Fishing, snorkel, and BBQ in one ride. This Boa Vista motor yacht trip hits bottom fishing for your own meal and snorkel time near the Sal Rei islet, then wraps everything up with a beach BBQ on a small island; my favorite part is the mix of active time and long, easy cruising. The one thing to watch is sea conditions: the trip isn’t suitable if you’re prone to seasickness, and weather can cause rescheduling or cancellation.

I also like the practical pace. You get picked up by van, start fishing without pressure, cruise the Bay of Chaves on a sun deck, then take dinghies for snorkeling and island beach time, with drinks flowing all day. If your group enjoys down-to-earth organization and a small-boat feel, this one has that going for it; just pack for wind and sun and plan for time on the water.

Key Things You’ll Notice on This Boat Day

• Bottom fishing first, with a real chance to catch fish for the BBQ
• Sun deck cruising in the Bay of Chaves, good for relaxing and photos
• Snorkeling gear included, with a dedicated stop by the reef
• A small island + old renovated fort, plus calm-water swimming
• Drinks all day (soft drinks, beer, and wine listed)
• Fish BBQ and an alternate meat option if you prefer not to eat fish

A Full-Day Motor Yacht Plan That Actually Balances Fun and Rest

This is the kind of Boa Vista day that makes sense: you’re out on the water for hours, but you’re not stuck doing one thing the whole time. You’ll fish, swim, snorkel, and then land on an island for beach time and BBQ. The overall rhythm matters here. It keeps the day from feeling like a long transfer followed by a short, rushed stop.

What you’re really buying is a package of time: around 390 minutes on the water, including transfer to and from Sal Rei, gear, drinks, and your beach meal. That’s why the price feels fair when you compare it to paying separately for boat time, snorkeling setup, and lunch.

Getting to Sal Rei: Van Ride, Harbor Timing, and Dinghy Stops

Your day starts with pickup depending on your accommodation. The van ride is about 20 minutes to the port area in Sal Rei. On arrival, you board the motor yacht, and the trip uses dinghies for two key moments: getting to the snorkeling area and then landing on the island.

This dinghy detail is worth your attention. Even if the water is calm, dinghies mean you’ll be moving around more than on a big ship. Wear swimwear you don’t mind getting damp and bring a towel so you can dry off quickly when you step onto the island.

You’ll also be glad to know the boat experience isn’t just about swimming. There are toilet facilities on board. That small comfort makes long days on the water feel easier.

Stop 1: Bottom Fishing for Your BBQ Catch (No Pressure, Real Option)

Fishing is the first major activity, with about 1 to 1.5 hours set aside to try your luck at bottom fishing. You’ll get fishing equipment, so you’re not hunting around for gear or figuring out rigging on the fly.

Here’s the practical good news: fishing is not mandatory. If you’d rather enjoy the views, sunbathe, read, or just watch what others catch, you can use that time your way. That makes the tour work for mixed groups—people who want to fish can fish, and people who don’t care can still have a full day on the water.

What this stop really does is connect the whole BBQ to the sea. If you catch fish, you’re eating something you worked for, not just a random meal handed out. And if you don’t fish, you’re still fed—so the experience isn’t an all-or-nothing bet.

Motion sickness note

If you’re sensitive to waves, take it seriously. This activity is not suitable for people prone to seasickness, and the trip recommends using motion sickness medication in advance if you tend to feel queasy. Bring it up because boat days can be calm or choppy depending on conditions.

Cruising the Bay of Chaves: The Relaxing Middle Section

After fishing, you’ll cruise around the Bay of Chaves. This is the decompression time. Instead of being stuck at one spot, you’re moving through the bay with time to sit on the sun deck, enjoy the sea air, and have a cold drink.

Why this matters: it keeps you from feeling like the day is only labor and splash time. Even if you’re not fishing, you still get that sense of being on a proper outing, not a quick island hop.

Also, this cruising stretch is when the included drinks become part of the experience rather than just a bonus. You’ll have cold drinks all day, including Coca Cola, Sprite Zero, Fanta, water, beer, and white and red wine.

Stop 2: Snorkeling Around the Sal Rei Islet Reef

Next comes snorkeling at Sal Rei Islet with about 45 minutes set aside. You’ll have snorkeling gear included, which is a big convenience. You don’t have to guess sizing or carry equipment in your bag.

The snorkeling itself is aimed at reef life around the islet—so you’re not just floating in open water. Expect a more “small area” experience than a long guided swim across huge distances. That’s often better for day-trippers because it keeps things manageable and helps you actually enjoy the water instead of rushing to cover ground.

Dinghy reality check

You’ll likely be getting in and out of the dinghy and then back aboard again. If you want photos, bring a camera in a way that won’t soak it. If you want easy comfort, keep your snorkeling layers simple: swimwear, sunscreen, and a towel ready for after.

Stop 3: The Small Island, the Renovated Fort, and Calm Water Swimming

After snorkeling, a dinghy takes you to the small island for island time. The itinerary gives about 2 hours here, including a visit to the old renovated fort and time to swim in calm blue waters.

This is the part that changes the feel of the day. Fishing and snorkeling are active. Island time lets you shift gears—walk around, get shade if you need it, and cool off in a more protected water area.

The renovated fort adds a bit of structure to the visit. You’re not just doing beach time; you also get a landmark stop, which makes the island feel more like a real place than a random stop. Even if you’re not a big history person, a fort viewpoint usually gives better angles for photos and a clearer sense of where you are on the coast.

The Beach BBQ Moment: What You Eat, and What If You Don’t Want Fish

Your BBQ is prepared on the beach while you’re enjoying the island. It’s built around food you can feel good about: a meal with freshly caught fish, plus rice, salad, and bread.

If you don’t like fish, you’re not stuck. The tour offers a meat alternative, and they ask about your preference through the confirmation details you receive after booking. That’s the kind of simple planning that prevents last-minute meal disappointment.

One more practical point: the BBQ timing works well because it happens during the island stretch. You’re already in swim mode. A warm meal after time in the sun feels natural.

Drinks on Board: More Than a Perk for This Kind of Day

Many boat trips advertise drinks, but what you want to know is whether they’re enough to keep the day comfortable. Here, you get cold drinks throughout the day with a clear list: Coca Cola, Sprite Zero, Fanta, water, beer, and white and red wine.

I like this because it supports the actual pacing. When you fish and snorkel, you’re moving. Then you cruise and relax. Having drinks available keeps you from having to ration time around buying water or hunting for a shop.

Guides and Group Feel: Organization Without the Pressure

Good organization makes or breaks these sea days. The tour includes a German and English speaking guide, and you’ll have a guided flow to the stops so you’re not constantly asking what happens next.

One thing that stands out from past experiences is that the crew tends to keep the vibe friendly and focused on you having a good day. There have also been smaller-group experiences, which usually means more comfortable space on board and less time waiting your turn at the dinghy stage.

One caution to consider

There’s at least one negative experience recorded about a guide’s attitude and language preference. That’s not enough to dismiss the whole day, but it’s a good reminder: on any tour, be clear about your language needs and be ready to adapt if personalities don’t match your expectations.

Price and Value: Is $111 a Good Deal?

At about $111 per person, you’re paying for a full half-day-to-late-day outing with real inclusions: round-trip transfers, a boat day, fishing equipment, snorkeling gear, snorkeling time, a small island and fort visit, BBQ with multiple sides, and drinks all day.

The value logic is simple. This is not just sightseeing. You’re getting multiple activities stacked together, and you’re not bringing gear or dealing with separate lunch plans. Even if you skip fishing, you’re still using the same boat time and still get island BBQ.

Where the price might feel less great is if you’re the kind of person who only wants one activity (for example, just snorkeling). In that case, you might prefer something shorter. But if you like variety—water time plus a proper beach meal—this pricing makes sense.

Who Should Book This Boat Day on Boa Vista

This is a strong fit if you:

• want a boat day with real activities, not just a ride and a quick swim
• enjoy the idea of fishing as optional fun, not a chore
• like snorkeling with gear included
• want beach BBQ rather than searching for lunch plans

It’s also good for groups with different preferences because fishing is optional and food includes a meat alternative.

And it’s a weaker choice if you:

• are prone to seasickness
• dislike spending hours on the water with moving between boat and dinghy

What to Bring So the Day Feels Easy

You’ll have a long sun-and-water day, so pack to stay comfortable. Bring:

• hat
• swimwear
• towel
• sunscreen
• comfortable clothes for on/off the boat
• a jacket (wind and sea spray happen)
• camera for fort/island and snorkeling shots

If you think you might feel queasy on boats, take the tour’s advice and consider motion sickness medication in advance.

Should You Book This Boa Vista Motor Yacht Trip?

If your idea of a great day is simple: boat time, snorkel time, and a beach BBQ where the meal isn’t just an afterthought, then yes, I’d book it. The trip’s strength is the pacing—fishing, cruising, reef snorkeling, island time, then food and swimming when you’re ready.

If you’re seasick-prone or you hate dinghy transfers, skip this one and choose a more shore-based plan. But if you’re okay on the water and you want variety in one outing, this is a solid value choice for Boa Vista.

FAQ

How long is the Boa Vista motor yacht trip?

The duration is 390 minutes (about 6.5 hours), from pickup to return transfer.

Where does pickup happen?

Pickup is optional. There are specific pickup options such as Riu Karamboa, Riu Palace, VOI Hotel, Royal Horizon, and Villas de Chaves (wait at the gate). For other accommodations, you should wait in front. The meeting point is at the gate on the entrance to the hotel area (where security is located).

Is bottom fishing required?

No. Bottom fishing is planned for about 1 to 1.5 hours, but it’s stated that fishing is not a must-do. You can relax on the sun deck or enjoy the views instead.

What snorkeling is included, and how long do you snorkel?

You’ll snorkel around the reef near Sal Rei Islet for about 45 minutes, and snorkeling gear is included.

What food do you get during the BBQ?

The beach BBQ includes freshly caught fish, rice, salad, and bread. If you don’t like fish, they offer a meat option, and they ask about your preference through the confirmation details.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Cold drinks are available throughout the day, including water, Coca Cola, Sprite Zero, Fanta, beer, and white and red wine.