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

The best part of this Boa Vista outing is the combination of bottom fishing and a beach BBQ. You help catch part of lunch, then eat on a small uninhabited island after snorkeling around its reef. It feels more like a full day at sea than a quick sightseeing cruise.

I like the small-group feel and useful all-day inclusions, especially the fishing gear, snorkel equipment, transfers, food, and drinks. I also like having time to slow down on the island instead of rushing from one photo stop to the next. The main caution is simple: rough seas can affect the day, and anyone prone to seasickness should prepare carefully.

Key points to know

• Catch fish for lunch: Bottom fishing lasts about one to one and a half hours, but you can relax on deck instead.
• Snorkel at Sal Rei Islet: The reef stop lasts about 45 minutes, with a dinghy ride to shore afterward.
• Eat on an uninhabited island: You get roughly two hours for the BBQ, swimming, the beach, and the old renovated fort.
• Drinks are included all day: Water, beer, white and red wine, Coca-Cola, Sprite Zero, and Fanta are available.
• Hotel transfers save hassle: A van collects you and returns you after the boat reaches Sal Rei.
• Plan for the ocean: Bring a jacket, sunscreen, towel, hat, and seasickness medicine if you need it.

A full day on Boa Vista’s blue water

This is a 390-minute motor yacht trip, or about six and a half hours from pickup to return. The day begins with a van ride to the port of Sal Rei, followed by a short dinghy ride out to the yacht.

The attraction is not just the boat ride. You get several different kinds of time on the water: fishing, cruising, snorkeling, swimming, and eating on shore. That variety matters on an island where a day at the beach can otherwise become pleasantly repetitive.

You will spend much of the day outside, so comfort depends on your preparation. A hat, sunscreen, swimwear, towel, camera, comfortable clothes, and a light jacket are all sensible. The jacket is worth packing even on a warm morning, since the boat ride can feel cooler once you are moving.

Boa Vista Tours provides an English or German-speaking guide. Josie and her team handle the operation, and the day includes drinks on the boat as well as the meal on the island. One recent booking described the communication as clear and the boat as spacious, with good toilet facilities. That is useful information for a six-and-a-half-hour outing.

From your hotel to Sal Rei harbor

Pickup depends on your accommodation. At Riu Karamboa, Riu Palace, VOI Hotel, Royal Horizon, and Villas de Chaves, you wait at the entrance gate. At other listed accommodations, you wait in front of the property.

The transfer takes about 20 minutes. Drivers carry a name list, and the confirmation sent after booking gives the exact pickup information. Check your spam folder if the message does not appear in your inbox.

This is a practical service, not a minor extra. Boa Vista resort areas are spread out, and arranging your own ride to Sal Rei would add cost and uncertainty. The van brings you to the port and returns you to your accommodation after the boat comes back.

At the harbor, you board the motor yacht by dinghy. That means you should be comfortable stepping into a smaller boat and managing a short transfer over the water. Wear clothing that lets you move easily, and keep cameras and phones secure during the boarding process.

Bottom fishing before lunch

The first proper stop is bottom fishing. You spend about one to one and a half hours trying to catch fish that can become part of the BBQ later in the day.

The fishing is active without being compulsory. If you enjoy trying something new, this gives lunch a personal connection. You are not simply served a meal on a beach. You take part in getting some of it there. If fishing is not your thing, you can sit on the sundeck, read, sunbathe, watch the action, or enjoy the views.

That flexibility makes the stop work for mixed groups. One person can fish while another rests in the sun. The boat provides the fishing equipment, so you do not need to bring anything beyond patience and perhaps a little luck.

Do not treat the fishing as a guaranteed catch or a serious sport session. The point is the experience and the food, not a promise of a large haul. The crew also brings meat for anyone who does not want fish. You should give your preference, along with any dietary restrictions or allergies, before the day.

Cruising through the Bay of Chaves

After fishing, the yacht cruises around the Bay of Chaves. This is the quieter section of the outing, when you can find a place on the sun deck and watch the coast from the water.

A cold drink is available while you cruise. The included selection covers water, beer, white wine, red wine, Coca-Cola, Sprite Zero, and Fanta. That is a useful touch because you are outside for hours, and buying drinks separately can quickly make a boat excursion feel less affordable.

The cruise gives you a break between the fishing and snorkeling stops. You can use it to dry off, read, talk with the group, or simply sit down. If the boat is moving quickly, hold onto loose belongings and keep your camera protected from spray.

The yacht setup appears well suited to a relaxed day rather than a loud party cruise. A small group leaves more room on the boat, and the reported toilet facilities are an advantage for anyone who dislikes being away from shore for a long stretch.

Snorkeling around Sal Rei Islet

The next stop is near the small uninhabited island known as Sal Rei Islet. The snorkeling session lasts about 45 minutes and takes place around the reef.

This is likely to be the most appealing stop for anyone who prefers swimming to fishing. You receive snorkeling equipment, so you do not need to pack your own mask and fins. The water is described as calm and blue near the island, though conditions can change with the weather.

The snorkeling is not a long guided wildlife lesson. It is a chance to swim around the reef and look beneath the surface at your own pace. You should be comfortable in open water and able to manage your equipment. If you are not a confident swimmer, ask the crew for guidance before entering the water.

A recent booking specifically praised the snorkeling near the island. That fits the structure of the day: the reef stop gives you a clear change of pace after the fishing and before the beach meal.

After snorkeling, the dinghy carries you from the yacht to the island. Keep your towel and dry clothes protected, since you may still be wet from the water.

Two hours on the uninhabited island

The island stop lasts about two hours, which is long enough to make the meal feel unhurried. You can swim in the calm water, sit on the beach, visit the old renovated fort, or simply wait for lunch in the sun.

The fort adds a little more interest than a standard sand-and-sea stop. You are not only taken ashore to eat. You can walk around a restored old structure and get a sense of the island as a place with a past, even though the main attraction here remains the beach and water.

The island is uninhabited, so do not expect shops or a row of cafés. That is part of its appeal, but it also means you should bring anything you may need from the boat. The crew prepares the food while you enjoy the shore.

This is also the point where a hat and sunscreen matter most. Shade may be limited, and two hours outside can catch you off guard, especially after swimming.

The beach BBQ and what you eat

The crew prepares lunch on the island using freshly caught fish, rice, salad, and bread. Chicken or other meat is brought for people who do not want fish, provided you state your preference in advance.

The meal is the heart of the outing for some people. Eating fresh fish on a quiet beach is more memorable than eating the same meal back at a hotel buffet. A booking from January singled out the beach BBQ as a highlight, and the setting is easy to understand: the food arrives after the fishing, with the water and island around you.

Keep your expectations practical. This is a beach meal prepared during a boat excursion, not a restaurant lunch with a large menu. The value comes from the fresh catch, the setting, and the fact that lunch is built into the day.

Tell the operator about allergies and dietary restrictions before departure. Do not assume the crew can solve every food issue at the last minute. If you prefer meat, make that clear when the company sends its detailed confirmation.

The return cruise to Sal Rei

After about two hours on the island, you return to the yacht by dinghy and cruise back to Sal Rei. The return is a good time to finish a drink, dry off, and settle into the sun deck.

The boat returns to the harbor, where your transfer is waiting. You then ride back to your accommodation. The transport arrangement keeps the day simple, especially if you are staying outside Sal Rei.

The total duration is listed as 390 minutes, but exact timing can shift with sea conditions, the fishing stop, boarding, and the weather. This is an outdoor activity, and the operator may reschedule or cancel it if conditions are unsafe.

Is the $111 price good value?

At $111 per person, the price is reasonable if you want a full day rather than a short cruise. The fee covers the transfer from your accommodation, the yacht trip, fishing equipment, snorkeling gear, the island visit, the BBQ, and drinks on the boat throughout the day.

The value improves if you would otherwise pay separately for transport, lunch, drinks, and water activities. You also get more variety than on a basic sightseeing cruise. The fishing, snorkeling, fort visit, and beach meal each offer a different reason to leave the boat.

The price may feel high if you mainly want a quick swim or a quiet ride along the coast. It is also less appealing if you dislike fishing, snorkeling, or several hours on open water. In that case, you would be paying for parts of the day you do not plan to use.

The small-group setup can also matter. A booking from June described plenty of room on the boat and good toilet facilities. Those details make a long day more comfortable and help justify the price, especially compared with a crowded excursion where you spend much of the time waiting.

Seasickness, weather, and other practical concerns

Seasickness is the biggest concern. The activity information specifically warns that it may not suit people prone to motion sickness. If that is you, take your usual medication in advance. Medication is also available on the boat, but planning ahead is wiser.

Weather controls the schedule. The trip can be rescheduled or canceled in bad conditions. Bring a jacket even if the morning feels hot, and avoid packing anything valuable in an unprotected bag.

The activity is not presented as wheelchair accessible, and no accessibility details are provided. You should ask the operator before booking if you need help with the van, dinghy, yacht, beach, or island landing.

Communication deserves attention. Josie and her team received praise for clear organization and quick responses, but one booking reported an unpleasant guide interaction and felt the guide favored German-speaking customers. That is a serious concern, even though it appears to be an isolated account among otherwise positive comments. The tour is offered in English and German, so confirm your language needs when booking and raise any issue with the operator promptly.

Who will enjoy this boat day?

I would recommend it to couples, families, and small groups who want several Boa Vista activities in one outing. It is especially good for people who like the idea of catching food, swimming near a reef, and eating on a beach rather than spending the entire day at a resort.

It also suits mixed groups. The fishing is optional, drinks are included, and non-fish eaters can request meat. Someone who prefers relaxing can stay on the sundeck while others fish or snorkel.

I would be cautious if you are very sensitive to boat motion, dislike sun exposure, or want a tightly timed sightseeing tour. The charm comes from the open-air pace, and that pace is affected by the ocean.

Should you book the Boa Vista yacht trip?

Book it if you want a well-rounded day on the water with fishing, snorkeling, a fort, a beach BBQ, drinks, and transport included. The strongest reasons are the small island setting, the chance to eat fish connected to your own fishing stop, and the generous two-hour break on shore.

Skip it if seasickness is a major problem or if your ideal excursion is short and highly structured. For most people who are comfortable at sea, $111 buys a useful mix of activities and removes much of the planning work. Pack a jacket, protect your camera, state your food preference early, and wait at the correct pickup point.

FAQ

How long does the activity last?

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

Where does the boat trip begin?

The van takes you to the port of Sal Rei, where you board the motor yacht by dinghy.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Transfer from your accommodation to the port and back is included. The exact pickup point depends on your accommodation.

Is fishing required?

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

What food is served at the beach BBQ?

The BBQ includes freshly caught fish, rice, salad, and bread. Meat is available for people who do not want fish, if requested in advance.

Are drinks included?

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

What languages are offered?

The live guide service is available in English and German.

Can the trip be canceled because of weather?

Yes. The activity depends on weather conditions and may be rescheduled or canceled in bad weather.