Fishing Snorkeling and Barbecue

The best part of this Boa Vista outing is simple: you fish from a private boat, then eat what you catch on a beach near the small island of Djeu. It combines time on the water, a hands-on activity, and a fresh barbecue lunch without the feel of a large group excursion.

I especially like the private boat, which gives your family or small group room to set the pace. I also like the local touch: the captain has lived on Boa Vista all his life, and fishing rods and safety gear are supplied. The main thing to keep in mind is the sea. Snorkeling may be called off when conditions are rough, and the separate transfer from Riu Touareg costs €50.

Key points to know before booking

• Your group has the boat to itself, making this a good choice for families and small parties.
• Fishing comes before lunch, with your catch prepared on the barbecue near Djeu.
• Snorkeling depends on sea conditions, so treat it as an option rather than a promise.
• Djeu adds a quiet beach stop, giving you time to swim, explore, or simply sit by the water.
• The tour lasts about five hours, starting and ending at the fisherman’s pier in Sal Rei.
• The price is $92.92 per person, with a separate €50 taxi charge from Hotel Riu Touareg.

Setting out from Te Manché in Sal Rei

Your trip begins at the fisherman’s pier at Te Manché, along Avenida dos Pescadores in Sal Rei. This is a useful starting point because you are close to the working fishing side of town rather than being sent to a distant marina.

The boat heads along the coast of Estoril and then turns south. That first stretch gives you time to settle in, take in the coast, and listen to the captain’s local view of Boa Vista’s waters. Since this is a private trip, you are not sharing the boat with a busload of strangers. That matters if you want a quieter morning or need to keep the pace comfortable for children.

The boat is equipped with safety gear, and fishing rods are provided. You do not need to arrange your own equipment for the fishing portion. The activity is designed for most people to take part, and service animals are allowed.

If you are staying at Hotel Riu Touareg, pay close attention to the transfer cost. A taxi from the hotel to the pier is not included and costs €50, payable on arrival at the pier. The amount is easy to overlook when comparing tour prices, so include it in your budget from the start.

Communication appears to be part of the operation. Yara has handled messages before the trip and has sent updates about the expected schedule and the arrival of the taxi. Tuck has also led the boat with a fellow crew member. Names and crew can vary, but the practical point is useful: keep your phone available before pickup so you do not miss a message.

Fishing along Boa Vista’s coast

Once the boat reaches the fishing area, the rods come out. This is not just a short photo stop before the main event. Fishing is one of the central parts of the five-hour outing, and the catch becomes the lunch later in the day.

The experience can be especially good if you have never fished from a boat. You get a clear activity to focus on, but you are not expected to bring specialist knowledge. The crew provides the rods and helps the group get started. The exact catch will depend on the day and sea conditions, but reports from this trip describe catching several different types of fish and, at times, steady action.

That uncertainty is part of the deal. You may catch plenty, or you may spend more time waiting. No fishing trip can promise a particular species or quantity. The barbecue lunch is built around the catch, so the meal may naturally vary from one outing to the next.

I like that the fishing has a clear purpose beyond entertainment. You are not simply casting for an hour and moving on. Your catch is taken to the beach and prepared for you, which gives the day a satisfying connection between the activity and the meal.

Families should find this section easy to enjoy, though young children may need help with the rods and patience between bites. The private format helps here. You can encourage children, change seats, or pause without worrying about holding up another group.

Reaching Djeu and its quiet beach

After the fishing, the boat turns toward Djeu, a small island near Boa Vista. The captain anchors, and you go ashore for the next part of the trip.

Djeu gives the outing a change of rhythm. The first part is active and boat-based. On the island, you have time to explore, sit on the beach, and wait while the fish is prepared. This pause is one reason the tour feels more complete than a basic fishing trip.

The beach is described as quiet and, at times, deserted. That does not mean you should expect a full day of facilities or entertainment. The appeal is the open setting and the chance to relax after being out on the water. Bring a willingness to enjoy a simple beach stop rather than expecting shops, changing rooms, or a long list of organized activities.

You can spend this time in different ways. If the conditions are suitable, head to the nearby reef for snorkeling. If you prefer to stay dry, explore the island or settle on the beach while lunch is prepared. This flexibility works well for mixed groups, especially when one person wants to swim and another would rather sit in the shade or near the barbecue.

The setting also gives you a good reason to pack carefully. Keep personal items secure on the boat and bring only what you need for the shore stop. The supplied information does not list beach facilities, so do not plan around access to a shop or other services.

Snorkeling near the reef

Snorkeling is one of the advertised parts of the tour, but it depends heavily on the sea. On days with rough water, the crew may advise against it, and that is the right call. Several outings have had to skip snorkeling because conditions made it unsafe or unpleasant.

This is worth stressing when you compare the tour with a dedicated snorkeling trip. Here, snorkeling is one element of a wider day that includes fishing, a barbecue, and beach time. If snorkeling is your main reason for booking, you should understand that you may not get in the water.

The nearby reef is the intended snorkeling area when conditions allow. The supplied details do not specify the equipment provided for snorkeling, so confirm this before booking if you need masks, fins, or other gear. Fishing rods and safety equipment are specifically included, but snorkeling equipment is not clearly listed.

When the sea is calm, the reef adds a pleasant contrast to the fishing. You can see the coast from the water, cool off after the boat ride, and make use of the time at Djeu. When it is rough, the beach still gives you a worthwhile alternative. That backup is important because the trip does not collapse simply because one activity is removed.

Fresh fish on the barbecue

While you explore or snorkel, the captain grills the fish caught earlier. This is the meal that gives the outing its strongest sense of place. You are eating a fresh catch prepared close to the water, rather than stopping at a restaurant and returning to the boat.

The meal is informal. Think of it as a beach barbecue, not a long restaurant lunch with a printed menu. The catch can vary, and the available information does not list side dishes, drinks, or options for specific dietary needs. If you have allergies or follow a special diet, ask the operator before you go.

Freshness is the real attraction. The fish has gone from the line to the grill during the same outing, and that direct connection makes the lunch memorable. It also gives the captain’s fishing skills a practical role. You are not simply being shown the coast by boat. You are taking part in the meal.

The timing should appeal to anyone who likes a relaxed day. You fish first, then eat after reaching Djeu, with beach time before and after the meal. There is no need to rush back into town for lunch, and the food becomes part of the experience rather than an interruption to it.

What the private format changes

At $92.92 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend five hours around Boa Vista. The value depends on how many people are in your group and how much you care about privacy.

For a family or small party, the private boat can make the price easier to justify. You are paying for a combination of transport on the water, fishing equipment, a captain, the beach stop, and lunch made from the catch. You also avoid sharing the schedule with a larger crowd.

The private setup is useful for more than comfort. It allows the group to focus on fishing if that is going well, spend longer on the beach, or give snorkeling a try when conditions permit. The exact flexibility should still be confirmed with the operator, but a private trip naturally offers a more personal setting than a shared cruise.

For a solo visitor or couple, the price may feel higher unless you particularly value having the boat to yourself. Group discounts are available, which may improve the cost for a larger booking. Add the €50 taxi fee if you are staying at Riu Touareg, since that changes the final total.

The rating is 4.5 from 31 ratings, with 90 percent recommending the activity. That gives you a useful sense of its general reception, while the lower recommendation rate is a reminder that weather, transport charges, and expectations about snorkeling can affect the experience.

Sea conditions, timing, and practical comfort

The tour lasts about five hours, beginning and ending at the meeting point in Sal Rei. That is long enough for fishing, the crossing to Djeu, lunch, and beach time without taking up your entire day.

Good weather is required. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you can be offered another date or a full refund. This is especially important for a boat tour because wind and waves affect both comfort and safety.

You should be ready for the possibility of a rough ride. If you are prone to motion sickness, plan accordingly, though the supplied details do not specify whether medication or other provisions are available on board. The captain decides when snorkeling is sensible, and you should follow that advice.

The meeting point is the fisherman’s pier at Te Manché, not your hotel unless a separate pickup has been arranged. Pickup is offered, but the Riu Touareg transfer fee is specifically excluded. Confirm your pickup details and cost before departure.

Booking confirmation is provided at the time of booking. Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes inside that period are not refunded or accepted. The activity also requires a minimum number of participants, so a cancellation for that reason may lead to another date, another activity, or a full refund.

Who will enjoy this Boa Vista boat trip

I would choose this outing for a family that wants several activities in one half-day. Fishing gives children and adults something to do, while Djeu and the beach create a slower section for anyone who does not want nonstop action.

It also suits couples looking for a private experience with a local feel. The fresh barbecue and quiet beach are more personal than a standard sightseeing boat. You will get the most from it if you enjoy simple outdoor meals and do not need a tightly scripted itinerary.

Small groups should look closely at the price because group discounts may improve the value. A private boat is a strong benefit when the cost is split among several people.

I would be more cautious if your main goal is snorkeling. Rough seas can cancel that part, and no substitute snorkeling site is promised. In that case, book only if fishing and the barbecue sound equally appealing.

You should also be comfortable with an activity whose lunch depends on the catch. The fishing can be productive, but the exact result is not fixed. That uncertainty is part of the charm, but it is not ideal if you want a guaranteed menu or a polished dining service.

Should you book Fishing Snorkeling and Barbecue?

Book it if you want a private, active half-day that joins sea fishing, a fresh barbecue, and beach time at Djeu. The strongest reasons are the small-group setting, the local captain, supplied fishing rods, and the simple pleasure of eating fish caught during your own trip.

Go in with sensible expectations. Snorkeling is weather-dependent, the sea can be rough, and the transfer from Riu Touareg costs extra. If you accept those limits, this is a good-value choice for families and small groups who want more than a standard boat ride. If snorkeling alone is your priority, choose an outing built around snorkeling instead.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

It starts at the fisherman’s pier at Te Manché, on Avenida dos Pescadores in Sal Rei, Boa Vista. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately five hours.

Is the boat private?

Yes. This is a private activity, so only your group participates.

Is fishing equipment provided?

Yes. Fishing rods are provided, and the boat has the relevant safety gear.

Is snorkeling guaranteed?

No. Snorkeling depends on sea conditions. Rough seas may make it unsafe or unsuitable.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup is offered, but a €50 taxi fee from Hotel Riu Touareg is not included in the tour price. It can be paid at the pier on arrival.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not accepted or refunded. If poor weather or the minimum number of participants causes cancellation, you will be offered another date or experience, or a full refund.