Discover Paraty’s Best Islands on an Exclusive Schooner Tour

Paraty looks best from the water. The Aquamarina II turns a five-hour boat trip into a full day of swimming, beach time, music, and easy sightseeing around four attractive stops. I especially like the friendly, considerate staff and the boat’s useful mix of comfort and play, including cushioned seating, a water slide, toilets, and a bar-restaurant. The main point to weigh is that weather controls the schedule, and five hours can feel long if you prefer quiet, unstructured time.

I also like the practical touches. Starlink Wi-Fi lets you send photos while you are still offshore, and a motorized support boat helps you reach the beaches without making every passenger handle a difficult landing. The boat is pet friendly, too, which is unusual for a water excursion. Just remember that food, drinks, and any onboard purchases cost extra.

Key points to know before booking

• Four scenic stops: The route includes Ilha dos Cocos, Praia da Conceição, Lagoa Azul, and Praia da Lula.
• A two-level schooner: You get cushioned areas, tables, chairs, toilets, music, and room to watch the coast from different spots.
• Fun for mixed groups: The water slide, floatation mats, freshwater rinse, and support boat suit families and groups with different energy levels.
• Useful onboard service: A bar and restaurant sell food and drinks, with payment by PIX, card, or cash.
• Three languages: Live guidance is available in Portuguese, English, and Spanish.
• Good booking flexibility: You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and reserve now without paying immediately.

Meeting the Aquamarina II at Paraty’s Tourist Pier

The schooner is anchored at Paraty’s Tourist Pier, where it should be easy to spot. Look for the large yellow heart, the triple slide, and the photo-friendly swing. Those features make the boat less of a plain transport vessel and more of a floating leisure platform.

Arrive at least 30 minutes before departure. The stated check-in time is 10:30 a.m., so plan to be at the pier by then, not wandering through Paraty’s old streets hoping to arrive at the last minute. At check-in, give the staff your name or show your voucher. Bring identification.

The boat has two levels, with cushioned areas as well as tables and chairs. That gives you a choice between sitting upright for lunch, stretching out with a view, or finding a better angle for photographs. The music adds a holiday feel, though anyone seeking a silent nature trip should set expectations accordingly.

The word exclusive may suggest a private charter to some people, but the provided details do not say that the boat is private or specify the group size. Treat this as a boat tour with a substantial onboard setup rather than a personal yacht outing.

Ilha dos Cocos: the first swim in clear water

The first major stop is Ilha dos Cocos, scheduled for about one hour. This is a good opening stop because it gets you into the water early, when everyone is still keen to swim and explore.

The water is described as clear, with marine life visible below the surface. Bring your own snorkel if you have one, since snorkels are recommended but not listed among the included equipment. Floatation mats are available, which give you another way to enjoy the water without spending the whole hour swimming.

I would use this first stop to get comfortable with the boat’s rhythm. You may enter the water from the schooner, use the slide, or reach the shore with help from the motorized support boat. The support boat matters because it makes beach access simpler for people who do not want to climb down from a larger vessel or manage a tricky landing.

There is a practical limit here. The stop lasts about an hour, so you will need to keep an eye on time. That is enough for a swim and some photographs, but not enough for a slow, all-day beach visit. Keep your belongings secure on the boat and use sunscreen before boarding, since shade and sun can change as the schooner moves.

Praia da Conceição: a calm beach break

Praia da Conceição is presented as a peaceful beach with pale sand and calm water. After the first island stop, this beach offers a slower change of pace. You can swim, sit on the sand, or simply enjoy the view without needing to use the boat’s more active features.

This is likely the stop that suits people who want rest rather than constant activity. Families can spread out a little, and anyone who has had enough time in the water can make the hour about photographs and shade. The exact shore facilities are not specified, so do not count on changing rooms, beach restaurants, or rented chairs at the stop itself.

The support boat is again useful. Instead of expecting every passenger to swim from the schooner to the beach, the crew can assist with the short transfer. That may be especially welcome if you are carrying a towel, camera, or small beach bag.

The itinerary gives Ilha dos Cocos and Praia da Conceição about an hour each. Another point is listed as a sightseeing stop without a separate name, while the complete route also includes Lagoa Azul and Praia da Lula. In practical terms, expect four named natural stops, but understand that the exact order or time at each place may change with sea and weather conditions.

Lagoa Azul: the natural aquarium stop

Lagoa Azul is the most obvious choice for snorkeling. Its transparent water and colorful fish make it the tour’s best spot for looking below the surface. If you bring a snorkel, save your energy for this stop.

You do not need to be an expert swimmer to enjoy the setting, since floatation mats are available and the boat provides several ways to enter the water. Still, you should bring a towel, swimwear, and sunscreen. The operator specifically recommends snorkeling equipment, but the supplied details do not say that masks or snorkels are provided onboard.

The appeal of Lagoa Azul is visual as much as physical. Even if you prefer to remain on deck, clear water gives you something to watch from above. The upper level may offer better views, while the cushioned areas provide a more relaxed place to dry off afterward.

This is also where the boat’s slide can become part of the fun. Adults and children can use it for a more playful entrance into the water, although you should follow the crew’s instructions and allow space for other passengers. The slide, music, and Wi-Fi make the trip lively, not purely nature-focused. That mix will please some people and feel distracting to others.

Praia da Lula: a final beach pause

Praia da Lula is the final beach stop and is described as a quieter place for relaxing and taking photographs. After three earlier stops, it works well as a gentle close to the shore portion of the day.

I would treat this as the place to slow down. You can take the photographs you did not have time for earlier, sit by the water, and enjoy the last beach setting before returning to the schooner. The phrase little hidden gem is often overused in travel writing, so the useful takeaway is simple: this is intended as a calmer, less hectic stop rather than a major activity center.

The schedule may feel tight if you want long swims at every beach. Four stops in five hours means sailing time, boarding, transfers, and meal breaks all share the clock. You will see a lot, but this is a highlights tour, not a stay-at-one-beach experience.

Life onboard between the four stops

The Aquamarina II’s strongest feature is its onboard structure. A two-storey boat with cushions, tables, chairs, toilets, music, a bar, and a restaurant gives you options when you are not in the water.

The bar and restaurant are optional, so the $23 price should be viewed as the cost of the boat trip and included facilities, not a complete all-inclusive day. Drinks and meals are paid separately. You can use PIX, a card, or cash onboard, which is helpful in Brazil, but carrying a backup payment method is still sensible.

Dietary restrictions should be reported in advance. The staff may be able to adjust the restaurant choices, but you should not wait until the meal is being served to explain an allergy or special diet.

Starlink Wi-Fi is available throughout the tour. That is a genuine convenience if you want to send photos, check messages, or share your position. It is also perfectly reasonable to ignore it and watch the islands instead. Wi-Fi offshore is a bonus, not the reason to book a sea trip.

A photographer is onboard to record special moments. The supplied details do not state the price or delivery method for photographs, so ask the crew about that before ordering anything. The yellow heart, swing, and triple slide also create obvious photo spots without requiring a separate photo session.

At the end, a freshwater bath lets you rinse off and cool down before returning to the pier. It is a small but welcome touch, especially after several swims in salt water.

What the $23 price really offers

At $23 per person, this tour offers strong value if you want several stops in one outing. You are paying for five hours on the water, access to four beaches and islands, the schooner’s seating and toilets, a support boat, floatation mats, a slide, and the return to the same pier.

The price is less compelling if you want an intimate sailing trip, a private boat, or meals and drinks included. Those features are not part of the base cost. You should also budget for anything you buy at the bar or restaurant and for optional photographs if you choose them.

The low listed price makes this a practical choice for families, couples, and groups who want a full water day without arranging separate boat transfers. The boat’s range of facilities means you do not have to choose between a basic beach shuttle and a luxury charter. It sits in the middle: organized, social, and activity-focused.

The tour has a 4.6 rating from 13 reviews, and the clearest praise is for the kind and considerate staff. That matters on a boat. Helpful crew members make boarding, beach transfers, slide use, and meal service easier, especially when the group includes children or people who are less confident in the water.

Who will enjoy this boat trip most

I would recommend the Aquamarina II to you if you want to see several of Paraty’s coastal highlights in one half-day outing. It is particularly suitable for:

• Families who want a slide, mats, music, and swimming options
• Couples looking for beach photographs and easy sightseeing
• Groups with mixed interests, since some people can swim while others relax onboard
• Visitors who value toilets, seats, food service, Wi-Fi, and a freshwater rinse
• Pet owners who want a pet-friendly excursion
• Anyone who prefers organized transport to arranging separate beach visits

You may want another type of outing if your priority is silence, privacy, or spending most of the day on one beach. The boat has music and a range of social activities, and the four-stop schedule keeps the day moving.

The weather is the biggest outside factor. Sailing depends on safe conditions. If the weather is unsuitable, the tour will be rescheduled or the paid amount refunded. That policy reduces the financial risk, but it does not remove the possibility of a last-minute change to your plans.

Practical things to pack for five hours

Bring light clothes, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and identification. Snorkeling equipment is recommended, so pack your own mask and snorkel if you have them.

I would also bring a small waterproof bag for your phone and wallet. Wi-Fi is available, but your phone still needs protection from spray, wet hands, and the water slide. Keep sunscreen within reach because a pleasant breeze can hide how much sun you are getting.

If you have dietary restrictions, contact the staff before the tour. Onboard payments work by PIX, card, or cash. Since food and drinks are optional extras, decide in advance if you want to buy lunch or simply focus on the included boat experience.

For pets, confirm that your animal is comfortable around water, music, other passengers, and boat movement. The service allows pets, but the supplied details do not describe pet facilities or special safety equipment.

Should you book the Aquamarina II?

Book this tour if you want good value, four coastal stops, and plenty to do onboard. The $23 price is especially attractive for a five-hour outing that includes a modern two-level schooner, toilets, mats, a support boat, Wi-Fi, and a slide.

I would skip it only if your ideal day means a quiet private boat, long hours on one empty beach, or no extra spending once you board. For everyone else, the Aquamarina II offers an easy way to sample Paraty’s islands and beaches, with staff praised for being kind and considerate and with enough comfort to keep the day enjoyable between swims.

FAQ

Where does the Aquamarina II tour start?

The tour starts at the Aquamarina II schooner, anchored and visible at Paraty’s Tourist Pier.

What time should I arrive?

Arrive at least 30 minutes before departure. The stated early check-in time is 10:30 a.m.

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts five hours. Starting times depend on availability.

Which islands and beaches are included?

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

Is food included in the ticket price?

No. The onboard bar and restaurant sell drinks and meals as optional purchases.

Can I pay onboard by card?

Yes. Onboard payments can be made by PIX, card, or cash.

Is Wi-Fi available during the tour?

Yes. Starlink Wi-Fi is available throughout the tour.

Can I bring my pet?

Yes. The tour is pet friendly and allows you to bring your pet.

What happens if the weather is unsafe?

If weather conditions are not safe for sailing, the tour will be rescheduled or the amount paid will be refunded.