Paraty Bay looks like a postcard, but this tour makes it feel practical and doable. You’re on a schooner cruise for about 5 hours, with time to snorkel at four top spots, then relax on beaches in between. Two things I really like: the chance to see fish up close right away at Ilha Comprida, and the built-in rhythm of short 40-minute stops that keeps the day from dragging. One consideration before you book, there is no hotel pickup, so you need to be ready to get yourself to the pier on time.

The snorkeling stops are the big draw, and you’ll also enjoy a more laid-back pace than a rushed speedboat day. You get tropical fruits onboard, plus the option to order lunch to be prepared and served during the tour, so you do not end up hungry if you plan ahead. My only caution is that departure times and the exact schedule can shift with the tide, and the horn signals when it’s time to return to the boat.

Key things to know before you go

• Ilha Comprida starts the snorkeling right with fish that gather when guides add a grain of rice
• Four stops, 40 minutes each so you get variety without exhausting your day
• No hotel pickup means you should plan your route to the tourism pier in Paraty’s Historic Center
• The horn ends each stop so keep an eye on the clock and get back when you hear it
• Mask and snorkel are available for rental, but it’s not included
• Lunch is optional and not automatically included, so ask early if you want it onboard

A 5-Hour Schooner Day in Paraty Bay: What the Time Feels Like

This is a true half-day outing, listed at around 5 hours, and it mostly follows a simple pattern: boat cruising, then a stop, then back on board. Each snorkeling or swim stop lasts about 40 minutes, and after that there’s a horn so everyone knows to return to the schooner.

That structure matters because Paraty Bay water conditions can change, and tides influence timing. You’ll get a day that feels like you’re doing several mini-adventures, not one long grind. Also, the schooner setup is built for comfort, and the boat is equipped with dinghy and floats, so it’s a calmer style of day at sea than some packed-party cruises.

Getting to the Cais de Turismo Pier (and Collecting Your Voucher)

There is no hotel pickup or drop-off. You’ll need to make your own way to the meeting point in Paraty’s Historic Center: Cais de Turismo de Paraty, Paraty Tourism Pier.

Before the tour, you must collect your voucher no more than 30 minutes before departure at Avenida Roberto Silveira, 479, Centro, Paraty-RJ. I like this system because it forces you to arrive with a buffer, but you should also keep it in mind so you do not get stuck sprinting between locations.

If you like arriving early, you can use the extra time to walk around the historic area before boarding. Just do not over-plan, because the voucher collection window is short.

Tide, Horns, and Stop Timing: How the Day Stays on Schedule

This tour is tide-dependent. The departure time and the places visited can vary with the tide, which is common in coastal areas where the safest and best water access depends on sea level.

What you should expect operationally is straightforward:

• Safety instructions happen at departure.
• Each stop is about 40 minutes.
• A horn is triggered after the stop time, which signals the end and prompts everyone back to the schooner.

If you want your snorkeling to feel smooth, keep your swim zone simple. Do not chase far distances from the boat during your 40 minutes. Once the horn sounds, you will want to be already near where you can hop back in quickly.

Stop 1: Ilha Comprida and the Rice Trick Fish Aquarium

The first stop is Ilha Comprida, described as a natural fish aquarium. This is one of those snorkeling setups that can feel almost scripted in the best way. The guides add just a grain of rice into the water, and schools of fish gather around it.

That detail is worth paying attention to because it changes how you snorkel. Instead of spending your limited time trying to find fish in open water, you get an intentional “fish magnet” moment that draws wildlife toward the surface area where you can actually see it. Bring your underwater camera if you can, because that is the kind of moment where you will want proof.

Practical note: even if you are an experienced snorkeler, spend your first moments getting your breathing and mask fit right. Once the fish show up, you do not want to be fiddling with gear.

Stop 2: Lula’s Beach for Calm-Water Snorkel Time

Next comes Lula’s Beach, known for pristine waters and quiet scenery. This stop is less about a spectacle and more about the pleasure of a slower swim in clear water.

What I like about a second stop like this is that it gives you a chance to adjust. If your first stop felt fast or chaotic, your second one can feel more comfortable. You’re also likely to get better at staying relaxed, since you’ve learned how the horn timing works and where the boat waits.

This is also a good time to take a break from snorkeling if you want. The tour is set up for people who snorkel and people who just want to swim and enjoy the view.

Stop 3: Blue Lagoon Lunch, Then Swim Again

The Blue Lagoon stop is where the tour shifts from water time to food time, at least if you plan it right. Lunch is prepared and served onboard during the tour, and the Blue Lagoon is the place you’ll enjoy that onboard lunch before you swim in the lagoon’s serene blue waters.

Two tips here. First, if you want lunch, order it at the beginning so you are not scrambling once you reach the stop. Second, think about timing with your snorkel session. A full stomach can make snorkeling feel heavier for some people, so you may prefer to eat, rest, then go back in when you feel ready.

Even if you skip lunch, this stop is still valuable. A lagoon setting usually means calmer water, which can be easier on your gear, your balance, and your confidence level.

Stop 4: Red Beach Sand, Swim Breaks, and Great Views

The final listed swim and relax stop is Red Beach. Expect fine sands, lush surroundings, and time to swim while taking in the views.

I like ending with a beach stop because it’s a natural transition out of snorkeling mode. You can clean up a bit, reapply sunscreen, and decide whether you want a short snorkel session or just soak up the scenery.

Just remember: you have limited time, about 40 minutes at each stop. When the horn goes off, it’s time to return to the schooner. If you treat it like a leisurely hangout without watching the clock, you risk missing the boat boarding window.

Tobogan and Poço do Tarzan Waterfalls: When You Get the Bonus

The highlights for this tour include Tobogan and Poço do Tarzan Waterfalls. The provided details do not spell out exactly which stop includes them, but they are part of the promise of the day.

Here’s how I would treat this, practically. Assume the waterfalls might be something you see during the overall tour experience, not necessarily a long dedicated hike. If waterfalls are a must for you, arrive with flexibility, because tides and the water-based nature of the schedule can influence what you get to see and how much time you spend.

If you’re okay with a “you might catch it if conditions allow” type of bonus, this is a fun add-on.

What’s Included, What Isn’t, and Where Your Money Actually Goes

The price is listed at $36 per person, and the big value is what’s folded in:

• Guided schooner cruise with a professional boat crew that speaks Portuguese
• Tropical fruits onboard

Not included:

• Mask and snorkel (available for rental)
• Food and beverages (lunch is optional and you should ask early to order it onboard)
• Transfer to/from hotels
• A separate tour guide is listed as not included, but the activity also indicates a live tour guide in Portuguese. In practice, you should expect Portuguese-speaking staff onboard and be ready to follow their instructions.

Is $36 good value? For Paraty Bay, it can be. You’re paying for a boat ride plus multiple stops in a protected coastal area, with at least some basic onboard provisioning (fruits) included. If you already have your own snorkeling gear, you can keep costs down. If you need to rent, that’s the one extra you should budget for.

Snorkeling Gear and Your Bring-List for a Smooth Day

You’ll want a swimsuit and towels ready. The tour recommends:

• Sunscreen
• Sunglasses
• Swim suit
• Sandals
• Towel
• Tennis shoes

On top of that, I’d add a simple mindset: pack gear that can get wet and still dry quickly. Footwear matters because you may be moving between boat and shoreline depending on the stop.

Underwater camera is specifically encouraged, and that makes sense. A fish-attracting moment at Ilha Comprida plus clear-water swimming can create photos you’ll actually want to share.

If you are planning to rent a mask and snorkel, do it with time in mind. The tour data says it’s available for rental, but it’s not included, so you should not assume you’ll just receive it automatically.

Who This Tour Fits Best (and Who Might Prefer Something Else)

This tour fits best if you want:

• Several snorkeling settings in one half-day
• Short, manageable time blocks rather than one long swim session
• A relaxed boat day with scenery and easy breaks

It’s also a good match for families and mixed-experience groups, because the day is designed so people can snorkel or just enjoy the water without being forced into one activity all day.

You might think twice if:

• You hate tide-dependent schedules
• You rely on hotel pickup and do not want to navigate to a pier on your own
• You expect extremely long uninterrupted snorkeling time (each stop is about 40 minutes)

A Quick Note on Booking Issues, Based on a Report

One negative experience shared a situation where the booking payment was not properly processed and the person had to pay again on site, which left them disappointed. That is not something you should panic about, but it is a useful reminder: double-check your confirmation before you go, and bring whatever proof or voucher details the operator provides so you can resolve any payment hiccups quickly.

Should You Book This Schooner Cruise and Snorkeling Tour?

I’d book it if you want a practical way to see Paraty Bay’s underwater life and beaches in one go, without committing to a full day. The combination of a schooner ride, four stops, and the Ilha Comprida fish-attraction moment is exactly the kind of value that makes a $36 outing feel worthwhile, especially when tropical fruits are included.

Skip it if you need hotel pickup, want flexible stop timing that ignores tides, or you are looking for long, nonstop snorkeling sessions. Also, if lunch matters, ask early so you’re not caught off guard when you reach the Blue Lagoon.

If you do book, go prepared with sunscreen, a towel, and your preferred snorkel setup. Then enjoy the rhythm: horn sounds, you return, and you get to swap locations and scenery without exhausting the day.

FAQ

Where is the meeting point if there is no hotel pickup?

You meet at Cais de Turismo de Paraty, Paraty Tourism Pier in the Historic Center. There is no hotel pickup or drop-off.

Where do I collect my voucher?

You collect the voucher no more than 30 minutes before the tour at Avenida Roberto Silveira, 479, Centro, Paraty-RJ.

How long is the tour and how long are the stops?

The tour is about 5 hours, and each stop lasts around 40 minutes.

Is lunch included?

Lunch is not included automatically. You should ask at the beginning of the tour and order it if you want lunch prepared and served onboard during the tour.

Do I need to bring snorkeling gear?

Mask and snorkel are not included, but they are available for rental. You should bring swimwear, sunscreen, and a towel.

Does the tour always leave at the same time?

No. The departure time and the exact places visited can vary depending on the tide.