Discover the best islands in Paraty on an exclusive boat tour

Paraty’s best island tour mixes calm swimming stops with the cheerful feel of a floating beach club. On the two-story Aquamarina II Schooner, you can swim, snack, use the waterslide, and even stay online through Starlink Wi-Fi as the boat moves between islands.

I like the easygoing setup, especially the cushioned seating, onboard restrooms, freshwater shower, and support boat for reaching shore. I also like that pets are welcome and a photographer is on board, useful if you want holiday photos without handing your phone to a stranger. The main consideration is space: this is a social boat outing, not a quiet private cruise, and one recent rating described the boat as crowded and not very new.

Key points

• Four scenic water stops: The program includes Ilha dos Cocos, Conceição Beach, Blue Lagoon, and Praia da Lula, with about an hour at each listed stop.
• A proper floating play area: The triple waterslide, swing, music, and flotation noodles make the boat appealing to families and fun-seeking adults.
• Comfort for a half-day cruise: Cushions, tables, chairs, restrooms, a bar, restaurant, and freshwater shower reduce the usual hassles of a boat day.
• Starlink Wi-Fi at sea: You can share photos in real time, though the best reason to keep your phone handy is the scenery.
• Easy shore access: A motorized support boat carries you between the schooner and beach areas.
• Good flexibility: You can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option helps with changing plans.

A five-hour island day from Paraty’s Tourist Wharf

The Aquamarina II is easy to identify at Paraty’s Tourist Wharf. Look for the yellow heart, triple slide, and Instagram-friendly swing. Check in with the staff by giving your name or voucher, and arrive at least 30 minutes before the scheduled 10:30 am departure.

I would arrive early. Boarding a popular boat is easier when you are not searching for the right pier at the last minute, and the extra time gives you a chance to choose a seat before the boat fills. Bring your ID, swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, and light clothing. Snorkel equipment is recommended if you want to get a closer look at fish around the swimming stops.

The cruise lasts about five hours, with roughly an hour assigned to each stop in the published schedule. That leaves little dead time, but it also means you should not expect a long, private beach stay. The rhythm is simple: sail, swim, relax, eat or drink if you wish, then move on.

The boat offers English, Portuguese, and Spanish service. The available information does not name the individual guides, so you should not book this expecting a formal, English-only sightseeing talk. One rating specifically noted that the outing was not an English tour. If detailed narration is important to you, ask at check-in how much commentary will be offered in your preferred language.

Ilha dos Cocos, your first swim

Ilha dos Cocos starts the day with clear water and a chance to get comfortable in the sea. The stop is suited to swimming and looking below the surface with a snorkel. You might spot fish in the water, but the experience depends on the day’s visibility and weather.

I like having this stop early. You are still fresh, the boat has not become too warm, and you can test the water before deciding how much time you want to spend swimming at later stops. If you prefer to stay dry, the two-story deck and cushioned areas let you enjoy the view without taking part in every swim.

The boat provides spaghetti-shaped flotation noodles. These are handy for people who want to float without constant swimming, and they can make the stop less tiring for children. Still, normal swimming precautions apply. The tour is built around natural water stops, not a supervised pool.

Ilha da Pescaria and the Blue Lagoon naming detail

The schedule lists Ilha da Pescaria as a sightseeing and swimming stop. The tour description also highlights the Blue Lagoon, with transparent water and colorful fish. Since both names appear in the supplied information, I would confirm the exact stop arrangement with the operator before departure. The published program may refer to the same general section of the route in different ways, or the boat may use one name in its schedule and another in its sales description.

That small detail matters if you are planning around a particular beach or lagoon. It does not change the basic character of the day: you will have another chance to swim in clear water and see marine life from the boat or with a snorkel.

Blue Lagoon is presented as the strongest place for underwater viewing. Expect calm, clear water rather than a formal snorkeling excursion with equipment and instruction. Bring your own snorkel, as the tour only recommends bringing one and does not list masks or fins among the included items.

Conceição Beach and time to slow down

Conceição Beach offers a different mood from the water-focused stops. Its white sand and calm water make it a good place to sit, wade, take photos, or simply let the half-day pace ease off.

This is where the boat’s support craft becomes useful. A motorized support boat helps passengers reach beach areas, so you do not have to make every shore visit by swimming from the schooner. The setup is practical, especially for children, older passengers, or anyone carrying a towel, phone, and sunscreen.

The beach stop is not a private escape. The Aquamarina II carries a group, and popular coastal stops can feel busy. If you want complete quiet, a private boat would be a better match, though it would almost certainly cost more than $38 per person and would not provide the same collection of onboard features.

Praia da Lula, a small final stop

Praia da Lula is listed as the last beach stop and is described as a small, peaceful place for swimming and photos. Its compact size works well near the end of the cruise, when you may prefer a final dip instead of another large activity.

I would save your best photo ideas for here. The boat has a photographer on board, and the yellow heart, swing, and slide also create playful photo settings before or after the stop. Ask how photographs are delivered and whether any purchase is involved, since the supplied details confirm the photographer but do not state that photographs are included in the price.

The final stop can also be a good time to use the flotation noodles. After several swims, floating is easier than doing more active swimming. Keep some energy for the return sail, when you can sit back with a drink or snack and watch the shoreline pass.

What life is like aboard the Aquamarina II

The Aquamarina II has two levels, with cushions, tables, and chairs. That arrangement gives you choices. You can sit at a table for lunch, stretch out in a cushioned area, or move around when you want a better view.

The bar and restaurant sell drinks and meals for an additional charge. Spaghetti is included as flotation equipment, but food is not listed as included. Onboard payments can be made with PIX, card, or cash. If you have dietary restrictions, tell the team in advance so the restaurant options can be adjusted where possible.

Music plays during the cruise. I see this as part of the boat’s identity: it is designed for a relaxed, social day rather than a silent nature trip. Families may appreciate the energy, while anyone hoping to hear only the water should bring realistic expectations.

The waterslide is the feature that gives the boat its family appeal. Adults can use it too, and children will likely treat it as a main attraction rather than a side feature. The swing and colorful heart add to the playful design.

There are separate men’s and women’s restrooms. That is a small but valuable detail on a five-hour outing, particularly when the boat is carrying a full group. A freshwater shower is available at the end, allowing you to rinse off saltwater before returning to the pier.

Starlink Wi-Fi is available throughout the tour. That lets you send photos, check messages, and share the trip while you are still at sea. I would treat it as a useful extra, not the reason to book. The best moments here come from putting the phone down, swimming, and watching the islands.

Is $38 a fair price?

At $38 per person, this is a strong value if you want a full half-day on the water without arranging a private boat. The price covers the cruise, four planned sightseeing or swimming stops, use of the boat’s seating areas, Wi-Fi, the slide, flotation noodles, restrooms, music, support boat, and freshwater rinse.

Meals and drinks cost extra, so budget beyond the advertised fare if you plan to eat onboard. The tour also does not list snorkels, masks, or fins as included, which is why bringing your own is sensible.

The value comes from variety. A cheaper basic boat may take you to the water, but the Aquamarina II adds the slide, restaurant, Wi-Fi, support craft, photographer, and pet-friendly policy. You are paying for a packaged social experience, not just transport between beaches.

The tradeoff is comfort at capacity. One rating praised the relaxed swimming-and-drinks concept but described the boat as crowded and not very new. That is important context. If you care most about polished equipment and personal space, the price may not feel as attractive. If you want an easy, playful day with plenty to do, the package makes more sense.

The overall score is 4.3 out of 5 from 38 ratings. That points to a generally positive experience, with the strongest appeal being the pleasant full-day feel, swimming stops, and onboard entertainment.

Who should book this Paraty cruise?

I would recommend the Aquamarina II to families, couples who like a lively boat day, groups of friends, and anyone who wants several island stops without planning each transfer. The slide, flotation noodles, beach access boat, and restrooms make it more practical than a bare-bones excursion.

It also suits pet owners because the service is pet-friendly. Confirm any pet-specific arrangements before boarding, since the supplied details do not explain where pets stay on the boat or during swimming stops.

This is a good option if you want to mix activity and rest. You can swim at every stop, use the slide, walk onto a beach, or stay aboard with music and a drink. You are not locked into one kind of day.

I would hesitate if you want a quiet, small-group trip, a new luxury vessel, or a detailed English-language tour. The boat can feel crowded, and one rating specifically noted that the tour was not conducted in English. The published language options include English, Portuguese, and Spanish, but the level of live commentary may vary.

Weather, timing, and what to bring

The cruise runs only in suitable weather. If conditions are unsafe, the tour will be rescheduled or the amount paid refunded. That policy is reassuring, but keep some flexibility in your Paraty schedule in case the sea or weather changes the departure date.

Plan to arrive at least 30 minutes before departure. The stated departure time is 10:30 am, so an early arrival gives you time to find the yellow heart boat, check in, and board without rushing.

Pack:

• ID
• Swimsuit and towel
• Sunscreen
• Light clothing
• Snorkel equipment
• Cash, card, or PIX funds for food and drinks

Tell the restaurant team about dietary restrictions before the trip. Also secure your phone and other small items around the slide and swimming stops. The boat is made for fun, but wet decks and moving water are not ideal places for loose belongings.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if you are still arranging your Paraty plans.

My call: a good-value social boat day

I would book this tour if I wanted a simple way to see several of Paraty’s islands in five hours, with swimming, beach stops, food available onboard, and enough comforts to avoid the usual boat-day annoyances. The waterslide, Wi-Fi, support boat, and pet-friendly policy give it more personality than a standard sightseeing cruise.

I would skip it for a quiet private outing or if crowded conditions would spoil the day. Check the language setup and the Ilha da Pescaria versus Blue Lagoon naming before you commit, then arrive early and bring your own snorkel.

For $38, the Aquamarina II offers a lot of activity and convenience. Just book it for what it is: a lively shared cruise through Paraty’s island waters, not a secluded yacht charter.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin?

The tour begins aboard the Aquamarina II Schooner at Paraty’s Tourist Wharf. The boat is marked by a yellow heart, triple slide, and swing.

What time should I arrive?

You should arrive at least 30 minutes before departure. The stated departure time is 10:30 am.

How long is the boat tour?

The tour lasts five hours.

Which beaches and islands are included?

The tour information names Ilha dos Cocos, Conceição Beach, Blue Lagoon, and Praia da Lula. The listed schedule also names Ilha da Pescaria, so confirm the exact stop arrangement with the operator.

Can I swim during the tour?

Yes. Swimming is included at several stops, including Ilha dos Cocos, Ilha da Pescaria or the Blue Lagoon area, Praia da Lula, and other scheduled beach stops.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Snorkels are recommended, but the included equipment list does not state that masks or snorkels are provided. Bringing your own is recommended.

Are food and drinks included?

No. The boat has a bar and restaurant, but meals and drinks are optional purchases.

Can I bring my pet?

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

Is Wi-Fi available on the boat?

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

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.