Arraial do Cabo sits on the coast east of Rio, in the area called the Regiao dos Lagos, and its pale sand, clear water and sheltered coves have earned it the nickname of the Brazilian Caribbean. This day trip handles the logistics of a place that is awkward to reach without a car. A guide meets you at your hotel in Sao Conrado, Leblon, Ipanema or Copacabana, or at the arranged meeting point downtown, from eight in the morning, and you travel in an air-conditioned vehicle on a drive the booking page puts at about three hours, with a quick snack stop on the way. At the town you walk about ten minutes from the parking area to the pier, pay the entrance fee, and board a schooner. The boat follows the coast with stops at the Gruta Azul, a sea cave, the Pedra do Gorila, a rock formation named for its profile, and the Fenda de Nossa Senhora, and then you swim and dive at three locations, Praia do Forno, Ilha do Farol and the beaches of Pontal do Atalaia, according to the booking page. A buffet lunch of local cuisine follows the boat ride, and the group returns to Rio. The tour lasts about ten hours with a maximum of forty-five people, and guiding is in English and Spanish. The booking page shows the pier entrance fee, drinks, dessert and the snack stop as not included.
Is it worth the distance? For beach lovers who have time, yes. The water is the draw, and on a sunny day the contrast with the busier city beaches is dramatic. But it is a long day, with roughly six hours on the road, and the experience depends on the weather and the sea.
The booking page offers two fallback options if the boat tour is cancelled: an open-air trolley tour with stops of about forty minutes at Praia do Pontal, Prainha and Praia Grande, or a free day in Arraial to explore at your own pace.
Ask your operator which applies on your date, and aim for a day with a clear forecast and calm sea.
What to bring
Swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, sandals or water shoes, a hat, a light cover-up for the boat and cash for the pier entrance fee, drinks and dessert. If you want to snorkel, ask the operator whether equipment is provided, as the booking page mentions swimming and diving but does not spell out snorkelling.
Take a motion-sickness remedy if you are prone to it, since the road is winding in places and a schooner can roll. Pickup is arranged by email after booking, and you should be ready at least fifteen minutes before your time.
Who it suits
Couples and families who want a beach day beyond Rio, groups of friends, and travellers on a longer stay who have already seen the main sights. It is less suited to anyone who dislikes long drives or boats. If you have only a few days, spend them on the peaks, the city and the nearer beaches, and save Arraial for a repeat visit or for a week when you can add a night in the area. Free cancellation and rescheduling are listed up to twenty-four hours before the visit date.
What to expect
The experience
A guided day trip by air-conditioned vehicle and schooner: about three hours' drive each way, a coastal boat ride with stops at the Gruta Azul, Pedra do Gorila and Fenda de Nossa Senhora, swim stops at three beaches and a buffet lunch.
Best time
A clear, calm day in the warm months, when the water is at its best. Avoid a day with rough seas.
How long
About ten hours in total, starting at eight in the morning, with a long drive each way.
Tips
Carry cash for the pier entrance fee and drinks, pack swimwear and sunscreen, ask whether snorkel gear is provided, and use a motion-sickness remedy if you need one.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Beach and water lovers who want clear water and a boat day outside the city.
- Families
- Good for older children who can handle a long day; the six hours of driving is a lot for small ones.
- Couples
- A scenic, sun-soaked day that ends with a nap on the road back to Rio.
- Pair with
- A rest day on Copacabana or Ipanema afterwards, or a trip to Buzios or Paraty on a longer stay.
- Time needed
- A full day.
Good questions
How long is the drive from Rio?+
The booking page puts the drive at about three hours each way in an air-conditioned vehicle, with a quick snack stop on the outward leg.
What does the boat trip include?+
A schooner ride along the coast with stops at the Gruta Azul, Pedra do Gorila and Fenda de Nossa Senhora, followed by swimming and diving stops at Praia do Forno, Ilha do Farol and Pontal do Atalaia, and a buffet lunch.
What is not included?+
The pier entrance fee, drinks and dessert, and the snack stop. Bring cash for them.
What if the boat tour is cancelled?+
The booking page offers two alternatives: an open-air trolley tour stopping at Praia do Pontal, Prainha and Praia Grande, or a free day in Arraial do Cabo at your own pace.
Which languages and group sizes are offered?+
Live guiding is in English and Spanish, with a maximum group of forty-five. Free cancellation and rescheduling are listed up to twenty-four hours before the visit.
