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

The best part of this Boa Vista outing is the simple idea behind it: you help catch lunch, then eat fresh fish on a small uninhabited island. Between those two moments, you get open-water views, snorkeling near a reef, a fort visit, and time to swim.

I like the flexible fishing stop, since you can join in or stretch out on the sun deck with a book. I also like the practical setup: hotel transfers, snorkeling gear, fishing equipment, a beach BBQ, and drinks are all included. The main caution is the sea. If you are prone to seasickness, this six-and-a-half-hour boat day may feel long.

Key points at a glance

• Catch fish for lunch: Bottom fishing lasts about one to one and a half hours, but taking part is optional.
• Snorkel at Sal Rei Islet: You reach the snorkeling area by yacht, then use the dinghy to land on the island.
• Eat beside calm water: The crew serves fish, chicken, rice, salad, and bread during about two hours on the beach.
• Enjoy a small-group feel: The boat has good toilet facilities, and the available feedback describes plenty of room onboard.
• Pack for changing conditions: Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, a hat, a jacket, and motion sickness medicine if needed.
• Expect a full-day outing: The activity lasts 390 minutes, including transfers, the boat trip, island time, and the return to your accommodation.

A six-and-a-half-hour day on Boa Vista’s water

At $111 per person, this is not just a short boat ride. You are paying for a full package that covers the transfer from your accommodation, the yacht trip, fishing gear, snorkeling equipment, lunch, drinks, and the return journey.

That matters on Boa Vista, where arranging each part separately would be awkward. You do not need to find a taxi to Sal Rei, rent equipment, or arrange a meal on a remote beach. The price makes the most sense if you plan to use several parts of the day: fishing, snorkeling, swimming, the fort, and the BBQ.

The experience is best for someone who wants a mix of activities rather than a quiet beach day. You can be active for a while, then slow down. If you only want to snorkel, this may feel like too much time and money. If you like a boat day with several stops, it offers good value.

Getting from your hotel to Sal Rei

Pickup is available from many hotels and apartments around Boa Vista. At Riu Karamboa, Riu Palace, VOI Hotel, Royal Horizon, and Villas de Chaves, you wait at the gate near security. At other accommodations, you wait in front of the property.

This detail is worth taking seriously. The driver carries a name list, but you should still check the confirmation sent after booking for your exact pickup instructions. The transfer to the port takes about 20 minutes by van.

If your accommodation is not one of the listed pickup points, confirm the arrangement before the morning of the trip. The meeting point at the port is at the entrance gate of the hotel area, where security is located. Clear communication is especially useful here because the company serves many properties.

The tour is offered in English and German. Josie is named in the available feedback as the person handling communication and the team, and the overall operation is described as organized and quick to address problems. One poor comment raised a concern about a guide’s attitude and language preference, so I would not promise a perfect staff interaction for every departure. The snorkeling itself received particularly strong praise, and the more favorable feedback points to a well-run day.

Boarding the motor yacht in Sal Rei

You board the yacht from the port by dinghy. That short transfer is part of the character of the trip, but it also means you should be ready to step carefully between boats and keep your belongings secure.

Once onboard, you head out toward the fishing area. The first boat ride lasts about 30 minutes according to the planned route, though actual times can change with sea and weather conditions.

The yacht has a sun deck, so you can choose your level of participation. Sit with the fishing group, rest in the sun, read, or watch the coastline and water pass by. Cold drinks are available throughout the day, including water, Coca-Cola, Sprite Zero, Fanta, beer, and red or white wine.

That drink selection is useful because this is a long outing. Still, bring sunscreen and a hat rather than relying on a shaded seat. A jacket is also sensible, since an open boat can feel cool once it is moving, even on a warm day.

Bottom fishing, with no pressure to take part

The first main stop is bottom fishing. You spend roughly one to one and a half hours trying to catch fish that will be prepared for the beach meal.

This is a nice touch because the BBQ feels connected to the day rather than being a standard lunch brought from shore. Catching your own food gives the outing a clear purpose, even if the fishing is not the main reason you booked.

You do not have to fish. If you would rather not handle equipment, use the time to enjoy the views, sit on the sundeck, read, or watch the others. That choice makes the activity easier for mixed groups. One person can fish while another takes a quiet break.

Fishing success is not something you should treat as guaranteed. The meal includes fish, and the company also brings meat for people who do not eat fish. You should give your preference, along with any allergies or dietary restrictions, in advance.

If fishing is central to your plans, keep your expectations reasonable. This is a social boat excursion with fishing included, not a specialist fishing charter built around a particular catch.

A slow turn around the Bay of Chaves

After fishing, the yacht cruises around the Bay of Chaves. This is the least structured part of the day, which is exactly why many people will appreciate it.

You get time to settle into the boat, have a cold drink, and enjoy the views without needing to follow instructions. The open-water setting also gives you a break between the fishing stop and the island activities.

I like this pause because the day could otherwise feel packed. You have a van transfer, a yacht ride, fishing, snorkeling, a landing by dinghy, lunch, swimming, and a fort visit. The bay cruise gives you a chance to simply sit down and let the scenery do the work.

The tradeoff is that anyone seeking constant activity may find this portion slow. The itinerary does not promise a long list of sights along the bay. It is mainly a scenic boat ride and rest period.

Snorkeling near Sal Rei Islet

The next stop is off Sal Rei Islet, a small uninhabited island near the coast. You begin snorkeling around the reef from the yacht, with equipment provided.

This is one of the strongest reasons to book the outing. The snorkeling area received especially positive feedback, with the water and reef near the island described as a highlight. You should still remember that visibility and conditions depend on the weather and sea state.

The available route allows about 45 minutes for snorkeling. That is enough for a proper look around without making the entire day about swimming. You can stay in the water for the time you feel comfortable, then return to the boat before the dinghy takes you ashore.

Bring your own camera only if it is suitable for water. The company lists a camera as something to bring, but no underwater camera or waterproof case is promised. A towel, swimwear, and sunscreen are essential.

If you are not a confident swimmer, ask the crew about the conditions before entering. The supplied information does not promise a separate beginner area or flotation support, so you should be comfortable making your own choice in the water.

Landing on the uninhabited island

After snorkeling, the dinghy carries you to the island itself. The landing adds a small sense of adventure, but it is also the point where practical footwear and careful movement matter.

You have about two hours on the island. This is enough time to walk to the old renovated fort, swim in the calm blue water, relax on the beach, and eat lunch without rushing.

The fort is not presented as a long guided historical tour. Think of it as a compact place to visit during your island stop, not a major monument with a full museum program. Its value comes from the setting: you get a simple cultural stop between the beach and the water.

The island is uninhabited, so do not expect shops or a choice of restaurants. The crew prepares the BBQ while you enjoy the beach. That makes the two-hour stop feel more generous than a quick shore landing.

You should also bring only what you need. The day involves a van, yacht, dinghy, snorkeling, and beach time. A small, secure bag is easier to manage than a large suitcase or loose collection of belongings.

The beach BBQ and drink service

Lunch is prepared on the island and includes freshly caught fish, chicken, rice, salad, and bread. The food is designed to suit different tastes, with meat available for people who do not want fish.

The BBQ is the social center of the day. You have just spent time on the water, and eating on the beach gives the meal a clear sense of place. The feedback on the lunch is favorable, with the location receiving particular appreciation.

It is not a restaurant meal, so keep your expectations in the right frame. You are eating a practical beach BBQ prepared by the boat crew, not ordering from a menu. The value is in the fresh fish, the setting, and the fact that lunch is already arranged at a remote stop.

Drinks are included both onboard and with the day’s meal. You can have water, soft drinks, beer, and wine. This is a useful inclusion at $111, especially since there is no island shop where you can easily buy supplies.

Tell the company about allergies or dietary restrictions before the trip. Do not wait until the BBQ begins. The company asks for meal preferences during confirmation, and advance notice gives the crew a fair chance to prepare.

Boat comfort, group size, and the small details

The available feedback describes a small-group setup with plenty of room on the boat and good toilet facilities onboard. Those details matter more than they might on a short harbor ride.

Six and a half hours is a long time to spend on a boat. A usable toilet, room to sit, and space on the sun deck make the difference between a pleasant day and a tiring one.

You should expect a relaxed, shared excursion rather than a private yacht charter. You will fish, eat, and move between stops with the rest of the group. That shared format keeps the price lower, but you will not control every departure time or activity length.

The crew provides English and German guidance. If you have an important question about food, snorkeling, or the boat, ask directly and early. One critical account described an unpleasant interaction with a guide, including a concern about language preference. Most of the useful feedback is positive, but that complaint is worth keeping in mind when deciding how much staff service matters to you.

Weather, seasickness, and what to pack

The trip depends on the weather. Rough conditions can lead to a rescheduled or canceled outing, so keep some flexibility in your holiday plans.

Seasickness is the biggest practical concern. The experience is specifically not suitable for people prone to motion sickness, and the company recommends taking medicine in advance. Medication is also available on the boat, but it is smarter to prepare before departure if you know you are sensitive.

Pack:

• Swimsuit and towel
• Hat and sunscreen
• Comfortable clothing
• A jacket for the boat ride
• Camera
• Motion sickness medicine if needed

Do not forget sun protection even if the morning feels mild. You spend several hours exposed to open water, and the sun deck offers little protection unless you choose a shaded position.

The water activities are optional, including fishing. That flexibility helps if you want to join the snorkeling but skip fishing, or enjoy the beach without swimming.

Who should book this Boa Vista boat day?

I would recommend this excursion to you if you want several experiences bundled into one outing. It suits couples, families with older children, and mixed groups where some people want to fish and others prefer to swim or sit in the sun.

It is also a good match if you like your lunch tied to the activity. Catching fish and then eating a beach BBQ gives the day more personality than a basic sightseeing cruise.

You should think twice if you dislike boats, feel sick at sea, or want a tightly focused snorkeling tour. The fishing, bay cruise, island landing, fort visit, and lunch all take time. The snorkeling is a strong part of the trip, but it is not the whole day.

The tour is also less suited to someone looking for a private, quiet escape. You share the yacht, follow the planned route, and depend on the crew for timing. In exchange, you get transport, equipment, food, drinks, and a full day without having to arrange the pieces yourself.

Should you book it?

Book this trip if the idea of fishing for a beach BBQ, snorkeling near a small island, and spending a relaxed afternoon by calm water appeals to you. The $111 price is fair for the amount included, especially with hotel transfers, equipment, lunch, drinks, and six and a half hours on the water.

I would make the booking if you are comfortable with boats and flexible about the weather. Take seasickness precautions, confirm your pickup point, report food restrictions early, and pack a jacket along with your swimwear.

Skip it if you need guaranteed calm seas, dislike shared excursions, or want several hours of serious snorkeling. For everyone else, this is a well-rounded Boa Vista day that combines food, water, and a little island exploring without forcing you to fish or swim.

FAQ

How long does the experience last?

The activity lasts 390 minutes, or about six and a half hours. This includes the accommodation transfer, boat time, fishing, snorkeling, island time, BBQ, and return transfer.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Transfer from your accommodation to the port and back is included. Pickup instructions depend on your accommodation, so check the confirmation for the exact meeting point.

Do I have to go fishing?

No. Fishing is optional. You can relax on the sun deck, read, enjoy the views, or watch the fishing 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 want fish. Tell the company about dietary restrictions or allergies in advance.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Drinks are available throughout the day on the boat. Options include water, Coca-Cola, Sprite Zero, Fanta, beer, white wine, and red wine.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling gear and fishing equipment are included. Snorkeling takes place around the reef near Sal Rei Islet.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The activity may be rescheduled or canceled if weather conditions are unsuitable. The trip is also not recommended for people prone to seasickness.