Boat tour Arraial do Cabo from Búzios: Swim at Gruta Azul

Four hours on the water, swimming at three beaches the captain chooses by the day's conditions.

A full-day boat tour from Búzios to Arraial do Cabo includes hotel pickup, minivan transfer, a four-hour boat trip visiting named beaches and rock formations, and lunch in Cabo Frio before return to your hotel. The captain selects which of the usual stops (Praia do Farol, Praia do Forno, Prainha and the Gruta Azul) to visit based on weather and water conditions that day. Children under 3 ride free when accompanied by an adult. Snorkeling equipment can be rented at the port.

Step-by-step itinerary

Boat tour and lunch from Búzios

• Pick up from Búzios hotel
• Travel by minivan to Arraial do Cabo
• Board boat at Arraial do Cabo port
• Boat tour visiting Blue Grotto and landmarks
• Stop to swim at various beaches
• Visit Praia do Farol, Praia do Forno, Prainha
• Return to Arraial do Cabo port
• Travel to Cabo Frio for lunch
• Return to Búzios hotel

The experience

You get picked up from your Búzios hotel between 7 and 9 am and driven about an hour by minivan to the Port of Arraial do Cabo, where boarding starts around 10 am. The boat trip itself runs roughly four hours, moving between the famous beaches and rock formations of the area. You'll pass the Gruta Azul (the Blue Grotto, visible from the water), Pedra do Macaco and the Fenda da Nossa Senhora (a crevice where a statue of Our Lady of Assumption sits) before the captain decides which beaches to stop at based on the day's light, weather and water conditions.

The usual stops are Praia do Farol, Praia do Forno and Prainha, each with turquoise water calm enough for swimming. Prainha limits entry to 250 people every 45 minutes and is considered one of Brazil's most beautiful beaches. The water there shifts between shades of green and blue depending on the sun. You swim at whichever stops the captain chooses, so the exact itinerary changes. After the boat returns to port, you head to Cabo Frio for lunch, then ride back to Búzios and your hotel. The whole day runs about eight hours from pickup to drop-off.

An air-conditioned minivan handles both the transfer and the return trip. The tour operates in English, Spanish and Portuguese. Swimwear, sunglasses, sunscreen and a hat are recommended. A city tax of R$10 per person is paid in cash on the day of the tour. If you want to snorkel, equipment rental is available at the port. Contact the operator to confirm your exact pickup time based on your hotel location.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup from Búzios between 7 and 9 am.
• air-conditioned minivan transfer to and from Arraial do Cabo (about one hour each way).
• boat trip visiting Gruta Azul, Pedra do Macaco, Fenda da Nossa Senhora and three swimming beaches.
• lunch in Cabo Frio after the boat returns.
• live guide in English, Spanish or Portuguese.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:30

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (10 and older) · Child (4 to 9 years) · Infant (under 4): free

GroupUp to 120

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and Portuguese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 28 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 1.86

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Rio Carioca Tour Ltda

Is this one for you?Book this if you're staying in Búzios and want a full day on the water. You'll be picked up from your accommodation and driven to Arraial do Cabo, where the captain chooses stops and swim spots based on conditions that day.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and Portuguese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 9 years); Infant (under 4): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What are the beaches I'll swim at on this boat tour from Búzios?

The boat usually stops at Praia do Farol, Praia do Forno and Prainha, though the captain chooses which ones based on the day's conditions. Prainha is one of Brazil's most beautiful beaches and limits entry to 250 people every 45 minutes. All three have clear, calm water for swimming.

How long is the boat trip itself once we leave Arraial do Cabo port?

The boat trip runs approximately four hours, visiting the Gruta Azul, Pedra do Macaco, Fenda da Nossa Senhora and the swimming beaches. You'll pass some sites from the water and stop to swim at others depending on what the captain selects that day.

What time does the pickup happen from my Búzios hotel?

Pickup runs between 7 am and 9 am from your hotel, and you should confirm your exact time by email or phone before the tour. The minivan ride to Arraial do Cabo takes about an hour, with boarding at the port around 10 am.

Is lunch included in the price, and what happens after the boat trip?

Lunch is included in Cabo Frio after the boat returns to port. Drinks and desserts are not included. After lunch, you return to Búzios by minivan and are dropped at your hotel.

Do I need to bring snorkeling gear, or can I rent it?

Snorkeling equipment can be rented at the port in Arraial do Cabo. Bring swimwear, sunglasses, sunscreen and a hat. The water is clear and calm for swimming at each stop.