Renting a boat in Ilhabela in August 2025 starts at R$ 1,400 a day for small speedboats up to 26 feet; mid-size boats, 27 to 36 feet, run R$ 1,800 to R$ 3,000; and larger vessels above 37 feet run R$ 3,500 to R$ 7,000. Sao Sebastiao and Ubatuba, on the same stretch of Sao Paulo's north coast, follow equivalent bands by boat size.
Table of Contents
- Ilhabela prices by boat size
- Sao Sebastiao and Ubatuba: same corridor, same logic
- What changes the price on the north coast
- Price per person: the math that matters
- What's included in the price
- Best season and how to save
- FAQ
Ilhabela is an island roughly 200 kilometers, or about four hours by car and a short ferry crossing, from Sao Paulo city — a domestic weekend escape for Brazilians and an easy add-on for international visitors already in Sao Paulo. Prices below are quoted in Brazilian reais (R$) per vessel, not per person, and reflect the reference month of August 2025.
Ilhabela prices by boat size
Market references surveyed in August 2025, per vessel (total trip price, not per person):
| Boat size | Reference range (per day) | Typical beaches and routes |
|---|---|---|
| Small (up to 26 feet) | from R$ 1,400 | Praia do Curral, Praia do Juliao, short routes |
| Mid-size (27 to 36 feet) | R$ 1,800 to R$ 3,000 | Bonete Beach, Castelhanos Bay |
| Large (37 feet or more) | R$ 3,500 to R$ 7,000 | Full-day or overnight circuits |
Ilhabela's harbor is the island's main departure point, with quick access to Bonete Beach and Castelhanos Bay — beaches reachable only by boat or a long hiking trail, which keeps demand for boats steady even outside peak season. Praia do Juliao and Curral, closer to the town center, fit the half-day routes typical of smaller speedboats. For comparison with other stops on Brazil's southeast coast, see how much it costs to rent a boat in Angra dos Reis.
Sao Sebastiao and Ubatuba: same corridor, same logic
On the mainland side, the Sao Sebastiao marina handles both the quick ferry-style crossing to Ilhabela and its own routes to Maresias, Barra do Sahy and Juquehy, with boats priced on the same size-based logic described above: small vessels at the floor of the range, mid-size and large boats climbing with size and inclusions. In Ubatuba, Saco da Ribeira is the departure point for Anchieta Island and Ilha das Couves, following the same pricing pattern, since operators along this stretch share suppliers and a similar fleet.
There isn't yet a widely published price table specific to Sao Sebastiao or Ubatuba separate from Ilhabela's. The practical approach is to use the table above as a reference and confirm the exact price with the operator at the time of quoting, since longer routes, such as the full crossing to Anchieta Island, tend to land at the top of their size band.
What changes the price on the north coast
- Route distance: trips to Bonete or Castelhanos, farther from Ilhabela's harbor, burn more fuel and navigation time than short loops around Curral.
- Day of the week: as across the Sao Paulo coast, weekdays sit at the bottom of the range and weekends push toward the top, especially in summer.
- Duration: a half-day costs proportionally less than a full day; large overnight-capable boats sit at the top of the R$ 3,500 to R$ 7,000 band.
- Season: December to February brings the highest demand across the region; March to November, outside holidays, has calmer seas and better availability.
- Inclusions: fuel, crew and insurance vary by operator — confirming them in writing avoids a surprise on the final bill.
Price per person: the math that matters
Dividing the total price by the number of passengers shows the real per-person cost for each boat size:
- Small boat at R$ 1,400 for 8 people = R$ 175 per person.
- Mid-size boat at R$ 2,400 (mid-range) for 10 people = R$ 240 per person.
- Large boat at R$ 5,000 (mid-range) for 15 people = R$ 333 per person.
- Large boat at R$ 7,000 (top of range) for 20 people = R$ 350 per person.
Since the price is per vessel, not per passenger, filling the group as close as possible to the boat's maximum capacity is what most reduces the individual cost — the same logic applies anywhere on the Brazilian coast, from Rio de Janeiro to the Northeast.
What's included in the price
Standard practice on Sao Paulo's north coast includes, in the rental price:
- A licensed skipper or captain to operate the boat;
- Life jackets for every passenger, including children's sizes;
- Mandatory vessel insurance (DPEM);
- Basic safety equipment, such as a fire extinguisher and signaling gear.
Fuel is the item that varies most between operators in this region: some packages already include the trip out to Bonete or Castelhanos, others charge separately based on distance covered. Asking about this before booking, along with confirming the exact boat size, prevents a mismatch between the quote and the final charge.
Best season and how to save
Sao Paulo's north coast sails well from March through November, outside long holiday weekends, with calmer seas than peak summer. December through February brings the highest demand, prices toward the top of each range, and a need to book further ahead, especially for large boats on overnight routes. Booking on a weekday, choosing a half-day when the itinerary allows, and filling the group close to the boat's capacity are the three most direct levers for lowering the per-person cost. Bookings are secured with a 50% deposit via Pix, the standard practice across the region.
FAQ
How much does a small speedboat cost in Ilhabela? From R$ 1,400 a day for boats up to 26 feet, a reference price for August 2025. This size suits half-day trips to beaches closer to Ilhabela's harbor, such as Curral and Praia do Juliao, and works well for smaller groups who don't need a full day on the water.
How much does a large boat cost in Ilhabela? Boats above 37 feet run R$ 3,500 to R$ 7,000 a day, depending on route, duration and inclusions. This size best suits large groups or overnight trips, reaching farther beaches such as Bonete and Castelhanos Bay in comfort, often with a cabin and onboard bathroom.
Are prices in Sao Sebastiao and Ubatuba the same as Ilhabela's? They follow the same size-based pricing logic, since the region shares fleet and operators. There isn't a widely published separate price table for these two towns; confirm the exact price directly with the local operator at the time of the quote.
What's the per-person cost on an Ilhabela boat? Divide the total price by the group size: a small boat at R$ 1,400 for 8 people costs R$ 175 per person; a large one at R$ 5,000 for 15 people works out to R$ 333 per person. The closer the group is to the boat's maximum capacity, the lower the individual cost.
Is fuel included in the rental price in Ilhabela? It depends on the operator. Some packages include the trip to farther beaches like Bonete and Castelhanos; others charge separately based on distance. Confirming this in writing on the quote avoids a mismatch between the agreed price and the final charge on the day.
Do I need a boating license to rent a boat in Ilhabela? No, standard private charters already come with a licensed skipper or captain, the default format on Sao Paulo's north coast. Self-driving, which would require a local Arrais Amador license, is rare in tourist rentals here and should be confirmed individually with the operator.
What's the best season to rent a boat in Ilhabela for a good price? March through November, outside long holiday weekends, brings calmer seas and less competition for boats, making it easier to negotiate toward the bottom of the price range. December through February is peak season, with prices at the top and a need to book further in advance.
How do I book a boat in Ilhabela or the north coast? Through Voguer's WhatsApp: share the date, the boat size you want, and the route — Bonete, Castelhanos, or the mainland crossing to Sao Sebastiao. You'll receive options with price ranges and capacity. Bookings are confirmed with a 50% deposit via Pix, with the balance paid on the day of boarding.
Book your boat in Ilhabela through Voguer
Message the Voguer team on WhatsApp with your date and route of choice — Bonete, Castelhanos, Maresias or Ilha das Couves — and get boat options with price ranges and sizes matched to your group. Bookings are secured with a 50% deposit via Pix.
Read also: How much to rent a boat in Arraial do Cabo · How much to rent a boat in Buzios · How much to rent a boat in Angra dos Reis · How much to rent a catamaran · The best marinas in Brazil · Boat rental in Ilhabela · Boat rental in Ubatuba
