Island Escape: Ilha Grande by Private Speedboat
From US$ 955 Group total — not per person
★ 4.9 · 800+ verified reviews TripAdvisor Cadastur licensed Since 2013 ~15,000 travellers
About This Tour
This is a private guided tour in Rio de Janeiro with full logistics, local expertise, and iconic landmark coverage built for a smooth day.
This is a complete private day trip to Ilha Grande from Rio de Janeiro, with door-to-door transportation, a licensed tour guide and a speedboat reserved exclusively for your group. From pickup at your accommodation in Rio to the final beach stop, the whole experience is organized as one continuous private tour.
The day begins early, with pickup from your hotel, Airbnb or other accommodation in Rio. Your private vehicle takes you to Mangaratiba, a coastal town near Ilha Grande, where your speedboat and sailor are waiting. The boat is exclusively yours for the day, with no other passengers, no fixed group schedule and no waiting for strangers to finish their swim.
Ilha Grande is a preserved Atlantic Forest reserve — an island with no roads between villages and water clear enough to see the seafloor. The speedboat portion lasts about five hours and explores beaches, sheltered coves and snorkeling spots around the island. The usual stops are at beaches with shallow, calm water, and complimentary snorkeling equipment and bottled water are provided at no extra cost.
There is no fixed list of beaches. The route is chosen according to maritime conditions, safety, the time available and your group's interests, so stops may vary from one day to the next. Because the boat is private, the pace is yours: you can spend longer swimming, resting on a beach or snorkeling instead of following a shared excursion's timetable.
Your experience includes three professionals with separate roles: a licensed tour guide who accompanies the group throughout the entire day, from departure in Rio through the boat tour and the return; a professional driver for the road transport; and a sailor responsible for the boat and safety on the water.
Lunch is optional and paid separately at a restaurant located at one of the boat stops. The tour does not go to Vila do Abraão for lunch. Your guide can recommend a good restaurant along the route. You are also welcome to bring your own food, snacks and drinks aboard the boat, whether or not you add the optional barbecue.
An on-board barbecue can be arranged in advance as an optional extra, priced on request. Drinks are not included with the barbecue and are brought by the guests.
The standard experience focuses on sheltered beaches, calm shallow water, swimming and snorkeling. A premium option adds a visit to Lopes Mendes, consistently ranked among the most beautiful beaches in Brazil, with its long stretch of pale sand, preserved Atlantic Forest surroundings and open-ocean setting.
The speedboat does not stop directly at Lopes Mendes. Access is through Praia do Pouso, followed by a forest trail of about forty minutes, of light to moderate difficulty, with your guide accompanying you the whole way. Lopes Mendes faces the open ocean, so the surf can be stronger than at the sheltered stops and some care in the water is recommended. There are only a few snacks there, so we strongly recommend bringing water and food for the visit.
After the boat portion, your private vehicle takes you from Mangaratiba back to Rio. The complete experience usually lasts between ten and twelve hours door to door, including the road transport, boarding, the boat tour and the return. For travelers who want to see Ilha Grande from Rio in a single day, this is a fully private experience from beginning to end.
Looking for something more local and immersive?
Explore ExperiencesWhat you'll see
- 01 Ilha Grande's sheltered beaches and clear water
- 02 Coves and snorkeling spots
- 03 Private speedboat exclusively for your group
- 04 Lopes Mendes, as a premium option
- 05 Costa Verde coastal drive from Rio
What's Included
- Private round-trip transportation between Rio and Mangaratiba
- Pickup and drop-off at your accommodation in Rio, within the covered area
- Licensed tour guide (English) accompanying the group throughout the day
- Professional driver and sailor responsible for the boat
- Private speedboat for approximately five hours
- Snorkeling equipment at no extra cost
- Bottled water at no extra cost
Not Included
- Lunch and drinks during the tour
- Optional on-board barbecue (priced on request)
- Sunscreen and towel
- Gratuities
Good to Know
- 01 The tour departs Rio early in the morning. The exact time depends on your pickup location, expected traffic and the boat departure arrangements. Prepare everything the night before.
- 02 The complete day usually runs between ten and twelve hours door to door, including the drive to Mangaratiba, about five hours on the boat, and the return.
- 03 Light rain does not cancel the tour — only unsafe sea conditions do. We follow the forecast closely with the local operator, and if a cancellation is necessary for the sea, you are notified in advance and refunded the amount paid.
- 04 Bring sunscreen and a towel — these are not provided. Swimwear, sunglasses, a hat, a light change of clothing and a waterproof bag for your phone and valuables are also a good idea.
- 05 Lunch is not included. You can eat at a restaurant along the boat route, paid separately, or bring your own food and drinks aboard.
- 06 Snorkeling equipment and bottled water are provided at no extra cost. The usual beach stops have shallow, calm water.
- 07 If you choose the premium Lopes Mendes option, it is a forty-minute forest trail from Praia do Pouso, light to moderate, with the guide accompanying you. Wear comfortable walking shoes or secure sandals, and bring water and food, as there are only a few snacks on the beach.
- 08 Lopes Mendes is an open-ocean beach where the surf can be stronger — enter the water with some care, especially with children.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Pickup in Rio, private transportation to Mangaratiba, the private speedboat and the return journey are all included.
Yes. The speedboat is reserved exclusively for your group and is not shared with other travelers.
The boat portion lasts about five hours. The complete tour usually lasts between ten and twelve hours door to door, including the transport to Mangaratiba, boarding, the boat tour and the return to Rio.
Yes. The licensed guide accompanies your group throughout the entire experience, including the road transport and the boat tour. A separate sailor is responsible for the boat and safety on the water.
No. The tour includes a licensed tour guide, a professional driver for the road transport, and a sailor responsible for the boat — three separate roles.
There is no fixed list of beaches. The route is chosen according to maritime conditions, safety, the time available and your group's interests, so stops may vary from one day to the next.
The usual stops are at beaches with shallow, calm water. Lopes Mendes is the exception, as it faces the open ocean and can have stronger waves.
Yes. Snorkeling equipment and bottled water are provided at no extra cost.
No. Lunch is optional and paid directly at a restaurant located at one of the boat stops. The tour does not go to Vila do Abraão for lunch — the restaurant is chosen along the boat route.
Yes. You are welcome to bring your own food, snacks and drinks aboard the boat, whether or not you add the barbecue.
No. The on-board barbecue is optional, arranged in advance and priced on request. Drinks are not included and are brought by the guests.
The premium option adds a visit to Lopes Mendes, consistently ranked among the most beautiful beaches in Brazil. The speedboat stops at Praia do Pouso, and from there a forest trail of about forty minutes — light to moderate — leads to the beach, with your guide accompanying you. The visit depends on maritime and operating conditions.
No. The boat stops at Praia do Pouso, followed by an approximately forty-minute forest trail to Lopes Mendes with the guide. The trail is light to moderate over natural terrain that can be uneven or slippery after rain, so comfortable walking shoes or secure sandals are recommended. Lopes Mendes faces the open ocean, so the surf can be stronger than at the sheltered stops — enter the water with some care and follow the guide's advice. Food there is limited to a few snacks, so bring water and food.
Light rain does not cancel the tour. It is only canceled when the sea conditions are not safe for navigation. We follow the forecast closely, including with the local operator on Ilha Grande, and if a cancellation is necessary for the sea, you are notified in advance and refunded the amount paid for the tour. A change of beaches or stops for sea conditions is part of normal operation and is not a cancellation.
No. The road transport, the guide and the speedboat are private and exclusive to your group.
Pricing & Payment
- How it works:Submitting the booking form sends us a request, not a confirmed reservation. We check availability first, then confirm your date by email and send a secure payment link.
- Payment deadline:Full payment must be completed at least 72 hours before the tour start time.
- Last-minute requests:For requests made less than 72 hours before the tour, payment is due immediately once we confirm availability, and it is non-refundable.
- Accepted methods:Credit and debit cards, processed securely by Stripe.
- Important:A confirmed booking that remains unpaid may be released once the payment deadline passes. We send reminders by email and WhatsApp before that happens.
- Free cancellation:Cancel at no cost at least 72 hours before your tour start time for a full refund.
- Changes or rescheduling:To cancel, modify, or reschedule your tour, please contact us by email or WhatsApp as soon as possible. We'll do our best to accommodate adjustments whenever feasible.
- Late cancellations:Tours canceled less than 72 hours before the start time are non-refundable.
- No-show:Failing to appear at the agreed time and place is non-refundable.
- Weather conditions:If severe weather conditions make the tour unsafe or unviable, we'll offer a full refund or the option to reschedule at no additional cost.
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