Angra dos Reis and Ilha Grande Day Trip

The Costa Verde, the green coast that runs south-west from Rio towards Paraty, is one of the loveliest stretches of shoreline in Brazil, a place where steep forested mountains plunge into a bay scattered with hundreds of islands, and the bay of Angra dos Reis and the large, car-free Ilha Grande are its heart. For visitors with only a few days in Rio, a schooner day trip is the simplest way to see it. This guided tour, sold through Tiqets and operated by the local company BRAZIL4YOU, takes around eleven hours door to door. The day starts early with pickup at a meeting point on Avenida Niemeyer in Leblon, then a drive of roughly 130 kilometres down the coast and through the hills to Angra dos Reis, with the guide commenting along the way in English, Portuguese and Spanish. At the harbour you board a traditional wooden schooner, a broad, stable boat with shaded decks, and cruise out among the islands of the bay. The published itinerary includes a swimming stop at Cataguases Island, snorkelling at the Blue Lagoon, a natural pool of calm, clear water off Ilha Grande, a stop at the quiet Baixo beach, a buffet lunch at Vitorino beach, and a final stop at Gipoia Island before the return to Angra and the drive back to Rio in the evening. Round-trip transport, the guide, the schooner and the buffet lunch are included, drinks are extra, and groups can be fairly large, up to around forty people. The tour has free cancellation up to a day before. It is worth being honest about what this is: a long, sociable boat day with plenty of swimming, not a deep exploration of Ilha Grande itself, whose trails, beaches and village of Abraao really deserve a night or two of their own. The product also has very few reviews on Tiqets so far, though the operator is well rated overall.

What the day is like: the drive takes around two and a half to three hours each way, so this is a long day, and the boat portion is the reward. The water in the bay is calm, warm and clear compared with the open Atlantic beaches of Rio, ideal for swimming and snorkelling even for less confident swimmers, and the views of green islands and mountains from the deck are superb. Music and a lively atmosphere on board are common on schooner trips, which suits groups of friends more than people seeking peace.

How to do it well: bring swimwear under your clothes, a towel, sunscreen, a hat, cash or a card for drinks, and a waterproof bag for your phone. Snorkelling gear may be available on board but bringing your own mask is a good idea. Pick a clear day, since the trip runs in most weather but the colours depend on the sun. If you suffer from motion sickness, sit in the middle of the boat; the bay is usually calm. Consider staying on Ilha Grande for a night or two if you have time, as the island itself, car-free and covered in forest, is one of the great escapes of the Brazilian coast.

Who it suits: beach lovers, groups and couples who want to see the Costa Verde without organising transport, and families with older children who swim well. It is a poor fit for those who dislike long road journeys or crowded boats.