Fishing Snorkeling and Barbecue

Boa Vista’s best lunch may be the one you help catch. This private boat trip leaves Sal Rei, fishes along the Estoril coast, then heads to tiny Djeu island, where the captain grills the day’s catch while you swim, snorkel, or stretch out on the beach.

I like two things right away: your group has the boat to itself, and the meal is tied to the day rather than served from a kitchen ashore. The captain has lived on Boa Vista all his life, so the outing also gives you a local view of the coast and sea.

The main caution is the ocean. Rough water can make snorkelling unsafe or impossible, and the separate taxi from Hotel Riu Touareg costs €50. If you mainly want calm-water swimming, this may not be the right half-day.

Key points to know before you book

• Your own private boat: Only your group takes part, which makes this a good choice for families, couples, or friends who want a relaxed pace.
• Fresh fish on the grill: You fish during the trip, then the catch is prepared for lunch at Djeu.
• A small-island stop: Djeu offers time ashore, a nearby reef for snorkelling, and a beach break away from Sal Rei.
• Fishing equipment is included: Rods are provided, and you do not need previous fishing experience.
• Sea conditions matter: Rough water can cancel the snorkelling portion, though you can still have lunch and beach time if landing is safe.
• Plan the transfer carefully: The meeting point is the fisherman’s pier at Avenida dos Pescadores in Sal Rei. A taxi from Riu Touareg is not included.

From Sal Rei’s fisherman’s pier to the open water

The outing begins at the fisherman’s pier at Te Manché, on Avenida dos Pescadores in Sal Rei. The boat returns to this same meeting point after roughly five hours, so you can plan the rest of your day around a half-day on the water.

The route first follows the coast of Estoril before heading south. This gives you a change of scene from the resort areas and a view of Boa Vista from the water. The trip is not simply a transfer to a beach. Fishing is part of the main event, and the first stretch gives you time to settle in, watch the coastline, and cast out the provided rods.

You do not need to arrive as an experienced angler. One family had never fished before and still found the crew easy to follow. That makes the trip a good fit if your group includes beginners, children, or someone who would rather try a new activity than spend the morning on a standard sightseeing boat.

The boat carries the relevant safety equipment. That is a useful detail on a fishing trip, especially since sea conditions can change the feel of the ride. Still, you should expect an active boat outing rather than a smooth, still-water cruise. If you are prone to seasickness, bring whatever personal remedy you normally use, though the tour information does not specify what is available on board.

Fishing along the Estoril coast

Once the rods are out, the pace depends on the fish and the sea. Some outings produce a busy spell of catching, while others may be quieter. The trip’s appeal is not only the amount of fish in the cooler. You are taking part in the preparation of your own lunch, which gives the meal a direct connection to the morning.

The fishing has also been praised as suitable for first-timers. That matters because a private trip lets the captain spend time with your own group instead of dividing attention among many people. If one person wants to fish constantly while another prefers to watch the coast, the smaller setting should make that easier.

The fish caught on the boat becomes the barbecue lunch later. Do not expect a fixed menu built around a particular species, since the meal depends on the catch. That uncertainty is part of the charm, but it also means this is not the best choice if you need a guaranteed dish or a highly structured lunch.

The captain’s lifelong connection to Boa Vista adds some local context as you travel. The supplied information does not promise a formal lecture or a set list of sights, but you can ask about the island, the coast, and the ocean as you go. For many people, that personal contact is more useful than a scripted commentary.

Djeu island, reef water, and a beach lunch

After fishing, the boat turns toward Djeu, the small island off Boa Vista’s coast. The anchor goes down, and you go ashore. This is where the trip shifts from active fishing to a slower beach stop.

You can explore the island, relax on the sand, or snorkel at the nearby reef if the sea is suitable. The setting is simple, with no promise of shops, attractions, or resort facilities. Bring the right attitude: Djeu is valuable because it gives you open space and a change from the main island, not because it offers a long list of organized activities.

The beach can feel wonderfully quiet. One outing included a landing on a deserted beach, which made the stop especially appealing after the fishing. Conditions and access can vary, so treat that as a possible character of the stop rather than a guarantee that you will have the island entirely to yourself.

Snorkelling is the part most affected by weather. Rough seas made it sensible to skip the water on some outings. That is not a flaw in the crew’s planning. It is a safety decision, and you should be glad the activity is not forced simply to follow the printed schedule.

If the reef is calm enough, you can snorkel nearby while lunch is prepared. If not, you still have the island, beach, and barbecue. This flexibility helps protect the value of the trip. The snorkelling is a bonus, not the only reason to book.

The barbecue is the payoff

While you explore or swim, the captain grills the fish caught earlier. Freshness is the clear advantage here. The meal is not just food included in the price. It is the result of the morning’s work, prepared close to where the fish was landed.

That can be especially memorable for families. Children get a simple story they can follow: cast the rod, catch the fish, watch it cook, then eat it on the beach. Couples may like the quiet pause after the fishing, while groups of friends can turn the stop into a relaxed picnic with a sea view.

The experience does not provide a full list of side dishes, drinks, or dietary alternatives, so you should check those points before booking if they matter to you. The confirmed feature is the barbecue fish caught during the trip. If you do not eat fish, the central food element will not suit you well.

You also should not assume that every person will catch a fish. The lunch is based on what comes aboard, and fishing always has an element of chance. The private format makes the outing more personal, but it cannot control the sea or the fish.

What the private format changes

The boat is reserved for your group, which is the strongest reason to choose this trip over a standard shared excursion. You do not have to match the energy of a large party, and the day can feel more like a family outing than a scheduled transfer with strangers.

The private setup is useful for mixed groups. A keen angler can keep fishing, a beginner can ask for help, and someone who prefers the beach can spend more time ashore. It also suits couples who want a quieter day and families who value having their own space.

The boat is described as small in at least one family outing, though the exact capacity is not provided. That may be part of the appeal, but you should ask the operator about boat size and group arrangements if space is important to you.

The crew receives strong praise for friendly service and communication. Yara helped one group by sending updates about what to expect and when the taxi arrived. Tuck and a colleague were also named as crew members on one outing. Staff names and assignments can change, but these details suggest a hands-on operation rather than a faceless large company.

Price, transfers, and what you receive

The listed price is $92.92 per person. For about five hours, that includes a private boat, fishing rods, safety equipment, the fishing portion, the stop at Djeu, snorkelling when conditions allow, beach time, and a barbecue made from the catch.

That is a fair value if you will use the private format. A shared boat may cost less, but it will not offer the same control over pace or the same sense that the lunch belongs to your group. The price is harder to justify if only one person in your party wants to fish or if your main goal is a guaranteed snorkelling session.

Transport is the main extra cost to watch. Pickup is offered, but the €50 taxi fee from Hotel Riu Touareg is not included and is paid at the pier. One person felt this charge was unclear, so confirm the transfer cost before the day of the trip. If you are staying elsewhere, ask what pickup arrangements apply rather than assuming the boat price covers the ride.

The activity is booked, on average, 24 days ahead. That is a useful sign that you should not leave it until the last moment, especially if you want a particular date or are visiting during a busy period.

Who will enjoy this Boa Vista boat trip?

I would pick this for a family that wants one shared experience rather than separate beach time. The combination of simple fishing, a small island, fresh food, and private space gives children and adults different ways to enjoy the same morning.

It also works well for couples. You get time on the water, a quiet beach stop, and a meal that feels more personal than a restaurant lunch. The sea can be rough, so couples seeking a very calm boat ride should think twice.

First-time fishers are welcome in practical terms. Rods are provided, and the outing does not require prior skill. If you want a serious sport-fishing charter with specialist gear and a targeted catch, this is probably too casual.

Snorkellers should book only if they are comfortable with the possibility that sea conditions will cancel that part. You still have a worthwhile day if the water is rough, but you should not pay for this trip expecting a guaranteed reef session.

The tour is also suitable for most people to participate in, and service animals are allowed. It is a private activity, not a shared group departure.

Weather, cancellation, and useful planning tips

Good weather is required. If poor weather forces cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of participants is not met.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes inside that 24-hour window are not refunded or accepted, and the cut-off uses Boa Vista local time.

For the day itself, keep your plan uncomplicated. Wear clothing suited to a boat and beach, and bring anything you personally need for sun, swimming, or seasickness. The supplied details confirm rods and safety gear, but they do not list towels, food extras, drinks, or snorkel equipment, so ask the operator what is supplied if you need those items.

Allow room in your schedule after returning to Sal Rei. The tour lasts about five hours, but boat timing can be shaped by the fishing and the sea. A relaxed plan fits this experience better than a tight connection to another activity.

Should you book Fishing Snorkelling and Barbecue?

Book it if you want a private, hands-on day where fishing leads naturally to lunch on a small island. The fresh-caught barbecue, local captain, and freedom to divide your time between the beach and reef give the trip more character than a basic coastal cruise.

Think carefully if snorkelling is your main goal, if you dislike rough water, or if the €50 transfer from Riu Touareg changes the budget. For everyone else, especially families, couples, and first-time fishers, this is a strong way to see Boa Vista from the sea without giving up a quiet beach break.

FAQ

Where does the boat trip start?

It starts at the fisherman’s pier at Te Manché on Avenida dos Pescadores in Sal Rei, Boa Vista.

Where does the activity finish?

The boat returns to the same meeting point in Sal Rei.

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts about five hours.

Is the boat private?

Yes. Only your group participates in the activity.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup is offered, but the €50 taxi fee from Hotel Riu Touareg is not included in the listed price. It can be paid when you arrive at the pier.

Is fishing equipment provided?

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

Do I need fishing experience?

No specific previous experience is required. Most people can participate, and the trip is suitable for first-time fishers.

Will snorkelling always be available?

No. Snorkelling depends on sea conditions. Rough water can make it unsafe or impossible, but you may still have time on Djeu and the beach.

What is served for lunch?

The captain prepares a barbecue using fish caught during the trip.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience starts for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded.