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

Ilha Grande is at its best from the water, where forested mountains, white sand, and clear blue-green sea come together in one long half-day outing. The highlight is Lagoa Azul, a natural aquarium where you can snorkel among fish and starfish, followed by the bright, shallow-looking waters around the Botinas Islands. I love the chance to see several different corners of the bay without arranging separate boat rides.

I also like the low price, about $12 per person, and the stop at Bar do Luiz, where you can choose lunch on the boat and have it ready when you reach the beach. The main catch is food: if lunch is not included, the available meal can be costly, so bring snacks and confirm exactly which booking option you are buying.

Key points to know before booking

• Lagoa Azul snorkeling: Spend about 35 minutes in a natural aquarium with fish and starfish.
• Botinas Islands: Two small rocky islands offer clear water and another good place for snorkeling.
• Beach time: Araca Beach and the bay around Ilha Grande provide roughly 35-minute stops for swimming and relaxing.
• Lunch at Praia das Setas: Bar do Luiz serves meals selected aboard the vessel, but lunch inclusion depends on the option you choose.
• Six-hour schedule: The boat leaves at 11:30 am from Santa Luzia station and returns to the same meeting point.
• Low-cost group outing: The price is attractive, but the boat can hold up to 100 people and timing may be flexible.

Why this schooner ride works well for Ilha Grande

Ilha Grande has more than 100 beaches, and a boat is the practical way to see more than one or two in a single day. From the deck, you get a broad view of the island’s mountains and rainforest while moving between swimming spots that are reached from the sea.

This is not a private yacht charter or a quiet sailing trip for a small group. It is a shared excursion with room for up to 100 people. That matters. You are paying a modest price for access to several attractive places, not for personal service or a perfectly controlled schedule.

At around six hours, the outing gives you enough time to enjoy the water without taking up an entire day. The 11:30 am start also leaves the morning free, though it means you should eat something before meeting the boat or bring food with you.

The departure point is Estação Santa Luzia at 435 Avenida Júlio Maria in central Angra dos Reis. It is near public transportation, and the activity ends back at the same meeting point. Confirmation is provided when you book.

Lagoa Azul, the first snorkeling stop

The first stop is Lagoa Azul in Ilha Grande Bay. The name fits the setting: the water is blue-green, and the bottom is clear enough to make the area feel like a natural aquarium.

You have about 35 minutes here. That is enough time to get into the water, look for fish and starfish, and enjoy the setting, but it is not a long snorkeling session. If you want to make the most of it, have your mask, swimsuit, towel, and other water gear ready before the boat arrives.

The stop is free to enter, and its value comes from the setting rather than from a formal attraction or guided presentation. You are there to swim and observe the sea life around the boat. The water can look shallow because of its clarity, so use care and follow any instructions given aboard.

Lagoa Azul is likely to be the most memorable part of the trip for anyone who enjoys being in the water. It is also the stop most affected by weather and sea conditions, which is why the experience requires good weather.

Araca Beach and the bay around Ilha Grande

The next stop is Araca Beach, also called Freguesia de Fora. You get about 35 minutes to relax around Ilha Grande’s picturesque bay, with distant rainforest and mountains forming the backdrop.

This stop is less about a single major attraction and more about enjoying the setting. The boat gives you access to a quiet beach that is difficult to include in a land-based day. You can spend the time on the sand, swim, or simply remain aboard and take in the view.

The short stop is useful for breaking up the snorkeling portions of the day, but do not expect a long beach afternoon here. If your main goal is to sit on white sand for hours, this tour may feel rushed. If you want a sample of several beaches, the brief visit makes sense.

The route also passes several quiet beaches accessible from the ocean. The exact amount of time at each place can shift, so I would treat the published schedule as a guide rather than a minute-by-minute promise.

Botinas Islands and clear water

The Botinas Islands are two small rocky islands that look nearly alike. They are outside Ilha Grande itself, but they sit within the bay surrounding the island and are included because the water here is especially clear.

This is another snorkeling stop of about 35 minutes. The white sand below the surface makes the sea appear much shallower than it really is. In fact, the water around the islands can reach about 10 meters, so do not judge depth by appearance alone.

The islands are a good match for you if you enjoy simple sea stops: get in, swim, look at the water and fish, then return to the boat. The scenery is the attraction. There is no separate entrance fee, and no long walk is involved.

I would keep your expectations practical. This is not a dedicated snorkeling course, and the stop is shared with the rest of the group. Still, the unusual clarity and twin-island setting give Botinas a distinct character from Lagoa Azul.

Lunch at Praia das Setas and Bar do Luiz

The lunch stop takes place on Gipoia Island at Praia das Setas, where you have about one hour. The beach has golden sand and turquoise waves, and the bay is described as suitable for swimming, snorkeling, and surfing.

Bar do Luiz has a useful arrangement. The menu is brought aboard the vessel, allowing you to choose your meal before reaching the beach. The restaurant then prepares it for your arrival. That can save time during a one-hour stop, especially when a large group is eating.

You need to pay close attention to the booking choice. There is an option with lunch included and another without lunch. The basic tour price is about $12 per person, which makes it appealing, but that low price should not be treated as proof that a meal is included.

If lunch is not included, food costs may change the value calculation. A simple chicken fillet with fries has been priced at 170 Brazilian reais, and the food available aboard the boat may be limited to packaged snacks such as Fandangos. I recommend eating before departure, carrying permitted snacks, or choosing the lunch-included option if the price difference is reasonable.

Drinks are not allowed aboard the vessel. The tour information also mentions onboard service and provides the agency contact number, 24 999890167, for questions. Contacting the operator before the day of departure is the safest way to clarify meals, drinks, and what is available during the ride.

What the $12 price really gives you

At roughly $12 per person, this is an inexpensive way to see several of the Angra dos Reis and Ilha Grande area’s best-known water spots. The value is strongest if you want transportation between beaches, snorkeling stops, and a broad view of the bay without paying for a private boat.

The price is less compelling if you expect a full meal, a small group, or a tightly managed schedule. Lunch may cost extra, and a boat with space for up to 100 people will feel different from a personal excursion.

A delay of about one hour has occurred when a group arriving from Rio was late. The lost time was made up at the end on that occasion, but you should not schedule an important evening connection immediately after the boat returns. This is a relaxed Brazilian bay outing, and the timetable may bend.

I see the tour as a good value for flexible visitors who care more about the water and scenery than polished service. It gives you several chances to swim and take photographs at a price that is hard to match.

Timing, group size, and what to bring

The start time is 11:30 am at Estação Santa Luzia. Since the boat returns to the same point, the route is easy to manage if you are staying in central Angra dos Reis.

The trip lasts about six hours. That includes the boat ride and stops at Lagoa Azul, Araca Beach, Botinas Islands, and Praia das Setas. Each stop is short except lunch, so prepare to move when the crew signals that it is time to return aboard.

The maximum group size is 100 people. That makes this a social, shared outing rather than a quiet escape. If you prefer space, avoid assuming that the low fare buys a calm deck or personal attention.

I would bring:

• Swimsuit and towel
• Sun protection
• A change of clothes
• Snorkeling equipment if you have your own
• Snacks, especially if lunch is not included
• Waterproof protection for your phone

Do not plan on buying drinks aboard, since drinking on the boat is prohibited. Also, keep personal items secure during the swimming stops.

Who should book this experience

I would recommend this ride to you if you want to see several beaches and islands in one outing, enjoy swimming and snorkeling, and can accept a large shared boat. Families and casual beachgoers may like the variety, since no single stop lasts long enough to become tiring.

It also suits budget-minded visitors staying in Angra dos Reis. The central meeting point, public transportation nearby, and return to the same location keep the day simple.

You may want another type of outing if you want a private boat, long stretches of quiet beach time, a serious snorkeling session, or a guaranteed gourmet lunch. The route offers variety, not depth. You get a taste of several places rather than a long stay at one.

Most people can participate, but the tour still involves boarding a vessel, getting into the sea, and moving between beach and boat. If that sounds uncomfortable, confirm the practical details with Angra dos Reis Turismo before booking.

Weather and cancellation rules

Good weather is required for this activity. If poor conditions cause the operator to cancel, you can receive a full refund or choose another date.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the 11:30 am start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not refunded, and changes within that period are not accepted. The cut-off follows local time in Brazil.

This policy is worth noting because a water-based outing is more dependent on conditions than a city tour. Keep some flexibility in your schedule if possible.

Should you book the Ilha Grande schooner ride?

Book it if your priorities are clear water, several short swimming stops, and a very low-cost way to see the bay. Lagoa Azul and the Botinas Islands provide the strongest reasons to go, while the lunch arrangement at Praia das Setas adds a practical break.

Before paying, check whether your selected fare includes lunch. Bring snacks either way, and do not build a tight evening plan around the stated return time. With those small preparations, this is a useful and affordable introduction to the beaches and islands around Angra dos Reis.

FAQ

Where does the schooner ride start?

It starts at Estação Santa Luzia, 435 Avenida Júlio Maria, Centro, Angra dos Reis, Rio de Janeiro.

What time does the tour start?

The scheduled start time is 11:30 am.

How long does the experience last?

The schooner ride lasts approximately six hours.

Where does the tour finish?

The activity ends back at the original meeting point at Estação Santa Luzia.

Which places are included in the route?

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

Is lunch included?

There are options with and without lunch included. Confirm which option you are booking before payment.

Can I snorkel during the tour?

Yes. Snorkeling is available at Lagoa Azul and the Botinas Islands, where you may see fish and starfish.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

You can choose another date or receive a full refund if the activity is canceled because of poor weather.