Snorkeling Ilha Grande: Five Lagoons & Beaches by Speedboat

Each stop gives you 20 to 30 minutes in the water, not a rushed photo moment.

A shared speedboat tour of Ilha Grande visits five swimming and snorkeling stops across five hours: the turquoise Blue Lagoon, the emerald Green Lagoon, the quiet Aripeba Beach, Ubatubinha Beach in a protected cove, and Flechas Beach on Ilha da Gipóia. The boat holds 14 to 34 passengers and a live guide speaks English, Spanish or Portuguese. Lunch is not included, though a restaurant operates at Flechas Beach; you can bring a cooler bag of up to 20 liters with your own food and drinks (no glass). Each stop lets you swim, snorkel among tropical fish and coral reefs, or rest on sand and rocks.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Lagoons and Beaches by Speedboat

• Board speedboat in Angra dos Reis
• Visit Blue Lagoon for swimming and snorkeling
• Explore Green Lagoon and snorkel
• Relax at Aripeba Beach
• Enjoy Ubatubinha Beach and beachfront restaurant
• Stop at Flechas Beach for swimming and local dining

The Experience

Blue Lagoon opens the day with turquoise water so clear that tropical fish and the rocky bottom are visible from the surface. The lagoon sits in a cove ringed by Atlantic Forest, and the water stays calm enough for all ages and fitness levels—you float, swim or snorkel without current or surge. Twenty to thirty minutes is enough to move through the water and back to the boat before the next stop.

Green Lagoon follows, a U-shaped inlet where the water shifts to emerald and the coral reefs sit close enough to the surface that snorkeling requires no deep diving. Aripeba Beach comes next, a quieter stop where the sand is clear and the reef nearby holds marine life; fewer boats reach it, so the beach feels less crowded. Ubatubinha Beach sits in a cove called Enseada de Sítio Forte and stretches about 350 meters of soft sand with a rocky plateau just under the surface—a beachfront restaurant sits on the right corner if you want a snack or drink after swimming. The final stop is Flechas Beach on Ilha da Gipóia, where a local restaurant serves fresh seafood and the calm water invites snorkeling or kayaking if you bring your own gear.

The speedboat itself holds between 14 and 34 passengers, so you're in a shared tour with other travelers. A live guide narrates in English, Spanish or Portuguese. Lunch is not included in the price, but you can bring a cooler bag of up to 20 liters with your own food and drinks—glass containers are not allowed. Bring a towel, sunscreen, hat and cash or card for any extras at the restaurants or for tips. The tour runs on a regular schedule, which means fixed departure times; cancellations made at least 24 hours in advance get a full refund, but cancellations on the day of the tour do not.

What’s included

• Speedboat transport to five swimming and snorkeling stops.
• a floating spaghetti and sailor.
• a live guide in English, Spanish or Portuguese.
• 20 to 30 minutes at each of the five beaches and lagoons.
• access to snorkeling in calm, clear water among tropical fish and coral reefs.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by FORTALEZA EXPERIENCE TOUR

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want a full day of swimming and snorkeling across multiple lagoons and beaches without arranging your own boat or planning the route—the fixed schedule and guide handle the logistics, and the 20 to 30 minutes at each stop gives you real time in the water instead of a quick photo stop.

Top questions

What is the Blue Lagoon like for snorkeling?

Blue Lagoon has crystal-clear turquoise water where tropical fish and colorful coral are visible near the surface, surrounded by lush Atlantic Forest. The water is calm and warm, suitable for all ages and fitness levels, and you get 20 to 30 minutes to swim or snorkel before the boat moves to the next stop.

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

Yes, you can bring a cooler bag of up to 20 liters with your own food and drinks, but glass containers are not allowed. Lunch is not included in the tour price, though a restaurant operates at Flechas Beach if you want to buy a meal there.

How long does each stop last?

Each swimming and snorkeling stop lasts between 20 and 30 minutes, giving you time to enter the water, explore the reef or beach, and return to the boat. Lunch at Flechas Beach lasts approximately one hour.

What is Green Lagoon known for?

Green Lagoon, or Lagoa Verde, is a hidden U-shaped inlet with emerald-colored water and rich marine life. The coral reefs sit close to the surface, making it ideal for snorkeling to see colorful tropical fish without deep diving.

Is this tour private or shared with other travelers?

This is a shared speedboat tour with 14 to 34 passengers per boat. A live guide in English, Spanish or Portuguese leads the group through all five stops.

What should I bring on the tour?

Bring a towel, sunscreen, a hat or cap, and cash or a credit or debit card for meals and extras at the beach restaurants. Infants must sit on an adult's lap during the boat ride.