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

The best part of this Boa Vista outing is the change of pace: you leave the hotel road behind, fish from a motor yacht, then eat lunch on a small uninhabited island. The beach BBQ is more than a meal stop. It gives the day a clear purpose and makes the boat trip feel like a proper island outing.

I like the choice built into the day. You can spend up to 90 minutes bottom fishing, or simply stretch out on the sundeck and enjoy the sea views. I also like the small-group feel, with good toilet facilities on board according to one recent booking. The main caution is the open water. If you are prone to seasickness, take the suggested medication before departure.

Key points to know

• Fishing becomes lunch: Your catch may join fresh fish on the BBQ, while chicken is available if you prefer meat.
• The island stop lasts about two hours: You have time for snorkeling, swimming, the old renovated fort, and a relaxed meal.
• Bay of Chaves is part of the cruise: The yacht offers a chance to sit back with a cold drink between active stops.
• Snorkeling is a strong point: The reef near the island provides the clearest underwater activity of the day.
• Josie and her team handle the day: English and German support is available, with pickup from many Boa Vista hotels.
• The price is all-inclusive in the useful ways: Transport, equipment, food, and drinks are covered for $111 per person.

Leaving Boa Vista by road and dinghy

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

At Riu Karamboa, Riu Palace, VOI Hotel, Royal Horizon, and Villas de Chaves, wait at the entrance gate where security is located. At other accommodations, wait in front of the property. The driver carries a name list, and the confirmation sent after booking contains the final pickup details, so check your spam folder if the message does not appear.

At the port, you board the motor yacht by dinghy. That small transfer is worth noting if you have limited mobility or dislike stepping between boats. The yacht then heads out from Sal Rei, with about 30 minutes of cruising before the first main activity.

This is not a quick harbor ride. The full outing lasts 390 minutes, or six and a half hours, so you need to be comfortable giving most of your day to the sea. That long format is useful here because the island stop, BBQ, fishing, and snorkeling would feel rushed in a shorter trip.

Bottom fishing with a choice to join in

The first active stop is bottom fishing, planned for about one to one and a half hours. Fishing equipment is supplied, and the idea is straightforward: catch fish that can help supply the beach BBQ.

You do not need fishing experience, and you are not required to take part. That matters because groups often include a mix of keen fishers and people who would rather read, sunbathe, or watch the action. If you want a quiet start, the sundeck gives you a place to enjoy the views with a drink.

The fishing stop also breaks up the boat time. Rather than sitting through a long cruise before reaching the island, you have something to do soon after leaving port. The drawback is that fishing depends on conditions and luck. You should treat catching your own lunch as part of the fun, not as a promise that you will land a large fish.

If you do not eat fish, tell the operator about your preference in advance. Meat is available, and the planned alternative is chicken. Dietary restrictions and allergies should also be shared before the outing.

Cruising through the Bay of Chaves

After fishing, the yacht cruises around the Bay of Chaves. This is the calm middle section of the day, a good time to dry off, settle into a seat, and watch Boa Vista from the water.

The yacht carries Coca Cola, Sprite Zero, Fanta, water, beer, and white and red wine. Drinks are available throughout the day, both on the boat and with the BBQ. That inclusion adds real value to the price, since a full day in the sun can make you go through more water than expected.

I would bring a light jacket even if the morning feels warm. The boat can feel breezier once it is moving, and a jacket is included on the suggested packing list for a reason. Comfortable clothes, a hat, sunscreen, a towel, and swimwear are the practical basics.

This part of the trip may appeal most to you if you like boat time for its own sake. If you want nonstop activity, it can feel like a pause. I see that as a fair trade, since the day already includes fishing, snorkeling, swimming, and a walk around the island.

Snorkeling beside the small island

The next stop is off the small uninhabited island, where you can snorkel around the reef. Snorkeling equipment is included, so you do not need to pack your own mask or fins.

The water near the island is described as calm and blue, and the snorkeling has been singled out as a particularly strong part of the outing. You should still expect natural conditions rather than an aquarium. Visibility, current, and marine life can change with weather and sea conditions.

After snorkeling from the yacht, a dinghy takes you ashore. This two-stage arrival is part of the character of the trip, but it also means you should follow the crew’s instructions and keep your belongings secure. A camera is worth bringing, though protect it from splashes during the transfer.

The reef stop suits confident swimmers who want a little time in the water without committing to a full-day watersports program. If you prefer to stay dry, you can remain on the boat and wait for the island visit.

Two hours on an uninhabited island

The island stop lasts about two hours. That is enough time to spread the day out instead of rushing from snorkeling to lunch.

You can visit the old renovated fort, swim in the calm water, or relax on the beach while the crew prepares lunch. The fort adds a small cultural element to what is mainly a sea-and-food excursion. It is not a long guided history visit, but it gives you something to see beyond sand and water.

The island is uninhabited, which means you should not expect shops, changing rooms, or a line of beach cafés. Bring what you need from the boat, including sunscreen, a hat, and a towel. The lack of development is part of the appeal, but it also makes good preparation important.

This is where the day feels least like a standard boat excursion. You are not simply stopping for a quick swim before returning to port. You have time to walk around, sit down, and let lunch become part of the experience.

A beach BBQ with fish, chicken, and drinks

While you enjoy the island, the crew prepares a BBQ. The meal includes freshly caught fish, chicken for those who prefer meat, rice, salad, and bread. Drinks are provided, including water, soft drinks, beer, and wine.

The fresh fish is the natural centerpiece, especially if you took part in the fishing stop. But the chicken option makes the meal more practical for a mixed group. You should notify the operator ahead of time about dietary restrictions or allergies, rather than waiting until lunch.

The setting is the real bonus. Eating on the beach of a small uninhabited island gives the meal a sense of place that a restaurant stop cannot match. At the same time, you should keep expectations sensible. This is a boat crew preparing a beach BBQ, not a formal restaurant with a large menu.

A recent booking described lunch as good and praised the location. Another highlighted the BBQ on the beach. Those comments fit the design of the day: the meal is simple, social, and tied to the fishing and island stop.

What the $111 price covers

At $111 per person, the price is reasonable if you plan to use most of what is included. You are paying for a 6.5-hour outing, hotel transfer, the yacht, fishing equipment, snorkeling gear, a BBQ, and drinks all day. The return transfer to your accommodation is also included.

The value is strongest for you if you would otherwise pay separately for a boat cruise, snorkeling, lunch, and transport. It is less compelling if you mainly want a short scenic cruise or do not enjoy being on open water for several hours.

The inclusion of drinks is worth counting. Water and soft drinks are useful in the heat, while beer and wine make the relaxed cruise and beach lunch feel more complete. You will not need to budget for a separate meal or regular onboard refreshments.

Pickup coverage is broad, including major properties such as Iberostar Club Boa Vista, Oásis White Hotel, Occidental Boa Vista Beach, Hotel Riu Karamboa, Hotel Riu Palace Boavista, and Hotel Riu Touareg. The full accommodation list is long, but you should confirm the exact pickup instructions after booking.

The crew, languages, and group feel

The activity is offered with English and German-speaking guidance. Josie and her team are associated with the operation, and a recent booking praised the communication, organization, and quick handling of problems. That is useful reassurance for a day involving several moving parts: hotel pickups, dinghy transfers, fishing gear, snorkeling, food, and the return trip.

The same booking described the boat as having small groups and plenty of room. Group size can affect this kind of outing a lot. More space makes the fishing easier, gives you a better choice of seating, and keeps the beach lunch from feeling crowded.

The feedback is not uniformly positive. One recent booking described the guide as unpleasant and felt that German-speaking customers received better treatment, even while praising the snorkeling. That is an important caution. The overall score is 4.2 from 15 ratings, which suggests a generally good experience with some unevenness in service.

I would not book this solely for the guide. Book it for the combination of sea time, reef snorkeling, island lunch, and included transport. Clear communication before departure is also important, so read the confirmation carefully and contact the operator with food needs or pickup questions.

Seasickness, weather, and what to pack

The operator specifically lists people prone to seasickness as unsuitable for the activity. That warning deserves attention. This is a long day on a motor yacht, not a sheltered lagoon ride.

If you know you get seasick, take motion sickness medication in advance. Medication is also available on the boat, but waiting until symptoms begin is usually less helpful than preparing before departure. A jacket can help with wind, while a hat and sunscreen protect you during the long hours outside.

Pack:

• Swimwear and a towel
• Sunscreen and a hat
• Comfortable clothing
• A light jacket
• A camera
• Any required motion sickness medication

The activity can be rescheduled or canceled because of bad weather. That is normal for an ocean trip and protects the safety of the group. Keep some flexibility in your Boa Vista plans if this is a priority booking.

Who will enjoy this Boa Vista day?

You are a good match for this trip if you enjoy several light activities in one outing. It works especially well for couples, families with older children, and mixed groups where some people want to fish while others prefer swimming or sunbathing.

The flexible fishing stop is helpful. Keen fishers get a proper session, while everyone else can relax without being pressured to participate. The island gives non-fishers another reason to book, since the fort, beach, and calm water are available even if the fishing does not interest you.

You may want to skip it if you dislike boat transfers, get seasick easily, or want a tightly scheduled cultural tour. The fort visit is fairly brief, and the main focus is the sea, food, and beach time.

For photographers, the day offers plenty of changing views, from Sal Rei and the Bay of Chaves to the reef and island. Bring your camera, but use care near the water and during the dinghy ride.

Should you book this motor yacht trip?

Book it if you want an easy all-in-one sea day with real variety. The best reasons are the beach BBQ setting, the option to catch fish for lunch, the reef snorkeling, and the fact that transport, equipment, food, and drinks are already covered.

Think twice if seasickness is a serious problem or if you expect polished service at every moment. The service feedback includes one clear complaint, and ocean conditions can change the plan.

For most people who enjoy being on the water, $111 is a fair price for six and a half hours of activity and downtime. I would confirm your food preference, check the pickup message, pack a jacket, and take seasickness medication before leaving. If those details suit you, this is a pleasant way to see a less developed side of Boa Vista without having to arrange each part yourself.

FAQ

How long does the Boa Vista motor yacht trip last?

The activity lasts 390 minutes, which is about six and a half hours. The schedule includes transfers, fishing, cruising, snorkeling, the island visit, BBQ lunch, and the return trip.

What is included in the $111 price?

The price includes transport from your accommodation to the port and back, fishing equipment, snorkeling gear, the beach BBQ, and drinks throughout the day. English and German-speaking guidance is also included.

Do I have to go fishing?

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 meal includes freshly caught fish, chicken, rice, salad, and bread. Tell the operator your preference, dietary restrictions, or allergies in advance.

Which drinks are available?

Drinks include Coca Cola, Sprite Zero, Fanta, water, beer, and white and red wine. They are available on the boat throughout the day and with the BBQ.

Where does hotel pickup take place?

At Riu Karamboa, Riu Palace, VOI Hotel, Royal Horizon, and Villas de Chaves, wait at the entrance gate where security is located. At other accommodations, wait in front. The driver carries a name list, and your booking confirmation provides the final instructions.