Snorkeling in Angra dos Reis: Botinas Islands & Gipóia

Four stops, four chances to drop into clear water and watch the marine life around you.

A five-hour snorkeling tour from Angra dos Reis aboard a shared speedboat visits the Botinas Islands and three beaches on Gipóia Island, with a guide in English, Spanish or Portuguese and floating noodles included. You snorkel at each stop, spending 20 to 30 minutes in the water before the boat moves on. The longest break is roughly an hour at midday. The Botinas Islands are two small islets ringed by white sand and known for their rich marine life and visibility.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Angra dos Reis islands by speedboat

• Ride shared fast boat
• Snorkel at Botinas Islands
• Relax at Jurubaíba Beach
• Visit Piedade Beach
• Enjoy Flechas Beach

The experience

The boat holds 14 to 34 passengers and leaves from Angra dos Reis for the Botinas Islands first: two small islets shaped like boots, sitting in Ilha Grande Bay with coconut palms and white sand. The water around them is clear enough to see the seabed, and the marine life is dense. You get 20 to 30 minutes to snorkel here before the boat moves to Gipóia Island, the region's second largest, where three beaches make up the rest of the day.

Jurubaíba Beach comes next, a quiet stretch with fine sand and water in shades of green and blue. Then Piedade Beach, smaller and more sheltered, where a sandbar appears at low tide connecting to a nearby islet. Flechas Beach is the longest stop, roughly an hour, and sits on the island's quieter side away from the few houses and kiosks on the other end. Sea turtles sometimes appear near the pier. At each beach you can swim and snorkel, and the guide stays with the group. Bring a towel, sunscreen, hat and cash or card for anything you want to buy on the day. You can pack a cooler bag up to 20 liters with your own food and drinks, but nothing in glass.

The speedboat itself is the transport and the tour: no separate vehicle or meeting point hassle. Infants sit on an adult's lap. Public transportation reaches the departure point. The tour runs on a regular schedule with other passengers, so you're sharing the boat and the stops, which keeps the cost down and means you'll meet other travelers.

What’s included

• A guide in English, Spanish or Portuguese.
• floating noodles for snorkeling.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 11:00

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (11 and older) · Child (3 to 10 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupUp to 20

Live guideEnglish, Spanish 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.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by MOVE TOUR MARANHAO

Is this one for you?Five hours is long enough to hit all four stops and snorkel at each one, but short enough to leave the rest of your day free in Angra dos Reis or nearby. The shared boat keeps the price down if you're comfortable with other passengers and a fixed schedule.

Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and Portuguese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 10 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What's the water like at the Botinas Islands for snorkeling?

The Botinas Islands sit in crystal-clear water with rich marine life and good visibility, making them one of Angra dos Reis's most famous snorkeling spots. The two small islets are surrounded by white sand and coconut palms.

How much time do I actually spend snorkeling at each stop?

Each stop lasts between 20 and 30 minutes, giving you time to get in the water and explore. The midday break at one of the Gipóia beaches is roughly an hour, so you can rest and eat if you've brought food.

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

You can bring a cooler bag up to 20 liters with food and drinks for your own consumption, but nothing packaged in glass. Lunch is not included, so packing your own is a good option if you want to eat during the midday break.

What's included in the tour price?

The tour includes the guide in English, Spanish or Portuguese, the speedboat transport to all four stops, and floating noodles for snorkeling. Everything else (food, drinks, towels, sunscreen). You bring yourself.

Is this tour crowded?

The speedboat holds 14 to 34 passengers and is shared with other travelers on a regular schedule. It's a public tour, so you'll meet other people, but each stop is brief enough that the water doesn't feel packed.

What should I bring besides snorkeling gear?

Bring a towel, sunscreen, a hat or cap, and cash or a card for any purchases. You can also pack your own food and drinks in a cooler bag up to 20 liters, as long as nothing is in glass containers.