Discover Paraty’s Best Islands on an Exclusive Schooner Tour

Paraty’s best feature may be offshore. This five-hour cruise aboard the Aquamarina II links four island and beach stops with the easy comforts of a floating day club: cushioned seating, a bar, toilets, a water slide, and a freshwater rinse before you return.

I like the kind, considerate staff, which matters when boarding, swimming, and moving between the schooner and shore. I also like the practical mix of fun and comfort: the support boat helps you reach beaches, while Starlink Wi-Fi lets you share the day if you want to stay connected.

The main consideration is timing. Five hours is long enough for a proper outing but short enough that each stop has a fixed rhythm. If you want a quiet, unhurried beach day, the music, slide, restaurant, and busy boat setup may feel more active than a small sailing trip.

Key points to know before you book

• Four scenic stops: The route includes Ilha dos Cocos, Praia da Conceição, Lagoa Azul, and Praia da Lula.
• A real onboard setup: You get two decks, cushioned areas, tables, chairs, toilets, a bar, restaurant, floating mats, and a triple slide.
• About one hour at each main stop: Plan on a quick swim, snorkel, beach visit, or photo session rather than a whole afternoon at one beach.
• Easy boarding at the Tourist Pier: Look for the yellow heart, triple slide, and Instagrammable swing on the Aquamarina II.
• Useful for mixed groups: Pets are allowed, and the boat offers music, Wi-Fi, food, drinks, and family-friendly water play.
• Weather matters: Unsafe sailing conditions can lead to a rescheduled trip or a refund.

Why this Paraty cruise works well for a day on the water

This is not a bare-bones boat ride. The Aquamarina II is a modern, double-decker schooner designed to keep you aboard for much of the day without giving up basic comfort.

That distinction matters in Paraty. You are not simply being taken from one beach to another. The boat itself is part of the outing, with shaded or cushioned places to sit, tables and chairs, toilets, background music, and a bar and restaurant where you can buy drinks and food.

I see the biggest value in the variety. You can swim from the boat, use a floating mat, ride the slide, go ashore with help from the support boat, or stay seated and watch the coast pass by. That gives your group room to split up without turning the day into separate activities.

Starlink Wi-Fi is an unusual extra. It will appeal to you if you want to send photos during the cruise or stay reachable. If you are trying to disconnect, simply treat it as an option rather than a reason to spend the day looking at your phone.

The price listed is $23 per person, which is strong value for a five-hour trip with four stops and this amount of onboard equipment. Food and drinks cost extra, so the final bill will depend on how much you buy at the bar and restaurant. Bring a card, cash, or use PIX for onboard payments.

Finding the yellow heart at the Tourist Pier

The schooner is anchored and visible at Paraty’s Tourist Pier. The quickest way to identify it is by its bright yellow heart, triple slide, and Instagrammable swing.

You should arrive at least 30 minutes before departure, with early check-in set for 10:30 a.m. That gives you time to find the boat, check in with the staff, and board without a last-minute rush.

Have your name or voucher ready, and bring identification. Light clothing makes sense, along with sunscreen, a towel, and swimwear. Snorkel gear is recommended because the clearest reward at several stops is below the surface.

The boat is pet friendly, a useful point if you are traveling with an animal. Still, you should think about your pet’s comfort around music, people, water, and a moving vessel. The service permits pets, but the decision to bring one depends on how well your animal handles a boat day.

Ilha dos Cocos gives you the first swim

The first stop is Ilha dos Cocos, with about an hour set aside for sightseeing and water time. This is where you can begin with a swim in clear water and look for marine life with your own snorkel.

Starting here makes sense. You can get used to the boat, the water, and the way shore access works before the later stops. The support boat is available to make it easier to reach the beaches, so you do not have to treat the schooner as your only place to swim.

Bring your towel and keep your belongings organized on board. With only about an hour, you will want to be ready when the boat reaches the stop rather than spending much of the time searching for sunscreen or swimwear.

Ilha dos Cocos is best for active time. If you want to swim and use a snorkel, this is a good opportunity. If you prefer to remain dry, you can use the cushioned areas and watch the water from the schooner, but you will miss the main reason for stopping here.

Conceição Beach offers a quieter change of pace

Praia da Conceição is described as a calm beach with pale sand and gentle water. The mood here should suit you if you want to slow down after the first swim.

The one-hour stop gives you enough time to step onto the beach, take photos, and sit by the water. You can reach shore with the support boat, which is helpful if you do not want to swim from the schooner.

This is also the kind of stop where a towel becomes useful. You can make the most of the beach without having to spend the whole trip in the water.

Do not expect the schedule to let you settle in for half a day. The fixed cruise route means you will return to the boat when the group moves on. That tradeoff is fair for a $23 five-hour tour, but it is worth knowing if your dream beach day involves staying in one place.

Lagoa Azul is the best stop for clear water

Lagoa Azul is the natural-aquarium stop of the route. The water is transparent, and colorful fish make this the place where a snorkel can add the most to your visit.

You can swim, look below the surface, or use one of the floating mats. The boat’s slide adds a playful option, especially for families and adults who enjoy a bit of noise and motion between swims.

The water is the star here, so plan your timing around it. Apply sunscreen before you leave the boat, keep your snorkel close, and take a moment to look around rather than rushing straight back to the slide.

This stop may also be the busiest-feeling part of the outing because several activities come together in one place. You have swimming, snorkeling, floating, photography, and boat access all sharing the same hour. That is part of the fun, though it will not feel like a private cove.

Lula Beach closes the route with photos and rest

Praia da Lula is the final beach stop and is presented as a more tucked-away place for relaxing and taking photos. It gives the tour a softer ending after the more active water stops.

Use this hour to slow down. You can sit on the sand, take pictures, or enjoy one last swim before returning to the schooner. If you have been using the slide and floating mats, this is a good chance to spend time on shore instead.

The support boat again makes beach access easier. That feature is especially useful when you want to carry a towel, camera, or small personal items from the main vessel without making the swim.

The order also helps the day feel varied. You begin with island water, move to a calm beach, spend time in the clearest swimming area, then finish at Lula Beach. You are not looking at the same sort of stop four times.

The boat itself is half the attraction

The Aquamarina II has a two-storey layout, so you can choose between a more open viewing position and a comfortable place with cushions, tables, and chairs. That flexibility matters on a five-hour outing.

You will find men’s and women’s toilets on board. This is a small detail, but it makes a long boat trip easier, especially for families and anyone who does not want to rely only on beach facilities.

The bar and restaurant sell drinks and meals for an additional charge. Dietary restrictions should be shared with the staff in advance so they can adjust the food options where possible.

Background music plays while you sail. Some people will enjoy the holiday atmosphere. If you want a silent, nature-focused cruise, this is a point to weigh carefully before booking.

The triple slide is the boat’s most obvious fun feature. It gives children and adults something to do while the schooner is stopped, but it also signals the overall character of the trip: social, playful, and built for a group day rather than a quiet private charter.

At the end, you can take a freshwater bath on board to cool off and rinse away salt before returning to the pier. It is a practical finish, especially if you plan to continue sightseeing in Paraty afterward.

What the staff and guide service add

The staff receive the strongest praise for being kind and considerate. That is not a flashy feature, but it can shape the whole day. Helpful service matters when you are checking in, asking about food, handling a pet, or figuring out how to reach shore.

No individual guide names are provided, so you should not expect a named private guide to lead the trip. Live service is available in Portuguese, English, and Spanish, which makes the outing easier for international visitors and mixed-language groups.

The guide service is best understood as support throughout a shared boat trip, not as a private naturalist program. You will have access to a multilingual crew, but the supplied details do not promise detailed marine interpretation or a formal snorkeling lesson.

Who will get the most from this $23 outing

I would recommend this cruise to you if you want to see several Paraty beaches in one day without arranging separate boat transfers. It works particularly well for first-time visitors who want a broad taste of the islands and coastal water.

Families may appreciate the slide, floating mats, toilets, restaurant, and freshwater rinse. Couples and friends can use the cushioned seating and photo-friendly stops, while pet owners have an option that allows animals on board.

The outing also suits a mixed group where not everyone has the same energy level. Strong swimmers can use the water and snorkel stops. Someone who prefers to sit can enjoy the boat, music, food, and views.

I would hesitate if you are seeking a silent sailing trip, a private boat, or hours at one secluded beach. The boat has music and several built-in activities, and the schedule moves on after roughly an hour at each stop.

Weather is another practical factor. The tour runs only when conditions are safe for sailing. If conditions are unsuitable, it will be rescheduled or the amount paid will be refunded. That rule protects the outing, but it means you should avoid placing it on the final possible day of your Paraty stay if the trip is important to you.

My booking advice

I would book the Aquamarina II if you want a well-equipped, good-value introduction to Paraty’s islands, especially at $23 per person. Four water and beach stops, multilingual service, onboard toilets, a support boat, and food available for purchase make it more than a simple sightseeing cruise.

Bring a towel, sunscreen, swimwear, and a snorkel if you have one. Arrive 30 minutes early, keep some money available for food and drinks, and expect a lively shared outing rather than a private escape.

Book it if variety and comfort matter most. Skip it if your ideal day means complete quiet, no schedule, and one beach all to yourself.

FAQ

How long is the Aquamarina II tour?

The tour lasts five hours and returns to the same meeting point at the Tourist Pier.

Which places does the schooner visit?

The route includes Ilha dos Cocos, Praia da Conceição, Lagoa Azul, and Praia da Lula.

Where do I board the boat?

You board the Aquamarina II at Paraty’s Tourist Pier. Look for the yellow heart, triple slide, and Instagrammable swing, then show your name or voucher to the check-in staff.

How early should I arrive?

Arrive at least 30 minutes before departure. Early check-in is listed for 10:30 a.m.

Is food included in the price?

Food and drinks are available at the onboard bar and restaurant, but they are optional and cost extra. Tell the staff in advance about any dietary restrictions.

Can I bring my pet?

Yes. The service is pet friendly and allows you to bring your pet on the boat.

What happens if the weather is unsafe?

The tour may be rescheduled if conditions are not safe for sailing. If it cannot operate, the amount paid will be refunded. You can also cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.