Búzios: The 15 Best Schooner Trips & Tours

1.Private Program for Accredited Diver in Búzios

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 78 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $75Our pick

Certified scuba divers enter from João Fernandes Beach for a private, guided outing in a protected natural pool. Expect clear water and the chance to spot turtles, seahorses, rays of coral, fish, crabs, and other marine life. Equipment and a DiveMaster guide are included; photos cost extra. P&P’s team includes instructors such as Pablo, Matias, Nacho, and Sole.

“These guys were amazing! Extremely personal service! My husband and I are very experienced divers and booked this off of Viator. We were just here for a day off the cruise ship but would definitely come back since we own a dive shop in the United States!”

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2.Búzios Trolley Adventure City Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 70 reviews · 2 hours · from $30

Ride an open trolley for two hours through Búzios, passing 12 beaches and stopping at the Brava and João Fernandes belvederes for photos. A live guide speaks Spanish, English, and Portuguese. Meet in front of the Brigitte Bardot statue, or choose the optional hotel transfer.

“The guide and driver really made the tour. They were fun, informative and catered to all languages including English. It is a great way to orient self to the area and beaches and history. It is breezy and pleasant in the heat and fun to meet new friends. Highly recommend! Great for solo travellers.”

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3.Catamaran Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★3.9 · 65 reviews · 3 hours · from $30

Sail for three hours from Búzios’ downtown pier, passing beaches and islands on a catamaran with three planned stops for swimming. The 11:30 departure includes a ride from downtown hotels to check-in, but not a return transfer. Snorkel gear costs extra, and conditions can affect the route.

“Sabe aquele passeio que te faz esquecer do tempo? Foi exatamente assim . Mar maravilhoso, energia boa e uma experiência que eu curti do começo ao fim.”

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4.Búzios 2.5-Hour Schooner Boat Experience

★★★★★★★★★★3.7 · 56 reviews · 2h 30m · from $20

Sail around the Búzios peninsula aboard a traditional schooner, passing 12 beaches and islands, from Bardot Shore to João Fernandes and Turtle Beach. The 150-minute tour includes time to swim or relax at João Fernandes Beach, Feia Island, and Little Turtle Beach. Meet by the Brigitte Bardot statue, with Spanish, English, and Portuguese available.

“Tur çok kalabalıktı. Tekne fazla kişi alıyor.”

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5.Arraial do Cabo and Cabo Frio Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★3.4 · 53 reviews · 7 hours · from $79

Travel from Búzios to Arraial do Cabo for a boat trip past Lighthouse Island, the Blue Grotto, and other coastal landmarks, with three swim stops and a buffet lunch. A Cabo Frio city tour is included in the plan, though its timing can vary. Guides speak Portuguese, English, and Spanish. One guide named Leo was singled out for helpful advice.

“le spiagge di Arrial do Cabo, sono fantastiche come ai Caraibi. Purtroppo per il tour non si può dire lo stesso. Presi in hotel alle 8.20 a Buzios con una macchina ci hanno ad portato ad Arrial do Cabo. Arrivati lì ore 9.20 abbiamo aspettato quasi 2 ore prima che la nostra barca lasciasse il porto. Lasciato la banchina ore 11.15. Visto 4 spiagge di cui solo 2 visitabili solo via gommone. Alle 15.15 rientro in porto. Fermati a mangiare e ritorno a Buzios. La sosta di Cabo Frio inserita nel programma e non fatta? Sicuramente esperienza da non ripetere. Peccato”

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6.Boat Tour in Arraial do Cabo from Buzios with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 53 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $60

Take an air-conditioned transfer from Búzios to Arraial do Cabo, then spend about four hours by boat, stopping at Forno Beach, Prainhas do Pontal do Atalaia, and Praia do Farol. Lunch is included, but drinks and dessert cost extra. English is not guaranteed; on one departure, guide Nay gave English-speaking passengers personal translations.

“Great experience! I really enjoyed it. It’s super fun—you’ll have a party on the boat while sailing along the beautiful Arraial do Cabo coast. The views are stunning, and the guides were amazing. I’d definitely do it again!”

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7.Private Walk through the Natural Pools in Búzios

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 49 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $48

Walk 3.5 km through Costa do Sol State Park on a private, roughly three-and-a-half-hour outing to Pedra do Guardião, Enseada das Poças, and Praia dos Amores. Guides including Nicole, Loan, and Nay have led outings, but your guide may vary. Bring water, sturdy shoes, and bug spray; transport to and from the meeting point is not included.

“Loan is an excellent ! Absolutely the best. Knowledge about history local situation and culture . Strongly recommend”

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8.Armação dos Búzios: Walk Through the Natural Pools in Búzios

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 34 reviews · 3 hours · from $72

Walk about 3.5km through Costa do Sol State Park with a private guide, passing the Guardian Stone, rocky coves and low-tide pools before reaching Praia dos Amores. You may swim if the tide and waves allow. Guides speak English, Spanish and French; Nicole and Nicola are among the guides named by visitors.

“Excellent. Our guide, Nicole was so enthusiastic for her subject & keen to pass on to us. Good length walk, with spectacular views. Sadly we didn’t have the opportunity to swim in rock pools as advertised, but still a lovely experience.”

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9.Armação dos Búzios: 3-Stop Schooner Boat Ride

★★★★★★★★★★3.8 · 25 reviews · 2h 30m · from $19Best value

Board a large schooner near Rua das Pedras for a 2.5-hour cruise along Búzios’ coast. The route passes 12 beaches and three islands, with three roughly 25-minute swimming and snorkeling stops. Onboard are a 13-meter waterslide, a children’s pool, a bar and covered seating. The tour is guided in Portuguese.

“lo pasamos genial y disfrutamos mucho del paseo en barco, nadamos en las paradas e hicimos snorkel”

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10.Speedboat tour of 2 islands and 11 beaches

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

Take a private speedboat along Búzios’s north coast, with room for up to 11 people, a bathroom, snorkels, floats and a grill. Stops include Tartaruga, Azeda, João Fernandes and Ilha Feia. Bring your own food and drinks; water, ice and charcoal are provided. Captains named Micael and Matías have led trips, but your assigned captain may differ.

“It was a fun boat tour and our group of 10 people had so much fun.”

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11.Diving in Buzios

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 10 reviews · 3 hours · from $150

Travel from Rio to Búzios by authorized tourism vehicle, then meet an instructor at João Fernandes Beach for a theory lesson and a guided scuba session lasting about 45 to 60 minutes. Equipment, a guide and buffet lunch are included. The schedule also includes time in town, but the Rio transfers make this a full-day outing, despite the three-hour duration shown.

“Pros: the Dive is friendly for people who are looking to explore diving. The water is warm. The Dive company has friendly staff. Especially the lady Marianna from the dive centre. Who explained to me later that if you are an experienced driver, you should come in the morning. The boat dives are in the morning. The conditions were good so the visibility was quite good. The tour guide Pablo is also quite good. He gave us a good intro of the town. Con: the information requirement for the experienced diver should be in the description. It’s a bit pricey for the experience that i got. I go diving in…”

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12.DIVING EXPERIENCE

★★★★★★★★★★3.9 · 7 reviews · 3 hours · from $100

At João Fernandinho Beach, you’ll get a theory lesson and a no-rush water adaptation before exploring the reefs with a personal instructor. The three-hour outing is promoted for beginners and non-swimmers, with photos and video included. Confirm whether your booking is snorkeling or an introductory scuba session, and verify the photo terms before you go.

“O pessoal é legal e amigável, mas a experiência em si não foi muito boa. Já fiz váaaaarios mergulhos de batismo antes e nenhum deles o instrutor ficou tão em cima e próximo de mim como esse. Sem falar que eu questionei a questão da visibilidade, eles falaram que seria de boa mas na verdade a água estava muuuito turva, e mesmo eu perguntando não levaram em consideração para o mergulho. Então tendo como base outros mergulhos que já fiz, esse foi o pior de todos. Não recomendo.”

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13.City Tour & Beach Hopping with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 5 reviews · 7 - 13 hours · from $51

Join a Portuguese- or Spanish-speaking guide for a full-day Búzios circuit, with hotel pickup, landmark stops, a 2.5-hour boat ride, and buffet lunch. The boat carries up to 120 people and has a water slide and children’s pool. Drinks, dessert, and a R$5 boarding fee are extra.

“Didn’t like it! We were victims of a tour company mistake and lost the first part of the tour. Guide not knowledgeable.”

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14.Arraial do Cabo with Boat Tour and BBQ Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★3.3 · 4 reviews · 8 hours · from $102

Travel from Búzios to Arraial do Cabo for a schooner cruise with timed stops at Ilha do Farol, Prainhas do Pontal do Atalaia, and Praia do Forno. A live guide speaks English, Portuguese, or Spanish. The eight-hour trip also includes a buffet steakhouse lunch and a panoramic drive through Cabo Frio.

“ek lugar del almuerzo, ek baño es precario igual q la atención”

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15.City Tour by Trolley with 12 Beaches and Pickup

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 4 reviews · 2 hours · from $53

Ride a roofed, open-sided trolley around Búzios with a professional guide speaking English, Spanish or Portuguese. The two-hour route takes in 12 beaches and includes five stops for photos and time to enjoy the coast, including Praia do Forno and a geological point. Centrally located hotel pickup is included.

“Vale a pena! Aconselho. Equipa fantástica e simpática de guias.”

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