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

Ilha Grande Bay is best appreciated from the water, and this six-hour schooner trip links a handful of its most inviting stops: the fish-filled waters of Lagoa Azul, the pale sand of island beaches and the twin rock islets of Botinas. I like that you get both snorkeling time and beach time, rather than spending the whole outing aboard, and that the low starting price makes a day on the bay accessible.

I also like the chance to see several different corners of the bay in one trip, including Gipoia Island, which sits outside Ilha Grande itself. The trade-off is that the schedule is not especially precise: the meal descriptions name different beaches, and a departure delay can shift the day. Bring your patience, and confirm what lunch costs before you go.

The day at a glance

• Lagoa Azul: A 35-minute stop in a natural aquarium known for fish and starfish.
• Praia de Araçá: A 35-minute beach stop framed by rainforest and mountains.
• Botinas Islands: Two small, nearly matching islands surrounded by clear water and white sand.
• Gipoia Island: The final listed stop, with an hour allocated for a meal at Praia das Setas.
• Six hours on the bay: The tour starts at 11:30 am and returns to the same meeting point.
• Lunch needs checking: The stop descriptions also mention lunch at Praia de Japariz, so ask which beach and meal arrangement apply to your departure.

A schooner ride from Angra into Ilha Grande Bay

This is a boat day built around variety, not a single long stay on one beach. You leave from Estação Santa Luzia in central Angra dos Reis, then head into the bay for a succession of swimming, snorkeling and shoreline stops. The advertised duration is about six hours, with a scheduled start at 11:30 am.

Ilha Grande is known for its many beaches, blue-green water and forested interior. A boat trip gives you a practical way to see several parts of the bay without arranging separate transfers between beaches. You also get a view of the islands and mountains from the water, which is a big part of the appeal.

The activity is operated by Angra dos Reis Turismo. No guide names or detailed commentary are provided, so I would book this for the scenery and stops rather than expecting a guided history tour. The group can reach up to 100 people, a detail worth weighing if you prefer a small, quiet boat outing. A full boat may feel sociable, but it can also make boarding and settling into a spot less relaxed.

Lagoa Azul: the natural aquarium stop

The first listed stop is Lagoa Azul, described as a natural aquarium in Ilha Grande Bay. You have about 35 minutes here, with a chance to snorkel among fish and starfish. For many people, this will be the most memorable part of the outing: the clear water gives you a chance to see what lies below the surface, not just admire the bay from the deck.

Treat the stop as a short sample rather than an extended swim. Thirty-five minutes passes quickly once you account for getting into the water and returning to the boat. The available information does not say whether snorkeling equipment is supplied, so check with the operator or bring your own gear if you have it.

Water clarity can make a place look deceptively shallow. That point matters later at Botinas, where the water around the islands reaches as much as 10 meters. Use care when entering the sea, and do not assume that pale sand beneath clear water means you can stand.

Praia de Araçá and the quieter coves

Praia de Araçá, also identified as Freguesia de Fora, is scheduled for about 35 minutes. The description paints a classic bay scene: a beach backed by rainforest and surrounded by distant mountains. This is a good chance to step off the boat, stretch your legs and enjoy the tropical setting without making the day only about swimming.

The route description also refers to travel past several quiet beaches accessible from the ocean. That hints at what makes a boat excursion useful here: some shoreline spots are reached more readily from the bay than by moving between beaches on land. Still, the tour gives only a short stop at Araçá, so think of it as a taste of the coast, not a long beach afternoon.

There is a scheduling inconsistency to sort out before you book. One part of the trip description says lunch is at Praia de Japariz, while the stop for Gipoia Island names Praia das Setas and a meal at Bar do Luiz. Ask the operator which beach your departure uses and whether the restaurant meal is included. This is not a tiny detail when the trip lasts six hours and the onboard food choices may be limited.

Botinas Islands: clear water, real depth

The Botinas Islands are two small stone islands, nearly twins, and their setting is one of the day’s most distinctive sights. White sand below the surface and transparent water can make the sea appear shallower than it is. In fact, the area around the islands reaches up to 10 meters deep.

The stop is listed at about 35 minutes and is described as a good place to snorkel. Even if you stay aboard, the islands make a striking pause in the route: small, rocky forms surrounded by calm, colorful water. The Botinas Islands are not on Ilha Grande itself, but are part of the wider bay that surrounds it. That distinction helps explain why the trip moves between several islands rather than following one island shoreline.

As at Lagoa Azul, the time is brief. If snorkeling is your priority, have your gear ready before the boat stops and follow the crew’s directions about entering and returning to the water. The tour information does not specify conditions, equipment or assistance in the water, so do not assume those are provided.

Gipoia Island and the meal question

The final listed stop is Gipoia Island, with an hour allocated for Praia das Setas and lunch at a regional restaurant called Bar do Luiz. The description says the restaurant menu is brought onto the boat so you can choose a meal before arriving, with food served once the boat reaches the beach. That could save time ashore and make the meal easier to coordinate with a group.

However, the same trip description also refers to lunch at Praia de Japariz. Because those are different beach names, confirm the actual lunch stop rather than building your plans around one version. The meal is not clearly established as part of the $12 starting price, and the starting fare should not be treated as an all-in lunch price.

A past account of the trip described a simple chicken fillet-and-fries meal costing R$170 when lunch was not included, and said the only snack available aboard was Fandangos. Prices and onboard options can change, but this is a strong reason to ask for current menu prices and bring a snack. Do not count on finding a cheap meal on the boat.

What the $12 fare does, and does not, tell you

At $12 per person, the starting price looks like an inexpensive way to spend a day on the water and reach several scenic stops. Its value depends on what is included in the option you select. The information gives a choice of tours with or without lunch, but it does not clarify the price difference or precisely what each fare covers. Confirm that before paying.

You can also ask about onboard service by contacting the agency at 24 999890167. Drinking on board is prohibited, so plan to follow that rule. The supplied details do not list food or drinks as included, and the meal arrangement is unclear enough that it deserves a direct question.

A six-hour route with four listed stops is a reasonable amount of time for a broad introduction to the bay, but it is not a slow, all-day stay at any one beach. You are paying for transport between scenic places and a chance to swim, rather than a private boat or a tailored beach day. The group limit of 100 also means the low price may come with a busy onboard atmosphere.

Timing, group size and a little flexibility

Meet at Estação Santa Luzia, 435 Avenida Júlio Maria, in central Angra dos Reis. The stated start is 11:30 am, and the tour ends back at the same meeting point. Public transportation is nearby, and the activity is listed as suitable for most people, though no further accessibility details are given.

Keep your schedule flexible. A previous departure was delayed by about an hour when a group arrived from Rio, with the time reportedly made up later. That may be reassuring if you worry about losing a stop, but it also means the advertised timetable should not be treated as exact. Avoid planning a tight connection or fixed appointment immediately afterward.

The activity requires good weather. If poor weather forces a cancellation, you can be offered another date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start; cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund. Those terms make it sensible to watch the forecast and check in with the operator if conditions look unsettled.

What to bring and how to make the most of the stops

Bring a snack, especially if you are not certain that lunch is included. The limited onboard snack selection mentioned above makes this a simple bit of preparation that can spare you an expensive or unsatisfying wait. Ask about restaurant prices in advance, and carry whatever payment method you plan to use; payment details are not provided.

If you own snorkeling gear, ask whether it is worth bringing. The stops at Lagoa Azul and Botinas are specifically presented as snorkeling opportunities, but the tour details do not say that equipment is supplied. Pack a towel and beachwear for time ashore, and keep your belongings secure while you move between the boat and water.

Most of all, approach the trip as a flexible sampler. You will see several beautiful places, but each stop is short, and delays can happen. The best attitude is to enjoy the changing views, take advantage of the water time you get, and avoid expecting every minute to run like a private charter.

Should you book this schooner trip?

I would consider this tour if you want an affordable, straightforward introduction to Ilha Grande Bay and are happy to share the boat with a large group. Its strongest points are the range of scenery, the chance to snorkel at Lagoa Azul and Botinas, and the low entry price. You get a useful overview of the bay in roughly six hours.

I would pause if you need a quiet boat, a carefully fixed timetable or certainty about meals. Confirm the lunch beach, meal inclusion and current prices with Angra dos Reis Turismo before booking. If those details suit you and you can stay flexible, this is a practical way to spend a day moving between island water and sand.

FAQ

How long is the schooner trip?

The trip lasts approximately six hours.

What time does the tour start?

The stated start time is 11:30 am.

Where does the tour begin and end?

It begins at Estação Santa Luzia, 435 Avenida Júlio Maria, in central Angra dos Reis, and ends back at the same meeting point.

Which stops are included?

The listed stops are Lagoa Azul, Praia de Araçá, the Botinas Islands and Gipoia Island.

Is lunch included in the $12 price?

The information describes options with or without lunch but does not specify which fare includes a meal. Confirm the meal option and price with the operator before booking.

How many people can join the tour?

The tour has a maximum group size of 100 people.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

If poor weather causes a cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund.