Snorkeling in Arraial do Cabo: Saveiro Joana boat tour

Anchor at three snorkeling spots and walk two island beaches in one morning

The Saveiro Joana is a 4-hour boat tour departing from Marina dos Pescadores in Arraial do Cabo that combines snorkeling at anchored stops with landings on two beaches. You swim and free-dive at the first stop, visit the famous Prainhas do Atalaia beach for 50 minutes, and explore a sea cave accessible only by water. A live guide in Spanish or Portuguese narrates the route; the boat carries safety gear, a support vessel for beach landings, and a bar serving drinks and food.

Step-by-step itinerary

Boat tour with stops and diving

• Meet at Marina dos Pescadores
• Board the vessel
• Stop for free diving (15 minutes)
• Pass panoramic spot with legend
• Pass meteorite hole rock formation
• Pass monkey face rock formation
• Pass blue cave reflecting sunlight
• Support boat landing on island beach (15 minutes)
• Support boat landing at staircase beach (30 minutes)
• View cave at Prainhas do Atalaia

The Experience

The boat leaves Marina dos Pescadores after you buy your boarding fee at the ticket office inside the marina. Once aboard, the Saveiro Joana heads to the first snorkeling stop, where the vessel anchors and you can swim or free-dive for around 15 minutes with the option to rent a mask and snorkel on board. The guide points out rock formations along the route—a meteorite hole, a monkey-profile cliff face, and the Blue Cave, one of only two in the world that reflects sunlight into its interior (the other is in Capri, Italy).

The boat makes a support-vessel landing on Prainhas do Atalaia beach, the famous staircase beach, where you have roughly 50 minutes to walk the sand and explore. At the far end of the beach, a sea cave sits just beyond the waterline; the guide recommends visiting it on calm days and at low tide, especially if you're not a confident swimmer. The route includes brief photo stops at panoramic points, and the vessel stays uncrowded even during peak season.

Throughout the tour you have access to an onboard toilet, free mineral water and tropical fruit, and a bar selling barbecue skewers and drinks. All safety equipment required by the Brazilian Navy is on board and maintained to standard. The whole experience runs 4 hours from departure to return.

What’s included

• Snorkeling at an anchored stop with the option to rent a mask and snorkel on board.
• landings on two island beaches via support boat.
• an onboard toilet and all Brazilian Navy-required safety equipment.
• free mineral water and tropical fruit.
• a bar serving barbecue kabobs and drinks.
• a live guide in Spanish or Portuguese narrating the route and landmarks.

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Saveiro Joana

Is this one for you?Choose this if you want snorkeling with a naturalist guide explaining the geology and ecology as you go, plus beach time—all from a single boat with onboard facilities rather than hopping between vendors.

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Top questions

Can I snorkel if I don't have my own mask and snorkel?

Yes. The Saveiro Joana offers mask and snorkel rental on board at the first snorkeling stop for a rental fee, so you can join the water without bringing your own gear.

What is the Prainhas do Atalaia beach like?

Prainhas do Atalaia is a sandy island beach where the boat lands for approximately 50 minutes. It is known as the staircase beach and sits at the end of a stretch of sand; from there you can wade into the water to reach a sea cave, though the guide recommends calm seas and low tide for the safest access.

How long do I spend snorkeling at each stop?

The first snorkeling stop lasts around 15 minutes while the vessel is anchored, giving you time to swim or free-dive before the boat moves on to the next point.

Is there food and water on the boat?

Yes. The Saveiro Joana includes free mineral water and tropical fruit for all passengers, and a bar on board sells barbecue kabobs and drinks throughout the tour.

What language does the guide speak?

The guide conducts the tour in Spanish or Portuguese, narrating the landmarks and the route's history as the boat moves between stops.

Is this tour accessible for people with mobility concerns?

The Saveiro Joana is wheelchair accessible, and public transportation options are available near Marina dos Pescadores. Infants and small children can travel in a pram or stroller, and service animals are allowed on board.