Ilha Grande: 6-Hour Speedboat Tour to Blue and Green Lagoons

Beautiful water, brisk boat rides, and a busy beach scene. This six-hour outing from Vila do Abraão is a good way to see several of Ilha Grande’s best swimming spots without arranging your own boat. I especially like the clear lagoon water and the chance to stop for an optional Brazilian seafood lunch. The main drawback is that the tour runs only in Portuguese, and delays or crowded lagoons can take some shine off the day.

I also like the practical touches: drinking water in a cooler and foam noodles for floating. You get plenty of free time to swim, take photos, and walk along the shore rather than spending the whole trip listening to a speech. Still, you should expect a shared speedboat, a lively atmosphere at popular stops, and a fairly brisk ride that can feel cold in the wind.

Key points at a glance

• Blue Lagoon is the main snorkeling stop: Clear water and colorful fish make it the strongest stop for swimming and mask-and-snorkel time.
• Green Lagoon changes with the tide: A sandbar links Ilha Grande with Ilha da Longa at low tide, while high tide turns the area into a natural aquarium.
• The boat ride is part of the experience: You get scenic views of Ilha Grande and Ilha Grande State Park, but wind and spray make a jacket useful.
• Lunch is optional at Enseada das Estrelas: You can buy a local meal, often with seafood, then spend time on the beach.
• Portuguese is the only operating language: The trip is mostly self-guided once you reach each stop, but timing instructions may be hard to follow.
• A calm sea matters: Rough conditions can mean stopping offshore, making beach access harder for anyone who is not a confident swimmer.

Starting from Vila do Abraão

The tour begins at Caiçara Turismo Ilha Grande in Vila do Abraão. Present your ticket there, collect an entry wristband, and follow the local staff to the speedboat.

The first ten minutes are set aside for a safety briefing. Since this is a fast boat rather than a slow sightseeing launch, pay attention to where you sit and how you hold your belongings. Keep your phone secured when the boat is moving, and have a light jacket within reach.

The advertised price is $62 per person. That is reasonable if you want a half-day on the water with several stops, a boat ride, water, and noodles included. It is less attractive if your main goal is a long, quiet stay at one beach, since a noticeable part of the six hours is spent moving between locations.

There is also a useful booking cushion: you can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve without paying immediately. Do not treat that flexibility as a reason to cut your arrival time close. A shared boat cannot wait for late passengers.

The ride across Ilha Grande’s coast

The opening cruise lasts about 45 minutes, followed by more sailing between the stops. This gives you wide views of the island’s forested slopes, coves, and open water. The scenery is one of the tour’s pleasures, especially if you enjoy the feeling of moving from one small bay to another.

The speedboat also creates the day’s main comfort issue. Wind can be surprisingly cold, even in warm Brazilian weather. Bring a windbreaker or thick jacket, plus swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, sandals, and rain gear. A waterproof bag is sensible for phones and small valuables, although one is not listed as included.

You receive drinking water in a cooler with ice. The tour rules do not allow you to bring your own cooler, and speakers, smoking in the vehicle, feeding animals, and touching marine life are prohibited. These rules help keep the boat orderly and protect the animals, but bring cash for food and equipment rental.

Green Lagoon and its changing water

Green Lagoon, or Lagoa Verde, is one of the more unusual stops because the setting changes with the tide. At low tide, a small sandbank connects Ilha Grande to Ilha da Longa. At high tide, that same area becomes a natural aquarium.

You get around 45 minutes here for swimming, photos, snorkeling, and free time. The shallow connection between the islands gives the place a distinctive shape, while the water invites you to simply float and look around. Foam pool noodles are provided, so you can relax without constantly treading water.

Snorkeling gear is not included. You can rent equipment near the Tourist Pier in Vila do Abraão before departure. That is worth doing if you care about seeing fish, since the tour’s clearest benefit is access to water rather than included instruction or guided marine-life viewing.

The tide, weather, and crowd level will affect how Green Lagoon feels. At popular times, several boats may arrive together, leaving less quiet shoreline. You can stay on the boat if you prefer not to enter the water, but the best part of this stop is clearly the chance to swim and watch the water around the sandbar.

Blue Lagoon, the strongest stop for snorkeling

Blue Lagoon follows more cruising and a scenic passage along Ilha Grande’s coast. You get about 45 minutes here for swimming, photos, and snorkeling among the fish.

This is likely the most rewarding stop if you bring or rent a mask and snorkel. The water is known for its clarity, and colorful fish can be seen around the lagoon. The experience is not a formal guided snorkeling session, so you are free to explore at your own pace, but you need to be comfortable managing yourself in the water.

Keep your expectations sensible. Fish sightings are part of the appeal, not a guarantee at every moment. One account of the trip found fewer fish than expected, while other comments praised the lagoons and the time available for swimming. Water conditions and the number of boats can make a difference.

The stop lasts long enough for a swim and some photos, but not for a leisurely full-day stay. If you want several unhurried hours in one cove, rent a private boat or choose a beach day instead. If you want to sample two well-known lagoons in one outing, this schedule works better.

Enseada das Estrelas and the optional lunch stop

The boat then heads to Enseada das Estrelas, or Bay of Stars. This is the longest pause, with about an hour set aside for lunch, followed by another 25 minutes for photos, swimming, and a visit.

Lunch is not included in the $62 price. You can buy food at a local restaurant, with Brazilian cuisine and seafood among the options described for the stop. Carry cash, since it is specifically recommended for the day, and remember that food prices and menu choices are not fixed in the tour price.

I like this break because it gives the outing a useful change of pace. After boat spray and swimming, you can eat, walk along the beach, or sit by the water. It also makes the tour feel less like a series of rushed photo stops.

The tradeoff is control. Since the boat is shared, you cannot simply decide to stay longer if lunch takes time or the beach feels especially pleasant. Keep an eye on the departure instructions, which may be delivered in Portuguese.

The return past Ilha Grande State Park

After the bay, you get more scenic sailing, including views connected with Ilha Grande State Park. The boat returns to Vila do Abraão after the final coastal passages.

This closing stretch is pleasant if the sea is calm and the weather is clear. It is also when the cold wind may become tiring, so keep your jacket handy instead of packing it away after the first lagoon.

The full outing lasts about six hours, but departure times can shift. A January departure had an especially long wait, with passengers called for 10 a.m. and leaving around 11 a.m. Weather and other conditions can cause delays, so do not schedule a tight ferry connection, airport transfer, cruise departure, or same-day return to Rio de Janeiro.

What the Portuguese-only format means

The local captains know the area and handle the boat, but the operating language is Portuguese. English was reportedly expected by at least one booking customer, yet the guide did not understand English. Another person found it difficult to know how much time remained at each location.

That matters because the experience is designed as a self-guided outing. At each beach or lagoon, you explore on your own, but you still need to understand when to return to the boat. Learn a few simple Portuguese phrases before you go, such as quanto tempo? for how much time, and que horas? for what time.

You can also watch the crew closely and set an alarm on your phone if you know the expected stop length. Do not rely only on spoken announcements. The tour has no promise of English, Spanish, or another language.

The lack of commentary can be a positive if you prefer free time to a formal explanation. It is a drawback if you want detailed information about the island, tides, fish, or local history.

Crowds, timing, and the shared-boat tradeoff

Blue Lagoon and Green Lagoon are popular. At peak times, you may see many boats and a lively crowd in the water. A January outing found both sites beautiful but very touristy, with many boats present.

The tour’s value depends on what you want from Ilha Grande. For a first look at the coast, the route covers a lot in one day. You see two lagoons, the Bay of Stars, beaches, and coastal views without arranging separate transport.

For peace and privacy, the shared format is less convincing. The boat cannot wait for late passengers, and it cannot offer an early return just because you have had enough. You are following the group’s rhythm.

The speed also shapes the mood. Some people enjoy the quick ride and the sense of covering ground. Others may find that there is a lot of movement and not enough explanation. If you are prone to seasickness, this is not a sensible pick.

Getting on and off the boat

Beach landings are not always simple. Depending on the sea, the captain may stop at a safe distance from shore rather than bringing the boat directly onto the beach. You may then need to wade or swim a short distance, although the exact conditions can change.

This tour requires a fair amount of mobility. People with reduced mobility, recent surgery, pregnancy, or difficulty handling uneven beach access should choose another activity. Children under five and people over 80 are also excluded, and the tour is not recommended for anyone prone to seasickness.

You can remain on board during a stop if getting ashore feels unsafe or uncomfortable. That option is useful, but it also means missing the swimming and shore time that make up much of the tour’s appeal.

What to bring for a better day

Pack lightly, but pack for changing conditions. Your basic kit should include:

• Swimsuit and beachwear
• Towel
• Sunscreen and sunglasses
• Windbreaker or thick jacket
• Rain gear
• Sandals
• Cash for lunch and snorkeling rental
• Drinking water for personal use
• A secure way to protect your phone

Do not bring a cooler, speaker, pet, or anything you expect to use for feeding or touching marine life. Snorkeling equipment must be rented separately near the Tourist Pier.

A jacket deserves special emphasis. The boat’s speed creates a strong wind, and one October account specifically found the ride cold enough to recommend a heavy layer. Even if you expect hot weather on shore, the ride can feel very different.

Who will enjoy this Ilha Grande tour?

I would choose this tour if you want an efficient introduction to Ilha Grande’s coastal highlights. It suits confident swimmers, couples, friends, and active families with older children who are comfortable with a fast shared boat and short beach landings.

It is also a good choice if you like making your own discoveries. You are not tied to a long lecture or a guided snorkeling lesson. You reach the lagoon, swim, take photos, float with a noodle, and decide how to spend the stop.

I would be cautious if you need English guidance, dislike crowds, or have a strict schedule. I would also skip it if you want a slow boat ride, guaranteed close access to every beach, or a private guide explaining each place.

Should you book it?

Book it if your priority is seeing Blue Lagoon, Green Lagoon, and Enseada das Estrelas in one six-hour outing for $62, with water and floating noodles included. Rent snorkeling gear before departure, bring a warm jacket, and leave plenty of time around ferry connections.

Skip it if the Portuguese-only format will cause stress, if you are not comfortable getting on and off a boat at the beach, or if you are prone to seasickness. The lagoons are the star, but the shared schedule, possible delays, crowds, and brisk ride are part of the deal.

With a rating of 4.1 from 31 ratings, this is a solid but not flawless choice. I see it as a practical sightseeing day, not a private island escape. Go for the clear water and range of stops, and you are likely to find good value.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The meeting point is Caiçara Turismo Ilha Grande in Vila do Abraão. Present your ticket there to receive an entry wristband, then follow the local operator to the speedboat.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts six hours, including boat travel, lagoon stops, time at Enseada das Estrelas, and the return to Vila do Abraão.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

No. Snorkeling gear can be rented near the Tourist Pier on the day of departure.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is optional and can be purchased at a local restaurant during the stop at Enseada das Estrelas.

What language is used during the tour?

The tour is operated in Portuguese. The activity is largely self-guided, with free time at each stop, but timing instructions may also be given in Portuguese.

Can I stay on the boat instead of swimming?

Yes. You are allowed to remain on board during the beach and lagoon stops if you do not want to enter the water or go ashore.

What happens if the sea is rough?

The boat may stop at a safe distance from the beach, depending on sea conditions. This can make getting on and off harder, especially for people who are not confident swimmers or have reduced mobility.

Can I bring my own cooler?

No. A personal cooler is not allowed. The tour provides a cooler with ice and drinking water.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.