The classic Buzios boat itinerary covers 12 beaches around the peninsula, from Manguinhos to Geriba, plus three open-water islands — Caboclo, Branca and Feia — on a 3-to-5-hour trip departing from the Orla Bardot pier or Porto da Barra. As of September 2025, smaller vessels start at R$ 1,300–1,800 and premium catamarans from R$ 4,900.
Table of Contents
- The classic route and where it starts
- Azeda, Azedinha and Joao Fernandes: the sheltered cove
- Ferradura, Ferradurinha and Geriba
- Tartaruga and Praia da Virgem: the beaches only a boat reaches
- The three islands: Caboclo, Branca and Feia
- How much it costs and how long it takes
- Best season for the itinerary
- FAQ
The classic route and where it starts
Buzios sits about two and a half to three hours by car from Rio de Janeiro, and most boat trips depart from one of two points: the Orla Bardot pier, right in the heart of Rua das Pedras, or Porto da Barra, which handles larger operations with its own parking. The pier's name is a nod to Brigitte Bardot, whose visit to the fishing village in the 1960s first put Buzios on the international map — a piece of local history still visible in the name of the boardwalk itself. From either point, the boat works its way around the peninsula, usually starting with the beaches closest to town and finishing at the more distant ones, with the return route depending on the day's tide and wind.
The 12 beaches that give the classic itinerary its name, roughly in the order they appear on the route:
| # | Beach | What stands out |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Manguinhos | Bay facing the town center, an easy stretch on the return |
| 2 | Canto | Close to the historic center, calm water |
| 3 | Ossos | Right by Porto da Barra, clear water |
| 4 | Armacao | Marina views, a quick early stop |
| 5 | Azeda | Sheltered cove, one of the most photographed in Buzios |
| 6 | Azedinha | Next to Azeda, smaller and quieter |
| 7 | Joao Fernandes | Wide bay, good visibility for snorkeling |
| 8 | Ferradura | Large horseshoe-shaped bay, almost always still water |
| 9 | Ferradurinha | A smaller, more secluded version of Ferradura |
| 10 | Geriba | The liveliest beach, with kiosks along the shore |
| 11 | Tartaruga | Reached mostly by sea |
| 12 | Praia da Virgem | The most secluded on the peninsula, almost boat-only access |
Azeda, Azedinha and Joao Fernandes: the sheltered cove
This is the first major stop for boats leaving Orla Bardot: Azeda and Azedinha form a pair of small, sheltered coves separated by a low headland, with clear water and almost permanently calm seas — the reason they show up in nearly every Buzios postcard. Joao Fernandes, right next door, is larger and slightly more exposed to the wind, but makes up for it with a wider stretch of sand and good visibility for anyone swimming with a mask and snorkel.
The trio works well as the trip's first swim stop, especially in the morning when the sea is flattest and the sun isn't yet at its highest. Many itineraries set aside 20 to 30 minutes here before continuing to the beaches on the far side of the peninsula.
Ferradura, Ferradurinha and Geriba
Ferradura is the largest bay on the route, shaped like a horseshoe and sheltered enough to feel like a natural pool for most of the year — a favorite stop for anyone traveling with children. Ferradurinha, right beside it, repeats the same calm water on a smaller, quieter scale with less boat traffic.
Geriba closes out this stretch as the liveliest beach in the area, with kiosks along the shore and slightly more wave action, which draws both swimmers and board sports enthusiasts. It is also one of the most popular stops for anyone extending the trip into the late afternoon, since the beach becomes a stage for one of the most photographed sunsets in Buzios.
Tartaruga and Praia da Virgem: the beaches only a boat reaches
Tartaruga and Praia da Virgem are the reason a boat is worth booking instead of sticking to the beaches reachable by road. Praia da Virgem, in particular, is the most secluded spot on the entire peninsula: with no kiosk infrastructure and surrounded by native vegetation, it only sees visitors who arrive by boat or tackle a longer trail, which keeps the water clean and the crowds thin even during peak season.
Tartaruga shares similar traits, with a narrower strip of sand and access that is mostly by sea. Both spots usually make it onto the full-day itinerary, since they require more navigation time from central Buzios.
The three islands: Caboclo, Branca and Feia
After the beaches, a full-day itinerary heads into open water toward the three most visited islands off Buzios. Ilha Feia, despite the name meaning "ugly island" in Portuguese, has crystal-clear water and good rock formations for snorkeling; Ilha Branca gets its name from the pale color of its rocks seen from a distance; and Ilha do Caboclo rounds out the trio as the most sheltered anchoring spot, well suited for a calmer swim.
The three islands sit farther from the center, which makes this stretch nearly exclusive to full-day charters — the standard 3-to-5-hour route usually sticks to the 12 beaches and leaves the islands for guests booking the whole day.
How much it costs and how long it takes
The 12-beach route runs 3 to 5 hours; adding the islands typically requires a full day. The ranges below are reference prices as of September 2025, per vessel:
| Boat profile | Reference range | Typical duration |
|---|---|---|
| Traditional traineira | R$ 1,200–2,500 | 3 to 5 hours |
| Speedboats and smaller vessels | from R$ 1,300–1,800 | 3 to 5 hours |
| Mid-size speedboats | from R$ 3,200–4,000 | full day (beaches + islands) |
| Catamarans and premium vessels | from R$ 4,900 | full day (beaches + islands) |
The traineira, a traditional wooden-hulled boat with an open deck, is the most requested vessel for the classic 12-beach route, while premium catamarans serve larger groups who also want the islands on the same day.
Best season for the itinerary
September through November brings the best balance of calm seas, dry skies and thinner crowds on the beaches — the water isn't as warm as in summer, but conditions for navigation tend to be the most stable of the year. December through February is peak season: warmer water, busier beaches and prices at the top of the range, with New Year's Eve and Carnival as the absolute demand peaks, when booking weeks ahead stops being optional.
FAQ
What are the 12 beaches on the Buzios boat itinerary? Manguinhos, Canto, Ossos, Armacao, Azeda, Azedinha, Joao Fernandes, Ferradura, Ferradurinha, Geriba, Tartaruga and Praia da Virgem. The classic route covers most of them in 3 to 5 hours, with swim stops at the most sheltered ones, such as Azeda and Ferradura.
Which islands are part of the Buzios boat trip? Caboclo, Branca and Feia, all in open water and suited for snorkeling and swimming in clear water. They sit farther from the center, so they usually appear only on full-day itineraries, while the 3-to-5-hour trip focuses on the peninsula's 12 beaches.
How much does a boat trip in Buzios cost in 2025? Traineiras and smaller vessels start at R$ 1,200 to R$ 1,800; mid-size speedboats, R$ 3,200 to R$ 4,000; premium catamarans, from R$ 4,900. Prices are per vessel, as of September 2025, and vary with duration, day of the week and season.
Can you reach Praia da Virgem without a boat? There is a trail, but it is long and poorly marked, so the vast majority of visitors arrive by boat. That limited access is exactly what keeps Praia da Virgem's water cleaner and its crowds thinner than beaches reachable directly by road, even during peak season.
What's the difference between the short route and the full-day one? The short route covers the peninsula's 12 beaches, with swim stops at the most sheltered ones. The full-day version adds the crossing to the three islands — Caboclo, Branca and Feia — and usually includes a stop for lunch on board or at a beach kiosk along the way.
What's the best season for a Buzios boat trip? September through November, for calm seas and thinner crowds on the beaches, with prices still below peak season. December through February brings warmer water and bigger crowds, with New Year's Eve and Carnival as the year's demand and price peaks across the whole peninsula.
Does the route cover all 12 beaches on the same trip? It depends on the tide, wind and time available: many itineraries prioritize 6 to 8 of the most sheltered beaches, such as Azeda, Azedinha, Ferradura and Ferradurinha, leaving the farther ones, like Tartaruga and Praia da Virgem, for full-day charters. Confirm the exact route with the operator when booking.
CTA — Book the 12-beach itinerary with Voguer
To book the Buzios itinerary across its 12 beaches and three islands, reach the Voguer team on WhatsApp with your date, group size, and whether you want a half-day or full-day route. The booking is secured with a 50% deposit via Pix. See also the full range of boat rentals in Buzios, including the traditional traineira.
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