should you book it?

Book this schooner tour if you want four chances to swim or relax around Paraty Bay and you’re comfortable sharing the boat with a group. The strongest reasons to go are the generous stop times, friendly crew accounts, and the convenience of visiting several coastal spots in one half-day.

Skip it, or ask more questions first, if your must-haves are a quiet boat, a secluded beach, excellent snorkeling, or an included meal. At $34, it can be a reasonable way to spend five hours on the water, but plan for extra costs and keep expectations grounded: the beaches, weather, crowd level, and underwater conditions can shape the day.

FAQ

How long does the schooner tour last?

The tour lasts five hours.

How many stops does the boat make?

The outing includes four stops, each lasting about 40 minutes.

Which beaches and islands might the tour visit?

Possible stops include Lula da Praia, Praia Vermelha, Ilha Comprida, Ilha do Mantimento, and Ilha do Algodão. The exact four-stop route is not specified.

Is lunch included in the $34 price?

No. Lunch is not included, though food may be available to buy aboard.

Are drinks included?

No. Drinks are not included.

What language is the guide’s tour in?

The guide and host speak Portuguese.

Where is the meeting point?

Check in at Paraty Tours Agency, Av. Roberto Silveira 479. Confirm where to board after check-in, since ticket collection and boarding may be at different places.

What should I bring?

Bring a sun hat, swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to two days in advance for a full refund.