Schooner Cruise Ilha Grande: Swim at Blue Lagoon with Caipirinha

The sea at Saco do Céu is so calm it mirrors the stars on clear nights.

A five-hour shared schooner cruise from Vila do Abraão Port visits three swimming stops around Ilha Grande: Lagoa Azul (the Blue Lagoon), Praia de Fora and Saco do Céu, with 40 to 50 minutes at each to dive and snorkel. Caipirinha, water and tropical fruits are included; your guide speaks English or Portuguese. The departure time shifts with the tide, and each stop ends when the schooner horn sounds.

Step-by-step itinerary

Schooner cruise visiting key lagoons and beaches

• Depart from Vila do Abraão Port
• Visit Lagoa Azul for snorkeling
• Stop at Praia de Fora fishing village
• Visit Saco do Céu ecological sanctuary
• Stop at Praia do Amor beach
• Enjoy Caipirinha and tropical fruits
• Swim and dive during stops
• Return to Vila do Abraão Port

The Experience

You arrive at Vila do Abraão Port and board a shared schooner for the morning or afternoon departure—the exact time depends on the tide that day. The boat heads first to Lagoa Azul, the Blue Lagoon, where turquoise water sits between islands and the seabed is visible beneath you. This is where most people spend their 40 to 50 minutes in the water, snorkeling or swimming in water so clear it barely seems to be there. The noodle buoys keep you afloat if you want them, and safety equipment is provided before you leave the dock.

After Lagoa Azul, the schooner moves to Praia de Fora, a fishing village framed by native vegetation, then to Saco do Céu—an ecological sanctuary where the sea stays calm enough to reflect the sky. At each stop, you swim or snorkel for the same window of time; the schooner horn signals when to return to the boat. Between stops, Caipirinha (the Brazilian lime and cachaça drink), water and tropical fruits come around. Your guide, speaking English or Portuguese depending on which option you choose, stays on board and points out what you're seeing.

The whole cruise runs five hours from departure to return. Infants sit on an adult's lap, and the tour suits all fitness levels—you decide how much time to spend in the water at each stop and how much to stay on deck. Safety instructions happen at the start, and the crew watches the water throughout the day.

What’s included

• Schooner ride for five hours.
• safety equipment and noodle buoys.
• three swimming stops at Lagoa Azul, Praia de Fora and Saco do Céu with 40 to 50 minutes at each.
• Caipirinha drinks, water and tropical fruits.
• professional guide in English or Portuguese.

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Gray Line Brazil

Is this one for you?Book the English-speaking option if you want the guide's commentary on the islands and the marine life; choose Portuguese if you're traveling with Portuguese speakers or prefer to move at your own pace between swims and the bar. The fixed departure time (set by the tide) and the horn-signal returns mean the day holds together without anyone managing the schedule—you show up at the port and the crew handles the rest.

Traveler reviews

3.00★★★★★★★★★★

4 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What is Lagoa Azul like when you get there?

Lagoa Azul (the Blue Lagoon) is a turquoise bay between islands where the water is so clear you can see the seabed; it's the first stop on the cruise and where most swimmers spend their time in the water, snorkeling or diving in the shallow, calm bay.

How long do you actually spend swimming at each stop?

Each stop lasts 40 to 50 minutes in the water; the schooner horn signals when the time is up and all passengers must return to the boat.

What time does the schooner leave Vila do Abraão?

The departure time varies according to the tide each day, so you'll confirm the exact time when you book; the cruise returns to Vila do Abraão Port after five hours on the water.

Is the Caipirinha included, and can I have one if I'm under 18?

Caipirinha drinks, water and tropical fruits are all included on the cruise; the minimum drinking age is 18 years, so younger passengers get water and fruit instead.

Do I need to arrange my own way to the port, or is pickup included?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included; you arrange your own transport to Vila do Abraão Port, where the schooner departs and returns.

What happens if I'm not a strong swimmer?

The tour suits all fitness levels; noodle buoys are available to keep you afloat, and you can stay on deck during the swimming stops if you prefer—the water at each stop is calm and shallow enough to stand in.