Ilha Grande: Blue Lagoon Schooner Tour

Clear water, old stone, quiet beaches. This five-hour schooner trip gives you three very different views of Ilha Grande: the turquoise Blue Lagoon, the historic settlement of Freguesia do Santana, and laid-back Japariz Beach. I like the chance to snorkel in a famous natural setting, and I also like that the route adds a cultural stop instead of treating the island as only a beach destination. The main consideration is timing: the departure changes with the tide, and the 40 to 50 minutes allowed at each stop can feel short.

The tour costs $46 per person, which is fair for a boat ride with a guide, safety equipment, and three stops. You should bring your own food, water, towel, and sunscreen, and you will need to rent a mask and snorkel if you do not have them.

Key points to know before you go

• Blue Lagoon is the main attraction: Snorkel in clear turquoise water among rock formations and marine life.
• Freguesia do Santana adds history: Visit the Church of Santana, built in 1843 using whale oil and beach sand.
• Japariz is the lunch stop: You can relax beside calm water or buy lunch at a local restaurant.
• The tide controls the schedule: Your departure time may not be the same every day.
• Stops are strictly timed: A horn signals when you must return to the schooner.
• The boat can be large: Although the activity is described as a small group, the schooner itself can hold up to 150 people.

Why this Ilha Grande boat trip works well

Ilha Grande is best understood from the water. The island’s coastline gives you coves, rock walls, forested slopes, beaches, and small settlements that are difficult to connect in a short visit on foot. A schooner lets you cover several memorable places without arranging separate boats or trying to plan your own route.

This excursion leaves from Vila do Abraão and lasts about five hours. It is not a private sailing trip, and it is not designed for long stays at one beach. Instead, it gives you a quick tour of the island’s highlights, with time to swim, look around, and eat.

I especially like the mix of activities. At Blue Lagoon, you get water and marine life. At Freguesia do Santana, you get a glimpse of Ilha Grande’s past. At Japariz, you get a slower break with time for lunch. That variety makes the tour useful if you have only a limited amount of time on the island.

The guide speaks Portuguese, and a verified visitor from Germany gave the outing a full rating, praising the guide and saying it was worth the cost. You should not book this expecting an English-language explanation, but the guide still provides structure, safety instructions, and information about the island.

Setting out from Vila do Abraão

The stated meeting point is at Getúlio Vargas Street, number 440, in Vila do Abraão. From the main pier, also called Abraão Station, turn left and walk about 50 meters. Turn right onto Santana Street, follow it to the end, then turn left onto Getúlio Vargas Street. The agency is about 100 meters farther, after Das Flores Street.

There is also a departure reference at Rua da Praia, 681, with a stated meeting time of 10:20 a.m. Since both locations appear in the trip information, you should confirm the exact meeting point and departure time when you book. The tide can change the schedule, so do not rely on a fixed clock time until the operator confirms it.

At departure, you receive safety instructions. The schooner carries a dinghy and floats, and safety equipment is included. Noodle buoys are also provided, which are useful if you want extra support in the water.

The boat is described as a schooner with room for up to 150 people. The activity is also listed as limited to 10 participants, so you should clarify whether that refers to the booking group or the full boat. Either way, do not picture a tiny private sailboat. The vessel may feel like a larger shared outing.

First stop: snorkeling at Lagoa Azul

Blue Lagoon, or Lagoa Azul, is the star of the route. It is one of Ilha Grande’s most visited and photographed places, known for clear turquoise water and striking rock formations. The schooner stops here so you can swim and snorkel.

The included noodles and safety equipment make the water stop more approachable, especially if you are not a confident swimmer. A mask and snorkel are not included, but you can rent them. If you own a comfortable mask, bringing it may save you the trouble of adjusting rental equipment.

You may see marine life in the clear water, and the rocks give the scene more character than a simple open-water swim. Bring a camera if you want photographs, but protect it carefully around salt water. A towel is essential because the trip moves on after the stop.

You get roughly 40 to 50 minutes here. That is enough for a swim and a look underwater, but it is not a full snorkeling session. If you want long stretches in the water, this schedule may feel rushed. Keep an eye on the boat and listen for the horn. Once it sounds, you must return to the schooner.

The strict timing is practical because the tour has two more stops and the boat must work with the tide. Still, it means you should enter the water promptly rather than spending the first part of the stop taking photographs from the deck.

Freguesia do Santana and the 1843 church

The second stop takes you to Freguesia do Santana, the place where settlement on Ilha Grande began. In the seventeenth century, it became a center of economic development, giving you a useful piece of context before you return to the beaches.

The Church of Santana is the main sight here. It was built in 1843 using whale oil and sand from the beach. Those materials tell you something about the practical building methods of the time and connect the church directly to the island’s coastal setting.

This stop changes the pace of the day. After swimming in Blue Lagoon, you can walk through a historic place and consider how Ilha Grande functioned before it became a destination for beach outings. The visit is brief, so think of it as an introduction rather than a full historical tour.

You get about 40 to 50 minutes here. Wear footwear that works for walking, even though much of the day centers on swimming. The supplied information does not describe a long hike or difficult route, but people with back problems should not book this activity. Pregnant women are also advised against taking it.

The Portuguese-speaking guide can explain the island’s past during the stop. If you do not understand Portuguese, you may get less from the historical details, although the church and setting remain easy to appreciate visually.

Japariz Beach, calm water, and lunch

The final stop is Japariz, described as a quiet beach with calm water. After two active stops, it provides the most relaxed part of the itinerary. You can sit on the beach, swim, or purchase lunch at a local restaurant.

Lunch is not included in the $46 price. You should bring money for food and drinks, or pack snacks if you prefer to keep the stop simple. The tour specifically suggests bringing snacks and water, which is good advice because the schedule gives you limited control over when and where you eat.

Japariz is not just a quick photo stop. It is where you have time to slow down, though the exact length still depends on the overall schedule. The schooner departs at 3 p.m. and returns to Vila do Abraão Port after the final stop. Listen for the horn and return promptly. Missing the boat would be a serious problem on an organized water trip.

If you want a substantial lunch, ask about the restaurant timing before settling in. With a fixed departure, you should not assume you can order a long meal and take your time. A quick local meal may fit the schedule better than a drawn-out restaurant visit.

What the $46 price really covers

At $46 per person, the tour offers reasonable value if you want a structured introduction to Ilha Grande. The price includes the schooner ride, a professional Portuguese-speaking guide, safety equipment, and noodle buoys. You are paying for access to three different stops and for not having to arrange boat transport yourself.

The cost does not include food, drinks, hotel or inn transfers, or snorkeling gear. Those extras can affect your final budget. You will need to reach the meeting point in Vila do Abraão on your own, and you should plan for lunch or carry snacks.

I see the strongest value in the route rather than in any single feature. A boat ride only to Blue Lagoon would give you the island’s most famous water stop, but this trip adds history and beach time. If you want a broad taste of the island in half a day, the price makes sense.

The value is weaker if you prefer slow travel. You may feel pressed by the short stops, especially if you want to snorkel for a long time or linger at the church. A private boat would likely offer more control, but this shared schooner costs less and removes much of the planning.

Timing, tide, and the horn matter

The departure time varies according to the tide. This is one of the most important practical details, because you cannot safely treat the listed morning time as universal. Confirm the final schedule before heading to the port.

The tour lasts five hours, and each stop lasts around 40 to 50 minutes. That creates a clear rhythm: sail, stop, explore, listen for the horn, and return aboard. You should keep your belongings organized so you do not waste time searching for sunscreen, shoes, or a towel.

The horn is not background noise. It signals the end of each stop and tells everyone to return to the schooner. If you swim far from the boat, leave enough time to get back. The crew does not promise an open-ended beach stay.

The schooner returns to Vila do Abraão Port after leaving Japariz at 3 p.m. Since tide conditions affect the day, allow some flexibility around the return. The trip is listed as five hours, but you should avoid scheduling an immediate connection that depends on perfect timing.

What to bring for a comfortable day

Pack lightly, but bring the basics that the operator recommends:

• Swimwear
• Towel
• Camera
• Snacks
• Sunscreen
• Water

You may also want to bring a dry bag or another way to protect small valuables from spray. The provided information does not state that storage is available, so keep your belongings compact and secure.

Snorkeling equipment is available for rent, but it is not included. You do not need to bring alcohol, and smoking, alcohol, and drugs are not allowed on the activity.

Wear something that makes it easy to move between the boat, the water, and the beach. You should also take the safety briefing seriously. The boat has a dinghy and floats, but water activities still require attention to the guide’s instructions.

Who should book this trip

I would recommend this schooner trip to you if you want to see several sides of Ilha Grande without spending a full day planning boats and beaches. It suits people who enjoy swimming, short cultural visits, and a relaxed lunch stop.

It also works well for first-time visitors who want an overview. Blue Lagoon provides the famous scenery, Freguesia do Santana adds historical context, and Japariz gives you an easy place to rest. The route makes the island feel like more than a collection of beaches.

You should think twice if you are pregnant or have back problems, since the activity is specifically not suitable for those conditions. You may also want another option if you need an English-speaking guide, dislike fixed schedules, or want a private boat.

Strong swimmers and casual snorkelers should find the water stop appealing, but the tour is not built around an advanced snorkeling program. The time in the water is limited, and equipment rental costs extra.

Booking flexibility and meeting-point advice

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Ilha Grande plans depend on weather, tide, or ferry arrangements.

The meeting information lists both Getúlio Vargas Street, number 440, and Rua da Praia, 681. Confirm which location applies to your booking, especially because the stated meeting time is 10:20 a.m. Arrive with enough time to walk from Vila do Abraão’s main pier if you are starting there.

The tour is operated by Gray Line Brazil. The guide speaks Portuguese, and the group format is described as small, though the schooner itself can carry up to 150 people. Ask for clarification if group size is important to you.

Should you book the Blue Lagoon schooner tour?

Book it if you want a reasonably priced half-day route that combines snorkeling, island history, and a beach break. The strongest part is the range of stops: Blue Lagoon gives you clear water and rock formations, Santana gives you the 1843 church and seventeenth-century context, and Japariz gives you calm water and lunch time.

Skip it if you want a private, quiet sailing day or a long snorkeling session. The schedule is fixed, the tide controls departure, lunch costs extra, and the Portuguese-only guiding may limit the historical commentary for some people.

For most visitors staying in Vila do Abraão, this is a practical way to see more of Ilha Grande in one outing. Just confirm the meeting point, pack your own food and water, and be ready to return when the horn sounds.

FAQ

Where does the Ilha Grande schooner tour meet?

The main meeting point is listed as Getúlio Vargas Street number 440 in Vila do Abraão. From the main pier, turn left, walk about 50 meters, turn right onto Santana Street, then turn left at Getúlio Vargas Street. Another departure reference lists Rua da Praia, 681, so confirm the exact location when booking.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts five hours. The schooner leaves Vila do Abraão, visits Blue Lagoon, Freguesia do Santana, and Japariz, then returns to the Vila do Abraão Port.

What time does the schooner depart?

The departure time varies according to the tide. A meeting time of 10:20 a.m. is listed, but you should confirm the final schedule before the trip.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

A mask and snorkel are not included. Diving masks with snorkels are available to rent. Noodle buoys and safety equipment are included.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch and drinks are not included. You can buy lunch at a local restaurant in Japariz or bring snacks and water.

How long do you stay at each stop?

Each stop lasts about 40 to 50 minutes. A horn signals when the stop is finished and you must return to the schooner.

What is included in the price?

The price includes the schooner ride, a Portuguese-speaking professional guide, safety equipment, and noodle buoys.

Does the tour include hotel or inn transfers?

No. Transfers to and from hotels or inns are not included. You must make your own way to the meeting point.

Is the tour suitable for pregnant women?

No. The activity is listed as unsuitable for pregnant women and people with back problems.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The activity also allows you to reserve now and pay later.