Guarujá is the closest island-and-beach boat destination to São Paulo city, about 90 minutes to two hours by road, which makes it Brazil's most convenient warm-water charter base for visitors already in the state's capital. In November 2025, a 4-hour speedboat runs from R$ 799 to R$ 1,200; a full-day charter costs R$ 2,500 to R$ 6,250, and larger flybridge yachts reach R$ 14,400 per boat, in Brazilian reais.
Table of Contents
- Where to board: marinas near São Paulo
- The classic run: Ilha de Santo Amaro and Ilha Porchat
- Extending to the Riviera de São Lourenço
- What it costs in November 2025
- Guarujá, Bertioga or Santos: choosing your departure point
- Best season to sail this coast
- What to bring and practical tips
- FAQ
Where to board: marinas near São Paulo
Marina Santana and Pier da Enseada are Guarujá's two main departure points, both a short drive from downtown and from Praia da Enseada, the town's main beachfront. The local yacht club also handles charter departures for private groups outside peak hours. Across the water in Bertioga, the Riviera de São Lourenço has its own yacht club, Iate Clube da Riviera, letting visitors staying inside that gated beach community board without first driving to Guarujá.
For an international visitor flying into Guarujá Airport (GRU) in São Paulo, the drive down to the coast takes roughly 90 minutes to two hours via the Anchieta or Imigrantes highways, with a ferry crossing available between Santos and Guarujá, or a direct route over the Ponte Pênsil bridge. Heading straight to the Riviera de São Lourenço instead means driving through Bertioga, with no ferry required. This proximity to Latin America's largest city is exactly what keeps this stretch of coast busy on weekends — it is São Paulo's equivalent of a short boat trip from a major capital, closer to town than Brazil's more internationally known coastal resorts.
The classic run: Ilha de Santo Amaro and Ilha Porchat
Guarujá itself sits on an island — Ilha de Santo Amaro — separated from the mainland by the Santos Channel, so leaving Marina Santana by boat already means circling a real island rather than just visiting one. The most popular route pairs Praia da Enseada, the city's longest and most developed beachfront, with Ilha Porchat, a rocky outcrop connected to the mainland by a bridge that doubles as a snorkeling spot and a natural lookout over the channel.
From Ilha Porchat, boats continue into small coves and rock formations nearby, with stops for swimming in flat water — the stretch between Guarujá and neighboring São Vicente is shielded from open-ocean swell, which keeps the sea calm most of the year. This shorter, up-to-4-hour format is the standard entry-level trip for visitors who want a quick taste of the water without committing a full day. Travelers comparing this coastline with São Paulo's north shore should also look at the boat itinerary in Ilhabela, where the beaches face more open water and crossings run longer.
Extending to the Riviera de São Lourenço
Groups that book the full day extend the route to the Riviera de São Lourenço, an upscale gated community in Bertioga about 40 minutes by boat from Guarujá along the coast. Praia de São Lourenço and Ilha da Moela — a small island known locally for snorkeling and fishing — anchor this longer leg, usually paired with a lunch stop on board or at a beach kiosk.
Ilha da Moela also appears on itineraries departing directly from Bertioga's own pier, so the same extended route can start from either side, depending on where the group is staying. One local naming quirk worth knowing before booking: the Praia da Enseada inside the Riviera de São Lourenço, in Bertioga, is a different beach from the Praia da Enseada in Guarujá — the name repeats along this stretch of the São Paulo coast, and the two beaches sit about 40 minutes apart by boat. Always confirm with the operator which one is on the agreed route.
What it costs in November 2025
The ranges below reflect the private per-vessel charter market across Guarujá, Santos and Bertioga, surveyed in Nov 2025:
| Trip type | Duration | Reference range (Nov 2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level speedboat | up to 4 hours | R$ 799 to R$ 1,200 |
| Speedboat — typical full day | full day (8h+) | R$ 2,500 to R$ 6,250 |
| Flybridge / larger speedboat | full day | R$ 6,000 to R$ 14,400 |
Prices are per vessel, not per person, and are paid in Brazilian reais (R$) on site — check current exchange rates when budgeting from abroad. An entry-level boat at R$ 1,200 split among 6 people works out to R$ 200 per head for the 4-hour trip; a R$ 3,000 full-day charter split among 12 falls to R$ 250 each, and the same boat with 15 aboard drops to R$ 200 per person. A licensed skipper, life jackets and mandatory vessel insurance (DPEM) are standard inclusions; fuel varies by operator and by how far the route runs toward the Riviera de São Lourenço.
Day of the week matters too: as elsewhere on Brazil's southeast coast, weekdays sit at the lower end of the range, while Friday through Sunday concentrate demand and push prices toward the top, especially on full-day routes to the Riviera.
Guarujá, Bertioga or Santos: choosing your departure point
All three towns share the same price bracket and the same fleet of boats, but the departure point changes the logistics of the day. Boarding in Guarujá shortens the run to Ilha Porchat and Praia da Enseada; leaving from Bertioga puts the group closer to the Riviera de São Lourenço and Ilha da Moela without crossing the Santos Channel; and departing from Santos, via Marina do Canal, suits visitors already staying on the Santos waterfront who want to fold a crossing to Guarujá into the same outing — a route covered in detail in the boat itinerary in Santos, Bertioga and São Sebastião.
For anyone weighing the decision purely on distance from São Paulo, Guarujá and the Riviera de São Lourenço sit at almost the same drive time, so the choice usually comes down to where the group books its hotel rather than travel time to the coast.
Best season to sail this coast
The Baixada Santista sails well from March through November, and November already marks the tail end of that calmer-sea window — the December-to-February high season, driven by the Brazilian summer and by New Year's Eve and Carnival, is only weeks away. Visitors booking in November still catch the price ranges above; from December onward, demand rises and it is worth reserving 2 to 3 weeks ahead to lock in a morning departure, when the sea tends to be calmest.
Brazil's July 9th state holiday also fills marinas across the Baixada Santista, though it has no bearing on a November booking. For New Year's Eve in this region, book at least a month ahead, since both Guarujá and the Riviera de São Lourenço draw heavy crowds from São Paulo during that stretch.
What to bring and practical tips
- Sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses — the sun on the Baixada Santista hits the deck directly even on partly cloudy days.
- Swimwear and a dry change of clothes, since swim stops are built into the route between Ilha Porchat and Ilha da Moela.
- A passport or photo ID for every adult passenger, requested by the operator at boarding.
- A booking deposit of 50%, paid via Pix (Brazil's instant bank-transfer system) or bank transfer, with the balance settled on the day of the trip — standard practice across Brazil's boat rental market.
- Written confirmation of what is included — fuel, fruit and onboard sound systems vary between operators in Guarujá and the Riviera de São Lourenço.
FAQ
How much does a boat trip in Guarujá cost in 2025? A 4-hour speedboat runs R$ 799 to R$ 1,200; a full-day charter costs R$ 2,500 to R$ 6,250, and larger flybridge boats reach R$ 14,400. Prices are per vessel and reflect the Nov 2025 reference range shared with nearby Santos and Bertioga.
Where do I board a boat to see Ilha Porchat? Marina Santana and Pier da Enseada, both in Guarujá, are the closest departure points to Ilha Porchat, just minutes away by water. The route passes Praia da Enseada before reaching the rocky outcrop, with stops for swimming in calm water along the way.
Can I combine Guarujá with the Riviera de São Lourenço in one trip? Yes, on full-day itineraries. The Riviera de São Lourenço, in Bertioga, sits about 40 minutes by boat from Guarujá, and the extended route typically includes Praia de São Lourenço and Ilha da Moela before returning to the starting marina. Confirm which Praia da Enseada the operator means, since the name repeats on both sides of this coast.
When is the best time to take a boat trip in Guarujá? March through November, when the sea is calmer and marinas are less busy. November is the last month of that window before the December-to-February high season, when prices rise and booking ahead becomes more important. Morning departures also tend to catch the calmest water at this time of year.
Do I need a boating license to rent a speedboat in Guarujá? No. Trips depart with a licensed skipper or captain, the standard format across the Baixada Santista. Self-driving would require a Brazilian Arrais Amador license and is rare in tourist rentals; foreign visitors charter normally by presenting a passport or photo ID.
How many people fit on a speedboat in Guarujá? Entry-level boats hold 6 to 8 people; typical full-day speedboats carry 10 to 15; and larger flybridge yachts accommodate bigger groups comfortably for a full day at sea. Share your group size when booking so the operator can confirm exact capacity.
Is fuel included in the price? It depends on the operator. Short routes within Guarujá's bay usually include fuel; extended runs to the Riviera de São Lourenço may charge it separately for the added distance. Confirm this line item in the written quote before booking, along with the skipper, life jackets and insurance that come standard.
How do I book a boat trip in Guarujá? Through Voguer's WhatsApp line, specifying the date, departure point (Guarujá, Santos or the Riviera de São Lourenço) and group size. The booking is confirmed with a 50% deposit via Pix or bank transfer, with the balance due on the day of the trip.
Book your Guarujá boat trip with Voguer
Message the Voguer team on WhatsApp and let them know whether you are boarding in Guarujá, Bertioga or the Riviera de São Lourenço, along with your date and group size. Within minutes you will receive speedboat options with price ranges, capacity and inclusions, with your date secured by a 50% deposit.
Keep exploring: Boat itinerary in Santos, Bertioga and São Sebastião · Boat itinerary in Ubatuba · Boat itinerary in Ilhabela · Boat itinerary in Búzios · Boat itinerary in Cabo Frio · Boat rental in Guarujá · Boat rental in Bertioga
