Schooner ride with or without Lunch Included – Angra dos Reis and Ilha Grande

The best part of this Ilha Grande schooner ride is the water. Lagoa Azul and the Botinas Islands offer clear, calm spots where you can snorkel among fish and starfish, then climb back aboard for views of forested hills and quiet beaches. I like the chance to see several parts of the bay in one half-day, and I like the low listed price of $12 per person.

You should keep your expectations practical. This is a basic shared boat trip, not a private yacht charter, and the schedule may move slowly. The boat can carry up to 100 people, and one reported departure ran about an hour late before making up the time later in the day.

Key points to know

• Lagoa Azul snorkeling: A natural aquarium with fish, starfish, clear water, and a 35-minute stop.
• Four scenic stops: The route includes Lagoa Azul, Praia de Araça, the Botinas Islands, and Gipoia Island.
• Lunch choice matters: You can select an option with or without lunch, but the meal arrangement and cost should be checked before booking.
• Simple meeting point: Meet at Santa Luzia Station on Avenida Júlio Maria in central Angra dos Reis at 11:30 am.
• Bring food money and patience: Drinks are prohibited on board, onboard food choices may be limited, and timing is not always exact.
• Good value for a short outing: The price is appealing if you mainly want scenery, swimming, and snorkeling without a full-day expedition.

Why the Angra to Ilha Grande route works

Ilha Grande is known for more than 100 beaches, blue-green water, and thick mountain scenery. From a boat, you get a useful taste of the island and the surrounding bay without committing to a long hike or a full island stay.

I like this route because it mixes different kinds of stops. Lagoa Azul gives you time in the water. Praia de Araça gives you a beach setting with views toward rainforest and mountains. The Botinas Islands are small and rocky, but their clear water makes them a strong snorkeling stop. Gipoia adds a restaurant break and a slower finish.

The full outing lasts about six hours. That is long enough to make the boat ride feel worthwhile, but short enough to fit into a busy Angra dos Reis schedule. You return to the same place where you started, which keeps the transport simple.

The main tradeoff is the group size. With room for as many as 100 people, this is built for a shared excursion. You get a broad route at a low price, but you should not expect quiet, private-boat service or perfect control over the timetable.

Starting at Santa Luzia Station at 11:30 am

Your meeting point is Estação Santa Luzia, at 435 Avenida Júlio Maria in central Angra dos Reis. The location is near public transportation, and the boat returns there at the end of the trip.

The scheduled start is 11:30 am. Arrive with enough time to find the station and settle in before boarding. The practical concern is that group departures can run late. One account described a delay of about an hour caused by a group coming from Rio, with the lost time made up later.

That detail tells you how to approach the day: leave room in your schedule after the boat returns. If you have a tightly timed bus, transfer, or dinner reservation, this may not be the right outing. If you can accept a loose timetable, the delay is less troublesome.

The boat includes onboard service, but the available details do not spell out exactly what that service covers. Ask Angra dos Reis Turismo before departure, especially if you are choosing the lunch-included version.

Lagoa Azul: the strongest stop for snorkeling

The first major stop is Lagoa Azul, described as a natural aquarium in Ilha Grande Bay. This is the place to focus on if your main goal is seeing fish and starfish in clear water.

You get about 35 minutes here. That sounds brief, but it gives you enough time for a swim and a quick look beneath the surface. The water can appear shallow because of its clarity and pale bottom, though the bay around the islands can reach about 10 meters in depth. Stay within your comfort level and follow the boat crew’s instructions.

I would bring your own mask and snorkel if you have them, since the supplied details do not confirm rental equipment. A towel, swimwear, sun protection, and a dry bag also make sense for a water-based day, though the tour information does not specify equipment or storage.

The value of Lagoa Azul is not just the fish. It breaks up the ride with a proper chance to get into the water. If you prefer to stay dry, you can still enjoy the views, but this stop is clearly aimed at people who want to swim and snorkel.

Praia de Araça and the bay around Freguesia de Fora

Praia de Araça, also identified as Freguesia de Fora, is another 35-minute stop. Here the appeal is the setting: a beach framed by distant rainforest and surrounding mountains.

This part of the trip gives you a more classic island pause. You can relax on the sand, take in the tropical scenery, or use the time for another swim if conditions allow. The stop is short, so think of it as a quick shore break rather than a full beach afternoon.

The route also passes several quieter beaches reached from the sea. That matters because Ilha Grande is best appreciated from the water. You see coves and shorelines that are not part of a simple road trip, and the boat gives you a broader sense of the bay.

The practical limit is time. Four stops in six hours means each beach visit has a fixed rhythm. If you want to settle into one beach for hours, an independent beach day may suit you better. If you want variety, this schedule makes good use of the afternoon.

Botinas Islands, clear water with a deceptive depth

The Botinas Islands are two small stone islands that look almost like twins. Their calm, colorful water and white sandy bottom make them one of the most photogenic parts of the route.

This stop is not on Ilha Grande itself. It lies in the bay surrounding the island, but it is included because the water here is particularly clear. The islands are another good place to snorkel, especially if you enjoyed Lagoa Azul and want a second look at the bay’s marine life.

Do not let the pale bottom fool you. The water may look shallow, but the area can reach up to 10 meters deep. That is useful information if you are not a strong swimmer or if you are traveling with children. Keep close to the boat and treat the site as open water, not as a shallow pool.

The stop lasts about 35 minutes. I like that the route includes both Lagoa Azul and Botinas, since the two stops give you more than one chance to get into the water. Still, the time is limited, so you will want to be ready to swim as soon as the boat anchors.

Gipoia Island and the Praia das Setas lunch stop

The final listed stop takes you to Gipoia Island, including Praia das Setas. This is where the excursion shifts from water time to lunch and a longer pause. The stop lasts about one hour.

The meal is served at Bar do Luiz, described as a typical local restaurant. A useful feature is that the restaurant takes orders while you are still on the boat, allowing food to be prepared before you reach the beach. That can reduce waiting once you arrive.

You need to pay close attention to the lunch choice when booking. The experience is offered with or without lunch, and the supplied information does not give a single fixed meal price for every option. One account reported paying 170 Brazilian reais for a simple chicken fillet with fries when lunch was not included.

That is a serious cost compared with the advertised $12 tour price. I would confirm exactly what the lunch option contains and ask about the price of meals before boarding. If you choose the version without lunch, bring enough money for food, but do not assume you can rely on a wide range of snacks from the boat.

The beach itself gives you a pleasant setting for the meal. Golden sand and turquoise waves make Praia das Setas a natural place to slow down. The description also notes nearby beaches suited to swimming and surfing, though your actual time for those activities depends on the day’s schedule.

Food, drinks, and what to pack

Food planning is the biggest practical issue on this trip. The boat’s onboard choices may be limited. One account found only Fandangos available for purchase and advised bringing snacks.

Drinks are prohibited on board, according to the tour information. That rule is important because it means you should not plan to bring your own beverage onto the schooner. Ask the operator how drinking water is handled before departure, since the supplied details do not explain the onboard arrangement.

For a more comfortable day, I would prepare with:

• Swimwear and a towel
• Sun protection
• A dry bag for phones and valuables
• Cash or a payment method for lunch
• Snacks, if the operator allows them before boarding or at designated stops
• Your own snorkeling gear, if preferred

Because the boat carries up to 100 people, keep your personal belongings compact. A large beach bag can be awkward on a crowded vessel.

Is the $12 price good value?

At $12 per person, the price is attractive for a six-hour boat trip through Angra dos Reis and Ilha Grande Bay. You get several stops, swimming opportunities, island scenery, and a return to the original meeting point.

The low price makes the excursion especially useful if you want an introduction to Ilha Grande without paying for a private boat. You can see Lagoa Azul, Botinas, Praia de Araça, and Gipoia in one outing instead of arranging separate transport.

The price needs context, though. Lunch may cost extra, and the reported 170-real chicken-and-fries meal can change the total sharply. The boat also provides a basic shared experience rather than a polished luxury service.

I would judge the value in two parts. The boat route itself is a good deal if the $12 price is available for your date. The food is a separate budget decision. Check the lunch option before paying, and do not assume the cheapest booking includes a meal.

Who will enjoy this boat trip most?

I would recommend it to you if you want a short introduction to Ilha Grande’s waters, enjoy swimming, and do not mind sharing a large boat. It also suits people who want scenery without planning their own route between beaches.

Families and mixed groups may appreciate the variety. A person who wants to snorkel can use Lagoa Azul and Botinas, while someone else can stay aboard or relax on the beach. Most people can participate, according to the available information.

This is less suitable if you need a quiet boat, strict departure times, or a long stay at one beach. It is also not ideal if you want a full meal included without checking the details first.

The 4.2 rating from 132 ratings suggests a generally positive experience with some practical limits. The strongest praise centers on value, access to the water, and the chance to enjoy several island settings in one day. The weaker point is not the scenery. It is the basic food setup and the relaxed approach to timing.

Booking, weather, and cancellation details

Confirmation is provided at the time of booking. The experience requires good weather, and a cancellation caused by poor weather gives you the choice of another date or a full refund.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted, and the cut-off uses local time.

The trip is booked about 12 days ahead on average. That is a useful planning clue, especially if your dates are fixed. I would reserve early during a busy period, then keep an eye on the weather forecast.

Should you book this Ilha Grande schooner ride?

Book it if you want a low-cost sampler of the bay, with several water stops and a beach lunch break. The combination of Lagoa Azul, Botinas Islands, Praia de Araça, and Gipoia gives you a broad view of the area in roughly six hours.

Go in with the right plan: expect a large shared boat, flexible timing, and a basic food arrangement. Confirm whether your chosen fare includes lunch, ask what onboard service means, and budget separately for the restaurant.

For $12, the boat route offers strong value. It is not the best choice for privacy or precision, but it is a practical way to reach clear water, white sand, and the island scenery that makes Angra dos Reis special.

FAQ

Where does the schooner ride start?

The meeting point is Estação Santa Luzia, at 435 Avenida Júlio Maria in Centro, Angra dos Reis, Rio de Janeiro.

What time does the tour start?

The scheduled start time is 11:30 am.

How long does the experience last?

The schooner ride lasts approximately six hours.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the original meeting point at Santa Luzia Station.

Which places does the boat visit?

The listed stops are Lagoa Azul, Praia de Araça, the Botinas Islands, and Gipoia Island, including Praia das Setas.

Is lunch included?

The experience is offered with or without lunch. Confirm the exact option and meal details when booking.

Can I snorkel during the tour?

Yes. Lagoa Azul and the Botinas Islands are described as snorkeling locations with clear water, fish, and starfish.

Are drinks allowed on the boat?

No. Drinking on board is prohibited.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted. If poor weather causes the operator to cancel, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.