The seven best islands to visit by boat in Rio de Janeiro are the Cagarras Islands, Paquetá, Itacuruçá, Jaguanum, Ilha Grande, Ilha do Aipim and Ilha dos Macacos. Ilha Grande leads in the combination of scenery and infrastructure; the Cagarras win in proximity to the city; Paquetá is the cheapest classic option. Private day rates run from R$ 1.400 to R$ 5.000 depending on region and boat size, updated in Sep 2025.
Table of Contents
- Ranking criteria
- Table of the 7 islands
- Island by island
- Where each boat leaves from
- Ideal season and rules
- FAQ
Ranking criteria
We ranked the state's islands by five criteria: nautical access (distance and boarding ease), water quality, arrival infrastructure (piers, kiosks, inns), scenery and vessel cost to get there. The value base considers a private speedboat with licensed skipper, ranges from Sep 2025. Protected-area islands were ranked by organized swimming and controlled experience, not unrestricted disembarkation.
Table of the 7 islands
| Island | Why go | Where it leaves from | Reference cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cagarras Islands | Protected nature 1h from Marina da Glória | Rio de Janeiro (Marina da Glória) | From R$ 4.000 |
| Paquetá | Historic center, car-free | Niterói / Rio (Charitas, Glória) | From R$ 1.400-2.500 |
| Itacuruçá | Mangaratiba's first accessible archipelago | Mangaratiba (Marina da Costa Verde) | From R$ 1.400-2.500 |
| Jaguanum | Clear water and simple inns | Mangaratiba (Marina da Costa Verde) | From R$ 1.400-2.500 |
| Ilha Grande | Lopes Mendes, Lagoa Azul, Saco do Céu | Angra dos Reis / Mangaratiba | R$ 1.400-5.000 |
| Ilha do Aipim | Short beaches and shallow swimming | Angra dos Reis (Marina Piratas) | R$ 1.400-2.500 |
| Ilha dos Macacos | Small-island scenery minutes from Angra | Angra dos Reis (downtown) | R$ 1.400-2.500 |
Island by island
Cagarras Islands
The Cagarras archipelago is the closest protected-nature destination to Rio: about 1 hour of navigation from Marina da Glória, with anchoring in front of the authorized beaches and controlled disembarkation since it's a natural monument. There's no kiosk, inn or shade — the experience is swimming, free snorkeling and wildlife watching, with zero infrastructure borrowed on board. The route closes in 4 to 5 hours in the R$ 2.300 to R$ 4.500 range of Rio speedboats; exclusive routes start from R$ 4.000. The ideal window is September to November, when the sea is flat enough for extended anchoring.
Paquetá
Paquetá is the Guanabara Bay classic: car-free, with a historic center, mansions, bike paths and well-structured arrival piers. The traditional access is the public ferry, but the private boat trip leaving from Charitas (Niterói) or Glória (Rio) delivers the exclusive format with a swimming stop on the way. The cost fits the region's smaller speedboats, from R$ 1.400 to R$ 2.500, and pleases families that want to disembark and explore by land after the sea.
Itacuruçá
First point of the Mangaratiba archipelago, Itacuruçá Island sits minutes from Marina da Costa Verde and is the opening stop of the routes that head down to Ilha Grande. Calm-water beaches, beach bars and a welcoming village compose the "island day" scenery without commitment. Groups with children find here the shallowest safe-swimming sea on the axis, and the value for a small speedboat runs between R$ 1.400 and R$ 2.500 per day. It's the best half-day option for those coming from Mangaratiba or from Rio by highway.
Jaguanum
Jaguanum is the clear-water island of the Mangaratiba group: fine-sand beaches, inns and traditional restaurants, with anchoring near the coast. The approach navigation is short and protected, and the main disembarkation happens at Centro beach, where local commerce serves the boats. It's a frequent choice for small groups on midweek dates, when the neighboring islands receive less traffic. Costs in the same regional range: R$ 1.400 to R$ 2.500 per small speedboat, with higher prices on high-season weekends.
Ilha Grande
The state's largest island and Rio's most complete nautical destination: Lagoa Azul, Saco do Céu, Lopes Mendes and Parnaioca navigable on 2 to 3-day routes from the Angra dos Reis marinas (Piratas, Verolme) or from Mangaratiba. Abraão's structure — inns, restaurants, pier — turns the island into an overnight base, and the full circumnavigation closes the advanced program. Small speedboats R$ 1.400-2.500, mid-size R$ 2.500-5.000 and overnights from R$ 4.500 per day. September to November is the ideal calm-sea window.
Ilha do Aipim
Ilha do Aipim, minutes from the Angra marinas, is the perfect mid-day stop: short beaches, shallow swimming and the mountain backdrop. The point works as a warm-up stop before bigger Ilha Grande routes, and is popular among compact groups that don't want to commit an entire day. The cost follows Angra's small speedboats (R$ 1.400-2.500), and the protected sea keeps the island navigable practically all year. Bring snacks: the on-land structure varies and isn't guaranteed outside summer.
Ilha dos Macacos
Small, charming and minutes from downtown Angra, Ilha dos Macacos delivers the private-island scenery on a short route: easy anchoring, calm water and a direct view of the bay. Near Marina Piratas, it works as a late-afternoon stop on routes that started at Aipim or Dentista. Values follow Angra's small speedboat range; weekdays guarantee more tranquility, since in summer the island has intense traffic.
Where each boat leaves from
The boarding choice defines the island: from Marina da Glória leave the routes to the Cagarras and Paquetá; from Marina da Costa Verde (Mangaratiba), Itacuruçá and Jaguanum; from the Piratas, Verolme marinas or downtown Angra, Ilha Grande, Aipim and Macacos. Combining islands from different regions requires splitting the trip into days, since navigating between Angra and the capital consumes hours. Licensed skipper is included; fuel must be confirmed at closing.
Ideal season and rules
September to November works for all the state's islands: calm sea in the urban areas and the Green Coast channels, with fewer vessels. December to February is high season, with full anchorages and top prices; New Year's Eve concentrates maximum demand in Rio and Angra, with bookings 2 to 3 months ahead. Fully protected islands, like the Cagarras, require respect for the authorized disembarkation areas and marked anchoring — there's no infrastructure, so the vessel must carry water, snacks and protection. A 50% deposit via Pix secures the date on holidays.
FAQ
Which island to visit by boat near Rio de Janeiro?
The Cagarras, about 1 hour from Marina da Glória, for protected nature, or Paquetá, leaving from Charitas/Glória, for history and on-land touring. Both fit in half a day and fit Rio's speedboat ranges, from R$ 2.300 to R$ 4.500.
What's the best season for the Rio islands?
September to November: flat sea, dry sky and fewer boats on all routes. In summer, high season with full anchorages; New Year's Eve is an absolute peak and bookings must guarantee 2 to 3 months of lead time.
How much does it cost to visit Ilha Grande by boat?
Small speedboats R$ 1.400-2.500 and mid-size R$ 2.500-5.000 per day, leaving from Angra dos Reis or Mangaratiba; routes with overnight from R$ 4.500 per day. Ranges from Sep 2025, with fuel depending on the operator.
Can I visit Itacuruçá and Jaguanum on the same day?
Yes: both sit minutes from Marina da Costa Verde, in Mangaratiba, and form the archipelago's standard route, with two to three swimming stops. The cost is one small speedboat, between R$ 1.400 and R$ 2.500 per day.
Is disembarkation free on all islands?
No. The Cagarras have controlled disembarkation since it's a natural monument; other islands in the region have private areas or local anchoring rules. Confirm the route and the authorized disembarkation beaches with the operator before closing.
Which island to choose with children?
Itacuruçá or Ilha do Aipim, for the shallow swimming and short navigation. The on-land structure varies outside summer, so bring snacks and water on board. For families that want to disembark and explore, Paquetá is the state's most structured option.
Do I need a license to take a speedboat to the islands?
Not in practice: rentals include a licensed skipper in the price, essential in the Guanabara Bay and Green Coast channels. Self-driving with an Amateur Skipper license is restricted to smaller vessels, upon operator confirmation.
What's the best port as a base for an island route?
Angra dos Reis concentrates the largest infrastructure (Marina Piratas, Verolme and downtown) with access to a single extensive archipelago; Mangaratiba shortens the arrival time to Ilha Grande, with a port at Marina da Costa Verde. Rio city serves the urban one-day routes well.
CTA
From the Cagarras to Ilha Grande, the state of Rio fits in a well-built route. The Voguer team builds the itinerary with the right boarding and closed prices — talk to us via WhatsApp at voguer.com.br.
- Hubs: Rio de Janeiro | Ilha Grande | Angra dos Reis | Mangaratiba | Niterói
- Related posts: Best speedboat beaches in Rio | How much does a boat cost in Rio | Ilha Grande: complete itinerary
