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

Catching a fish in open water, then eating it on a quiet island beach, is the special hook here. This is not just a sightseeing cruise. You fish for 1 to 1.5 hours, snorkel near a reef, visit a restored fort, and sit down to a beach BBQ.

I like the small-island setting and the fact that fishing is optional. I also like the practical package: hotel transfer, gear, lunch, drinks, and a toilet on board are all included. Josie and her team are praised for clear communication and for keeping the day relaxed rather than pushing for tips.

The main caution is the sea. If you are prone to seasickness, this may be a rough six and a half hours, even with motion-sickness medicine available on the yacht. One booking also described a guide as unpleasant and seeming to favor German-speaking participants, so service may not feel equally warm to everyone.

Key points to know before you book

• Fish for your own beach lunch: Bottom fishing takes about 1 to 1.5 hours, but you can sunbathe, read, or watch from the deck instead.
• Reach the yacht by dinghy: You board from the port of Sal Rei using a small tender, so expect a short transfer between shore and boat.
• Snorkel at Sal Rei Islet: The reef stop lasts about 45 minutes and was singled out as one of the strongest parts of the day.
• Spend two hours ashore: The uninhabited island offers a beach, calm water, and an old renovated fort.
• Food and drinks are covered: Lunch includes fresh fish or meat, rice, salad, bread, and drinks throughout the day.
• Allow 390 minutes: Add the roughly 20-minute van ride each way to your day plan, along with pickup time from your accommodation.

A full day from your hotel to Sal Rei

The outing lasts 390 minutes, or six and a half hours. Your morning begins with pickup from your hotel or apartment, followed by a van ride to the port of Sal Rei. The listed transfer takes about 20 minutes, though your actual start time depends on the accommodation and departure option you choose.

Pickup instructions matter here. At Riu Karamboa, Riu Palace, VOI Hotel, Royal Horizon, and Villas de Chaves, wait at the entrance gate. At other accommodations, wait in front. The driver carries a name list, and the final confirmation gives the exact details, so check it carefully, including your spam folder.

At Sal Rei, you board the motor yacht by dinghy. That is a small but useful detail for anyone carrying bags, wearing slippery footwear, or traveling with children. You do not simply step from a normal harbor quay onto the yacht. Keep your hands free and bring only what you need for the day.

The yacht has a sun deck, a toilet, and drinks available throughout the trip. The drink choice includes water, Coca-Cola, Sprite Zero, Fanta, beer, and red or white wine. You still need to bring sunscreen, a hat, swimwear, a towel, a camera, comfortable clothes, and a jacket for the ride back.

Bottom fishing with a flexible pace

The first main stop is bottom fishing. You spend about 1 to 1.5 hours trying to catch fish that can become part of the beach BBQ later. It gives the day a clear purpose, and it is more engaging than simply circling the coast while someone else handles every detail.

You do not need fishing experience. Equipment is provided, and the crew organizes the activity. The fishing stop is also optional, which is one of the better features of the trip. If you are not interested, you can stay on the sun deck, read, watch the fishing, enjoy the sea views, or work on your tan.

That choice helps couples and families with different interests. One person can fish while another relaxes. It also keeps the fishing from taking over the whole day.

The drawback is that a catch is not guaranteed. The BBQ includes fresh fish, but the boat also brings meat for anyone who does not eat fish. Tell the operator about your preference, dietary restrictions, or allergies in advance. The stated meat option is especially useful for anyone who dislikes seafood, rather than merely being uncertain about the day’s catch.

Cruising through the Bay of Chaves

After fishing, the yacht cruises around the Bay of Chaves. This is the slower part of the outing, and that is a good thing. You can sit back with a cold drink and enjoy the coastal views without needing to follow a guide or take part in an activity every minute.

The listed schedule gives around 30 minutes for the boat cruise from Sal Rei, but the full trip includes the fishing stop, the bay cruise, snorkeling, and the return to port. Do not treat that 30-minute figure as the length of the entire sailing portion.

The open water is also where you should judge your own comfort. This is a motor yacht, not a short harbor ride. The itinerary spends much of the day at sea, and the company specifically warns people prone to seasickness. If that is you, take your usual medicine in advance. Motion-sickness medicine is also available on board, but planning ahead is wiser.

A jacket belongs in your day bag even if the morning feels hot. Wind can make the return ride feel cooler, especially after swimming.

Reef snorkeling at Sal Rei Islet

The next stop is off Sal Rei Islet, where you snorkel around the reef for about 45 minutes. This is the best part of the schedule for anyone who wants time in the water without giving up the beach and lunch portions of the day.

Snorkeling gear is included, so you do not need to pack your own mask and fins. The boat stops offshore, then you enter the water near the reef. Bring your camera if you want pictures, but protect it properly and do not let photography distract you from watching your footing and the water around you.

The reef stop was described as fabulous in one account, and that praise makes sense because it provides a direct look at the sea rather than a distant view from the boat. Still, conditions can change with weather and sea state. Visibility, comfort in the water, and the ease of getting back aboard will depend on the day.

You should be a reasonably confident swimmer for the best experience. The supplied information does not describe a dedicated shallow-water lesson or a separate beginner session, so do not assume the snorkeling stop is a swimming class. If you prefer to stay dry, you can remain on the yacht and enjoy the deck.

Two quiet hours on a small island

After snorkeling, a dinghy takes you ashore to the small uninhabited island. You get about two hours there, which is long enough to swim, sit on the sand, walk around, and visit the old renovated fort without feeling rushed from one stop to the next.

The island is the characterful center of the day. It is not a major attraction filled with shops or formal facilities. Its appeal is the simple combination of beach, calm blue water, and a historic fort in a remote setting.

The fort gives the stop a little more substance than a standard swim break. You can look around the renovated structure, then return to the shore for a swim or a place in the sand. The calm water should suit anyone who wants a gentle break after the open-water boat ride, though weather still controls the conditions.

Pack light and keep your belongings secure. The activity information does not promise lockers or changing rooms on the island. A towel, dry layer, and waterproof pouch for valuables make sense.

A beach BBQ with fish, chicken, rice, and wine

While you explore the island, the crew prepares lunch. The main meal includes freshly caught fish, chicken or other meat for those who request it, rice, salad, and bread. Drinks are included on the beach and on the boat, with water, soft drinks, beer, and wine available.

The food is valuable because it turns the fishing stop into part of the experience rather than a separate pastime. You have a direct connection between the morning’s catch and the meal, even though the crew also provides alternatives.

The setting does much of the work. Eating on a small island beach after snorkeling feels more memorable than sitting down at a hotel buffet, and two hours ashore gives lunch room to unfold without a hard rush.

Expect a practical BBQ rather than a gourmet restaurant meal. The supplied details do not list a menu beyond the main items, nor do they promise a choice of sauces or desserts. If you have allergies or dietary restrictions, notify the operator before the trip. That is important because the meal is prepared as part of a group outing.

One of the more encouraging details is that the crew has been praised for avoiding tip pressure. That matters on a long excursion, where an aggressive sales pitch can spoil an otherwise pleasant day.

Boat space, language, and service

The tour offers English and German-speaking guidance. Josie and her team handle the operation, and clear communication has been a strong part of the experience for some bookings. The yacht has been described as having plenty of room and good toilet facilities, useful advantages on a trip that lasts most of a day.

The small-group format is another practical plus. More room on the boat means you are less likely to spend the cruise shoulder to shoulder, and it gives you a better choice of sun or shade. The exact group size is not provided, so I would not assume the yacht is private or nearly empty.

The service record is not perfect. One account described a guide as arrogant and said German participants appeared to receive preference. That is a serious concern for anyone who values equal attention, especially on a bilingual trip. The overall rating of 4.2 from 15 ratings suggests a good but not flawless experience, so book with sensible expectations rather than expecting polished luxury service.

What the $111 price really covers

At $111 per person, the price is not just for a boat ride. You receive accommodation pickup and return, the yacht trip, fishing equipment, snorkeling equipment, the beach BBQ, drinks, the island visit, and an English or German-speaking guide.

That is a fair package if you want several Boa Vista activities handled in one booking. A separate boat trip, snorkeling rental, lunch, drinks, and taxi transfers could quickly add up, while this option keeps the day together.

The value is strongest for people who will use most of the inclusions. If you plan to fish, snorkel, eat the BBQ, and spend time on the island, the price covers a lot. It is less compelling if you dislike boats, do not swim, avoid group outings, or plan to spend the day only sunbathing at the beach.

The reserve-now-and-pay-later option helps if your schedule is still moving. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. Bad weather can also cause rescheduling or cancellation, so keep some flexibility in your holiday plan.

Who should book this Boa Vista yacht trip?

I would choose this for an active couple, a family with mixed interests, or a small group wanting a full day at sea without arranging several separate activities. The optional fishing is a real benefit because non-anglers have somewhere pleasant to spend that time.

It also suits anyone who likes food tied to place. The meal is not simply served on the boat. You fish, visit an island, swim, and then eat on the beach while the crew prepares lunch.

I would be more cautious if you are prone to seasickness, uncomfortable boarding by dinghy, or looking for a luxury yacht charter. The schedule has several moving parts, and the open-water portions may feel long if you do not enjoy being at sea.

The trip is also not the best match for a person who wants a detailed historical tour. The fort is an interesting stop, but it is one part of a broader sea-and-beach day, not the main focus.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a well-filled six-and-a-half-hour outing that mixes fishing, snorkeling, swimming, island time, and lunch. The small island and beach BBQ give it more character than a simple coastal cruise, while the included transfers and drinks make the $111 easier to justify.

Skip it if seasickness is a regular problem or if the possibility of uneven guide service bothers you. For everyone else, bring a jacket, take motion-sickness medicine early if needed, confirm your pickup point, and tell the operator your food preference before departure. That preparation gives you the best chance of enjoying the day at the pace it is designed for.

FAQ

How long does the Boa Vista motor yacht trip last?

The activity lasts 390 minutes, or six and a half hours. The schedule also includes a van transfer of about 20 minutes between your accommodation and the port.

Where does the boat leave from?

The yacht departs from the port of Sal Rei. You board the yacht by dinghy from the port.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Transfer from your accommodation to the port and back is included. At Riu Karamboa, Riu Palace, VOI Hotel, Royal Horizon, and Villas de Chaves, wait at the entrance gate. At other accommodations, wait in front.

Is fishing required?

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

How long is the snorkeling stop?

Snorkeling at Sal Rei Islet lasts about 45 minutes. Snorkeling equipment is included.

What food is served at the BBQ?

The BBQ includes freshly caught fish, rice, salad, and bread. Meat is available for people who do not want fish, and you should state your preference in advance.

What drinks are included?

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

What languages does the guide speak?

Guiding is available in English and German.