The 15 Best Arraial do Cabo Day Trips

1.Arraial do Cabo Day Trip with Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★3.8 · 400 reviews · 14 hours · from $65Our pick

Travel from Rio with a multilingual guide, then board a traditional schooner in Arraial do Cabo. Swim near Ilha do Farol, photograph Gruta Azul and Pontal do Atalaia, and stop at Praia do Forno. The day lasts about 14 hours, with optional buffet lunch and hotel pickup from selected Rio neighborhoods.

“We got on time to the meeting point but the bus that was supposed to pick us up had an issue. Luckily the guide contacted us straight away and kept us in touch and in the end we re-arranged the pick up a few hours later. Despite the delay the whole activity still went ahead and we managed to visit all the beaches. Just know that there might be a lot of people on the beaches you visit (that is out of your control though) but overall it's quite well organised and we got enough time to swim and enjoy the natural beaches we visited. Make sure to bring some…”

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2.Arraial do Cabo Day Trip from Rio de Janeiro: Boat Tour & Beach

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 390 reviews · 14 hours (approx.) · from $70

Travel from Rio to Arraial do Cabo for a full day of turquoise water, beach stops, and a schooner cruise past Ilha do Farol, Pontal do Atalaia, Gruta Azul, and Praia do Forno. Hotel pickup, ground transport, and a guide are included. Expect a very long day, possible crowds, and Portuguese-led boat commentary.

“What a delightful day! Even though the wind was too high for the boat excursion,Vivi took us to three wonderful beaches, each with something different to offer. There was plenty of time to make friends, relax and enjoy the beautiful surroundings. This was a day we’ll never forget, thank you to Vivi and our fellow travelers”

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3.Arraial do Cabo Boat Trip with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★3.8 · 321 reviews · 14 hours · from $65

Leave Rio early for a 3-hour ride to Arraial do Cabo, then board a schooner for four beach and swimming stops, including Forno, Farol, and Atalaia. You get a guide, lunch, hotel transport, and time on clear water. Maira and Leonardo have led especially well-received trips, though English service can vary.

“I liked it a lot! The boat trip itself is short in comparison with the time of the whole trip, however, views and beaches were stunning. It is totally worth it. I went in July and the water temperature was just fine. The lunch is also delicious! Thanks for everything!”

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4.Arraial do Cabo Island Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 192 reviews · 14 hours · from $67

Travel from Rio’s Leblon, Ipanema, or Copacabana area to Arraial do Cabo for a full-day boat trip. Swim near Praia do Forno and Ilha do Farol, photograph Blue Grotto and Fenda de Nossa Senhora, and eat at an all-you-can-eat Brazilian buffet. Guides speak English, Portuguese, and Spanish.

“Our entire tour with Talia was outstanding, from pick-up to drop-off!”

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5.Arraial do Cabo Tour in Rio de Janeiro with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 155 reviews · 14 hours (approx.) · from $90

Travel from Rio to Arraial do Cabo for a full-day schooner trip with stops at Praia do Forno and Farol Island, plus views of the Blue Cave, Meteoro Hole, and Nossa Senhora fissure. Lunch, guide service, and return transport are included. Expect a long shared-bus day and extra boat-area fees.

“The experience was great, everything was well prepared for and the islands were beautiful. We saw lots of sea turtles and we got our pictures taken. The experience was amazing, but more importantly our guide Talita was so amazing. I los”

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6.A day in Arraial do Cabo the Brazilian Caribbean

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 72 reviews · 12 hours (approx.) · from $85

This 12-hour day trip from Rio takes you by shared transport to Arraial do Cabo for a schooner ride past Gruta Azul, the Crevice of Our Lady, Praia do Farol, and other beaches. Transport, guide, boat trip, and lunch are included. Expect an early start, a transfer of about 3.5 hours each way, and extra marina, garden, drink, and snack fees.

“Thalita was a wonderful tour guide and very nice to deal with. Everything ran smoothly and made a long day quite enjoyable”

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7.Day Tour to Arraial do Cabo the Brazilian Caribbean

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 62 reviews · 14 hours (approx.) · from $97

Travel from Rio to Arraial do Cabo for a full day of white-sand beaches, calm clear water, cliff caves, and a boat ride. The tour includes transport, lunch, a guide, and boat tickets. Guide Lucas has earned praise for his care and English, but confirm the extra marina and garden fees before boarding.

“Lucas never forgot about the only American on board. I am surprised he handled everyone and still had time to explain everything. This tour literally made my trip to Brazil to enjoy its beauty outside of Rio. The music on the boat the logistics of the taxi to get us to the boats was well coordinated. Maybe our tour guide was just the best Lucas thank you made our day. Long day but worth every minute. Do not miss this tour the beaches the water the experience was worth it all.”

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8.Arraial do Cabo – The Brazilian Caribbean Daytrip

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 56 reviews · 14 hours · from $65

Spend a long day from Rio exploring Arraial do Cabo by air-conditioned bus and schooner. Swim at three stops, see Praia do Farol and Gruta Azul, enjoy a buffet lunch, and get free time in town. The tour runs in English, Spanish, and Portuguese, though language support can vary on the day.

“Hermoso lugar, aunque preferiría que la música del barco no fuera tan invasiva. El almuerzo correcto, pero poco variado.”

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9.Arraial do Cabo Tour from Rio de Janeiro

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 56 reviews · 13 hours (approx.) · from $70

Leave Rio at 7:00 am for a 13-hour day in Arraial do Cabo. You’ll ride an air-conditioned vehicle, enjoy a free buffet lunch, and spend about three hours seeing Blue Cave, Nossa Senhora’s Rock, Gorilla Profile Rock, Meteorite Impact, Farol Island, and Prainhas. Guide Viviani has also helped non-Portuguese speakers feel included.

“Excellent tour I advise everyone to make a sensational experience. Congratulations, ❤️👍👍👍👍👍👍👍Auto-translated”

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10.Arraial do Cabo and Cabo Frio Day Trip

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

Travel by bus from Búzios to Arraial do Cabo, then cruise past Lighthouse Island, Blue Grotto, Pontal do Atalaia, and Forno Beach. You get three swim stops, a buffet lunch, and a planned Cabo Frio city tour. English, Spanish, and Portuguese guides are available, but boat fees and weather changes need attention.

“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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11.Boat Tour in Arraial do Cabo from Buzios with Lunch

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

Leave Búzios by air-conditioned vehicle for Arraial do Cabo, then spend about four hours by boat visiting Forno Beach, Prainhas do Pontal do Atalaia, Praia do Farol, and the Blue Grotto. The tour includes lunch and hotel transfers, but drinks, snorkeling gear, and local taxes cost extra. Guides may speak Portuguese and Spanish, with English help available when requested.

“Bellas playas, pero la excursión muy comprimida. Mucho circo. Muchas pequeñas cosas a tener en cuenta que hacen imposible relajar.”

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12.Day Tour to Arraial do Cabo from Rio

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 50 reviews · 12 hours (approx.) · from $80

Leave Rio at 8:00 am for a full-day trip to Arraial do Cabo. Ride an air-conditioned bus, board a schooner, and stop at Praia do Farol, Prainhas do Pontal do Atalaia, and Forno Beach. Lunch, guide service, and the boat ride are included. Expect a long road journey, a group of up to 45 people, and a separate R$10 city fee.

“Espectacular en todo sentido , el guía Amaro es un gran profesional , sin dudas volveremos , como nuestras expectativas....”

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13.Boat Tour in Arraial do Cabo with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 39 reviews · 12 hours (approx.) · from $71

Leave Rio at 7:00 am for a full-day trip to Arraial do Cabo. After a roughly 3.5-hour transfer, board a boat for Blue Cave, Fenda de Nossa Senhora, Praia do Forno, Farol Island, and a view of Prainhas do Pontal do Atalaia. Lunch follows the boat ride, with drinks, snacks, and some local fees extra.

“I booked this trip through Viator as a solo traveler and was already prepared for what to expect, from the meeting point pickup, to air-conditioned coach bus, to the 3 hour bus ride to get to the boat, to the 25 BRL shared taxi fees to/from the docks and back to the coach bus, to the recommendation of carrying some spending money in cash to buy snacks and drinks on the party boat, to the final buffet late-lunch (or early dinner), and to the final return to Rio around 9pm. I was also aware of the tour being primarily in dual Portuguese and Spanish, which means that if you require…”

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14.Arraial do Cabo, Brazil’s version of the Caribbean.

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 18 reviews · 14 hours · from $67

Spend about 14 hours traveling from Rio to Arraial do Cabo for a guided boat trip to Praia do Farol, Prainhas do Pontal do Atalaia, Gruta Azul, and Fenda de Nossa Senhora. Swim, snorkel, and enjoy a Brazilian buffet lunch. Marcelo is one team member praised for his warm service.

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15.Guided Tour to Arraial do Cabo with Crystal Waters and Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 8 reviews · 12 hours · from $67

Travel from Rio to Arraial do Cabo with a bilingual guide such as Fernanda, then cruise to Fenda de Nossa Senhora, Prainhas do Atalaia, Ilha do Farol, Gruta Azul, and Praia do Forno. You get round-trip transport, a boat ride, beach time, and a buffet lunch. Plan for a long day and extra fees for the marina and listed gardener service.

“Beautiful scenery and crystal clear waters. The staff were exceptional.”

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