REVIEW · FISHING AND SNORKELING TRIPS

Fishing Snorkeling and Barbecue

4.5 · 31 reviews From $92 Operated by Boat trips & Fishing Boa Vista · Bookable on Viator
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The best part of this Boa Vista outing is simple: you catch fish from the boat, then eat it grilled on a beach near tiny Djeu. I like the private boat, which gives your family or group room to set the pace, and the chance to see the coast from the water with a captain who has lived on Boa Vista all his life.

The main caution is the sea. Rough water can make snorkeling unsafe or impossible, and the advertised €92.92 price does not include a €50 taxi fee from Hotel Riu Touareg. If you want calm water and guaranteed snorkeling, this may not be the right bet.

Key points to know before you book

  • Fresh fish becomes your barbecue lunch: You fish first, then the captain grills the catch on Djeu.
  • Your group gets the boat privately: Only your party takes part, which works well for families and friends.
  • The route begins in Sal Rei: Meet at the fisherman’s pier on Avenida dos Pescadores in Te Manché.
  • Djeu adds beach time: After fishing, you can go ashore, explore, snorkel near the reef, or simply relax.
  • Sea conditions shape the day: Rough water may cancel snorkeling, though the beach stop can still go ahead.
  • Pickup costs need checking: Pickup is offered, but a €50 taxi charge applies from Hotel Riu Touareg.

Fishing off Boa Vista before lunch

Fishing Snorkeling and Barbecue - Fishing off Boa Vista before lunch

This is not a sightseeing cruise with a fish story added on at the end. Fishing is the first major part of the day, and the lunch depends on what comes aboard.

You meet at the fisherman’s pier at Te Manché in Sal Rei, on Avenida dos Pescadores. From there, the boat follows the coast of Estoril and heads south. Once the captain reaches a suitable spot, rods are handed out and you start fishing.

Fishing rods are included, so you do not need to bring your own equipment. That makes this an easy first fishing trip, especially for a family or for anyone who has never tried sea fishing. You can focus on learning the basics instead of worrying about gear.

The experience has a pleasing local feel. The captain has lived on Boa Vista all his life, so the boat ride is not just a transfer between two swimming spots. You get someone familiar with the island’s coast and ocean conditions. On some departures, Tuck and his mate have handled the boat and hosted the day, while Yara has helped guests with messages and pickup updates.

The fishing itself is not a guaranteed catch. No ocean trip can promise that. Still, the fishing reports from this outing include days with constant action and several different kinds of fish. If you are new to fishing, that possibility adds real excitement. Your lunch may be the fish you helped bring aboard only a few hours earlier.

A private boat makes a difference

Fishing Snorkeling and Barbecue - A private boat makes a difference

The private format is one of the strongest reasons to choose this trip. Your group has the boat to itself, rather than sharing the outing with a large crowd. That matters when one person wants to fish, another wants to sit quietly, and children need a little flexibility.

You can enjoy family time without worrying about holding up strangers. A small group also makes the fishing feel more personal. You can ask questions, get help with the rods, and spend more time talking with the captain and crew.

There is also less pressure around the beach stop. If you want to explore Djeu, you can do that. If you prefer to sit on the sand while lunch cooks, that works too. The itinerary gives you several ways to use the same stop.

The private setup does not mean the sea will be smooth or the fish will bite. It simply gives you more control over how you spend the five-hour outing. That is a useful distinction when you are comparing this with a cheaper shared boat excursion.

Reaching Djeu by boat

Fishing Snorkeling and Barbecue - Reaching Djeu by boat

After fishing, the boat turns toward Djeu, a small island close to Boa Vista. The captain anchors, and you go ashore for the second part of the trip.

Djeu is appealing because the stop combines three simple pleasures in one place: a beach, a nearby reef, and lunch cooked outdoors. You can explore the island, swim or snorkel near the reef if conditions allow, then settle down for the barbecue.

The beach has also been described as deserted, which gives this part of the trip a quiet, away-from-the-resort feel. Do not expect a developed beach facility or a long list of services. The attraction is the open setting and the chance to pause after time on the water.

The island stop also gives non-fishers something to enjoy. If you are traveling with someone who does not care much about rods and bait, they can spend the fishing portion looking out to sea and then enjoy the beach, swimming, or lunch. That makes this a better group choice than a fishing-only charter.

Snorkeling depends on the water

Fishing Snorkeling and Barbecue - Snorkeling depends on the water

Snorkeling is included in the plan, but it is not guaranteed on every departure. Several outings have encountered rough seas, and the sensible choice in those conditions is to skip the water.

That is worth taking seriously. A private tour should not mean pressing ahead with snorkeling when the conditions are poor. If the captain advises against it, you can still use the beach and enjoy the meal. A rough sea may change the plan, but it does not automatically ruin the day.

In calm conditions, you can snorkel near the reef by Djeu. The exact underwater visibility and marine life are not specified, so you should treat snorkeling as a weather-dependent bonus rather than the sole reason to book.

Bring a willingness to adjust. If your priority is snorkeling above everything else, check the conditions before you go and understand that the operator may offer a different date if bad weather prevents the activity. The tour requires good weather overall, and poor conditions can lead to a rescheduled trip or full refund.

The barbecue is the payoff

Fishing Snorkeling and Barbecue - The barbecue is the payoff

The lunch is prepared while you explore Djeu or spend time in the water. The captain grills the fish caught during the outing, giving the meal a direct connection to the morning’s fishing.

That is the detail that makes this experience more memorable than a standard boat ride with a packed lunch. You are not simply handed food at a fixed stop. The meal follows the day’s catch, so it feels tied to the place and the activity.

The cooking is also practical. You fish, go ashore, and have time to enjoy the island while the captain works at the barbecue. By the time you finish exploring or swimming, lunch is ready.

You should keep your expectations sensible. The exact quantity and type of fish will depend on the catch. Some days may bring several fish and a lively meal, while other days may be less productive. The value is in the full sequence: fishing, beach, cooking, and eating together.

For families, this can turn lunch into part of the entertainment. Children can see the fish move from the sea to the grill, rather than treating the meal as a separate stop. For couples, it creates a relaxed middle section after the fishing.

What the five-hour schedule feels like

Fishing Snorkeling and Barbecue - What the five-hour schedule feels like

The advertised duration is about five hours. That is long enough for fishing, the crossing to Djeu, time ashore, snorkeling if possible, lunch, and the return to Sal Rei.

The schedule is active at the beginning and slower later. Fishing asks you to pay attention and participate. The island stop gives you space to rest. You are not packed into a string of short stops, which is one reason the private format works well.

The boat leaves from Sal Rei and ends back at the same meeting point. Pickup is offered, but do not assume every hotel transfer is included in the displayed price. From Hotel Riu Touareg, the taxi costs €50 and is paid at the pier. Confirm the pickup arrangement before the day of the tour so there are no surprises.

Some departures have included hotel collection and return, with advance messages about when the taxi arrived. That kind of communication is useful on an island where a clear meeting plan matters. Still, the stated extra charge from Riu Touareg should be part of your budget.

Is €92.92 good value?

Fishing Snorkeling and Barbecue - Is €92.92 good value?

At €92.92 per person, this is not the cheapest way to get onto the water in Boa Vista. It can be good value if you use the private boat well.

The price includes a five-hour private outing, fishing rods, the fishing session, the trip to Djeu, beach time, the barbecue fish lunch, and snorkeling when sea conditions permit. You are also paying for a smaller, more personal day rather than a large shared boat.

For a family or group, the private format may compare favorably with buying several separate activities. You get fishing and a beach visit in one half-day, and the food is part of the experience. The value is weaker if you mainly want a short swim or a guaranteed snorkeling session.

Add the transfer cost if you are staying at Hotel Riu Touareg. The €50 taxi fee is specifically noted for that hotel and is not included in the tour price. Other pickup arrangements should be confirmed when booking.

I would also compare the price against your group size. A couple may find the cost higher per person than a shared excursion, but gain privacy and flexibility. A family or group of friends may feel the private boat earns its keep, particularly if everyone wants different amounts of fishing, swimming, and beach time.

Safety, comfort, and practical details

Fishing Snorkeling and Barbecue - Safety, comfort, and practical details

The boat carries relevant safety equipment, and the crew makes the call on whether conditions are suitable for snorkeling. That is important because the Atlantic around Boa Vista can be rough, and the water may not match the calm appearance of a sheltered beach.

Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The activity is private, so only your own group takes part. Specific details about boat access, toilets, shade, and food requirements are not provided, so ask the operator directly if any of those points matter to you.

You receive confirmation when you book, and the experience is available with a mobile ticket. The meeting point is at Avenida dos Pescadores in Sal Rei, with the activity ending back there.

The cancellation terms are straightforward. Cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside 24 hours are not accepted or refunded. If poor weather cancels the tour, you are offered another date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of participants is not met.

Who will enjoy this Boa Vista boat trip?

I would recommend it most strongly to families, couples, and small groups who want a private day with several activities in one outing. It suits you if the idea of catching lunch sounds more appealing than ordering it at a restaurant.

It is also a good first fishing trip. Rods are provided, the captain can guide you, and you do not need to arrive with specialist knowledge. The day is active without being an all-day expedition.

You should think twice if you need guaranteed snorkeling, dislike rough water, or want a tightly controlled schedule. The sea sets some of the terms. Fishing success can vary, and snorkeling may be dropped for safety.

It is less suited to someone who wants only a relaxed cruise. You will spend part of the morning fishing, and that requires some participation. For everyone else, the balance of fishing, a small island, a fresh barbecue, and free beach time is appealing.

Should you book Fishing Snorkeling and Barbecue?

Book this tour if you value a private boat, want to try sea fishing, and like the idea of eating fish caught during your own outing. The combination of Djeu, beach time, and a freshly grilled lunch gives the five-hour trip a clear purpose.

Before paying, confirm your hotel pickup and any extra taxi charge, especially if you are staying at Hotel Riu Touareg. Also accept that snorkeling depends on the sea. If you can handle that uncertainty, this is a well-rounded Boa Vista experience with a local captain, practical family appeal, and a meal that feels connected to the place.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and finish?

The tour starts at the fisherman’s pier on Avenida dos Pescadores in Sal Rei, Boa Vista. It ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the experience last?

The experience lasts approximately five hours.

Is the boat private?

Yes. This is a private activity, and only your group participates.

Are fishing rods provided?

Yes. Fishing rods are included in the tour.

Is snorkeling always possible?

No. Snorkeling depends on sea conditions. Rough water may make it unsafe or impossible, while you can still enjoy the beach and barbecue.

Is hotel pickup included in the price?

Pickup is offered, but the €50 taxi fee from Hotel Riu Touareg is not included. It can be paid upon arrival at the pier.

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Where to fish next

Pick a coast, a lake, or a hole in the ice.