Discover Paraty’s Best Islands on an Exclusive Schooner Tour

Leave the pier, find clear water. This five-hour cruise aboard the double-decker Aquamarina II links four of Paraty’s best swimming stops with cushioned seating, a water slide, onboard food, and Starlink Wi-Fi. I especially like the mix of easy comfort and time in the water, plus the kind, considerate staff praised in the strongest available feedback. The main thing to consider is that this is a shared boat outing, so the experience depends on weather, sailing conditions, and how busy the stops feel.

At $23 per person, the tour offers a lot for a half-day on the coast. You get the boat, several beach and island stops, a support boat, flotation mats, toilets, music, and a freshwater rinse at the end. Food and drinks cost extra, and you should bring a towel, swimwear, sunscreen, and a snorkel if you want to make the most of the clear water.

Four things to know before you board

• The Aquamarina II is easy to spot: Look for the yellow Instagrammable heart, triple slide, and swing at the Tourist Pier.
• The route gives you four water stops: Ilha dos Cocos, Praia da Conceição, Lagoa Azul, and Praia da Lula each offer a slightly different setting.
• You can choose your level of activity: Swim, use the slide, float on a mat, visit the beaches by support boat, or stay aboard with a drink.
• The staff earn special praise: The available feedback singles out the team as kind and considerate, an important plus on a boat excursion.
• Wi-Fi is available at sea: Starlink service lets you send photos and messages during the cruise, although you may prefer to put your phone away at the best stops.
• The tour is pet friendly: You can bring your pet, which makes this a useful choice for people who do not want to leave an animal behind.

Starting at Paraty’s Tourist Pier

Your day begins at the Tourist Pier in Paraty, where the Aquamarina II will be anchored and visible. The bright yellow heart, swing, and triple slide make it hard to mistake for another boat. Go to the check-in staff and give your name or show your voucher.

Arrive at least 30 minutes before departure, with 10:30 a.m. given as the early check-in time. I would not cut this close. A pier can be confusing when several boats are loading, and arriving early gives you time to find the correct vessel, settle your belongings, and choose a comfortable place before sailing.

Bring identification. Wear light clothing and pack sunscreen, a towel, and swimwear. Payments on board can be made by PIX, card, or cash, which is useful if you decide to order something from the bar or restaurant.

The tour is guided in Portuguese, English, and Spanish. That makes the outing easier for international visitors, though the main appeal is the scenery and the water rather than a long lecture about each location.

A comfortable boat with room to choose your pace

The Aquamarina II is a modern, two-storey schooner. Its layout gives you several ways to spend the five hours. You can sit at a table, stretch out in a cushioned area, listen to background music, or move toward the water when the boat reaches a swimming stop.

The slide is the obvious fun feature. Adults and children can use it, turning the boat itself into part of the activity instead of merely a ride between beaches. Flotation mats are also available, so you do not have to swim the entire time to enjoy the stops.

Toilets for men and women are provided. That may sound basic, but it matters on a five-hour boat trip. The bar and restaurant add convenience, especially if you prefer not to pack a full meal. Drinks and food are optional, so the advertised price does not include everything you may spend during the day.

The motorized support boat is another practical feature. It can take you from the schooner to the beaches, which makes shore access easier than relying only on a swim. Exact access can still depend on conditions, so treat it as useful support rather than a promise that every passenger will spend equal time ashore.

Ilha dos Cocos: the first hour in clear water

The first listed stop is Ilha dos Cocos, with about an hour set aside for sightseeing and water time. This is where the outing shifts from scenic cruise to active beach day.

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. With a mask and snorkel, you can spend the stop looking for fish instead of simply swimming from one side of the boat to another.

You can also use the flotation mats or remain on deck. The choice matters because not everyone in a group wants the same kind of day. Children may prefer the slide and mats, while confident swimmers may want to explore the water around the island.

An hour is enough to enjoy the setting without turning the first stop into a marathon. Still, you should organize yourself quickly. Keep your sunscreen, towel, and swimwear ready before the boat arrives, and avoid wasting much of the stop deciding what to do.

Praia da Conceição: a calm beach break

Praia da Conceição is presented as a peaceful beach with white sand and calm water. It is the stop I would reserve for slowing down.

After the first water stop, you may want less activity and more time sitting at the shore. The calm conditions make this beach suitable for a relaxed swim, a walk along the sand, or a few photos. The support boat can help you reach the beach from the schooner, so you are not limited to staying on board.

The beach setting also gives you a change of scenery. On the boat, you have shade, seating, music, and food nearby. At Praia da Conceição, the point is to step away from those comforts for a while and enjoy a quieter stretch of coast.

The tradeoff is that beach stops can feel short when an excursion has several locations to cover. If you want to stay in one place for most of the day, this is not the right format. The reward is variety: you see more of Paraty’s coast in one outing.

Lagoa Azul: the natural aquarium

Lagoa Azul is the tour’s clearest invitation to snorkel. The water is described as transparent, with colorful fish below the surface. The natural aquarium comparison is apt, but you should bring your own mask and snorkel because those items are not listed as included.

This stop is best for people who enjoy being in the water rather than only taking pictures from the deck. Even if you do not snorkel, the clear water makes swimming appealing, and the boat’s mats give you another way to float and watch the activity around you.

The name suggests a bright, highly photogenic setting, but your experience will depend on weather and water conditions. The entire trip operates only in suitable sailing weather. If conditions become unsafe, the operator says the excursion will be rescheduled or the amount paid will be refunded.

Starlink Wi-Fi is available throughout the tour, which is handy for sharing a quick photo or checking messages. My advice is to use it sparingly here. Lagoa Azul is likely to be one of the places where you will get more from looking up from your screen.

Praia da Lula: the final beach stop

Praia da Lula is the final listed stop, described as a tucked-away place suited to relaxing and taking photos. It gives the route a gentle finish after the more active water time at Ilha dos Cocos and Lagoa Azul.

Use this stop for the pictures you did not manage earlier, or simply sit on the sand and let the day slow down. The beach is also a good place to decide if you want one last swim before returning to the schooner.

Because this is the final stop, keep an eye on the boarding time. The boat still needs to return to Paraty, and a support boat transfer can take a little organization. Your guide and crew will direct the return, but it is wise not to wander away from the agreed meeting point.

The available timing gives about an hour to some stops, but the full schedule may vary with sea conditions and boarding needs. Think of the tour as a five-hour coastal circuit, not four guaranteed one-hour beach visits.

The return ride and freshwater rinse

After the beach stops, you return to the Aquamarina II and sail back toward the pier. A freshwater bath is available on board, giving you a chance to rinse off salt water before you leave.

That small detail improves the end of the outing. You can change back into dry clothes, use the toilets, have a final drink, and sit comfortably instead of stepping off the boat covered in salt and sand.

Background music continues during the ride. It creates a social, holiday mood, though anyone seeking silence should know this is not a quiet sailing trip. The boat is designed for comfort and fun, not a private, low-key charter.

What the $23 price really gives you

At $23 per person, this is a strong-value way to spend five hours around Paraty. The price includes the cruise, the four named stops, seating, toilets, Wi-Fi, a slide, flotation mats, the support boat, and the freshwater rinse.

You are also paying for variety. A cheaper short boat ride might give you a view of the coast, but this outing gives you several chances to swim and reach beaches. A private boat would likely offer more control and privacy, but it would not match this price for an individual passenger.

Budget separately for food and drinks. The bar and restaurant are on board, but meals and beverages are optional. If you have dietary restrictions, tell the staff in advance so they can adapt the restaurant choices.

The value is best for you if you want a complete half-day outing without arranging several separate transfers. It is less compelling if you dislike group activities, prefer quiet water time, or plan to spend the day at one particular beach.

Who will enjoy the Aquamarina II most?

Families have plenty to use here. The slide, calm beach stops, flotation mats, toilets, and food service reduce the need to plan every minute. Parents should still keep an eye on children around the water and follow the crew’s instructions.

Couples and friends can use the cruise in different ways. One person can swim while another stays on the cushioned seating with a drink. The photographer on board may record special moments, so ask about that service during the trip if you want photos.

The pet-friendly policy is a real advantage for people bringing an animal. Bring only if your pet is comfortable with boats, water, music, and a shared setting, since the information confirms that pets are allowed but does not describe special pet facilities.

The outing also suits visitors who want a simple introduction to Paraty’s coastal side. You do not need to arrange your own boat, find each beach, or work out shore access. The staff, support boat, and multilingual service handle the basic structure.

It may not suit you if you want a private experience, a silent boat, or extensive time at one location. Four stops in five hours means movement is part of the deal.

Practical ways to improve your day

Pack light, but bring the items that matter. Your essentials are sunscreen, towel, swimwear, light clothing, and identification. Add a snorkel if you want to see fish at Ilha dos Cocos and Lagoa Azul.

Keep your phone protected around the water. Starlink Wi-Fi is available, but a connection does not make a phone waterproof. The photographer may capture moments for you, so you can enjoy the slide and swimming without trying to photograph everything yourself.

If you need a particular meal, contact the staff before departure about dietary restrictions. Otherwise, you can buy food and drinks on board using PIX, a card, or cash.

Watch the weather forecast, but remember that the final decision belongs to the operator. The trip depends on safe sailing conditions. If weather stops the outing, it will be rescheduled or refunded according to the stated policy.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those options help if your Paraty schedule is still changing.

Should you book this Paraty schooner tour?

I would book the Aquamarina II if you want a lively, well-equipped half-day on the water at a low price. The combination of four coastal stops, comfortable seating, a support boat, and a slide gives you more than a basic sightseeing cruise.

The strongest reason to choose it is the balance between nature and convenience. You can reach clear water and beaches, then return to a boat with toilets, food, Wi-Fi, music, and a freshwater rinse. The kind and considerate staff noted in the feedback add confidence to the experience.

Choose another option if you want solitude, a private boat, or long uninterrupted time at one beach. For everyone else, especially families, groups, and pet owners, this is an easy and entertaining way to see more of Paraty’s coast in one morning or afternoon.

FAQ

Where does the Aquamarina II tour begin?

The tour begins at the Tourist Pier in Paraty. The Aquamarina II is anchored there and can be identified by its yellow heart, triple slide, and Instagrammable swing.

How long does the schooner tour last?

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

Which beaches and islands are included?

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

Is food included in the tour price?

No. The boat has a bar and restaurant, but food and drinks are optional and cost extra. Tell the staff in advance about any dietary restrictions.

Is Wi-Fi available on the boat?

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

Can I bring my pet?

Yes. The Aquamarina II offers a pet-friendly service, allowing you to bring your pet.