A full-day boat trip from Rio to Ilha Grande’s Green Coast visits calm blue coves, snorkel-friendly lagoons and beachside trails. Expect warm water, light hikes and a mix of forest and shoreline scenery suited to most fitness levels.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
You step off the boat into a slice of Atlantic coastline where the water pushes gently at the sand and palms lean in like curious hosts. The Green Coast around Angra dos Reis unfolds in clear tiers: shallow aquamarine bays, dark forest slopes, and granite ridgelines cutting the horizon. Lagoa Azul—an inland cove of calm, blue water—often steals the afternoon, its surface broken by snorkel masks and the occasional hull of a passing caique.
Difficulty
easy
Duration
12 hours (full day)
Fitness Level
Suitable for most fitness levels; should be comfortable boarding boats, brief swims and short shoreline walks.
Wildlife
History
Ilha Grande has served diverse roles—from fishing settlements to penal colonies—and much of the island is now protected to preserve its Atlantic Forest and coastal ecosystems.
Conservation
Parts of the island are within state protections; avoid feeding wildlife, use reef-safe products and follow leave-no-trace principles to reduce impact.
Reserve your spot on the Ilha Grande and Green Coast Tour from Rio de Janeiro today and enjoy a trusted, highly rated experience designed to help you make the most of your adventure.
Bring reef-safe sunscreen
Protect coral and your skin—choose a mineral-based sunscreen and reapply after swimming.
Start early
Morning departures see calmer seas and fewer boats at popular stops like Lagoa Azul.
Water shoes help
Beaches and rocky entry points are easier and safer with sturdy water shoes.
Carry a small dry bag
Keep electronics and snacks dry during boat transfers and sudden spray.
Snorkel mask
Clears vision for reef and fish-watching in Lagoa Azul and sheltered coves.
summer
Water shoes
Protects feet on rocky shorelines and provides traction on wet decks.
Reusable water bottle
Staying hydrated in tropical heat is essential on a long day trip.
Light rain shell or windbreaker
Short tropical showers or cool sea breezes can come unexpectedly—compact protection packs small.
winter