Snorkeling Angra dos Reis & Ilha Grande: Blue Lagoon

The water around Botinas Islands runs deep, though the white sand bottom makes it look shallow enough to wade.

A 6-hour schooner ride from Angra dos Reis to Ilha Grande's bay, with snorkeling stops at Blue Lagoon and the Botinas Islands, lunch at a beachfront restaurant optional, and a live guide in Spanish or Portuguese. Children welcome from age 6. Lunch can be ordered on board or skipped. Drinking is prohibited during the voyage.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Blue Lagoon35m
2. Angra dos Reis35m

Schooner ride and island exploration

• Depart from Angra dos Reis
• Snorkel at Ilha Grande bay
• Relax on yacht at Praia de Araca
• Visit quiet beaches around Ilha Grande
• Lunch at Praia das Setas restaurant
• Snorkel at Botinas Islands

The experience

The schooner leaves Angra dos Reis and heads to Ilha Grande's bay, where the first snorkeling stop is Blue Lagoon, a natural aquarium where you'll see fish and starfish in the shallows. The second stop is the Botinas Islands, two small stone formations with calm, colorful water and white sand that deceives the eye. The depth reaches 10 meters, so the clarity is deceptive. Between snorkeling, the boat moves to quieter beaches accessible only from the ocean, including Praia de Araca with views of the rainforest and mountains, and stops at Praia de Japariz, a golden-sand beach with turquoise water.

Lunch happens at Bar do Luiz, a beachfront restaurant with an unusual setup: the menu circulates through the boat so you can order while still on the water, and your meal is ready when you arrive at the beach. You choose whether to add lunch to your booking or bring your own food. On-board service is available throughout the day. The guide speaks Spanish or Portuguese and stays with the group for the full 6 hours.

A municipal Sustainable Tourism Tax (TTS) applies to all visitors entering Angra dos Reis. You'll pay this boarding fee when you depart. Infants can ride in a stroller or on an adult's lap, and the boat suits all fitness levels. Public transportation reaches the departure point, and the schooner accommodates small children from age 6 onward.

What’s included

• On-board service throughout the day.
• snorkeling at Blue Lagoon and Botinas Islands.
• stops at Praia de Araca and several quiet beaches accessible only from the ocean.
• lunch at Bar do Luiz on Praia de Japariz (if included in your booking).
• live guide in Spanish or Portuguese.

Options for this experience

2 options

Lunch Not IncludedGuide in Spanish or Portuguese · 11:30

Lunch IncludedGuide in Spanish or Portuguese · 11:30Self-service buffet: includes fried fish, fried chicken, beans, rice, assorted salads, pirão and pasta

You pick the guide language when booking.

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 11:30Last departure this season: 31 Mar 2027

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (6 to 11 years) · Under 6: can't be included in the booking

GroupUp to 100

Live guideSpanish and Portuguese

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. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 5 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Angra dos Reis Turismo

Is this one for you?Book with lunch included if you want a full day without packing food. Skip it if you prefer to bring your own or eat light. The 6-hour timeframe fits a single day trip from Angra dos Reis with time to snorkel at two separate sites and relax on the beaches between stops.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in Spanish and Portuguese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 11 years). Under 6: they can't be included in the booking.

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 exactly is Blue Lagoon and what will I see when I snorkel there?

Blue Lagoon is a natural aquarium in Ilha Grande's bay where you'll spot several species of fish and starfish in the water. It's the first snorkeling stop on the day.

Are the Botinas Islands safe for snorkeling if the water is 10 meters deep?

The Botinas Islands have calm, colorful water and a white sand bottom that makes the depth hard to judge visually, but they're a popular snorkeling spot. The transparency and shallow appearance are what make them attractive, though the actual depth reaches 10 meters in places.

Can I order lunch on the boat, or do I need to decide before I book?

Lunch is optional at checkout. If you choose to include it, the restaurant menu circulates through the boat so you can order while still on the water, and your meal is served when the schooner reaches Praia de Japariz beach.

How long is the full day on the water?

The schooner ride lasts 6 hours total, including snorkeling stops, beach time, and the lunch stop.

Is there a minimum age to go on this schooner ride?

Children are welcome from age 6. Infants younger than that can ride if they sit on an adult's lap or travel in a stroller.