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

Sea, sun, and lunch on a tiny island. This six-and-a-half-hour outing combines bottom fishing, snorkeling, a boat ride through the Bay of Chaves, and a beach barbecue on an uninhabited island. I like the mix of active and easygoing moments, especially the chance to catch fish that may become part of lunch. I also like that fishing is optional, so you can read, sunbathe, or watch the action instead.

The strongest part is the small-island stop, where you can swim in calm water, visit a renovated old fort, and eat beside the beach. The main drawback is the sea itself: people prone to seasickness may find the open-water ride uncomfortable, and guide quality may not be perfectly consistent. The experience has an overall rating of 4.2 from 15 bookings, which suggests plenty to like, but not a flawless day for everyone.

Key points to know before booking

• Fishing becomes lunch: You spend about 1 to 1.5 hours bottom fishing, with the catch prepared for the beach BBQ.
• The island stop lasts about two hours: That gives you time for the fort, swimming, snorkeling, and a relaxed meal.
• Snorkeling is near Sal Rei Islet: The reef stop lasts about 45 minutes, with equipment supplied.
• Drinks are included all day: The boat carries water, beer, white and red wine, Coca-Cola, Sprite Zero, and Fanta.
• Transfers are part of the deal: A van collects you from listed hotels and apartments, then returns you after the cruise.
• The trip is weather-dependent: Bring a jacket and take seasickness medicine in advance if you need it.

A 6.5-hour day from hotel gate to open water

Your morning begins with a pickup from your accommodation or from the gate of the hotel area, depending on where you stay. At larger resorts such as Riu Karamboa, Riu Palace, VOI Hotel, Royal Horizon, and Villas de Chaves, you should wait at the entrance gate where security is located. At other accommodations, wait outside in front.

The transfer to Sal Rei takes about 20 minutes. Drivers carry a name list, but you should still check the confirmation sent after booking, including your spam folder. The meeting instructions are unusually important here because several resort entrances are spread out, and waiting at the wrong point could make the morning more stressful than it needs to be.

At the port, you board the motor yacht by dinghy. That small transfer boat is worth noting if you have mobility concerns or simply dislike stepping between boats. The day is built around water access, so bring comfortable clothes and be ready to get wet.

The full experience lasts 390 minutes, or six and a half hours. That is long enough to feel like a proper day on the ocean rather than a quick harbor trip, yet short enough to leave your evening free.

Bottom fishing with lunch in mind

The first major stop is bottom fishing, usually lasting about one to one and a half hours. The crew supplies the fishing equipment, and the idea is simple: catch fish that can later be cooked at the island barbecue.

This gives the outing a useful sense of place. Your lunch is not just food carried from a hotel kitchen. You have a hand in bringing part of it to the grill. Of course, the catch will depend on the conditions and the fish cooperating, so you should not book this expecting a guaranteed haul.

Fishing is completely optional. I appreciate that detail because the activity can appeal to two very different kinds of people. You can sit with a line in the water and enjoy the anticipation, or use the time to lie on the sun deck, read, admire the coast, or watch the fishing without taking part.

If you are bringing children or a mixed group, this flexibility matters. One person can fish while another stays dry and enjoys the view. The boat also carries cold drinks, so you are not left with nothing to do if fishing is not your thing.

The practical downside is motion. A fishing boat may feel calm to one person and rough to another, especially when you are sitting still and watching the water. If you are prone to seasickness, take medication before departure. Medication is also available on board, but it is better not to wait until you already feel ill.

Cruising the Bay of Chaves by motor yacht

After fishing, the yacht cruises through the Bay of Chaves. This is the slower, restful middle part of the day, when you can settle on the sun deck with a drink and enjoy the coastal views.

The boat ride is not only transport between activities. It gives you time to watch Boa Vista from the sea, with the shore opening out around you. The supplied details describe about 30 minutes of cruising in the itinerary, though the total time on the water includes the fishing, snorkeling, island stay, and return ride.

Drinks are included throughout the day. Choices listed are water, beer, white wine, red wine, Coca-Cola, Sprite Zero, and Fanta. That range is helpful because you can keep things simple with water, choose a soft drink, or have a beer or glass of wine during the cruise.

Bring sunscreen and a hat. A jacket is also recommended, and that is sensible even on a warm island day. Wind on the water can make the return ride feel much cooler than the beach stop.

Snorkeling around Sal Rei Islet

The next stop is near Sal Rei Islet, a small island off the coast. You can snorkel around the reef for roughly 45 minutes, with snorkeling equipment included.

This is one of the more active parts of the outing, but it does not require a full-day commitment to snorkeling. You get enough time to look around the reef without giving up the beach barbecue and fort visit that follow.

The snorkeling has received especially strong praise. The reef near the island has been described as fabulous, so this may be the best part of the trip for anyone who prefers seeing sea life to holding a fishing line. Conditions will depend on weather, water clarity, and the sea, but the location gives you a clear reason to pack your swimwear and camera.

You should bring your own towel, swimwear, sunscreen, and a waterproof way to protect your phone or camera if you want photographs. The supplied information confirms that snorkeling gear is provided, but it does not promise underwater photography equipment.

The stop is not presented as a technical snorkel excursion. Think of it as a relaxed reef session during a broader boat day. If snorkeling is your main goal, you may want to judge the trip by the whole package rather than expecting a specialist marine tour.

Two hours on an uninhabited island

After snorkeling, a dinghy carries you to the small island. This is where the day slows down properly.

You can visit the old renovated fort, swim in calm blue water, and relax on the beach while the crew prepares lunch. The fort adds a little history to what could otherwise be only a swimming stop. It also gives you something to explore between the water and the meal.

The island is uninhabited, so do not expect shops, changing rooms, or a row of cafés. That lack of development is part of the appeal, but it also means you should take everything you need from the boat. Keep your hat, sunscreen, towel, and jacket with you.

The two-hour stay is well judged. You have time to walk to the fort, swim, dry off, and eat without having to rush from one activity to the next. A shorter stop would make the barbecue feel hurried. A much longer stop might leave you wishing for shade or more to do.

The calm water should suit people who want a swim without strong surf. Still, the activity remains weather-dependent, and the operator may reschedule or cancel if conditions are poor. That rule protects the day on the water, but it means you should keep some flexibility in your schedule.

Beach BBQ with fish, chicken, and drinks

Lunch is served on the island, with fresh fish, chicken for those who prefer meat, rice, salad, and bread. Dietary restrictions and allergies should be reported in advance, and the operator asks about your preference for fish or meat during confirmation.

The meal is a major part of the value here. A $111 price can feel high if you think of this as only a boat ride, but it includes transport, fishing equipment, snorkeling gear, drinks, lunch, the island stop, and a full day of activities. The barbecue turns the outing into a self-contained experience, so you do not need to arrange food or pay for drinks separately during the day.

The food has been described as good, with the setting adding much of the pleasure. Eating fresh fish on a quiet beach, after seeing it caught, is more memorable than a standard buffet at a resort. The chicken option is useful for people who do not eat fish, though you should state your preference clearly before departure.

Do not expect a restaurant meal or a broad menu. This is a beach barbecue, and the appeal is the setting, freshness, and shared preparation. If you need a strict allergy-safe meal, provide full details ahead of time and confirm them with the operator.

Group size, facilities, and guide quality

The boat is described as having small groups and good toilet facilities on board. Both details matter. A small group gives you more room on the deck and makes the fishing, snorkeling, and boat transfers less crowded.

A toilet on board is especially welcome on a six-and-a-half-hour ocean outing. It also means you are not dependent on facilities during the cruise. The island itself should be treated as a natural stop, not a developed beach resort.

Guiding is available in English and German. The operator, Boa Vista Tours, has received praise for clear communication and quick handling of problems, with Josie and her team singled out positively. At the same time, one poor account described a guide as rude and showing a preference for German-speaking customers. That is not enough to dismiss the experience, but it is a fair reminder that the tone of the day may depend on the individual guide assigned.

If you do not speak German, confirm that English guidance will be available when you book. The published information lists both languages, so you should not need to accept a language barrier as part of the experience.

What to pack for this boat day

Pack light, but do not forget the basics. You should bring:

• A hat and strong sunscreen
• Swimwear and a towel
• A camera or protected phone
• Comfortable clothes
• A light jacket
• Any seasickness medicine you normally use

You may want a dry bag for electronics and spare clothing. A jacket is not overkill because the boat ride can be windy, even if the beach is hot. Comfortable sandals or other secure footwear are sensible for moving between the yacht, dinghy, beach, and fort.

The boat provides drinks, fishing equipment, and snorkeling gear. The beach barbecue includes fish or chicken, rice, salad, and bread. You should still bring personal snacks only if you need them, since no separate snack service is listed.

Is $111 a fair price?

At $111 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend a morning in Boa Vista. It is also more than a simple coastal cruise. The price covers return transport from your accommodation, the yacht, fishing, snorkeling equipment, a beach meal, drinks throughout the day, the island visit, and English or German guidance.

I see the value in the combination. If you paid separately for a boat trip, snorkeling rental, lunch, drinks, and transfers, the total could quickly approach the same figure. You are also paying for the convenience of having the day organized from hotel pickup through return.

The value is strongest if you will take part in several activities. If you want to fish, snorkel, swim, visit the fort, and enjoy lunch on the beach, the price is reasonable. If you plan to stay on the boat and skip the water activities, a shorter cruise might suit you better.

Flexible booking also helps. You can reserve now and pay later, and cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. The weather rule matters just as much: poor conditions can lead to a rescheduled or canceled trip.

Who should book this experience?

I would recommend it to couples, families, and small groups who want several Boa Vista activities wrapped into one outing. It suits you especially well if you like the idea of a relaxed boat ride but do not want six hours of passive sightseeing.

It is also a good fit for people who enjoy casual fishing rather than serious angling. You can take part for an hour, then switch to swimming, snorkeling, or sunbathing. The beach barbecue gives the day a clear reward.

I would hesitate if you are highly prone to seasickness, dislike boat transfers by dinghy, or want a tightly scheduled sightseeing tour with extensive historical interpretation. The fort is a short visit within a wider beach day, not the main purpose of the outing.

Should you book the Boa Vista yacht trip?

Book this outing if you want a full ocean day with lunch built in, especially if fishing, reef snorkeling, and a quiet beach appeal to you. The best features are the small-group feel, the flexible choice between fishing and relaxing, the included drinks, and the island barbecue.

Skip it if open water makes you ill or if you want a guaranteed catch, extensive fort history, or a specialist snorkeling tour. For everyone else, $111 is a fair all-in price for a long day that combines several experiences without requiring separate planning.

FAQ

How long does the Boa Vista yacht trip last?

The activity lasts 390 minutes, which is six and a half hours.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Transfer from your accommodation to the port and back is included. Pickup details vary by accommodation, so you should follow the meeting instructions in your confirmation.

Where do I meet the transfer?

At Riu Karamboa, Riu Palace, VOI Hotel, Royal Horizon, and Villas de Chaves, wait at the entrance gate where security is located. At other accommodations, wait outside in front.

Is fishing required?

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

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling gear is included, and the snorkeling stop is near Sal Rei Islet.

What food is served at the beach barbecue?

The meal includes freshly caught fish, chicken for those who prefer meat, rice, salad, and bread. Tell the operator about dietary restrictions, allergies, or your fish and meat preference in advance.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The activity may be rescheduled or canceled because of bad weather. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.