Snorkeling in Ilha Grande: speedboat with five island stops

Swim and snorkel at five island stops without arranging the boat yourself

A shared speedboat tour from Angra dos Reis visits five stops around Ilha Grande and nearby islands over five hours: the Blue Lagoon, Cataguás Island, Grumixama Beach, Araçá Beach, and Flechas Beach on Gipóia Island. Each stop lasts 20 to 30 minutes for swimming and snorkeling in calm, clear water; the lunch stop runs about an hour. The boat holds 14 to 34 passengers and a live guide speaks English, Spanish, or Portuguese. You bring a towel, sunscreen and hat; food and drinks are not included, though you can pack a cooler bag up to 20 liters (no glass containers).

Step-by-step itinerary

Speedboat tour visiting five stops

• Visit Blue Lagoon for swimming and snorkeling
• Stop at Araçá Beach to relax and snorkel
• Enjoy Grumixama Beach for swimming and sunbathing
• Explore Cataguás Island and snorkel
• Relax at Praia das Flechas on Gipóia Island

The Experience

The speedboat leaves from Angra dos Reis and moves between five stops, each chosen for calm, transparent water and easy snorkeling. The Blue Lagoon sits between two islands with turquoise water and colorful fish close to the surface. Cataguás Island is small and undeveloped, ringed by white sand and preserved forest, with the kind of clear water where fish are easy to spot. Grumixama and Araçá are quieter beaches accessible only by boat, backed by Atlantic Forest and lined with soft sand. Flechas Beach, on Gipóia Island, has kiosks serving local food if you want to buy lunch there instead of bringing your own.

At each stop you have 20 to 30 minutes to swim and snorkel; the lunch stop runs longer, around an hour. You disembark from the speedboat at each site and can spend the time in the water or on the sand. The boat itself is fast enough to cover the distance between islands without eating up the day, and a live guide narrates the route in English, Spanish, or Portuguese. The tour runs on a fixed schedule with other passengers—this is a shared boat, not a private charter.

Bring a towel, sunscreen, hat and cash or card for any extras you want to buy. You can pack a cooler bag up to 20 liters with food and drinks for yourself, but glass containers are not allowed on the boat. Infants sit on an adult's lap. The tour operates year-round on a regular schedule, and cancellations made at least 24 hours ahead get a full refund.

What’s included

• Speedboat transport between all five stops.
• a live guide in English, Spanish or Portuguese.
• floating spaghetti (a flotation aid for snorkeling).
• sailor assistance at each stop.
• 20 to 30 minutes at four stops and about an hour at the lunch stop for swimming and snorkeling.

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're staying in Angra dos Reis or nearby without a car—the speedboat is the way most visitors reach these five island stops, and a shared boat on a fixed schedule means you don't have to arrange transport or find other people to split a private charter with.

Top questions

What's the water like for snorkeling at these five stops?

All five stops have calm, clear water where fish are visible near the surface without deep diving. The Blue Lagoon and Cataguás Island are the most popular for snorkeling because the water is so transparent and the fish are abundant close to shore.

How long do I actually spend in the water at each stop?

Each stop lasts between 20 and 30 minutes, so you have time to swim and snorkel but not for a long rest on the sand. The lunch stop is longer, around an hour, giving you time to eat and relax before the boat moves on.

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

Yes, you can bring a cooler bag up to 20 liters with food and drinks for personal use, as long as nothing is stored in glass containers. The tour does not include meals, though Flechas Beach has kiosks where you can buy local food if you prefer.

Is this tour private or shared with other people?

The speedboat is shared with other passengers; the boat holds 14 to 34 people depending on the departure. Tours run on a fixed schedule, so you travel with whoever books the same date and time.

What language does the guide speak?

The guide speaks English, Spanish, and Portuguese, so you can follow the narration about each stop and the islands you're passing.

How do I get to the boat if I don't have a car?

The tour departs from Angra dos Reis, which has public transportation options nearby. You'll need to arrange your own way to the departure point; the tour itself includes the speedboat and the guide, not hotel pickup or transfers.