Snorkeling in Angra dos Reis: Four island stops by speedboat

Four island stops, four chances to swim and snorkel in one afternoon

A shared speedboat tour of Angra dos Reis visits Ilhas Botinas and three beaches on Ilha da Gipóia over five hours, with 20–30 minutes at each stop to swim and snorkel in calm, clear water. The boat holds 14 to 34 passengers and stops for roughly an hour around midday. You bring your own cooler bag (up to 20 liters, no glass) and pay separately for any food or drinks. A live guide speaks English, Spanish or Portuguese.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Angra dos Reis islands by speedboat

• Visit Botinas Islands for snorkeling
• Swim and relax at Praia do Dentista
• Enjoy peaceful time at Praia da Piedade
• Swim and sunbathe at Praia das Flechas

The experience

Ilhas Botinas opens the tour: a pair of tiny islands ringed by turquoise water so clear the name "natural aquarium" fits. The seabed is visible from the surface, and snorkeling here means watching fish and coral without leaving the shallows. Twenty to thirty minutes is enough to get in, move around, and climb back aboard before the boat heads to Ilha da Gipóia, the second-largest island in the region.

Three beaches fill the rest of the day. Praia de Jurubaíba (also called Praia do Dentista) has soft white sand and the kind of calm water families choose; Praia da Piedade sits quieter, anchored by an 18th-century chapel on the shore; Praia das Flechas frames itself with rock formations and tropical growth, and the water stays shallow enough for swimming or snorkeling depending on what you want. Each stop runs 20 to 30 minutes, so you move between them without the day feeling rushed. Around midday the boat idles for roughly an hour. This is when most passengers eat, though the tour itself does not include lunch. Bring cash or a card to buy food from vendors, or pack your own in the cooler bag you're allowed to carry.

The speedboat carries 14 to 34 people, so this is a shared tour. Seas are calm enough that even infants can ride (they sit on an adult's lap), and the operator notes the experience suits all fitness levels. A live guide travels with the group and speaks English, Spanish or Portuguese. Cancellations made 24 hours ahead get a full refund. Same-day cancellations do not.

What’s included

• Live guide in English, Spanish or Portuguese.
• access to four stops (Ilhas Botinas and three beaches on Ilha da Gipóia) with 20–30 minutes at each for swimming and snorkeling.
• a floating spaghetti (a buoyancy aid).
• a sailor on board.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 11:30

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (11 and older) · Child (3 to 10 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupUp to 20

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and Portuguese

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 yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by FORTALEZA EXPERIENCE TOUR

Is this one for you?Five hours leaves room for a full morning or afternoon elsewhere in Angra dos Reis, but not for a second major activity the same day. The midday break around an hour is when you eat, so bring a cooler bag or budget for vendors at the stops.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

1 verified traveler review

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and Portuguese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 10 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What are Ilhas Botinas and why are they called a natural aquarium?

Ilhas Botinas are a pair of small, iconic islands in Angra dos Reis surrounded by calm turquoise water so clear you can see the seabed and the fish and coral below the surface. The name comes from how easy it is to snorkel there without depth or danger.

How long do we spend at each beach and island?

Each of the four stops lasts between 20 and 30 minutes, giving you time to swim or snorkel and climb back aboard. The midday break runs roughly an hour, which is when most passengers eat.

Can I bring my own food and drinks on the speedboat?

Yes, you can bring a cooler bag up to 20 liters with items for your own consumption, as long as nothing is packaged in glass. The tour does not include lunch, so packing your own or buying from vendors at the stops are both options.

What happens if I need to cancel?

Cancellations made at least 24 hours in advance receive a full refund. Cancellations on the day of the tour are not refunded.