Boat tour to Bonete and Indaiaúba beaches: 7-hour island route

A cave in the middle of the sea sits between two of the island's most striking beaches.

A seven-hour boat tour from Southeast Brazil navigates south to Bonete beach (ranked among the world's ten most beautiful) with a stop at Indaiaúba and a Portuguese-speaking guide narrating the route. The tour includes passenger insurance and free parking. It departs at 9:30 a.m. and returns by 5 p.m. Children must be at least five years old, and the tour is not available to cruise ship passengers.

The experience

You board at 9:30 a.m. for a seven-hour route that moves south along the island's coast, passing waterfalls tucked into the forest, popular beaches, and a sea cave locals call the dog hole. The boat makes a brief stop at Indaiaúba, where the water is clear enough to feel like stepping into a separate world, then continues to Bonete: a welcoming Caiçara village with a beach that opens onto a waterfall at the far end. A live guide in Portuguese weaves in stories of the island from pirate times to now, framing the landscape as you move through it rather than stopping to lecture at each point.

The boat carries passenger insurance as standard, and parking is free if you're driving to the departure point. You'll need to bring your own sun protection (no repellent is provided), and understand that the tour does not allow Styrofoam or coolers on board. Children under five cannot join, and the route is closed to anyone who is pregnant or recovering from surgery. The boat returns by 5 p.m., and this particular route does not operate for passengers arriving by cruise ship.

What’s included

• Passenger insurance and free parking are included.
• a live guide speaking Portuguese narrates the route and shares stories of the island's history.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 10:30

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (6 to 70 years) · Under 6: can't be booked

GroupUp to 42

Live guidePortuguese

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

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.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearby

Operated by Maremar Turismo

Is this one for you?Book this if you want a guided narrative of the island's history and coastline on a fixed schedule with a group, rather than exploring independently.

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Top questions

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 is Bonete beach like when we get there?

Bonete is a village beach in a Caiçara community: a welcoming stop where the tour ends at a waterfall called the well, letting you close the day in the forest rather than on the sand.

How long is the boat ride itself, and do we stop anywhere else?

The full tour runs seven hours from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., with a brief stop at Indaiaúba beach partway through before the boat continues south to Bonete.

What is the dog hole the guide mentions?

The dog hole is a sea cave in the middle of the water that you pass on the way south: a landmark the guide points out and names as part of the island's geography.

Can I bring food and drinks, or is there a cooler allowed?

Styrofoam and coolers are not permitted on this boat tour, so plan to bring only what you can carry by hand or do without during the seven hours.

Is this tour available if I'm arriving on a cruise ship?

No, this route is not permitted for passengers aboard cruise ships, so you would need to be staying on the island itself to book it.

What should I bring for sun protection?

Bring your own sunscreen or repellent. None is provided on the boat, and you'll be on the water for most of the day.