Snorkeling in Angra dos Reis: Blue Lagoon & island beaches

Turquoise water thick with multicolored fish, coral gardens within arm's reach.

A six-hour private boat snorkeling trip through Angra dos Reis visits five stops: the Blue Lagoon's famous coral gardens and schools of fish; Grumixama Beach with calm transparent waters; two quiet coves on Ilha Grande; and Praia das Flechas on Gipóia Island. The boat carries floaters, a cooler with ice, and a route map. You choose the boat size at checkout (32, 16, 12 or 10 people), and the operator provides all fuel and equipment. Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Blue Lagoon30m · entry included
2. Angra dos Reis1h 30m · entry included

Explore Angra dos Reis and Ilha Grande

• Board private boat in Angra dos Reis
• Visit Ilha Grande and swim in clear waters
• Swim and snorkel at Blue Lagoon
• Relax at Grumixama Beach
• Rest at small quiet beach near Parroquia de Santana
• Visit Praia das Flechas and enjoy local gastronomy

The experience

The boat leaves from Angra dos Reis and heads to the Blue Lagoon first, a natural pool named after the 1980s film and ringed by coral gardens. The water is so clear and shallow that schools of multicolored fish surround you as soon as you slip in with a floater. The lagoon sits in the middle of the bay, protected from current, and the biodiversity there is what makes the stop worth the trip. You are not watching fish from a distance. Grumixama Beach comes next, a small cove on Ilha Grande with white sand and rich vegetation, quieter than the lagoon and better for anyone who wants to snorkel without the crowd.

The second half of the day moves through three more stops on Ilha Grande and Gipóia Island: a small beach with golden sand and calm water, good for a long rest in the shade; Praia das Flechas, which has a restaurant and a longer stretch of sand if you want to walk after floating; and a final quiet cove surrounded by Atlantic Forest. The cooler stays on board the whole time, and you set the pace: some people spend an hour at one stop, others move through faster. The boat fuel and floaters are included, so there is nothing to arrange once you are on the water.

You pick your boat size when you book: 32 people spreads the cost but means more bodies in the water at each stop; 16 or 12 people is the middle ground; 10 people in a cabin gives the smallest group. All four options run the same route and stops, so the choice is really about how crowded you want the day to feel. The six-hour window gives you time to snorkel at each site without rushing, and the route map helps you know what you are looking at.

What’s included

• Private boat with fuel for six hours.
• floaters for everyone.
• cooler with ice.
• route map marking five stops across Angra dos Reis and Ilha Grande.

Options for this experience

3 options

Private Boat for 12 PlacesUp to 12 per booking · 11:00One reservation covers up to 12 passengers on the private boat.

Private Boat for 16 PlacesUp to 16 per booking · 11:00One reservation covers up to 18 passengers on the private boat.

Private Boat for 32 PlacesUp to 32 per booking · 11:00One reservation covers up to 32 passengers on the private boat.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 11:00

Book up to1d before

GroupPrivate

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessiblePets welcomeNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Angra Way

Is this one for you?Choose the smaller boat sizes (12 or 10 people) if you want to snorkel without crowding at each stop. The 32-person option costs less per person but means more swimmers in the water at the Blue Lagoon and the beaches. Pick this trip if you want to move between five different snorkeling sites in one day rather than staying in one place, and if having the boat, floaters and cooler arranged means you can focus on the water instead of logistics.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What is the Blue Lagoon like when you snorkel there?

The Blue Lagoon is a shallow natural pool ringed by coral gardens, famous for its turquoise water and the schools of multicolored fish that appear as soon as you enter. The water is so clear and calm that the fish surround you while you float, and the coral gardens are close enough to see without diving deep.

How many stops does the boat make, and what do you do at each one?

The boat visits five stops across six hours: the Blue Lagoon for snorkeling among coral and fish; Grumixama Beach, a quiet cove on Ilha Grande with white sand and calm water; two more small beaches on Ilha Grande, one with golden sand and one surrounded by Atlantic Forest; and Praia das Flechas on Gipóia Island, which has a restaurant and a longer beach for walking. At each stop you can snorkel, swim, float or rest on the sand.

What equipment and supplies are included on the boat?

The boat provides floaters for everyone, a cooler with ice, a route map showing the five tourist points, and all fuel for the six-hour trip. You do not need to bring or arrange snorkeling gear beyond the floaters.

What is the difference between the four boat sizes?

You choose between a private boat holding 32, 16, or 12 people, or a private cabin holding 10 people. All four options run the same route and stops. The choice is about group size and how crowded the water feels at each site.

Is this snorkeling trip safe for someone with health concerns?

The trip is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health. It is suitable for all other fitness levels, and the boat is wheelchair accessible.