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

The best part of this Boa Vista trip is the simple island-day rhythm: catch fish at sea, snorkel by a small reef, then eat lunch on an uninhabited beach while the crew cooks. You get a proper ocean outing, not just a short boat ride.

I like the small-group feel and roomy boat, plus the fact that fishing is optional. I also like the practical all-in price: transfers, gear, lunch, soft drinks, beer, and wine are covered. The main caution is the sea. If you get seasick, this may be a rough six and a half hours, and guide manner can vary.

Key points at a glance

• Fish for 1 to 1.5 hours: Keep your line in the water or relax on the sundeck while others catch the lunch fish.
• Snorkel at Sal Rei Islet: You get about 45 minutes around the reef before heading ashore by dinghy.
• Eat beside the sea: The BBQ includes fresh fish, chicken, rice, salad, and bread, with meat available if requested ahead.
• Visit a renovated fort: The small island adds a bit of local character to what could otherwise be only a beach stop.
• Enjoy a full drinks package: Water, Coca-Cola, Sprite Zero, Fanta, beer, and red and white wine are available during the day.
• Allow 390 minutes: Hotel pickup, the boat ride, island time, and the return transfer make this a full-day plan.

A full ocean day from Sal Rei

This is a good choice if you want one outing to combine several Boa Vista staples. You get open water, fishing, snorkelling, a beach meal, and a short island visit in one package. The pace is active without forcing every activity on you.

The trip lasts 390 minutes, or about six and a half hours. That matters. You are not paying for a quick excursion that ends just as you get comfortable on the boat. You have time to fish, cruise, snorkel, eat, swim, and sit in the sun.

The price is $111 per person. For that amount, the package includes accommodation transfers, fishing equipment, snorkelling gear, the BBQ, and drinks on the boat and beach. I consider that a fair price if you plan to use several parts of the day. It is less appealing if you only want to sit on a boat or only care about snorkelling.

Morning pickup and boarding at Sal Rei

Pickup depends on your accommodation. At Riu Karamboa, Riu Palace, VOI Hotel, Royal Horizon, and Villas de Chaves, you should wait at the gate. At other accommodations, wait in front. The driver carries a name list, and the confirmation sent after booking gives the final pickup details.

Do not treat the pickup point as a small detail. Some hotels have large grounds and more than one entrance. Check your confirmation carefully, including the spam folder, and be ready at the stated meeting point.

The van ride to Sal Rei takes about 20 minutes. At the port, you board the motor yacht by dinghy. That transfer from shore to boat is worth noting if you have limited mobility, as the activity does not describe a step-free boarding arrangement.

Once aboard, you have access to the sundeck and drinks. Bring a jacket even if the morning feels warm. Wind on open water can make the return ride noticeably cooler.

Bottom fishing before lunch

The first stop is bottom fishing, lasting about one to one and a half hours. The crew provides the equipment, and the fish you catch can become part of the beach BBQ later.

This is a nice idea because it gives the meal a direct connection to the day. You are not simply served lunch at a resort buffet. You have the chance to help provide one part of it, then see it prepared on the island.

Fishing is not compulsory. If you would rather read, sunbathe, watch the sea, or follow the action from the deck, you can do that. This flexibility makes the trip more comfortable for couples or families with different interests.

Still, do not book this as a guaranteed catch. The supplied details promise the chance to catch fish, not a certain amount or species. The crew also brings meat for people who do not eat fish, but you need to give that preference, along with any dietary restrictions or allergies, in advance.

The boat carries cold drinks throughout the day, including water, Coca-Cola, Sprite Zero, Fanta, beer, and red and white wine. That is useful during the fishing stop, though you should still bring sunscreen and a hat because the sun exposure can be strong on the water.

Cruising through the Bay of Chaves

After fishing, the boat cruises around the Bay of Chaves. This is the slower part of the outing, and I think it helps break up the more active stops.

You can stretch out on the sun deck, enjoy a drink, read, or simply watch Boa Vista from offshore. The supplied schedule gives about 30 minutes for the cruise from Sal Rei, but the wider day includes time moving through the bay after fishing too.

Do not expect a sightseeing commentary-heavy cruise based on the information provided. The appeal is the sea view and the chance to relax between activities. If you want a tightly scripted tour packed with facts, this may feel quiet. If you like a bit of unplanned breathing room, it works well.

The boat has toilet facilities, an advantage on a long day offshore. That is a practical feature many people only appreciate once they are several miles from port.

Snorkelling by Sal Rei Islet

The next main stop is off the small uninhabited island known as Sal Rei Islet. You snorkel around the reef for about 45 minutes, with gear provided.

This is likely the most rewarding water activity on the schedule. One recent account singled out the snorkelling near the island as fabulous, and the reef setting gives you more to look at than an open-water swim. The clear blue water and calm conditions can make this a pleasant introduction to snorkelling for people who do not want a demanding session.

Conditions are never fully under your control. Visibility and comfort depend on weather and sea conditions, and the entire activity can be rescheduled or canceled in bad weather. If snorkelling is your main reason for booking, keep that limitation in mind.

You should bring your own towel, swimwear, sunscreen, and camera. A hat helps on deck, while comfortable clothes are useful during the van rides and the return boat journey.

A small island, a renovated fort, and calm water

After snorkelling, the dinghy takes you from the yacht to the island. You have around two hours there, which is enough time to explore at a relaxed pace rather than rush from one stop to the next.

The island has an old renovated fort, giving the beach visit a little more substance. You can walk over to see it, swim in the calm blue water, or settle on the beach while the crew prepares lunch.

The fort is not presented as a long guided historical tour. Think of it as a compact point of interest on a small island. The real value is the combination of scenery, swimming, and a place to wander before eating.

The dinghy transfer means you should be prepared to step between the boat and a smaller craft. The details do not promise a long sandy beach, shade, or changing rooms, so bring what you need for a basic beach stop. Keep your camera protected from spray during the transfer.

The beach BBQ with fresh fish or meat

While you enjoy the island, the crew prepares lunch. The meal includes freshly caught fish, chicken, rice, salad, and bread. Meat is available for people who do not want fish, provided you state your preference in advance.

The setting is a major part of the meal. You eat on a small uninhabited island rather than in a dining room, with the sea nearby and the boat anchored offshore. That makes this more memorable than the food alone would suggest.

The food is described as good rather than elaborate. Expect a straightforward BBQ meal, not a formal restaurant service or a large buffet. The appeal is freshness, location, and the ease of having lunch built into the excursion.

A January account specifically praised the beach BBQ, and another described lunch as good in a great setting. I would put the emphasis on the setting. If you want a culinary tour, choose something else. If you like grilled food after a swim, this fits the day nicely.

Tell the operator about allergies and dietary needs before departure. Do not wait until lunch, since the crew needs to plan the alternative food.

Group size, crew, and communication

The available information describes small groups and plenty of room on the boat. That can make a big difference on a day with fishing rods, snorkelling equipment, lunch supplies, and people moving between the yacht and dinghy.

Communication before the trip is handled by Josie and her team. One account praised the organization, quick responses, and clear handling of problems. That is useful when pickup arrangements involve several hotels and different meeting points.

The tour operates in English and German. Language support is a practical plus if you are more comfortable in either language.

I would keep expectations realistic about the guide personality. One booking account described a guide as arrogant and said the guide seemed to favor German visitors, while other feedback was strongly positive about the organization. That does not prove the same person will lead every departure, but it is a fair reason to pay attention to the language and guide arrangement when booking.

Returning to Sal Rei and your hotel

After about two hours on the island, you return to the yacht and cruise back to the port. The return transfer waits at the harbor and takes you back to your accommodation.

The hotel transfer is a real part of the value here. You do not need to arrange taxis to Sal Rei, find the port, or sort out a ride back after a day in the sun. It also makes the trip easier to fit into a resort stay, since the transport is built around the listed accommodation areas.

The day can still feel long if you are tired after swimming and fishing. That is not a flaw, but it is worth planning around. Avoid booking this immediately before an early flight or another demanding excursion.

Seasickness and what to pack

The sea is the main practical concern. The activity is not suitable for people prone to seasickness, and motion sickness medication is recommended in advance if you know you are sensitive. Medication is also available on the boat, but taking it only after symptoms start may be less helpful.

Pack:

• Swimwear and a towel
• A hat and high-factor sunscreen
• A jacket for the boat
• Comfortable clothing
• A camera
• Any required motion sickness medication

Use sunscreen more often than you think you need. The breeze can make the sun feel mild while you are still exposed for hours.

Weather controls the schedule. Bad conditions can lead to a cancellation or a new date, so keep some flexibility in your holiday plans.

Who should book this Boa Vista boat trip?

I would recommend it to you if you want a varied full-day outing rather than a single-purpose fishing or snorkelling trip. It suits couples, families, and friends who enjoy different activities because fishing is optional and there is plenty of time to sit on deck.

It is also a good match if you value convenience. Hotel pickup, equipment, lunch, and drinks are all included, so the $111 price covers most of the costs you would otherwise need to arrange separately.

I would be more cautious if you dislike boats, struggle with motion sickness, or want guaranteed marine-life sightings. The schedule is built around the sea, and conditions can change the experience. You should also choose another outing if your priority is a long, detailed fort tour or a serious food experience.

Should you book it?

Book this trip if you want one well-rounded day built around fishing, snorkelling, and a beach BBQ. The small island stop, calm swimming water, renovated fort, onboard drinks, and hotel transfer give the outing good practical value.

Skip it if you are uneasy on open water or want complete control over your time. For everyone else, the mix of optional fishing, reef snorkelling, and a cooked lunch on an uninhabited island makes this one of the more appealing ways to spend a day from Sal Rei. Check the pickup instructions, request meat or dietary alternatives ahead of time, and pack for wind as carefully as you pack for sun.

FAQ

How long does the Boa Vista motor yacht trip last?

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

What is included in the price?

The $111 price includes accommodation transfer to the port and back, fishing equipment, snorkelling gear, the beach BBQ, drinks, a small island visit, the renovated fort, and an English- or German-speaking guide.

Is fishing compulsory?

No. You can fish for about one to one and a half hours, or relax on the sundeck, read, sunbathe, enjoy the views, or watch others fish.

What food is served at the beach BBQ?

The BBQ includes freshly caught fish, chicken, rice, salad, and bread. Meat can be provided for people who do not want fish if you state your preference in advance.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Drinks available during the day include water, Coca-Cola, Sprite Zero, Fanta, beer, and white and red wine.

Where does snorkelling take place?

Snorkelling takes place around the reef off the small uninhabited island known as Sal Rei Islet. The planned snorkelling time is about 45 minutes.

What should I bring?

Bring a hat, swimwear, towel, camera, sunscreen, jacket, and comfortable clothes. Motion sickness medication is recommended if you are prone to seasickness.

Can the trip be canceled because of weather?

Yes. The activity depends on weather conditions and can be rescheduled or canceled if the weather is unsuitable.