Búzios from a schooner is pure coast magic. I love the 13-meter waterslide and the snorkeling stops built into the route, because you get both big fun and real time in the water. The only caution, the swim windows are short, and on cooler days the water can feel chilly.

For $19 per person and 2.5 hours at sea, this is a strong value if you want views plus activities without a long day. You’ll be sailing out of Centro near Rua das Pedras, and you come back with a new sense of how spread-out the beaches are along the peninsula. The tradeoff is a big-boat setup for about 120 people, so expect a lively, not-calm vibe.

Key Things That Matter on This Schooner Ride

• A 13-meter waterslide turns a normal boat trip into something kids and adults will remember.
• Three snorkeling sessions are built in, with about 25 minutes per stop so you can actually swim.
• 12 beaches and 3 islands in roughly 2.5 hours means you see a lot, even if you do not stay long on each shore.
• Family-focused boat design includes a children’s pool plus a covered seating area with awnings.
• Portuguese-only live guide can make explanations harder if you do not speak the language.
• The itinerary may change in bad weather, so your day at sea stays weather-dependent.

Why This 2.5-Hour Schooner Is Such Good Value

This is not a slow sightseeing cruise. It’s a powered-up Búzios coast tour with short stops, snack-and-drink options on board, and a serious main event: a 13-meter waterslide that is tall enough to make the whole deck watch, laugh, and line up.

The price matters here. $19 for a 150-minute outing with structured water time and onboard entertainment is a good deal compared to tours that charge extra for the only fun part. If you are traveling as a couple, you still get the views, the sea air, and a few swim chances without booking a separate boat plus separate activities.

If you are traveling with kids, the math gets even better. The schooner is set up with a children’s pool onboard, which helps younger swimmers enjoy the trip without needing to time everything around the three snorkeling windows.

Getting On Board: Centro Check-in and What to Plan For

No hotel pickup is included, so plan to get yourself to the meeting point area. You’ll need to check in at the Babylon Búzios store at Tv. dos Pescadores, nº 88 – Centro, and you’ll show your voucher (mobile or printed) 30 minutes before departure.

Departure is listed for 11:45 AM, and you should arrive early enough to board smoothly. The route works best if you build in buffer time for crowds and for finding the store, especially if you are walking in from Rua das Pedras.

Two boarding options are mentioned, Centro Pier or Porto Veleiro, but you should confirm which one applies to your departure. On a day when timing is tight, that quick clarification can save frustration.

What I’d bring with you:

• swimsuit
• towel
• sunscreen
• sunglasses and a sun hat

And yes, wear something comfortable for walking to the pier. One practical detail that comes up with popular coastal boats is that the walk can feel longer than you expect once you’re carrying a towel and water.

The Route: How the Boat Threads 12 Beaches and 3 Islands

You sail for about 2.5 hours, passing a long stretch of the Búzios coast. The itinerary is packed with named beaches and islands, which is great for photos and for figuring out where you want to return later.

Here is how the pacing usually feels: you spend most of the trip cruising and taking in the shoreline from the water, then you get your main water breaks at the three snorkeling stops. Everything else is more about “look and enjoy” from the schooner deck.

Early cruising, starting with the Centro side

You depart from the pier in Centro (Rua das Pedras area). That matters because Rua das Pedras is one of the best “first-time in Búzios” reference points. Even when you’re far from shore, it helps you orient yourself when you come back.

Scenery loop along the beach belt

As you move through the coast, you pass or visit places like:

• Praia da Armação
• Praia dos Ossos
• Praia da Azeda and Praia da Azedinha
• Praia de João Fernandes (this is one of your snorkeling moments)
• Praia de João Fernandinho
• Praia das Moías
• Enseada de Manguinhos
• Praia das Tartaruga
• Praia das Virgens
• Praia dos Amores
• Praia do Canto

This is the value part of the tour. Búzios has many beaches that are close on the map but far on the ground. From the water, the trip turns into a fast way to sample the coastline’s look and personality.

Island time: Caboclo and the set of islands for snorkeling

You also include:

• Ilha do Caboclo
• Ilha Branca
• Ilha Feia (another snorkeling stop)
• plus the route that brings you to the Praia da Tartaruga side for your third water stop

The island stops are where you usually get your best chance to actually see what people come for: sea life and underwater color, plus a sense of scale you do not get from land.

Ending back where most people want to be

You return toward Orla Bardot and back to Rua das Pedras, so you finish near the action and the options for lunch, drinks, and walking around.

Snorkeling Reality: What 25 Minutes Feels Like

This tour is marketed as a 3-stop boat ride with snorkeling sessions, and the key detail is that you do not get unlimited time. You get about 25 minutes per snorkeling stop, which is enough to get in, find your footing, and do a real look around if conditions are decent.

At minimum, you should plan for a quick rhythm:

1. gear on (you might rent masks/snorkels onboard)
2. life jacket fit if required
3. short swim and surface-view check
4. come back before the boat has to move on

One review note that’s worth taking seriously: you might be required to wear life jackets while swimming, even if you plan to be comfortable in the water. That can slow your pace a bit under the surface, so treat snorkeling here as casual and time-limited, not technical.

Also, water temperature can matter. If you go on a cooler day, the sea might feel less forgiving than you expected, even if the day looks sunny from the shore. Bring a towel anyway, so you can warm up quickly after the swim.

If you want the best experience with limited time, you’ll benefit from being decisive. Put your mask on early. Know where you want to look. Then enjoy the stop rather than spending the whole session adjusting gear.

Onboard Life: Slide, Kids Pool, Seating, and Bathrooms

This schooner is built like an actual tour machine, not a tiny private boat. It can hold 120 people, and it has the basics covered so you are not stuck standing in sun the whole time.

The standout features:

• 13-meter-high water slide (the main event)
• a children’s pool onboard for smaller kids
• covered seating with awnings and benches
• a central bar
• separate male and female bathrooms
• stereo sound onboard

The slide changes the energy fast. Once it starts, people move in waves, which can be fun if you like social energy. It’s also great if your group has different ages, because adults can watch and kids can play.

Bathrooms are the one practical downside you should know. There’s a review complaint about wanting more bathrooms, which makes sense on a boat with a full capacity. If bathrooms are a must, go early before the deck gets crowded, especially around the slide peak.

Food and Drinks: Plan to Buy On Board

Food and drinks are not included. That means you should budget for purchases if you get hungry while you’re on the water.

The boat does have:

• a central bar
• onboard options to buy drinks and snacks
• optional services like photo service, mask and snorkel rental, and guided underwater photos

If you want to save money or control what you eat, bring your own snacks and water where allowed. The trip is only 150 minutes, so you might get by with light bites.

A good strategy is to eat before you go and use the bar for refreshments during the ride. That way, you are not stuck paying premium prices when you’re already energized and sweaty.

Language and the Guide: Portuguese-Only Explanations

There is a live tour guide and the language listed is Portuguese. That does not mean the trip is confusing, but it does mean you might not get a smooth, detailed explanation if you do not speak Portuguese.

What you can do:

• Use the route names as your guide. Even if you miss the narration, you can still recognize the beaches and islands.
• Come with curiosity, not with the expectation of a long lecture.
• If you want guided snorkeling help, ask clearly at the start and be ready for a quick answer.

This is one of the reasons the tour works best for people who are happy with a visual, activity-focused format.

Weather and Timing: When the Sea Changes the Plan

The itinerary may be altered or canceled due to unfavorable weather. This matters in Búzios because sea state changes fast, and boat operations are weather-based.

That doesn’t mean it’s risky, it just means you should keep your expectations flexible. If a stop changes, your day is still likely to include the main cruising time and at least some snorkeling.

If you’re traveling in a period with sudden weather, pack your essentials and plan something simple for afterward near Rua das Pedras, so you can pivot if the tour times shift.

Who This Schooner Ride Fits Best

This tour is a strong match if you want:

• a fun family boat day with a slide and kid-friendly water play
• a fast way to see a lot of Búzios coastline in one outing
• short snorkeling stops rather than a long swim plan
• an experience that ends near Rua das Pedras and Orla Bardot

It might not be ideal if you want deep, extended snorkeling, long beach time, or a lot of language support in English or Spanish. With Portuguese-only guiding and short swim windows, your experience depends more on your comfort with active touring.

Also think about your water tolerance. If you get cold quickly, bring layers you can put on right after snorkeling. The trip is water-focused enough that you’ll feel temperature changes.

Should You Book the 3-Stop Schooner Ride?

I’d book it if your priority is a mix of views, activities, and onboard fun without planning a full day. The $19 price is hard to ignore, and the 13-meter waterslide plus children’s pool makes it one of the more cost-effective family-friendly options in town.

I would hesitate if you:

• need long snorkeling time
• hate crowds on large boats
• rely on lots of narrated explanation in a non-Portuguese language
• are very sensitive to cooler water

If you book, go in ready for a lively, time-boxed coastal adventure. You’ll come back with photos, sea air, and the kind of “we did that” feeling you get when the day is simple and the fun is built in.

FAQ

How long is the boat tour?

The tour duration is listed as 150 minutes, or about 2.5 hours.

Where do I check in before boarding?

You check in at the Babylon Búzios store at Tv. dos Pescadores, nº 88 – Centro, Búzios.

Do I need to arrive early?

Yes. You should arrive 20 minutes early for boarding, and you must present your voucher 30 minutes before departure time for check-in.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

What is included on board?

The included items are the boat tour plus the kid’s pool onboard and the 13-meter waterslide onboard.

What snorkeling gear is available?

You can rent masks and snorkels onboard. Optional guided diving and underwater photos are also listed as possible add-ons.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included, but drinks and snacks can be purchased onboard at the bar.

What should I bring for the trip?

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a sun hat.

What language is the guide?

The live tour guide is in Portuguese.

Can the itinerary change?

Yes. The itinerary may be altered or the tour canceled due to unfavorable weather conditions. The listing also offers free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.