Boa Vista: Motoryacht Trip with Fishing, Snorkel, Beach BBQ

Sea day, island lunch, no rush. This Boa Vista yacht trip combines bottom fishing, snorkeling, a small-island stop, and a beach BBQ into one well-paced outing from Sal Rei. I like the chance to catch the fish you may eat later, and I like that fishing is optional, so you can simply relax on the sun deck instead. The main caution is the open water: if you are prone to seasickness, this may be a rough six and a half hours.

The tour costs $111 per person and includes hotel-area transfers, fishing and snorkeling equipment, food, and drinks. The small-group format has been praised for leaving plenty of room on the boat, while one disappointing report described an unfriendly guide who seemed to favor German speakers. That makes the crew and language balance worth considering before you book.

Key points to know before you book

• Your fish can become part of lunch: Bottom fishing lasts about one to one and a half hours, but you can skip it and enjoy the boat.
• The small island is the day’s focal point: You get about two hours for snorkeling, swimming, beach time, a fort visit, and lunch.
• The boat carries drinks all day: Water, soft drinks, beer, and red and white wine are included.
• Transfers cover many Boa Vista hotels: Pickup instructions vary, and some properties require you to wait at the entrance gate.
• The tour is led in English and German: Communication has generally been praised, though one account raises a concern about guide attitude.
• Weather controls the schedule: Wind and sea conditions can cause a cancellation or a change of date.

Why this six-and-a-half-hour trip works

Boa Vista is known for wide beaches, dry scenery, and a strong connection to the sea. This outing gives you a full day away from the hotel without packing several separate activities into one tiring schedule. You fish, cruise, snorkel, eat, swim, and return by boat.

I like the mix because each part has a different pace. Fishing gives you something to do with your hands. The cruise through the Bay of Chaves slows things down. The reef offers a short burst of activity, and the island gives you a proper break on land.

The schedule lasts 390 minutes, or six and a half hours. That is long enough to feel like a real ocean excursion rather than a quick boat ride, but it also means you should prepare for sun, wind, and motion. Bring a jacket even if the morning begins warm. On the water, the breeze can be sharp.

The trip is offered by Boa Vista Tours. English and German are the stated guide languages. One highly positive account praised Josie and her team for clear communication, quick handling of problems, and a relaxed approach without pressure for tips. Another account raised a serious complaint about a guide’s attitude and language preference, so the overall rating of 4.2 from 15 ratings should be read as good, but not flawless.

Getting from your hotel to Sal Rei harbor

Your morning transfer collects you near your accommodation and takes about 20 minutes to reach the port of Sal Rei. Transport is included in the price, which matters because arranging a separate taxi for an early departure can add cost and stress.

Pickup instructions are a little fussy. At Riu Karamboa, Riu Palace, VOI Hotel, Royal Horizon, and Villas de Chaves, you should wait at the gate. At other listed accommodations, you should wait in front of the property. The driver carries a name list, and the booking confirmation gives the final instructions.

Pay attention to that confirmation, including your spam folder. This is not glamorous advice, but it can prevent the classic holiday problem of standing in the wrong place while a van waits somewhere else.

The boat is reached by dinghy from the port. If you have limited comfort with small boats, ask the crew for help as you board. The supplied information does not describe accessibility arrangements, so anyone with mobility concerns should confirm details before paying.

The first stop: bottom fishing in open water

After leaving Sal Rei, the yacht heads to the fishing area for roughly one to one and a half hours. Fishing equipment is supplied, and the aim is to catch bottom fish that can later be prepared for the beach BBQ.

This is the most distinctive part of the outing. The catch is not just a sport activity that ends when you reel in a fish. It becomes connected to lunch, giving the day a simple food story: catch it, take it to shore, eat it beside the water.

Still, you should keep your expectations sensible. The material does not promise that everyone will catch something, and fishing success is never guaranteed. You may spend the time watching the line, helping with equipment, or enjoying the view.

Fishing is optional. That is a major strength for couples or families with mixed interests. If one person loves the idea of fishing and another would rather read, sunbathe, or take photographs, both can enjoy the same stop. The sun deck provides a place to relax, and cold drinks are available throughout the day.

The boat’s motion can be most noticeable here, when you are sitting still and watching the water. If you often feel seasick, take suitable medication before departure. Medication is also available on the boat, but advance preparation is the safer choice.

Cruising around the Bay of Chaves

After fishing, the yacht cruises around the Bay of Chaves. This is the time to put the rod away, take a cold drink, and look back toward Boa Vista from the water.

The views are part of the value, especially if your hotel sits near the coast and you want to see the island from another angle. You are not rushing between stops, and the cruise gives the crew time to move the group toward the reef while keeping the day relaxed.

Drinks included on board are water, Coca-Cola, Sprite Zero, Fanta, beer, and white and red wine. That is a useful inclusion at $111, since buying drinks separately during a full-day boat trip can quietly push up the final cost.

Use this stretch to apply sunscreen again. The breeze can make the sun feel less intense than it is. A hat, sunglasses, comfortable clothes, and a light jacket all make sense. You should also keep your camera protected from spray.

Snorkeling near Sal Rei Islet

The next stop is off the small uninhabited island, where you have about 45 minutes for snorkeling around the reef. Snorkeling equipment is included, so you do not need to bring your own mask and fins.

The reef stop is brief enough to keep the day moving, but long enough for a proper look around if conditions are good. One account specifically praised the snorkeling near the island as fabulous. That positive note is important because snorkeling quality can vary with wind, visibility, and sea conditions.

Do not expect a giant marine park with hours in the water. This is one part of a mixed day. You will have time to see the reef, then return to the boat or continue by dinghy to shore.

You should be comfortable getting into the water from the boat. The exact entry setup is not described, so ask the crew about the easiest way in and out. If you prefer not to snorkel, you can stay aboard and enjoy the views.

Two hours on the small island

The dinghy takes you from the yacht to the island. This is where the tour gains its strongest sense of place. The island is uninhabited, and the stop is not built around shops, crowds, or a long list of paid extras.

You can walk to the old renovated fort, swim in calm blue water, or settle on the beach. The fort gives the stop a little more interest than a simple sand break, while the calm water makes it easier to enjoy a swim after the open-water boat ride.

The island stay lasts about two hours. That is a generous block of time for a trip of this length. You are not forced to choose between lunch and swimming, and you can move at your own pace.

The beach is also where the crew prepares the BBQ. You get to spend the cooking time on shore rather than sitting around waiting beside a grill on the boat. That arrangement makes the meal feel tied to the setting.

Remember that an uninhabited island means you should not expect hotel-style facilities. The yacht has good toilet facilities according to one especially positive account, but you should use them before leaving the boat and bring only what you need ashore.

The beach BBQ and what you will eat

Lunch includes freshly caught fish, chicken, rice, salad, and bread. The fish is the natural centerpiece, but meat is available for anyone who does not eat fish. The operator asks about preferences during the detailed confirmation process, so tell them about dietary restrictions or allergies in advance.

One account rated the lunch highly and praised its setting. Another singled out the beach BBQ as a particularly enjoyable part of the day. I can see why: the meal is not simply included for convenience. It connects the fishing stop, the island, and the surrounding sea.

The food is practical rather than elaborate. You should expect a straightforward outdoor meal, not a restaurant tasting menu. For many people, that is exactly right after swimming and being in the sun.

Drinks are included with the BBQ and on the boat. The available choices cover water, soft drinks, beer, and wine. If you need something outside that list, bring it only if the operator permits it, since the provided details do not specify additional drink arrangements.

The return cruise to Sal Rei

After around two hours on the island, you return to the yacht and cruise back toward Sal Rei. The return is a chance to dry off, rest on the sun deck, and take in the coast from the water.

The total schedule allows for a fairly gentle rhythm, but you should not mistake gentle for effortless. You are exposed to sun and wind for much of the day, and the ride can be tiring if the sea is choppy. Seasickness is the clearest reason to skip this tour.

The transfer waits at the harbor for the ride back to your hotel or apartment. The listed drop-off area covers many major properties, including Iberostar Club Boa Vista, Marine Club Beach Resort, Oásis White Hotel, Occidental Boa Vista Beach, Hotel Riu Karamboa, Hotel Riu Palace Boavista, Hotel Riu Touareg, and several smaller apartments and guesthouses.

Is $111 a fair price?

At $111, this is not the cheapest way to spend time by the sea in Boa Vista. The value comes from how much is bundled into one day: return transportation, a motor yacht, fishing gear, snorkeling equipment, a beach BBQ, drinks, an island stop, and a guide in English or German.

If you would otherwise book separate transport, a boat ride, snorkeling, lunch, and drinks, the price becomes easier to justify. The included food and beverages are especially helpful because you are away from your hotel for most of the day.

The small-group setup also affects the value. One positive account described plenty of room on the boat and good toilet facilities. A less crowded boat can make a long outing far more comfortable than a tightly packed excursion.

The price is less attractive if you do not enjoy boats, do not want to fish or snorkel, and mainly want a beach. In that case, you would be paying for several activities you may not use. The tour makes the most sense when you want variety and appreciate the convenience of having everything arranged.

Who should book this boat trip?

I would recommend it most strongly to you if you want:

• A full ocean day rather than a short harbor cruise
• Fishing and snorkeling in the same outing
• A beach lunch in a quiet setting
• A flexible schedule for a mixed-interest group
• Hotel pickup and return included
• English or German guiding
• Drinks included throughout the day

Families and couples may like the optional fishing. One person can fish while another rests on the sundeck. The island also offers different ways to spend the same two-hour stop.

You should think twice if you are highly prone to seasickness, dislike wind and sun, or need a tightly controlled schedule. Weather can lead to rescheduling or cancellation, and sea conditions may affect the fishing, snorkeling, and comfort of the ride.

Bring a hat, swimwear, towel, camera, sunscreen, a jacket, and comfortable clothes. Put on sunscreen before pickup, and consider motion sickness medication in advance if you need it.

Booking details that matter

Pickup is optional for some arrangements, but transfers are provided from the listed accommodation areas. Wait at the gate for the named properties and in front of other accommodations unless your confirmation says otherwise.

The tour offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now while paying later. Those terms help if your plans are still shifting, though the weather remains the main factor outside your control.

Tell the operator about allergies and dietary needs ahead of time. The meal includes fish and chicken, but advance notice is the practical way to make sure the crew can plan properly.

Should you book the Boa Vista yacht trip?

Book it if you want a varied, well-equipped sea day with fishing, reef snorkeling, an uninhabited island, and a casual BBQ. The strongest parts are the optional fishing, the generous island stop, the included drinks, and the good organization praised by Claire, who specifically noted Josie and her team’s clear communication and helpful approach.

I would not book it simply for the promise of a big catch or perfect snorkeling. Those parts depend on sea conditions, and the open water can be uncomfortable. I would also pay attention to language and guide expectations, given the conflicting account about guide behavior.

For most people who enjoy boats and want more than a standard beach day, $111 is a reasonable all-in price. Pack for wind, prepare for motion, and let the island BBQ be the centerpiece.

FAQ

How long does the Boa Vista yacht trip last?

The activity lasts 390 minutes, or six and a half hours.

What is included in the price?

The price includes accommodation transfers to and from the port, fishing equipment, snorkeling gear, a beach BBQ, drinks, the island and fort visit, and an English or German speaking guide.

Is fishing required?

No. Fishing is optional. You can relax on the sun deck, read, sunbathe, watch the fishing, or enjoy the views instead.

What food is served at the beach BBQ?

The BBQ includes freshly caught fish, chicken, rice, salad, and bread. Meat is available for people who do not eat fish, and dietary restrictions or allergies should be shared in advance.

What drinks are available?

Water, Coca-Cola, Sprite Zero, Fanta, beer, and white and red wine are available throughout the day, including on the boat.

What should I bring?

Bring a hat, swimwear, a towel, a camera, sunscreen, a jacket, and comfortable clothes. If you are prone to seasickness, motion sickness medication is recommended in advance.