Discover Paraty’s Best Islands on an Exclusive Schooner Tour

Paraty’s best feature may be offshore. This five-hour cruise aboard the Aquamarina II links four island and beach stops with a water slide, float mats, music, and room to sit in the shade. The boat is easy to spot at the Tourist Pier, thanks to its yellow heart, triple slide, and photo-friendly swing.

I like the variety of stops, since you get clear water for snorkeling, calm beaches for relaxing, and a boat-based afternoon that works well for families. I also like the practical setup: Starlink Wi-Fi, toilets, a bar, restaurant, and a motorized support boat make this more comfortable than a basic open boat ride.

The main consideration is time. Five hours sounds generous, but four stops, boarding, and the return sail leave limited time at each place. Food, drinks, and any purchases onboard cost extra, so bring a little room in your budget.

Key points to know before booking

• Four separate coastal stops: Visit Ilha dos Cocos, Praia da Conceição, Lagoa Azul, and Praia da Lula during one half-day outing.
• Aquamarina II has two decks: Cushioned areas, tables, chairs, toilets, music, a bar, and a restaurant give you options between swims.
• The slide is part of the appeal: Adults and children can use the onboard water slide, while float mats offer a calmer way to enjoy the water.
• A support boat reaches the beaches: You do not have to rely only on the schooner for access to shore.
• You can stay connected: Starlink Wi-Fi is available throughout the cruise, useful for sharing photos or handling a quick message.
• Pets are welcome: This is one of the more unusual features, though you should still consider how your animal handles boats, noise, and water.

Boarding the Aquamarina II at Paraty’s Tourist Pier

The schooner is anchored at the Tourist Pier and should be simple to identify. Look for the yellow Instagram-style heart, triple slide, and swing. At check-in, give the staff your name or show your voucher.

Arrive at least 30 minutes before the stated 10:30 a.m. departure. That early arrival matters because boarding a larger boat takes more time than stepping into a small launch. Bring identification, even if you have already booked online.

The Aquamarina II is a modern, double-decker schooner with cushioned seating, tables, and chairs. You can settle into a social area, find a spot for the sail, or move around when you want sun and water. The boat also has men’s and women’s toilets, which is a small but important comfort on a five-hour outing.

The staff are described as kind and considerate, and the service includes live guidance in Portuguese, English, and Spanish. No individual guide names are provided, so do not book this expecting a named private guide. This is a shared boat experience with a multilingual team.

Ilha dos Cocos, your first clear-water stop

The cruise begins with Ilha dos Cocos, a quiet place to get into the water and see marine life. You are scheduled to have about an hour here, enough time for a swim, some snorkeling, and a little time on the boat if you prefer not to get wet right away.

Bring your own snorkel if you have one. Snorkeling equipment is recommended, but it is not listed as included. The water is described as crystal clear, and this is likely the stop where you will want to spend the most time looking below the surface.

The support boat helps make access easier, especially if the schooner remains offshore. Floatation mats are also available for people who want to lounge in the water rather than swim continuously.

This first stop can set the tone for the day, but remember that conditions depend on weather. Water clarity, comfort, and the ease of reaching shore can change with wind and sea conditions. The tour only runs in suitable weather, with rescheduling or a refund offered if sailing is unsafe.

Praia da Conceição for a slower hour

Praia da Conceição is presented as a peaceful beach with pale sand and calm water. After the first swim, this stop gives you a chance to slow down. You can relax on the beach, take photographs, or simply enjoy the coast without treating every minute as an activity.

The beach visit is useful for families and mixed-age groups. Strong swimmers can spend more time in the water, while others can stay near shore or use the support boat. The calm setting also makes this a good point in the day for anyone who found the first stop too active.

Do not expect a long beach day at any one location. The full route includes four stops, and the advertised schedule gives roughly an hour to several parts of the itinerary. If you prefer to spend an entire afternoon at one quiet beach, a dedicated beach transfer may suit you better.

Lagoa Azul, the best stop for fish and photos

Lagoa Azul is described as a natural aquarium, with transparent water and colorful fish. This is the stop to prioritize if your main goal is seeing marine life rather than simply sitting on sand.

You can swim, use the float mats, and take photos from the boat or in the water. The onboard photographer is available to record the day, which may appeal to families and couples who want photos of everyone together. Ask about the photo service and any charges before agreeing to anything, since the included features do not state that photographs are free.

The combination of clear water, fish, and the schooner’s slide gives Lagoa Azul a lively feel. You can use the slide for a quick splash, then move away from the main activity for a quieter swim. The boat’s layout helps here because you are not confined to one small deck.

Again, bring sunscreen and a towel. Light clothing is recommended, and swimwear should be worn or packed. Reapply sunscreen after swimming, especially if you spend time on the upper deck.

Praia da Lula, a final beach pause

Praia da Lula is the final named stop and is described as a more secluded beach suited to relaxing and photographs. After several swims, this can be a pleasant last chance to sit on shore before returning to the boat.

The word secluded should not be taken to mean completely private. The tour is part of a shared coastal outing, and beach conditions depend on the day. Still, the stop adds a different mood to the route. Ilha dos Cocos and Lagoa Azul focus more on water, while Praia da Lula gives you a beach setting for a slower finish.

Use the stop for photos, a short walk, or a final swim. You may find that the time passes quickly, especially if the support boat is handling transfers. Keep track of the return-to-boat instructions, since the schooner must maintain its schedule.

What five hours onboard really feels like

The Aquamarina II is designed as more than simple transport. Cushioned areas give you a place to rest, while tables and chairs make it easier to eat or sit with a drink. Background music keeps the cruise from feeling too quiet, though anyone seeking a silent nature trip should know that this is a social boat atmosphere.

The slide is the main entertainment feature. It makes the cruise attractive for children, but adults can use it too. Float mats offer a less energetic option, and the freshwater bath near the end gives you a chance to rinse off salt water before reaching the pier.

Food and drinks are available from the bar and restaurant, but they are optional and not included in the tour price. If you have dietary restrictions, tell the staff ahead of time so the restaurant choices can be adjusted. You should also confirm current prices onboard, since the supplied tour information does not list menu costs.

Starlink Wi-Fi is available during the outing. That is handy for sending a quick message or sharing a photo, but I would not let constant connectivity distract you from the water. Reception and service can vary at sea, even when Wi-Fi is offered.

Pets are allowed, a rare benefit for people who do not want to leave an animal behind. The information does not specify pet fees, size limits, or rules around the slide and beach transfers, so ask the operator before booking. Bring whatever your pet needs for heat, water, and a five-hour boat ride.

Is $23 a good value?

At $23 per person, the tour offers a lot for a half-day on the water. You get transport by schooner, four named coastal stops, onboard seating, toilets, Wi-Fi, float mats, a slide, a support boat, music, and a freshwater rinse. Comparable boat outings can become costly when each beach requires a separate transfer, so combining the stops is a clear benefit.

The price does not cover everything you might spend. Meals and drinks are optional purchases, and the photographer’s service is not explained in the details. Snorkeling gear is recommended but not listed as included, so bring your own if seeing fish is important to you.

The value is strongest if you want variety and comfort. You can swim at several locations without arranging separate transport, and the larger boat gives you more facilities than a basic vessel. The value is weaker if your priority is privacy, a quiet sail, or long uninterrupted time on one beach.

The tour also offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and a reserve-now, pay-later option. Weather remains the key condition: unsafe sailing leads to a rescheduled trip or a refund.

Practical advice for a smoother day

Wear swimwear under light clothing and pack sunscreen, a towel, and identification. A dry bag or waterproof phone case would be sensible for your valuables, though these items are not listed as provided.

Bring a snorkel if you have one. The water stops are a major part of the outing, and your own equipment avoids uncertainty over availability. Keep some money available for the bar or restaurant. Payment onboard is accepted by PIX, card, or cash.

Use the first few minutes to learn where the toilets, seating, slide, and boarding point are located. On a double-decker boat, moving around is easy, but knowing the layout helps when it is time to return from a beach stop.

Do not plan another fixed activity immediately afterward. The cruise is scheduled for five hours, but weather and boarding conditions can affect the exact return time. It ends back at the Aquamarina II meeting point at the Tourist Pier.

Who will enjoy this schooner cruise most?

Families will find plenty to do, from calm beach time to the slide and float mats. The toilets, restaurant, shaded seating, and support boat also make the outing easier for people who do not want a bare-bones boat trip.

It suits couples and friends who want a mix of swimming, photographs, music, and scenery rather than a silent sailing trip. The onboard photographer and Wi-Fi add convenience for anyone who likes to share the day as it happens.

Pet owners should consider it because the service allows animals onboard. Ask about specific pet rules before paying, since the available details confirm only that the cruise is pet friendly.

You may want a different option if you prefer a private boat, a strong focus on snorkeling instruction, or several hours at one beach. This is a shared, feature-filled cruise, not a private coastal charter.

Should you book the Aquamarina II?

I would book this tour if you want an affordable way to sample several of Paraty’s islands and beaches in one afternoon. The route gives you clear water, calm beach stops, a lively boat, and useful comforts that are easy to miss until you need them.

Book with realistic expectations. The four stops are highlights rather than extended visits, food and drinks cost extra, and the boat may feel active because of the slide, music, and shared seating. Arrive early, bring your own snorkel, and allow the weather to shape the schedule.

For $23, the Aquamarina II is a strong choice for a first look at Paraty’s offshore waters, especially for families, groups, and anyone who values convenience over solitude.

FAQ

How long is the Aquamarina II tour?

The cruise lasts five hours and ends back at the Tourist Pier meeting point.

Which islands and beaches does the tour visit?

The route includes Ilha dos Cocos, Praia da Conceição, Lagoa Azul, and Praia da Lula.

Where does the tour start?

The Aquamarina II is anchored and visible at Paraty’s Tourist Pier. Look for the yellow heart, triple slide, and swing.

What time should I arrive?

You should arrive at least 30 minutes before departure. The stated check-in guidance gives 10:30 a.m. as the departure time.

Is Wi-Fi available onboard?

Yes. Starlink Wi-Fi is available throughout the cruise.

Are food and drinks included?

No. The boat has a bar and restaurant, but meals and drinks are optional purchases.

Can I bring my pet?

Yes. The service is pet friendly and allows you to bring your pet onboard.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Snorkels are recommended, but snorkeling equipment is not listed as included. Bringing your own is advisable.

What languages are available?

Live guidance is available in Portuguese, English, and Spanish.

What happens if the weather is unsafe?

If conditions are not safe for sailing, the tour will be rescheduled or the amount paid will be refunded.