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

Good food tastes better beside the sea. This six-and-a-half-hour boat day combines bottom fishing and reef snorkeling with a beach BBQ on a small uninhabited island. I like the relaxed mix of activities, and I especially like that fishing is optional rather than forced. The main caution is the open-water ride, which may not suit anyone prone to seasickness.

I also like the small-group feel, with plenty of space on the motor yacht and good toilet facilities on board. The freshly caught fish, chicken option, rice, salad, bread, and drinks make the $111 price easier to justify. Still, the day depends on sea conditions, and the guide experience may not feel equally warm for everyone.

The schedule has a nice rhythm: collect you from your accommodation, take you to Sal Rei, fish for about an hour, cruise through the Bay of Chaves, snorkel near a reef, then spend roughly two hours on the island. A past German-speaking guest also reported two whale sightings, so keep your eyes on the water during the cruise, though wildlife is never guaranteed.

Key points to know before booking

• Fish for your own beach lunch: Bottom fishing lasts about one to one and a half hours, but you can sunbathe or read instead.
• Two hours on a small island: The island stop includes snorkeling, calm swimming water, a beach, and an old renovated fort.
• Boat drinks are included: Water, beer, white wine, red wine, Coca-Cola, Sprite Zero, and Fanta are available during the day.
• The price covers more than the boat: At $111, you also get accommodation transfers, equipment, lunch, drinks, and a bilingual guide.
• Expect an open-water day: Motion sickness can be an issue, so medication is worth considering before departure.
• Pickup instructions matter: Some hotels require you to wait at the entrance gate, while others use the area directly in front.

From your hotel to Sal Rei harbor

Your morning begins with pickup from your hotel or apartment. The van ride to the port takes about 20 minutes, though the exact pickup point depends on where you stay.

If you are at Riu Karamboa, Riu Palace, VOI Hotel, Royal Horizon, or Villas de Chaves, wait at the gate at the entrance to the hotel area, where security is located. At other accommodations, wait in front. The driver carries a name list, and the final confirmation sent after booking gives the most precise instructions.

This sounds minor, but it matters on a resort island. Hotel entrances can be spread out, and waiting at the wrong gate can create a needless morning scramble. I would keep your phone handy, check your confirmation carefully, and look in your spam folder if the message does not appear.

At Sal Rei harbor, you board the motor yacht by dinghy. That short transfer adds a little adventure, but it also means you should wear sensible clothing and keep loose items secure. A towel, camera, sunscreen, hat, and light jacket all belong in a small day bag rather than a large suitcase.

The first cruise and the fishing stop

Once the boat leaves Sal Rei, the first major activity is bottom fishing. You spend about 60 to 90 minutes trying to catch fish that can become part of the beach lunch.

This is a practical touch rather than a staged performance. Your catch is connected to the meal later, giving the morning a clear purpose. If you enjoy fishing, this is likely to be one of the most memorable parts of the trip. If you do not, the crew makes clear that it is optional.

That flexibility improves the day. You can sit on the sundeck, read, take photographs, watch the fishing, or simply enjoy the ocean views. I would not book this outing if you want nonstop action from start to finish. It has quiet stretches, and those pauses are part of the appeal.

Fishing also brings a little uncertainty. The amount and type of fish caught can vary, and the activity is not a guarantee of a particular meal. The kitchen also brings meat for people who prefer not to eat fish. You should provide dietary restrictions or allergies in advance, and the operator asks for your fish or meat preference in the confirmation process.

Cruising through the Bay of Chaves

After fishing, the yacht cruises around the Bay of Chaves. This is the part of the day when you can settle into the boat’s easy pace, cold drink in hand, and watch the shoreline from the water.

The Bay of Chaves gives you a different view of Boa Vista than a road excursion. Instead of moving from one inland stop to another, you get broad ocean views and time on the sun deck. A German-speaking guest also reported two whale sightings on the trip, which adds a useful reason to keep looking beyond the nearest shoreline. Treat that as a lucky possibility, not a promised feature.

Drinks are available throughout the day. The selection includes water, beer, white wine, red wine, Coca-Cola, Sprite Zero, and Fanta. That range is helpful because you can choose something simple after swimming or fishing, while wine and beer suit the slower cruise back.

The boat has toilet facilities, an important comfort on a day lasting 390 minutes. The exact yacht layout is not described in detail, so people who care strongly about seating, shade, or deck space may want to ask before booking. The available information does indicate that the group size leaves plenty of room on board.

Snorkeling near Sal Rei Islet

The next stop is off a small uninhabited island, identified in the schedule as Sal Rei Islet. You use snorkeling equipment supplied by the operator and spend about 45 minutes around the nearby reef.

This is one of the most praised parts of the day. The reef snorkeling received particularly strong approval, and it gives the outing a welcome change of pace after the fishing. You are not just looking at the island from the boat. You get time in the water before reaching the beach.

The snorkeling stop is also the point where sea conditions matter most. Clear water and calm conditions can make the reef the day’s highlight, while wind or waves can reduce comfort and visibility. The activity can be rescheduled or canceled if the weather is poor, so a flexible plan is wise.

Bring your own towel, swimsuit, sunscreen, and camera. A hat and jacket are useful before or after swimming, when the breeze can feel cooler on the boat. If you are prone to seasickness, take suitable medication in advance. Motion sickness medication is also available on the boat, but planning ahead is better than waiting until you feel ill.

The island, fort, and calm swimming water

After snorkeling, a dinghy takes you from the yacht to the island. The island is uninhabited, and you have about two hours to explore, swim, and relax while lunch is prepared.

The old renovated fort gives the stop a little history and a clear point of interest beyond the beach. The supplied details do not describe the fort’s age or story, so do not expect a long guided historical tour. Think of it as a compact place to visit during a free island break.

The calm blue water is suited to a quiet swim. You can also stay on the sand if you would rather not get back in the water. I like this part of the schedule because the two-hour pause is long enough to slow down. It does not feel like a rushed photo stop where you are herded back onto the boat after ten minutes.

The island is small and uninhabited, so facilities should not be assumed beyond what the tour provides. Wear comfortable clothing and carry only what you need. The crew prepares lunch while you enjoy the beach, and the dinghy transfer means you should expect a wet step between boat and shore.

A beach BBQ with fish or meat

The BBQ is the heart of the outing. The crew prepares freshly caught fish, along with rice, salad, and bread, while you are on the island. Meat is available for people who do not want fish, provided you give your preference in advance.

A meal cooked on the beach has more appeal than a standard buffet back at a resort. The setting does much of the work, but the menu is also sensible. Fish, chicken or other meat, rice, salad, and bread provide a filling lunch without pretending to be a formal restaurant meal.

The food earned strong praise for its location and quality. I would set your expectations at a tasty outdoor BBQ, not a refined dining experience. The catch depends partly on the fishing, and the exact meat selection is not specified. Anyone with allergies or dietary restrictions should contact the operator before the day.

Drinks are included with the BBQ as well as during the cruise. That makes the lunch feel like a complete part of the package rather than an extra charge waiting on the beach. Still, bringing a small personal snack could be sensible if you have a very specific diet, since the menu choices are limited to the items listed.

The ride back to Sal Rei

After about two hours on the island, you return to the yacht and cruise back to Sal Rei harbor. The final boat ride gives you another chance to sit on the sundeck and take in the coast.

This return leg can feel peaceful after swimming, fishing, and eating. It can also feel long if the sea is rough or you are tired. That is why I would rate seasickness risk as the tour’s main drawback, not a minor footnote.

At the harbor, your transfer is waiting to take you back to your hotel or apartment. The package is easier because you do not need to arrange a taxi to Sal Rei or solve your return transport at the end of the day.

Is $111 good value?

At $111 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend a day in Boa Vista. The value comes from how many separate costs are bundled together: hotel transfer both ways, yacht transport, fishing equipment, snorkeling gear, the island visit, the fort, BBQ lunch, drinks, and an English or German-speaking guide.

A cheaper boat trip might offer a cruise and swimming but leave lunch, equipment, or transportation outside the price. Here, the inclusion of drinks all day is especially useful. Resort areas can be expensive for casual purchases, and having water, soft drinks, beer, and wine already covered keeps the day simple.

The price makes the most sense if you plan to use the whole program. Someone who dislikes fishing, avoids swimming, and wants only a short boat ride may not get full value. Someone who wants an all-day outing with food, equipment, and transfers included has a stronger case.

The overall rating is 4.2 out of 5 from 15 ratings. That suggests a generally good experience with some room for inconsistency. One person described the organization and communication as excellent, while another objected to the guide’s attitude and felt the guide favored German-speaking people. I would book with realistic expectations: the setting and structure are strong, but your impression may depend on the guide working that day.

Who will enjoy this day most?

I would recommend this trip to you if you want several gentle activities in one outing. It suits couples, friends, and families with older children who can manage a boat transfer, snorkeling, and a fairly long day at sea.

It is also a good choice if you like having options. You can fish, snorkel, swim, visit the fort, relax on the sand, or sit on the sundeck. The program does not require every person to enjoy the same activity at the same time.

You should think twice if you are highly sensitive to motion, dislike open water, or need a tightly timed schedule. Weather can change the plan, and the boat day lasts 390 minutes. People looking for a serious fishing trip may also find the fishing portion too short, since it is one part of a wider excursion rather than the whole purpose.

The bilingual English and German guiding is useful, but you should confirm your preferred language when booking. The tour is designed for an international group, and the reported complaint about guide attitude is worth keeping in mind without letting one poor interaction define the whole experience.

What to bring and how to prepare

Pack light, but bring the right things:

• Swimsuit and towel
• Sunscreen and a hat
• Comfortable clothes
• A jacket for the boat
• Camera
• Motion sickness medication if needed

I would also wear footwear that is easy to manage during the dinghy transfer. The supplied information does not specify special water shoes, so do not assume they are provided.

Check the weather before you leave, but remember that the operator has the final say if conditions are unsafe. Bad weather can lead to a rescheduled or canceled trip. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later, which helps if your holiday plans are still moving around.

Should you book the Boa Vista yacht trip?

Book it if you want a full sea day with fishing, snorkeling, a small island, and a beach BBQ in one package. The strongest reasons are the calm island stop, the reef snorkeling, the included drinks, and the convenience of hotel transfers.

Skip it if you are prone to seasickness or want a focused activity rather than a mixed program. Before paying, confirm your pickup point, language preference, dietary needs, and fish or meat choice. If those details suit you, $111 is a fair price for a long, well-filled day that lets you see Boa Vista from the water and eat lunch beside it.

FAQ

How long does the Boa Vista yacht trip last?

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

What is included in the price?

The price includes accommodation transfers, the motor yacht trip, fishing equipment, snorkeling gear, a beach BBQ, drinks, the island and fort visit, and an English or German-speaking guide.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Transfer from your accommodation to Sal Rei port and back is included.

Where does the boat leave from?

The boat departs from the port of Sal Rei. You board the motor yacht by dinghy.

Is fishing required?

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

How long is the fishing stop?

The bottom fishing session lasts about one to one and a half hours.

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 you provide your preference in advance.

What drinks are included?

Water, beer, white wine, red wine, Coca-Cola, Sprite Zero, and Fanta are available during the day.

Can I snorkel during the trip?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, and the snorkeling stop lasts about 45 minutes near the reef by the small island.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The activity may be rescheduled or canceled because of weather conditions. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.