Boa Vista: Motoryacht Trip with Fishing, Snorkel, Beach BBQ

The best part of this trip is the simple rhythm: fish from the yacht, snorkel by a reef, then eat lunch on a quiet island beach. It gives you several different ways to enjoy Boa Vista’s sea without packing separate excursions into your holiday.

I like the small-island stop, where you can visit a renovated fort and swim in calm water. I also like that fishing is optional, and that the boat carries drinks all day. The main caution is the open sea: if you are prone to seasickness, take the advice about medication seriously.

Key points at a glance

• Bottom fishing becomes lunch: You can fish for about one to one and a half hours, with the catch prepared for the beach BBQ.
• A small group feel: The boat has enough room to relax, and feedback specifically praises the space and onboard toilet facilities.
• Snorkeling near Sal Rei Islet: You get about 45 minutes around the reef before going ashore.
• Two hours on the island: Visit the old renovated fort, swim, sit on the beach, or simply watch the crew prepare lunch.
• Food for fish and meat eaters: The BBQ includes fresh fish, chicken, rice, salad, and bread. State your preference and any dietary needs in advance.
• Hotel pickup is included: The van takes about 20 minutes to reach Sal Rei port, then the yacht heads out for the day.

A six-and-a-half-hour day on Boa Vista’s water

This is a full half-day-plus outing, lasting 390 minutes, or about six and a half hours. It is not a quick boat ride with one rushed stop. The schedule gives you time for fishing, a cruise through the Bay of Chaves, snorkeling, lunch, swimming, and a little idle time.

That slower pace matters. Boa Vista is a place where the broad sea and open beaches do much of the entertaining. You do not need a constant stream of activities. A cold drink, a seat on the sun deck, and a wide view can be the point.

The experience costs $111 per person. That is not the cheapest way to spend a day on the island, but the price includes transport from your accommodation, the yacht, fishing gear, snorkeling equipment, lunch, drinks, and an English or German-speaking guide. If you would otherwise pay separately for a boat trip, snorkel hire, a meal, and transfers, the package offers fair value.

Pickup takes you from your hotel to Sal Rei

Your morning transfer collects you outside your hotel or apartment. For several larger properties, including Riu Karamboa, Riu Palace, VOI Hotel, Royal Horizon, and Villas de Chaves, you should wait at the gate where security is located. At other accommodations, wait in front of the property.

The driver carries a name list, but you should still read the confirmation carefully. Pickup instructions are specific, and the confirmation may arrive in your spam folder. A little attention here can save you from standing at the wrong entrance with a towel over your shoulder.

The van ride to Sal Rei port takes around 20 minutes. At the port, you board the motor yacht by dinghy. That transfer from shore to the larger boat is worth noting if you prefer a completely step-free outing. The information provided does not give detailed accessibility guidance, so ask the operator before booking if boarding assistance is important to you.

Fishing first, with no pressure to take part

The first stop is for bottom fishing, and you spend about one to one and a half hours trying to catch fish for the BBQ. Fishing equipment is included, so you do not need to bring anything beyond patience and a willingness to give it a try.

I like the way this part is set up. Your catch has a purpose, but fishing is not compulsory. If you would rather not handle a rod, you can sit on the sun deck, read, enjoy the views, or watch the action around you. That makes the trip work for mixed groups, where one person wants to fish and another would rather sunbathe.

Do not book this expecting a guaranteed catch. The point is the attempt, not a promise of a full cooler. The BBQ also includes fish brought by the crew, so lunch does not depend entirely on your success.

The open ocean can feel rougher than the sheltered water around the island. If you often feel seasick, take medication before departure as advised. Medication is also available on the boat, but taking care of the problem early is usually wiser than waiting until you feel unwell.

A relaxed cruise through the Bay of Chaves

After fishing, the yacht cruises around the Bay of Chaves. This is the quiet middle section of the day, when the best plan may be to find a comfortable place on the sun deck and let the views pass by.

Cold drinks are available throughout the trip. The selection includes Coca-Cola, Sprite Zero, Fanta, water, beer, and red and white wine. That is useful because you are spending hours in sun and wind, and you do not need to wait for lunch to get something to drink.

Bring a jacket even if the morning feels hot. The sea breeze can make the ride feel cooler, especially when the boat is moving. A hat and sunscreen are just as important. The supplied list also recommends comfortable clothing, swimwear, a towel, and a camera.

Feedback on the boat is especially encouraging in practical ways. The group size has been described as small enough to leave plenty of room, and the onboard toilet facilities are a welcome feature on a six-and-a-half-hour outing. Those are not flashy details, but they make a real difference.

Snorkeling around the reef near Sal Rei Islet

The next stop is off the small uninhabited island, known in the schedule as Sal Rei Islet. You snorkel around the reef for about 45 minutes, using the included equipment.

This is the most active water section of the trip. You get time to look below the surface without having to arrange your own gear or swim far from the boat. One particularly positive account describes the snorkeling near the island as fabulous, which fits the structure of the excursion: the reef is given its own stop rather than being treated as a quick extra before lunch.

Still, sea conditions matter. Visibility and comfort can change with wind and weather, and the entire activity may be rescheduled or canceled in poor conditions. You should think of snorkeling as weather dependent, not as a fixed guarantee.

If you are a confident swimmer, you will likely appreciate the freedom of this stop. If you are less comfortable in open water, ask the crew about the conditions before entering. The available information confirms that snorkeling equipment is included, but it does not specify flotation aids or a separate beginner area.

Two hours on a small island

After snorkeling, a dinghy takes you ashore. You have around two hours on the island, which gives the stop more substance than a quick photo landing.

You can visit the old renovated fort, swim in the calm blue water, or relax on the beach. The fort adds a little history to what could otherwise be only a sand-and-sea stop. Do not expect a major museum or a long guided historical tour. The appeal is the combination of a modest old structure, a quiet island setting, and time to move at your own pace.

This is also where the trip feels most social. Some people can swim, others can walk toward the fort, and others can settle on the beach while lunch is prepared. You are not forced into one activity.

Bring your own towel and wear shoes or clothing that you do not mind getting sandy. The island is uninhabited, so do not expect shops or a developed beach facility there. Drinks are included on the boat, but the practical habit is to take what you need before leaving the yacht.

A beach BBQ with fresh fish and a meat option

While you enjoy the island, the crew prepares lunch. The meal includes freshly caught fish, chicken, rice, salad, and bread. Fish is the natural choice if you want the full fishing-to-table experience, but meat is available for people who do not eat fish.

You should tell the operator your preference when booking or in the detailed confirmation. Dietary restrictions and allergies also need to be reported in advance. Do not assume that a last-minute request can always be handled on a small island with limited supplies.

The setting is a major part of the meal. You are eating on a beach rather than in a hotel dining room, with the sea close by and the fort within walking distance. One especially favorable account praises the lunch and its location, while another singles out the beach BBQ as a highlight.

Food quality can never be separated entirely from weather, timing, and personal taste. This is a casual outdoor BBQ, not a restaurant meal with a long menu. For most people, the value comes from the fresh fish, the setting, and the fact that lunch is built into the day.

Returning to Sal Rei by yacht and van

After about two hours ashore, you return to the yacht by dinghy and cruise back to Sal Rei. The van then takes you to your hotel or apartment.

The return trip gives you a final chance to sit on the sun deck and enjoy a drink. By this point, you will probably be ready for a shower, so having the transfer included is more useful than it sounds. You do not need to find a taxi at the port or arrange a separate ride back after a day in the sun.

The total duration is long enough that you should not schedule an important evening commitment immediately afterward. Weather can also alter the timing. Keep your plans flexible, especially if the sea is unsettled.

How the guiding and organization affect the day

The tour is offered with an English or German-speaking guide. Josie and her team are specifically associated with clear communication and quick handling of problems, and the operation has been praised for feeling well organized and for not pressuring people for tips.

That is important on a boat trip. Clear pickup instructions, a smooth transition from van to dinghy, and a crew that keeps the day moving without rushing you all affect the experience as much as the scenery.

There is also one caution to keep in mind. One piece of feedback describes a guide as rude and says German-speaking visitors were preferred. That is a serious complaint, even though it does not match the otherwise positive picture. If fair treatment and warm guiding are especially important to you, keep expectations realistic and raise any concern with the operator during the trip.

Who will enjoy this boat trip most?

I would recommend it to you if you want several activities in one outing and do not want to plan transport, food, and equipment separately. It suits couples, families with older children, and groups where interests differ because fishing is optional and the island stop offers swimming, history, beach time, and lunch.

It is also a good fit if you want a social day without a packed schedule. The small-group feel, room on the boat, and onboard toilet make the long duration easier.

I would be more cautious if you get seasick, dislike boat transfers by dinghy, or want a highly structured cultural tour. The fort is a brief visit rather than a major historical attraction, and the snorkeling depends on sea conditions. This is primarily a sea-and-beach day with a little local history added.

What to bring and how to prepare

Pack lightly, but bring the basics:

• Hat and high-factor sunscreen
• Swimwear and towel
• Camera
• Comfortable clothing
• A jacket for the boat
• Motion sickness medication if you need it

Wear clothing that works for both a boat and a sandy beach. Keep valuables to a minimum, and follow the crew’s advice around the dinghy and reef.

Check your pickup details the day before. For designated hotel properties, wait at the entrance gate. For other accommodations, wait in front. The driver uses a name list, but being in the correct place is still your responsibility.

The activity can be canceled or rescheduled because of bad weather. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later, which is useful if your island plans depend on the forecast.

Should you book the Boa Vista yacht trip?

Book this if you want a well-rounded ocean day with fishing, snorkeling, a beach BBQ, and hotel transport included. The $111 price is reasonable when you count the yacht, gear, meal, drinks, guide, and return transfer. The best features are the relaxed two-hour island stop, the optional fishing, and the chance to eat freshly caught fish by the beach.

Skip it if seasickness is a serious problem or if you want a land-based tour with more fort history. For most people who enjoy being on the water, this offers a generous amount of time and a good mix of activity and rest, with only the usual weather and guide-quality cautions to consider.

FAQ

How long does the Boa Vista yacht trip last?

The activity lasts 390 minutes, or about six and a half hours.

What is included in the price?

The price includes accommodation transfers, the yacht trip, fishing equipment, snorkeling gear, a beach BBQ, drinks, the island visit, and an English or German-speaking guide.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and return transport are included from listed hotels and apartments in the Boa Vista area.

Where do I wait for pickup?

At Riu Karamboa, Riu Palace, VOI Hotel, Royal Horizon, and Villas de Chaves, wait at the entrance gate. At other accommodations, wait in front of the property.

Is fishing compulsory?

No. You can fish for about one to one and a half hours, or relax on the sun deck, read, enjoy the views, or watch the other people fish.

What food is served at the BBQ?

The BBQ includes freshly caught fish, chicken, rice, salad, and bread. Meat is available for people who do not want fish.

Can I request a special meal?

Yes. You should report dietary restrictions, allergies, and your food preference in advance.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Drinks are available on the boat throughout the day, including water, beer, white wine, red wine, Coca-Cola, Sprite Zero, and Fanta.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling gear is included, and the snorkeling stop lasts about 45 minutes near the small island.

Can the trip be canceled because of weather?

Yes. The activity may be rescheduled or canceled because of bad weather. You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund.