Boat rental in Ilha Grande starts from R$1,300 per charter for a private trip to the lagoons, coves and beaches of the largest island in Rio de Janeiro state. All prices on this page are in Brazilian reais (BRL).
Choose from sailboats, motorboats, catamarans, trawlers, schooners and yachts, each chartered privately for your group only. Most boats include a captain in the price, so you can relax while the captain handles the route.
Quick summary
A private boat tour in Ilha Grande is the most practical way to explore an island with no cars, no bridge to the mainland and 106 beaches spread over 193 square kilometers. More than 60% of the island is protected as Ilha Grande State Park, created in 1971, and in 2019 UNESCO listed it together with nearby Paraty as Brazil’s first mixed cultural and natural World Heritage Site.
Two coastlines shape every itinerary. The bay side faces the mainland, with calm water, lagoons and sheltered coves, while the ocean side, known locally as Mar de Fora, faces the open Atlantic and its surf beaches.
On land, crossing between beaches means long rainforest trails or shared boats on fixed schedules. With a boat of your own, your group sets the pace: more time snorkeling, lunch in a quiet cove and a view of Pico do Papagaio, the parrot-beak summit of about 980 meters that rises above the island as you approach Vila do Abraão.
Administratively, Ilha Grande belongs to Angra dos Reis, about 150 km from the city of Rio de Janeiro. To explore the mainland islands and the wider bay instead, see our options for boat rental in Angra dos Reis.
Boat rental in Ilha Grande costs from R$1,300 per charter, the starting price of the most affordable sailboat on this page, and rises with the size of the boat. Five factors shape the final price:
Because you pay for the whole boat rather than per person, the cost per guest drops as the group grows.
Inclusions such as fuel, drinks, food or extras vary by boat and must be confirmed with our team for each quote. Compare starting prices by boat type in the table below, or see how other destinations compare on our page about boat rental in Brazil.
Each type suits a different kind of day on the water. Prices below are the lowest starting price for each type on this page.
| Type | Capacity | Ideal for | From |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sailboat | 6–10 guests | Couples and small groups who want a quiet day under sail | R$1,300 per charter |
| Motorboat | 8–17 guests | Reaching more lagoons and beaches in one day | R$1,400 per charter |
| Catamaran | 8–12 guests | Families who want a stable deck and space | R$3,900 per charter |
| Trawler | Up to 25 guests | Larger groups at a relaxed pace | R$6,250 per charter |
| Yacht | 18–100 guests | Celebrations and groups who want comfort | R$7,500 per charter |
| Schooner | Up to 26 guests | Big groups on a classic wooden boat | R$7,500 per charter |
With the engine off for part of the crossing when the wind allows, a sailboat is the quietest way to reach the island’s coves. Sailboat rental in Ilha Grande also carries the lowest starting price on this page, a good match for couples and small groups.
Speed is the main advantage: a motorboat can link Lagoa Azul, Lagoa Verde and beaches farther along the bay side in a single day. Models range from compact 24-footers to flybridge boats over 50 feet, so motorboat rental in Ilha Grande works for couples and larger groups of friends alike.
Two hulls keep a catamaran steady at anchor, which helps anyone prone to seasickness and families with young children. Wide decks leave room to spread out between swims, and catamaran rental in Ilha Grande suits groups who value space over speed.
Built for steady, economical cruising rather than speed, trawlers offer covered decks and room for bigger groups. Trawler rental in Ilha Grande fits a relaxed day with long stops instead of a packed itinerary.
More interior space, shade and onboard comfort set yachts apart, and the largest can host sizable celebrations. Yacht rental in Ilha Grande is the choice for groups who want the day to feel like a private retreat.
Schooners are the traditional boats of the Costa Verde, and around Ilha Grande they are best known for shared tours from the piers. A private schooner rental in Ilha Grande keeps the whole deck for your group.
Captains plan the route on the day, based on wind and sea conditions. These are places many charters include.
Facing the open Atlantic, this coast depends on swell and wind, and many boats cannot anchor off its beaches on rougher days.
A day charter is a private trip of a few hours that returns the same day, usually between 3 and 8 hours depending on the boat. It is the most common way to rent a boat in Ilha Grande.
Overnight charters mean sleeping on board, anchored in a sheltered cove, and some boats extend them into multi-day trips, with prices on request. Depending on the boat, longer itineraries can continue along the Costa Verde toward Paraty, where you can also arrange boat rental in Paraty.
Many private charters for Ilha Grande leave from marinas on the Angra dos Reis mainland rather than from the island itself. Possible boarding points include Marina Verolme, Bracuhy, Angra dos Reis Marina Clube and central Angra dos Reis, depending on the boat.
Staying in Vila do Abraão? It is the island’s main village and the arrival point for ferries and fast boats from Angra dos Reis, Conceição de Jacareí and Mangaratiba. Whether a charter can pick you up at the Abraão pier depends on the boat, so mention it when you request a quote.
The exact boarding point, time and any marina fees are confirmed with each quote.
Boats go out year-round, but each season changes the experience on the water.
Wind and sea can change quickly in the bay, so captains usually adjust the route as needed, and the ocean side is the first to become inaccessible on rough days.
Navegue Temporada, a Brazilian boat rental platform, connects travelers with private boats along the country’s coast. To plan your boat rental in Ilha Grande, send us your date and group size, or browse all our boats for rent in Brazil.
Boat rental in Ilha Grande starts from R$1,300 per charter for a sailboat, and motorboats start from R$1,400 per charter. The price covers the whole boat and varies with size, duration, season and route.
Yes, most boats include a captain in the price, who handles navigation, anchoring and route choices. That means you don’t need a boating license for a skippered charter.
Self-drive charters are rare: a few sailboats on our platform may offer bareboat rental, and only to sailors with a valid nautical license. The Brazilian Navy accepts licenses issued by a foreign maritime authority, and the owner confirms whether your experience fits the boat and route.
It depends on the boat and the route. Some prices include fuel for a standard itinerary, while longer routes may cost extra, so our team confirms it with each quote.
You can usually bring snacks and drinks in a cooler, following each boat’s rules. Some boats can arrange catering or a barbecue, subject to fees, which our team confirms in advance.
Yes, especially on the bay side, where Lagoa Azul and Lagoa Verde have calm, shallow water. Boats carry life jackets, and if you share the children’s ages, we can confirm child sizes with the owner.
The captain may change the route, shorten the trip or suggest a new date if wind or rain make sailing unsafe. Rescheduling and cancellation terms vary by boat and are confirmed with each quote.
Smaller sailboats and motorboats usually take around 6 to 8 guests, while the largest yachts on this page carry up to 100. Each boat card shows its maximum capacity.
For summer weekends, New Year’s Eve and Carnival, book several weeks ahead, because popular boats are often reserved early. Outside high season, a few days’ notice is often enough, depending on availability.
On foot or by boat, since private cars are not allowed and no road connects the island to the mainland. Numbered trails from T1 to T16 link beaches and villages, while water taxis and private boats are the faster way to reach the far side.
Ilha Grande lies about 150 km from the city of Rio, so most visitors travel by road to Angra dos Reis or Conceição de Jacareí and board there. Some boats based in Rio also list Ilha Grande among their routes on request; see the options for boat rental in Rio de Janeiro.
The Costa Verde and the rest of Brazil’s coast offer more places to charter a private boat.