Angra dos Reis: Boat Tour in Ilha Grande and Lagoa Azul

Beautiful water, four stops, one busy day. This schooner trip makes Angra dos Reis easy to sample when your time is short. I like the chance to swim at Lagoa Azul and Ilhas Botinas, and I like that the route includes Praia das Flechas, where you can find restaurants and bathrooms. The main drawback is the sound system: music may be very loud, and one passenger reported distorted speakers.

I also like the price, about $20 per person, for a cruise lasting roughly five to six hours. You should allow extra money for food, and you should not expect a quiet sailing trip or hotel pickup. The boat leaves from Santa Luzia in central Angra, so getting to the departure point is your responsibility.

Key points at a glance

• Four coastal stops in one outing: Lagoa Azul, Praia de Araçá, Ilhas Botinas, and Praia das Flechas give you a broad taste of Angra’s islands and coves.
• Lagoa Azul is the snorkeling highlight: Clear water and visible marine life make this the best stop for looking below the surface.
• Ilhas Botinas has exceptionally transparent water: White sand beneath the boat creates the tour’s most striking swimming scene.
• Praia das Flechas is the practical final stop: Restaurants and bathrooms make it easier to eat and change pace before returning.
• Santa Luzia departure keeps the tour central: You meet in downtown Angra, but hotel transfers are not included.
• Expect music, not silence: The views earn strong praise, while loud music and poor speaker quality are the clearest complaints.

Why this Angra boat trip works for a short visit

Angra dos Reis has a coastline made for boat travel. The region contains many islands, small beaches, rocky coves, and calm swimming spots. Trying to reach several of them independently can take planning, transport, and time. This route puts four popular stops into one organized day.

For about $20, that is a reasonable deal if your goal is variety. You are not paying for a private yacht, a quiet sailing experience, or a full meal. You are paying for a shared schooner ride and access to several attractive swimming places in one outing.

I would look at this tour as an introduction to Angra rather than a slow, focused beach day. You get a taste of different settings: a natural aquarium, a small forest-backed beach, a clear-water island stop, and a beach with basic services. That variety is the central value.

The advertised duration is six hours, while the itinerary describes about five hours on the water and an expected return to Santa Luzia around 5 pm. Check the current departure time when booking, since the exact schedule may change. The important point is that you should set aside most of an afternoon for the experience.

Leaving from Santa Luzia in central Angra

The tour begins at Santa Luzia, in the center of Angra dos Reis. This is useful if you are already in town, but hotel pickup and drop-off are not part of the package. You need to arrange your own way to the meeting point and arrive ready for a group departure.

The boat is a schooner, a traditional choice for this sort of coastal route. It gives you a broad view of the water and surrounding islands as you move between stops. The trip is designed for sightseeing and swimming rather than transportation alone, so the journey between beaches is part of the experience.

One practical warning: the departure may not run exactly on time. A French passenger rated the outing four out of five and specifically noted a late start. I would avoid scheduling a tight connection afterward, especially if you have a bus, flight, or dinner reservation that cannot move.

The onboard atmosphere may also shape your enjoyment. Music plays throughout the trip, and two separate comments pointed to high volume. One person described the speakers as distorted. If you want a calm ride with the sound of water and wind, this may not be your ideal boat tour. If you enjoy a social outing with music, it may feel more festive.

Lagoa Azul, the clearest first stop

The first stop is Lagoa Azul, or Blue Lagoon. Its clear water is the main reason this place earns a spot on the route. The lagoon is described as a natural aquarium, and you can use the stop to look for marine life beneath the surface.

Bring swimwear and a towel. Snorkeling gear is not listed among the included items, so check before departure if you need equipment. The water clarity should make simple swimming and surface viewing worthwhile, but the exact marine life you see will depend on conditions.

This is the stop where you should pay attention to the water rather than only the scenery. From the boat, the color and transparency are easy to appreciate. In the water, you may see fish and the pale seabed. Keep your expectations sensible: this is a short group stop, not a dedicated snorkeling expedition with specialist instruction.

Lagoa Azul also sets the rhythm for the day. You get a chance to swim early, then return to the schooner for the next cove. If you prefer to spend an hour or more in one place, the schedule may feel hurried. If you want several swims in one day, the format works well.

Praia de Araçá for a quieter swim

The second stop is Praia de Araçá, a small beach surrounded by large rocks and native forest. Compared with the open water of Lagoa Azul, this stop offers a more enclosed setting. The beach is described as cozy and suited to relaxing or taking a swim.

I would use Araçá as your slower beach break. You can get off the boat, stretch your legs, and enjoy the contrast between rock, trees, and sand. It is not presented as a place with restaurants or bathrooms, so treat it as a natural stop rather than a service stop.

The size of the beach matters. A small cove can feel intimate, but it can also feel crowded when a schooner group arrives. The tour description does not give a group size, so you should not expect a private patch of sand. Still, the preserved setting gives this stop a different appeal from the more famous clear-water sites.

If your main goal is photographs, Araçá should provide plenty of variety. The rocks and native forest frame the beach, while calm water makes it easy to enjoy a short swim. You may prefer it to the more active snorkeling stops if you want a break from looking beneath the surface.

Ilhas Botinas and its natural aquarium

The third stop is the Natural Aquarium of Ilhas Botinas. This is another clear-water highlight, but the description emphasizes the view of the seabed: transparent water, white sand, and a bright, open underwater scene.

The name can make this sound like a formal aquarium. It is not. You are visiting a natural swimming area where the water and marine setting create the effect. That distinction helps set the right expectation. There are no exhibits or facilities described here, only the natural setting.

This stop may be the most visually striking part of the day. The white sand below the water gives the area a clean, almost unreal look. If you have an underwater phone case or a camera suitable for water, this is the place to use it, provided you can do so safely and without disturbing the setting.

You should also save some energy for this stop. With several beach visits in a single outing, it is easy to spend too much time swimming at the first two locations. The route is designed around several short visits, so pacing yourself can help you enjoy the whole day instead of ending tired before the final stop.

Praia das Flechas, the useful final beach

The last stop is Praia das Flechas. Its calm water makes it another swimming option, but its real advantage is convenience. Restaurants and bathrooms are available here, giving you services that are not promised at the other beaches.

Food and drinks are not included in the tour price. One passenger specifically warned that the meal cost more than expected, so bring extra money if you plan to eat at Praia das Flechas. The supplied information also says food is not allowed, which means you should not assume you can bring your own meal onto the boat. Confirm the current food rules when booking, especially if you have dietary needs.

This is a sensible final stop because it gives you a chance to eat or use a bathroom before the return to Santa Luzia. It also makes the outing easier for people who do not want a completely facilities-free day. The tradeoff is cost: buying food at a beach restaurant may push your total well above the advertised $20.

The water is calm, so you can choose between swimming and staying on shore. If you have already had enough water time, this may be the most comfortable place to simply rest, eat, and enjoy the setting.

What the $20 price really covers

At approximately $20 per person, the tour is priced as a budget-friendly way to see several Angra highlights. The included item is the schooner cruise. That means the basic value comes from the boat route and the four stops, not from meals, transfers, equipment, or a private guide.

For a visitor with only one free day, the price compares well with arranging separate transport to multiple beaches. You also avoid the work of deciding which coves to visit and how to connect them. The route gives you a clear plan and a return to the same central departure area.

The value is weaker if you need hotel transportation, quiet surroundings, or an all-inclusive package. Add the cost of reaching Santa Luzia, any meal at Praia das Flechas, and possibly snorkeling equipment. The final bill may be notably higher than $20, although the cruise itself remains inexpensive.

The host or greeter speaks Portuguese. If you do not speak Portuguese, keep that in mind when deciding how much help you need during the day. The tour information does not promise multilingual guiding or detailed commentary in another language.

The biggest strengths and the honest drawbacks

The strongest part of the outing is the scenery. The views are repeatedly praised as striking and cinematic, and the route gives you several chances to swim in calm, clear water. You do not need to choose between a beach, a lagoon, and an island aquarium. The schedule includes all three types of stop.

The second strength is variety. Praia de Araçá feels different from Lagoa Azul, and Ilhas Botinas adds another clear-water setting. Praia das Flechas brings practical facilities at the end. That mix makes the tour useful for couples, friends, and first-time visitors who want an overview.

The main weakness is the music. Loud sound can be annoying during long stretches between stops, especially if you want to talk, read, or listen to the water. The comments about high volume and blown-out speakers are specific enough that I would treat this as a real possibility, not a minor technical complaint.

Timing is another small concern. A late departure can reduce the time you feel you have at each beach, even if the overall return remains close to schedule. Keep your plans afterward flexible.

Finally, food requires planning. The meal is extra, and one report described the price as higher than expected. Since food is not allowed, do not count on bringing a packed lunch aboard. For a low-cost outing, food can become the surprise expense.

Who should book this schooner tour?

I would recommend it to you if you want to see several Angra swimming spots in one day and you are comfortable with a shared boat. It suits people who value scenery and variety more than silence or long stays at one beach.

It is also a good fit for a short visit. The route covers four places without requiring you to arrange several separate trips. Families and casual swimmers may appreciate the calm-water stops, though the tour information does not specify child facilities or a dedicated family program.

You may want another option if you are looking for a private boat, guided snorkeling instruction, a quiet nature trip, or hotel-to-hotel service. The Portuguese-only host may also matter if you need extensive explanations in another language.

Bring your swimsuit and towel. Plan for food costs, arrive at Santa Luzia with time to spare, and expect music on the boat. Those simple preparations address most of the practical issues.

My booking verdict

I would book this tour for a first look at Angra dos Reis, especially at $20, if I had limited time and wanted four scenic stops in one outing. Lagoa Azul and Ilhas Botinas offer the clearest payoff, while Araçá and Praia das Flechas keep the day varied.

I would skip it if loud music would ruin the experience or if you want a quiet, private day on the water. For everyone else, the combination of clear water, several beaches, and a central departure point makes this a solid-value coastal trip, as long as you budget for lunch and keep your schedule flexible.

FAQ

Where does the boat tour depart from?

The schooner departs from Santa Luzia, in the center of Angra dos Reis.

How long does the experience last?

The activity is listed as six hours. The route description refers to about five hours on the tour, with an estimated return to Santa Luzia around 5 pm.

Which beaches and sites does the tour visit?

The route includes Lagoa Azul, Praia de Araçá, the Natural Aquarium of Ilhas Botinas, and Praia das Flechas.

Is food included in the price?

No. Food and drinks are not included.

Can I bring food on the boat?

Food is listed among the items not allowed. Praia das Flechas has restaurants if you plan to buy a meal during the stop.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear and a towel.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to reach Santa Luzia independently.

What language does the host or greeter speak?

The host or greeter speaks Portuguese.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.