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

The best part of this Boa Vista boat trip is the mix of bottom fishing and a beach BBQ. You are not simply carried from one photo stop to another. You can help catch the fish that becomes lunch, then spend two quiet hours on a small uninhabited island with a restored fort and calm water.

I like the choice built into the day: fish if you want, or stay on the sundeck with a book and a cold drink. I also like the practical package, with hotel transfers, snorkeling gear, fishing equipment, lunch, and drinks included. The main caution is the open sea. If you are prone to seasickness, take medication before departure and bring a jacket for the ride.

Key points at a glance

• Fish your way to lunch: Bottom fishing lasts about one to one and a half hours, but taking part is optional.
• A small-island stop: You get time to snorkel, swim, relax, and visit an old renovated fort.
• Six and a half hours on the water: The day includes transfers, cruising, fishing, snorkeling, lunch, and the return trip.
• Food for different tastes: The beach BBQ includes fresh fish, chicken, rice, salad, and bread.
• Drinks are covered: Water, beer, white and red wine, Coca-Cola, Sprite Zero, and Fanta are available on the boat.
• A practical operation: Transfers run from listed hotels and apartments, with English and German-speaking staff.

The real appeal of making your own beach lunch

This is a boat day with a useful purpose. The fishing stop is not only there to fill time. The catch can be cooked later on the island, giving the meal a clear connection to the sea around Boa Vista.

You fish from the motor yacht using the supplied equipment. The stop lasts around 60 to 90 minutes, so you have a fair chance to try without the activity taking over the whole morning. Still, fishing is not guaranteed to produce a large catch, and you should not book this as a dedicated fishing charter.

If fishing does not interest you, the crew does not force you to participate. I like that. You can sit on the sun deck, watch the action, read, enjoy the views, or simply take a break. That flexibility makes the trip work for couples and mixed groups, where one person wants to fish and another would rather relax.

The boat carries cold drinks throughout the day. You can expect water, beer, white and red wine, Coca-Cola, Sprite Zero, and Fanta. This is a useful detail because a six-and-a-half-hour boat trip feels much easier when you are not worrying about carrying enough refreshments.

Leaving Sal Rei for the Bay of Chaves

Your morning starts with a van transfer from your accommodation to the port of Sal Rei. The drive is listed at about 20 minutes, though your exact pickup depends on where you stay.

Pickup instructions matter here. At Riu Karamboa, Riu Palace, VOI Hotel, Royal Horizon, and Villas de Chaves, you wait at the entrance gate. At other accommodations, you wait in front of the property. Drivers carry a name list, and the booking confirmation gives the final instructions, so check your email and spam folder before the morning of the trip.

At the port, you board the motor yacht by dinghy. This means you should be ready for a short transfer between the dock and the larger boat. Wear comfortable clothes and avoid bringing anything you cannot keep secure around water.

The boat then cruises out from Sal Rei. One early section takes you around the Bay of Chaves, with time to sit back and enjoy the open views. I see this as an important pause between the active parts of the day. You get a chance to settle in, find a place on the sun deck, and get used to the movement of the boat before the fishing stop.

Fishing for 60 to 90 minutes

The first main stop is bottom fishing. Equipment is provided, and the crew uses this period to gather fish for the later BBQ.

You do not need to be an experienced angler. The activity is presented as an easy, social part of the day rather than a technical fishing trip. The crew should guide you through the basic setup, but the information does not promise a particular species or a guaranteed catch. That is normal for sea fishing, so keep your expectations sensible.

I would join in for part of the stop, even if fishing is not your main reason for booking. It gives the lunch a personal connection, and the slower pace lets you enjoy the sea without rushing to the next attraction.

If you prefer not to fish, this is your chance to use the boat as a floating viewing platform. Bring a book, sit on the sundeck, or watch other people try their luck. This is one of the better features of the trip because you are not pushed into every activity.

The downside is that fishing can be less exciting if the catch is slow. The trip includes other activities, so that is not a major problem, but anyone looking for a serious fishing excursion should choose a more specialized outing.

Snorkeling by Sal Rei Islet

After the fishing stop and cruise around the bay, the boat heads toward a small uninhabited island. The snorkeling stop lasts about 45 minutes, with equipment included.

The reef near the island is the most active water stop of the day. You can enter the water from the boat and look around the reef before going ashore. The available information does not promise particular marine animals or visibility, since both depend on weather and sea conditions. One booking account specifically praised the snorkeling near the island, so this part deserves real attention rather than being treated as a quick add-on.

Bring your own mask if you have one you strongly prefer, but supplied gear is included. You should also pack a towel, swimwear, sunscreen, and a hat. A camera is useful, though keep it protected when moving between the yacht, dinghy, and beach.

The sea can feel cool or choppy even on a sunny day. I would not skip sunscreen just because you are spending much of the morning on the water. The sun reflects off the sea, and the boat offers little shade in some positions.

Two hours on the island and a restored fort

A dinghy takes you from the yacht to the island. The shore stop lasts about two hours, giving you enough time to spread out rather than rush through a short photo stop.

The island itself is small and uninhabited, which changes the mood of the day. There are no hotel facilities or town streets to explore. Instead, you have beach time, calm blue water, the reef area, and an old renovated fort.

The fort adds a little cultural interest to what could otherwise be only a beach outing. The supplied details do not give a long historical explanation, so do not expect a full museum visit or a formal history tour. Think of it as a compact landmark to see while you are ashore.

You can swim in the calmer water, relax on the sand, or walk around the island. The lack of a large schedule is a benefit here. After the fishing and snorkeling, two hours gives you room to slow down.

Facilities on a small island will naturally be limited, although the boat has toilet facilities. That makes the timing worth noting. Use the boat bathroom before going ashore, and carry only what you need for the beach.

A beach BBQ with fish, chicken, and cold drinks

While you enjoy the island, the crew prepares lunch. The standard BBQ includes freshly caught fish, chicken, rice, salad, and bread. Meat is available for people who do not want fish, with preferences and dietary needs requested in advance.

This is the meal that gives the trip its character. You are eating beside the water, and the fish may have been caught earlier that day. The setting is informal rather than restaurant-style, so you should expect a beach meal, not a polished dining service.

Food quality can depend on the catch and the day’s preparation. Still, the menu gives you a sensible choice. If you avoid fish, make sure your preference is communicated before departure. If you have an allergy or dietary restriction, tell the operator in advance rather than waiting until lunch.

I also like that drinks are included with the BBQ and available on the boat. At $111 per person, those inclusions matter. You are not paying for the boat trip and then adding separate costs for gear, lunch, or basic refreshments.

One thing to remember: a beach BBQ may involve sand, sun, and simple serving arrangements. Bring practical clothing and do not wear anything that needs to stay spotless.

What $111 gets you

The price is reasonable if you want a full package rather than a short boat ride. For $111, you get accommodation transfer, the motor yacht, fishing equipment, snorkeling gear, lunch, drinks, the island visit, and English or German-speaking assistance.

The listed duration is 390 minutes, or six and a half hours. That is a substantial part of your day, and the schedule includes several distinct sections rather than one long cruise.

Value depends on what you would otherwise book separately. If you paid for a boat trip, snorkeling rental, fishing equipment, lunch, drinks, and transfers as separate items, the package could quickly cost more. You also avoid arranging transport to Sal Rei yourself.

The price is less attractive if you only want to snorkel or sit on a beach. In that case, a shorter activity might suit you better. This trip earns its price through variety and convenience.

The operation also offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and a reserve-now, pay-later option. Those terms help if your plans are still shifting, though bad weather can lead to a rescheduled or canceled trip.

Guides, communication, and group atmosphere

English and German are the listed guide languages. Josie and her team handle communication and tour arrangements, and the operation is set up for small groups. That matters on a boat: you get more room to sit, move around, and take part in fishing without feeling packed in.

Good communication is especially useful here because the pickup system varies by accommodation. Read the confirmation carefully, wait in the correct place, and check your spam folder if the message does not appear in your main inbox.

There is one clear warning in the available feedback: one person described the guide as rude and said German-speaking visitors received better treatment. That is a serious concern, even though other feedback describes the day as well organized and the staff as helpful. I would not ignore the complaint, but I would place it alongside the otherwise positive comments about communication, lunch, boat space, and facilities.

If you do encounter a problem, speak up early. The team needs to know about food preferences, snorkeling concerns, and any issue with the pickup before the day gets underway.

Sea conditions and what to pack

Weather controls this trip. The operator may reschedule or cancel if conditions are poor, and that is sensible for a day involving a yacht, dinghy transfers, snorkeling, and an uninhabited island.

People prone to seasickness should think carefully before booking. The open-water sections can be uncomfortable, especially during fishing when you are standing or sitting in one position. Take motion sickness medication in advance if you normally need it. Medication is also available on the boat, but planning ahead is the safer choice.

Pack:

• Swimwear and a towel
• Sunscreen and a hat
• A camera in a waterproof case
• Comfortable clothes
• A jacket for the boat ride
• Any required motion sickness medication

A jacket may seem unnecessary in Boa Vista’s warm climate, but the wind can feel cooler on a moving boat. Comfortable clothes also make the transfer from van to yacht and then into the dinghy easier.

Who should book this Boa Vista boat day?

I would recommend it to you if you want several activities in one outing and enjoy a relaxed, social pace. It suits couples, families with older children who can manage boat transfers, and mixed groups where some people want to fish while others prefer swimming or sunbathing.

It is also a good match if you value convenience. The transfer, equipment, lunch, drinks, and guide support are all handled for you. You can spend the day outside without arranging separate transport or finding a restaurant on the island.

I would hesitate if you are highly prone to seasickness, dislike open-water travel, or want a quiet luxury cruise. The trip involves a motor yacht, a dinghy, fishing activity, snorkeling, and beach conditions. It is practical and active, not a pampering yacht charter.

Should you book it?

Book this trip if the idea of catching fish for lunch appeals to you and you want more than a simple beach stop. The best parts are the flexible fishing session, the reef snorkeling, the two-hour island stay, and the beach BBQ with fish or chicken.

Skip it if you mainly want guaranteed wildlife sightings, a serious fishing charter, or a calm day on land. Weather can change the plan, and the guide experience may not be perfectly consistent.

For most visitors who want a full ocean day from Sal Rei, $111 is fair value. Pack for sun and wind, prepare for the sea, tell the operator about food needs early, and treat the island as a simple natural stop rather than a developed attraction.

FAQ

How long does the Boa Vista motor yacht trip last?

The activity lasts 390 minutes, or about six and a half hours. This includes accommodation transfer, the cruise, fishing, snorkeling, the island visit, lunch, and the return transfer.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Transfer from your accommodation to the port and back is included. Pickup is available from listed hotels and apartments, with exact meeting instructions depending on your property.

Is fishing required?

No. Fishing is optional. You can spend the 60 to 90-minute fishing stop on the sun deck, enjoy the views, read, or watch the fishing activity.

What food is served at the beach BBQ?

The BBQ includes freshly caught fish, chicken, rice, salad, and bread. You should inform the operator in advance if you prefer meat or have dietary restrictions or allergies.

Are drinks included?

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

What languages are available?

The tour has live guide support in English and German.