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

Ilha Grande’s best moments happen from the water, where green-blue bays, white beaches, and forested hills come together in one easy day. This schooner ride takes you to Lagoa Azul, Araçá Beach, the Botinas Islands, and Gipoia Island, with time to swim and snorkel along the way.

I like the low $12 starting price and the variety of stops. I also like that lunch can be arranged in advance at Bar do Luiz, so you can choose your meal before reaching the beach. The main catch is timing: one departure ran about an hour late, and lunch can become costly if it is not included.

I would book this for a relaxed introduction to Angra dos Reis and Ilha Grande, not for a tightly timed boat schedule. Bring snacks, keep your expectations flexible, and check exactly what your lunch option covers before paying.

Key points to know before you book

• Four water stops: Lagoa Azul, Araçá Beach, Botinas Islands, and Gipoia Island each offer a different view of the bay.
• Snorkeling is the star: Lagoa Azul and Botinas Islands have clear water, fish, starfish, and pale sandy sea floors.
• The tour lasts about six hours: Departure is at 11:30 a.m. from Santa Luzia station in central Angra dos Reis.
• Lunch needs attention: The meal may be included or separate, and a simple plate was reported at R$170 when lunch was not included.
• The boat can carry up to 100 people: This is a shared outing, not a quiet private cruise.
• Timing may stretch: A late start was compensated at the end, but you should leave room in your day.

Why this schooner ride works for a first day in Angra

Angra dos Reis is best understood from the sea. The coast breaks into hundreds of islands, coves, and small beaches, and Ilha Grande is the famous centerpiece. With more than 100 beaches, the island gives you plenty of postcard scenery without asking you to plan a long hike or arrange several separate boat transfers.

This six-hour outing keeps things simple. You meet at Estação Santa Luzia, at 435 Avenida Júlio Maria in central Angra dos Reis, then board for a series of stops around Ilha Grande and its neighboring islands. The return is to the same meeting point.

I like this format because you get several short tastes of the area instead of spending the entire day at one beach. You also see that not every worthwhile stop is technically on Ilha Grande. The Botinas Islands, for example, sit in the bay around the island, but they are one of the day’s most memorable swimming spots.

The tradeoff is the group size. The boat may carry up to 100 people, so you should expect a shared excursion with movement, waiting, and a livelier feel. If you want silence, privacy, or complete control of the schedule, a private boat would suit you better.

Lagoa Azul: the best place for clear-water snorkeling

The first stop is Lagoa Azul, described as a natural aquarium in Ilha Grande Bay. This is where the tour’s water activities make the strongest impression. You can snorkel among several kinds of fish and see starfish in the clear water.

The name suggests a small lagoon, but the important point is the water quality and visibility. The stop is designed for getting into the sea, so bring swimwear and anything you need to feel comfortable in the water. The listed stop lasts about 35 minutes, which gives you enough time for a swim and a look around, but not an entire afternoon of slow snorkeling.

I like this stop because it gives the day a clear purpose. You are not only riding past pretty beaches. You are getting into the water and seeing the sea floor for yourself.

Still, 35 minutes passes quickly. If snorkeling is your main reason for booking, have your mask and other gear ready before the boat reaches the stop. The available information does not specify whether snorkeling equipment is supplied, so confirm that with Angra dos Reis Turismo before departure.

Araçá Beach and the long views across the bay

The second stop is Araçá Beach, also known as Freguesia de Fora. Here the focus shifts from underwater scenery to a quiet beach setting. You can relax on the yacht, go ashore, and take in views of distant rainforest and surrounding mountains.

This is a good place to slow down after the first swim. The beach gives you a chance to walk on pale sand, enjoy the tropical setting, and take photographs without trying to fill every minute with activity. The stop is also listed at about 35 minutes, so you should treat it as a short shore visit rather than a full beach day.

The wording around this part of the route also refers to several quiet beaches reached from the ocean, followed by a lunch stop at Praia de Japariz. That means the exact order or shore time may vary with the boat’s operation. Keep your bag easy to carry and do not expect a long, private stretch of sand.

I would especially like this stop if you want a mix of swimming and scenery. The mountains and forest are not background decoration only. They show why a boat trip makes sense here. From the water, you see the island as a chain of bays and hills rather than as one crowded resort beach.

Botinas Islands: beautiful water with a surprising depth

The Botinas Islands are two small, nearly twin stone islands surrounded by calm, colorful water. Their pale sea floor makes the water look shallow, but the area can reach about 10 meters deep.

That depth is worth taking seriously. The water may appear easy and gentle, but you should stay within your comfort level and follow the boat crew’s instructions. The stop is another chance to snorkel, and the clear water around the islands can make the sea floor seem close enough to touch.

I like the contrast here. Lagoa Azul feels like a natural aquarium, while Botinas feels more open and exposed, with rock formations and water all around you. It is also a reminder that pretty water is not the same as shallow water.

The attraction is not located on Ilha Grande itself, but it belongs to the bay that surrounds the island. That makes the stop useful for understanding the wider Angra area. You are not simply visiting one island beach. You are moving through a whole network of islands and channels.

The scheduled stop is about 35 minutes. That is enough for a swim or snorkel, but you will want to get into the water promptly if you are sharing the stop with a large group.

Gipoia Island and Praia das Setas

The fourth stop takes you to Gipoia Island, with time at Praia das Setas and lunch at a typical local restaurant called Bar do Luiz. The restaurant has a practical system: staff take the meal choices aboard the vessel, then prepare the food so it can be served when the boat reaches the beach.

That arrangement can save time on a six-hour trip. You choose before arrival rather than waiting to decide after everyone reaches shore. The listed stop lasts about an hour, making it the longest scheduled pause of the day.

Lunch is also where you need to watch your budget. The tour is advertised from $12 per person, which makes the boat ride an attractive buy. But the low starting price does not automatically mean the whole day will cost only $12. A simple chicken fillet with fries was priced at R$170 when lunch was not included, and the onboard snack choice was limited to Fandangos.

I would either select the lunch-included option, if available for your booking date, or ask for the current menu and price before boarding. Bring your own snacks as a backup, but remember that drinks are prohibited on board. The supplied information says onboard service is available through the agency, which can be contacted at 24 999890167.

Praia das Setas is a sensible lunch location because you get food, beach time, and a break from the boat in one stop. Just do not assume that the meal is automatically part of the $12 fare.

What the $12 price really means

At $12 per person, this is one of the easier ways to sample the Angra and Ilha Grande coastline. The value comes from combining several boat stops into one outing. If you tried to arrange separate transfers to Lagoa Azul, Botinas Islands, and the beaches, the planning alone would be less convenient.

The price is strongest for people who want scenery and a few chances to swim without paying for a private charter. It is less attractive if you expect a full meal, drinks, high-end service, or a small group.

The lunch choice matters more than the headline price. If lunch is included at a reasonable supplement, the outing may feel easy and predictable. If it is not included, the meal at Bar do Luiz can take a large bite out of your budget. Ask two direct questions before booking: Is lunch included in my selected option, and what exact dishes and prices are available?

I also would not plan an important evening connection around the scheduled return. The tour starts at 11:30 a.m., lasts about six hours, and one departure was delayed by roughly an hour because of a group arriving from Rio. The lost time was made up at the end, but a flexible schedule will make the day more enjoyable.

Who will enjoy this day on the water

I would recommend this ride to first-time visitors who want a broad look at Ilha Grande and the nearby islands. Families and mixed-age groups may like the simple pattern of boat ride, beach, swim, and lunch. Most people can participate, according to the activity information, and the meeting point is near public transportation.

It also suits you if you prefer a gentle outing over a demanding land excursion. You can experience several beaches without committing to long walks or complicated transfers.

I would hesitate if you dislike crowds or want long stretches of quiet beach time. A boat carrying up to 100 people can feel busy, especially at boarding, meal time, and the popular swimming stops. I would also choose another plan if you need strict departure times or a carefully measured itinerary.

Weather matters. The activity requires good conditions, and poor weather can lead to a new date or a full refund. That is sensible for a boat trip, but it means you should keep some flexibility in your Ilha Grande plans.

Practical advice for a smoother outing

Arrive ready for water. Wear swimwear beneath your clothes, pack a towel, and keep valuables protected from spray. The supplied details do not say that snorkeling gear is included, so ask before the day or bring your own equipment if you have it.

Bring snacks, especially if you do not choose lunch in advance. The onboard food selection may be narrow, and drinks are not allowed on board. You should also carry enough cash or confirm accepted payment methods for any meal or service, since payment details are not provided.

Give yourself time at the meeting point. The start is 11:30 a.m. at Estação Santa Luzia in central Angra dos Reis. Since the boat returns there, the location is easy to use as your beginning and end point.

Finally, let the schedule breathe. The advertised stop lengths are useful guides, but a shared boat can run late. I would enjoy the sea views, keep my camera ready, and avoid trying to fit another fixed appointment into the afternoon.

Should you book the Ilha Grande schooner ride?

Book it if you want an inexpensive, easy introduction to Angra’s islands, with several chances to snorkel and a beach lunch stop. The strongest reasons are the four varied locations, the clear water at Lagoa Azul and Botinas Islands, and the chance to see Ilha Grande from the sea rather than only from one beach.

Before paying, confirm the lunch arrangement and snorkeling equipment. If you can accept a large shared boat and a schedule that may shift, the $12 starting fare offers good value. If you want privacy, strict timing, or a quiet meal with no extra costs, spend more on a private or smaller boat instead.

FAQ

Where does the schooner ride start?

It starts at Estação Santa Luzia, 435 Avenida Júlio Maria, Centro, Angra dos Reis, Rio de Janeiro, 23900-600, Brazil.

What time does the tour depart?

The scheduled start time is 11:30 a.m.

How long does the experience last?

The boat trip lasts about six hours.

Where does the tour finish?

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

Which places does the boat visit?

The stops are Lagoa Azul, Araçá Beach, the Botinas Islands, and Gipoia Island, including Praia das Setas.

Is lunch included?

Lunch depends on the option you select. The experience is offered with or without lunch included, so check your chosen option before booking.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted. If bad weather cancels the experience, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.