Paraty: Schooner Boat Tour with Beaches and Snorkeling

Paraty Bay is at its best from the water, and this five-hour schooner trip gives you plenty of time to swim, sunbathe, and see several islands in one outing. The boat has an open rear platform, so getting in and out of the water is easier than from a high-sided vessel.

I like the four separate 40-minute stops, which give you enough time to swim without feeling rushed. I also like the friendly crew and the reasonable $34 price, though lunch and drinks cost extra. The main caution is that this can be a busy, commercial outing, with loud music and crowded beaches on some departures.

Key points

• Four water stops: Plan on roughly 40 minutes at each beach or island.
• Easy water access: The schooner has an open platform for swimming.
• Popular route: Stops may include Lula da Praia, Praia Vermelha, Ilha Comprida, Ilha do Mantimento, and Ilha do Algodão.
• Lunch costs extra: Food is available aboard, but it is not included in the listed price.
• Portuguese-speaking crew: The staff is friendly, though language support is limited.
• Weather matters: Rain and cold can make the open-air boat ride uncomfortable.

Seeing Paraty Bay from a schooner

This is a classic Paraty day on the water: a broad bay, forested islands, small beaches, and calm swimming spots reached by boat. You are not signing up for a quiet private cruise. You are joining a shared schooner trip designed to cover several scenic stops at a modest price.

The boat has a proper open platform at the back. That small detail matters. You can step into the sea without climbing down a tall ladder or jumping from the side, and you can get back aboard with less fuss. For people who want a simple swim rather than a serious boat expedition, this is one of the outing’s strongest features.

The route includes four stops, each planned for about 40 minutes. That gives you time for a swim, a few photographs, snorkeling, or simply a place in the sun. The exact mix of beaches and islands can vary, but possible stops include Lula da Praia, Praia Vermelha, Ilha Comprida, Ilha do Mantimento, and Ilha do Algodão.

You should think of the stops as short visits rather than full beach days. Forty minutes is generous for a swim and photographs, but not enough to settle into a long lunch, walk far along the shore, and explore at leisure.

Meeting at the agency and finding the pier

You begin at Paraty Tours Agency on Av. Roberto Silveira 479. The agency is used for check-in and ticket collection, then you continue to the pier for the boat.

This process deserves attention because the instructions can feel less clear once you leave the agency. The meeting point is not necessarily the boat itself. You may need to find the schooner at the port, and that can be frustrating in rain or poor visibility, when many boats are gathered together.

I recommend arriving with enough time to check in and get your bearings before the departure period. Your exact pick-up time is provided after booking, so check the message carefully rather than relying only on the general five-hour description.

The tour has a Portuguese-speaking host or greeter. The crew has earned strong praise for being cheerful and helpful, but you should not expect an English-language guide or a detailed commentary in several languages. A few simple Portuguese words, plus the booking information on your phone, may make the start easier.

Four stops, four chances to get in the water

The appeal of this tour is the rhythm. You travel across the bay, stop at a beach or island, spend around 40 minutes there, and then continue to another part of the coast.

Lula da Praia

Lula da Praia is one of the possible beach stops listed for the route. A stop here is best treated as a chance to swim, take photographs, and enjoy the view from the boat or shore.

Because the route is shared and the actual stop order may change, do not build your entire day around one named beach. The value is the combination of four stops, not a guarantee that every listed location will appear on every departure.

Praia Vermelha

Praia Vermelha is another possible stop, offering the kind of clear, calm water that makes Paraty Bay suitable for swimming. If the sea is in good condition, this is where you can spend your time floating, taking photographs, or trying the included water activities.

The beach may not feel private. One of the main complaints about the outing is that some stops can be crowded. If you want empty sand and silence, a private boat or a smaller custom charter would be a better match, though likely at a higher price.

Ilha Comprida

Ilha Comprida adds an island setting to the route. The change from mainland beaches to islands helps keep the five-hour outing varied, especially if you prefer looking at the bay from the water rather than staying in one place.

This is also a good point to decide how you want to use your time. You can stay on the deck, take photos, or get into the sea. The 40-minute schedule moves along quickly, so keep your towel and sunscreen close.

Ilha do Mantimento and Ilha do Algodão

Ilha do Mantimento and Ilha do Algodão are among the other possible island stops. The tour also lists additional coastal locations, so the final route is not presented as a fixed four-stop promise.

These islands are valuable mainly because they give you new views across Paraty Bay and more chances to swim. You may find clear water and good visibility, but conditions depend on weather, water quality, and the number of boats at the stop.

Swimming and snorkeling: set your expectations

The calm water is the main reason to book this trip. You can swim in several parts of the bay without spending the whole day at one beach, and the open bathing platform makes repeated water access practical.

The promotional description presents snorkeling among colorful coral, fish, and underwater forests. That sounds appealing, but I would keep expectations measured. One detailed complaint described the snorkeling as disappointing, so this is not the tour I would choose if seeing marine life is your chief goal.

Snorkeling appears to be an optional part of the general swim stops rather than a specialist wildlife excursion. The information provided does not list equipment rental or guarantee particular fish, coral, or underwater conditions. Bring your own gear only if you already have it and want to use it, since the tour details do not confirm what equipment is supplied.

For most people, the safer expectation is clear-water swimming with a chance to look below the surface. Treat any fish or coral sightings as a bonus, not the main reason to pay for the boat.

What the boat ride feels like

The schooner is designed for a shared coastal outing, with an open deck and access to bathing areas. You have room to sit in the sun between stops, but this is not a private yacht experience.

A major positive is the crew. The staff has been praised for staying friendly and trying to help, even when communication was difficult. That warmth matters on a boat, especially when passengers need help getting into the water, finding their way around, or dealing with changing weather.

The bigger concern is atmosphere. One account described nonstop loud music for the entire five and a half hours. If you want a quiet trip with only water sounds, bring earplugs or choose a smaller boat. Music may make the outing feel festive for some people, but it can become tiring when there is no quiet stretch.

Crowding is another real possibility. The route is popular and priced for broad appeal, so the boat and beaches may feel full. The schedule keeps the day moving, but it also means you have limited control over where you sit and how long you remain at each stop.

Lunch aboard the schooner

Lunch is available aboard the boat, but it is not included in the $34 price. Drinks are also extra. This is important because the low headline price does not cover everything you might spend during the day.

A meal served on the boat is convenient. You do not need to find a restaurant during the route, and a hot plate can be welcome after several swims. One positive account described the meal as very good, while another found the food expensive. Both points are useful: lunch can be enjoyable, but check the price before ordering.

The tour description calls attention to lunch as part of the experience, yet the included-items list excludes it. I would read that as an optional purchase rather than a meal built into your booking. If you want firm control over spending, confirm the onboard menu and prices before you order.

The practical issue is timing. With four 40-minute stops, the day has a set rhythm, so lunch may be served while the boat is underway or during a planned break. The supplied information does not specify the menu, serving time, or dietary options.

Price and value at $34

At $34 per person, this is a fair price for a five-hour shared boat trip if you want several swimming stops and do not need a private setting. The cost covers the boat outing and Portuguese-speaking host, while lunch and drinks are separate.

I see the value in the time. You are getting a half-day on Paraty Bay rather than a short boat ride to one nearby beach. Four stops also give you a better chance of finding pleasant conditions if one beach is crowded or less appealing.

The price is less attractive if you mainly want serious snorkeling, silence, or an uncrowded beach. In that case, you may feel that the shared boat format gives you too little control. The tour is strongest as a broad introduction to the bay, not as a personal sailing day.

Remember to include extra spending for food and drinks. Sunscreen, a towel, and swimwear are not supplied in the basic information, so pack those as well.

Weather can change the whole experience

This is an open-water activity, and rain has a major effect on comfort. On a warm, clear day, the deck and calm swimming areas should be the heart of the outing. On a cold, wet day, the same open design can leave you drenched and uncomfortable.

The cancellation terms allow a full refund if you cancel at least two days in advance. The information does not promise a weather-based refund or a replacement activity after that point. If the forecast looks poor, check the conditions before the cancellation deadline and decide early.

Bring a sun hat, swimwear, towel, and sunscreen. A dry layer or light rain protection is also sensible, though the required packing list does not specifically mention it. You should not assume that poor weather will automatically change the schedule or produce a refund.

Who will enjoy this Paraty boat tour?

I would recommend it to you if you want:

• A reasonably priced half-day on the bay
• Several beaches and islands in one trip
• Plenty of time for casual swimming
• A boat with an easy platform for water access
• A friendly Portuguese-speaking crew
• An optional lunch without leaving the boat

Families and casual swimmers may appreciate the structured schedule and calm water. The four stops give you variety without requiring you to plan each beach yourself.

I would be more cautious if you want a quiet cruise, a private boat, empty beaches, or serious snorkeling. The music, shared setting, possible crowding, and uncertain underwater experience may not suit you.

The tour also favors people who are comfortable with a fixed schedule. Each stop lasts about 40 minutes, so you will need to return to the boat when called rather than staying at the beach as long as you like.

Should you book it?

Book this schooner tour if your ideal Paraty day means swimming in calm bay water, seeing several islands, and keeping the price near $34. The friendly crew, easy water platform, four 40-minute stops, and five-hour length give it a solid practical foundation.

Skip it if your priority is peace and quiet, empty beaches, or excellent snorkeling. In that case, look for a smaller boat with a clearly described marine-life route and fewer passengers.

My final advice is simple: check the weather, budget separately for lunch and drinks, and confirm how you will reach the boat from the agency. On a sunny day, this can be an enjoyable and good-value way to see Paraty Bay. In bad weather or with high expectations for snorkeling, the same trip may feel much less rewarding.

FAQ

How long does the Paraty schooner tour last?

The tour lasts five hours.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $34 per person.

Where do I meet the tour?

You meet at Paraty Tours Agency, Av. Roberto Silveira 479, for check-in. From there, you continue to the pier and boat.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included in the listed price, though you can purchase lunch aboard the boat.

Are drinks included?

No. Drinks are not included.

How many swimming stops are there?

The outing includes four stops, with about 40 minutes at each one.

Which beaches and islands might the boat visit?

Possible locations include Lula da Praia, Praia Vermelha, Ilha Comprida, Ilha do Mantimento, and Ilha do Algodão. The route may also include other coastal locations.

What language does the guide speak?

The host or greeter and guide service are in Portuguese.

What should I bring?

Bring a sun hat, swimwear, towel, and sunscreen. Your exact pick-up time will be provided after booking.