Renting a boat in Ubatuba or Sao Sebastiao, on Brazil's Sao Paulo north coast, costs from R$ 1,400 a day for speedboats up to 26 feet, R$ 1,800 to R$ 3,000 for mid-size boats, and R$ 3,500 to R$ 7,000 for the largest ones. Short trips of up to 4 hours start at R$ 799. October 2025 rates, per vessel, applying the reference already used across this stretch of coast.
Table of Contents
- Why Ubatuba and Sao Sebastiao share one price guide
- Price ranges by boat type
- What changes the price
- The per-person math
- What is included in the rate
- Routes and departure points
- Best season and how to save
- FAQ
Why Ubatuba and Sao Sebastiao share one price guide
Ubatuba and Sao Sebastiao sit on the same stretch of Sao Paulo's north coast and share the same boat rental market. Sao Sebastiao is separated from Ilhabela by a narrow strait — the ferry crossing takes only minutes — and many of the operators serving the island also serve the mainland with the same fleet and the same price table. Ubatuba, a little farther north, holds the region's largest concentration of marinas at Saco da Ribeira and charges equivalent rates.
Because of this, the local market does not run a separate price table for each town: the ranges below reflect the size-based reference already established across the Sao Paulo north coast, with Ilhabela serving as the direct benchmark just across the channel. For the full beach-hopping route through the region, see our boat itinerary in Ilhabela, published this same week.
Price ranges by boat type
Reference ranges for the Sao Paulo north coast, per vessel, surveyed in October 2025:
| Type and duration | Reference range |
|---|---|
| Short trip (up to 4h) | R$ 799 to R$ 1,200 |
| Small speedboat (up to 26 feet), full day | from R$ 1,400 |
| Mid-size speedboat (27 to 36 feet), full day | R$ 1,800 to R$ 3,000 |
| Large speedboat or flybridge (37+ feet) | R$ 3,500 to R$ 7,000 |
These are per-vessel rates, not per person. Larger yachts with a full crew also operate in the region on request, with prices rising by size and number of days chartered — request a direct quote for that format. Our Ilhabela pricing guide covers the same table as applied to the neighboring island.
What changes the price
- Boat size: moving from a small speedboat to a mid-size one roughly doubles the daily rate; moving from mid-size to large or flybridge can double it again.
- Duration: short trips of up to 4 hours cost roughly a third to half of a full day on a small speedboat.
- Day of the week: weekdays sit at the low end of the range; Fridays, weekends and holidays push prices up, especially around Sao Paulo state holiday weekends such as July 9th.
- Route: routes that cross south to Ilhabela or run out to Saco do Mamangua, in Ubatuba, require more time on the water and may add fuel costs.
- Season: December through February brings the region's highest demand and prices; outside that window, negotiating room tends to be better.
The per-person math
The math that works for any group: divide the total boat rate by the number of passengers.
- A R$ 1,000 short trip for 8 people = R$ 125 per person.
- A R$ 1,400 small speedboat for 6 people = R$ 233 per person.
- A R$ 2,400 mid-size speedboat for 15 people = R$ 160 per person.
- A R$ 5,000 large speedboat for 20 people = R$ 250 per person.
As across the rest of the Brazilian coast, the boat's rate does not change with the number of passengers within its safe limit — the closer a group gets to that limit, the lower the per-person cost. Groups splitting a mid-size speedboat 15 ways pay less per head than a small family on an individual short trip.
What is included in the rate
A licensed skipper, life jackets for every passenger, and mandatory vessel insurance (DPEM) are included in the rate at nearly every operator in Ubatuba and Sao Sebastiao. Fuel is the item that varies most: some companies include it in the standard route price, others charge separately based on distance covered — confirm this in writing before booking.
Fruit, water and an onboard sound system may or may not be included, depending on the operator. Longer routes, such as the full crossing to southern Ilhabela or the run out to Saco do Mamangua, tend to add fuel costs even when the standard package already includes it on shorter trips.
Routes and departure points
In Ubatuba, Saco da Ribeira holds most of the marinas and operators, with the town center as an alternative departure point; the most popular routes head to Ilha Anchieta, Praia do Lazaro and Ilha das Couves. In Sao Sebastiao, Marina de Sao Sebastiao is the gateway for the crossing to Ilhabela, while departures from Sao Francisco or Pontal da Cruz better suit trips to Maresias, Juquehy or Barra do Sahy.
The departure point shapes what fits inside a half-day charter: leaving from Saco da Ribeira toward Ilha Anchieta leaves less time to reach Saco do Mamangua, on the border with Paraty, than departing farther north already would. Confirm the exact departure point with the operator when requesting a quote.
Best season and how to save
The Sao Paulo coast has stable weather from March through November, with the calmest seas between April and September — the best value window, with prices at the low end of the ranges and good boat availability. December through February is peak season, with New Year's Eve and Carnival as demand peaks; July also picks up because of school holidays.
Booking 2 to 4 weeks ahead secures more choice of time slot and vessel outside peak season; for December and January, that window stretches to 1 to 2 months. Choosing weekdays, morning departures and half-day routes instead of a full day are the most direct ways to cut the total cost without giving up the itinerary.
FAQ
How much does it cost to rent a boat in Ubatuba or Sao Sebastiao? Small speedboats up to 26 feet start at R$ 1,400 a day; mid-size boats, 27 to 36 feet, run R$ 1,800 to R$ 3,000; large or flybridge boats above 37 feet run R$ 3,500 to R$ 7,000. Short trips of up to 4 hours cost R$ 799 to R$ 1,200. October 2025 rates, per vessel.
Why do Ubatuba and Sao Sebastiao share the same price table? The two towns sit on the same stretch of the Sao Paulo north coast and are served by the same pool of operators, with Ilhabela as a direct benchmark just across the channel. There is no separate table for each municipality — the local market applies the same size-based range across the whole region.
What is the per-person cost on a speedboat trip? Divide the total rate by the number of passengers: a R$ 2,400 mid-size speedboat for 15 people works out to R$ 160 each; a small one at R$ 1,400 for 6 people, R$ 233 each. The closer a group gets to the boat's safe passenger limit, the lower the cost per person.
Is fuel included in the rental? It depends on the operator. Some companies in Ubatuba and Sao Sebastiao include fuel in the standard package; others charge separately based on route distance. A skipper, life jackets and insurance are almost always included. Confirm the fuel policy in writing before booking.
What is the price difference between a short trip and a full day? A short trip of up to 4 hours costs R$ 799 to R$ 1,200 — roughly a third to half the price of a small speedboat for a full day, which starts at R$ 1,400. The choice depends on the route: a short trip covers one or two stops, while a full day allows a run to farther-out points.
Do I need a boating license to rent in this region? Not on crewed trips, the standard format in Ubatuba and Sao Sebastiao: the skipper drives and decides on stops based on the day's sea conditions. Self-driving requires a Brazilian Arrais Amador license and is uncommon in local tourist rentals. Foreign visitors board with a passport or photo ID and are not asked for any nautical certification.
What is the best season to save on a boat rental? March through November, outside state holiday weekends, brings the best prices and calmer seas. December through February is peak season with the region's highest rates. Booking weekdays and half-day routes also lowers the total cost of the trip, and morning departures typically find calmer water than afternoon crossings.
How do I secure the booking? With a 50 percent deposit via Pix, Brazil's instant payment system and the standard practice in local boating; the balance is paid on the day of boarding. For December, January and long holiday weekends, book 1 to 2 months ahead, since boats in the region sell out quickly.
Request your Ubatuba or Sao Sebastiao quote
Contact the Voguer team on WhatsApp with your date, group size and preferred route, and receive speedboat options across the Sao Paulo north coast with current price ranges. Bookings are secured with a 50 percent deposit via Pix.
Keep exploring: Boat rental in Ubatuba · Boat rental in Sao Sebastiao · Boat itinerary in Ilhabela · How much to rent a boat in Ilhabela · How much to rent a boat in Guaruja · How much to rent a boat in Florianopolis · How much to rent a boat in Salvador
