Boat Tour in Boiçucanga: Departure, Routes, and Tips
By MaresiasTur · · Updated on · 5 min read
Quick answer
The boat tour in Boiçucanga departs from the beach next to Maresias toward the islands of São Sebastião's South Coast: a shared boat at 9 am, 12 pm, or 3 pm, private boats, and the route to Ilhabela. The exact departure point is sent by WhatsApp after booking.
Anyone looking for a boat tour in Boiçucanga finds there the starting point for much of the South Coast of São Sebastião's boat routes. The beach is next to Maresias, and it's from the sand of Boiçucanga that the shared boat to Ilha das Couves, Ilha dos Gatos, and As Ilhas departs, along with the private boats to the islands and the full-day route to Ilhabela.
This guide brings together what leaves from there, at what times, how to reach the meeting point, and what happens when the sea doesn't cooperate. The data comes from MaresiasTur's catalog as of September 2026.
Why do so many boat tours leave from Boiçucanga?
Boiçucanga is one of the traditional departure points for the islands of the South Coast. São Sebastião's official tourism portal lists the beach among the departure points for Ilha das Couves, alongside Barra do Sahy, Barra do Una, Juquehy, and Camburi, and also among the departure points for Ilha dos Gatos, which is about 1.5 km from Praia de Camburi (Turismo São Sebastião).
The sea in the region also has special protection. The rocky shore between Praia de Maresias and Praia de Boiçucanga, about 7 linear km long, is part of the São Sebastião ARIE (Area of Relevant Ecological Interest), created in 2008 together with the North Coast Marine APA, and the protected area covers coastal waters down to a depth of 5 meters (Technical Diagnosis of the São Sebastião ARIE). To understand the differences between the islands before choosing, it's worth reading the guide to the islands of São Sebastião.
Which boat tours leave from Boiçucanga?
| Tour | Boat | Duration | Departures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared Boat Tour – The 3 Islands of the South Coast | Real Power Class speedboat, up to 14 passengers | About 3 hours | 9 am, 12 pm, and 3 pm, every day |
| Private Boat Tour – The 3 Islands of the South Coast | For your group only, up to 14 people | About 3 hours | Morning, afternoon, or sunset, arranged via WhatsApp |
| Private Boat Tour – Ilha do Montão de Trigo + The 3 Islands | For your group only, up to 10 people | About 4 hours | Arranged via WhatsApp |
| Private Boat Tour – Ilhabela Route | Runner 7500, 25 feet, up to 10 people | About 6 hours | 9 am |
The 3 Islands routes pass by Ilha das Couves, Ilha dos Gatos, and As Ilhas, an island whose name literally means "The Islands," with two stops for swimming. The shared tour includes pool noodles and has stops for swimming and snorkeling. The longer private route adds Ilha do Montão de Trigo, and the Ilhabela route runs along the beaches of São Sebastião to the neighboring island.
There are two exceptions. The shared boat tour to Montão de Trigo does not leave from Boiçucanga: it departs from Praia de Maresias itself, at 9 am, as explained in the post about the boat tour to Ilha do Montão de Trigo. And the try-scuba-diving tour leaves from Varadouro, in São Sebastião.
Where is the departure point and how do you get there?
The departure point is at Praia de Boiçucanga, but the exact spot isn't shown on the website. For the shared tour, it's sent by WhatsApp after payment is confirmed; for private boats, the team sends the location after booking. This way the group gets the right spot for the day and time chosen.
Transportation to the departure point is not included in any boat tour. Uber, 99, and similar apps don't work in São Sebastião, so the trip needs to be planned ahead of time, by car, local taxi, or a ride from someone. The guide on how to get to Maresias and get around helps with this part.
The recommendation is to arrive 30 minutes early. Under the cancellation policy, a delay that makes the group miss the boat counts as a no-show, with no refund.
How much does a boat tour in Boiçucanga cost?
| Tour | Pricing | Reference price |
|---|---|---|
| Shared Boat Tour – The 3 Islands | Per person | R$ 200 |
| Private Boat Tour – The 3 Islands | Per boat | From R$ 1,450 (up to 2 people) to R$ 2,850 (up to 14) |
| Private Boat Tour – Montão + The 3 Islands | Per boat | From R$ 1,800 (up to 2 people) to R$ 3,000 (up to 10) |
| Private Boat Tour – Ilhabela Route | Per boat | From R$ 2,800 (up to 2 people) to R$ 3,500 (up to 10) |
These are reference prices from September 2026; the updated price is on each tour's page, such as the shared boat tour to the 3 Islands of the South Coast. Shared tours are paid in full at booking; for private tours, booking is done via WhatsApp, with a 50% deposit and the rest paid at departure. The full comparison is in how much a boat tour in Maresias costs.
What happens if the sea or tide isn't cooperative?
Boat tours depend on safe navigation conditions. If a departure is canceled due to weather, maritime safety, or operational reasons, the traveler can choose between rescheduling at no cost or getting a full refund. For the shared tour, the same rule applies when the tide is unfavorable or when the minimum group of 8 people per departure isn't reached.
It's worth checking conditions beforehand. The post about the tide table in São Sebastião shows where to check the Navy's official schedules and bad-weather warnings.
What to bring for departure in Boiçucanga?
- Swimsuit under your clothes and a towel.
- Sunscreen, a cap, and sunglasses: most of the time is spent in the sun.
- Water and a light snack, since food and drinks are not included.
- Your own snorkel mask, for anyone who wants to look at the seabed during the stops.
- A dry bag for your phone and documents, and a bag to bring your trash back.
The full list is in what to bring for a boat tour, hike, and rappelling. Anyone who tends to feel seasick will find tips in the post about seasickness on a boat tour.
Frequently asked questions
- Where do the boat tours in Boiçucanga depart from?
- From Praia de Boiçucanga, next to Maresias. The exact point is sent by WhatsApp: for the shared tour, after payment is confirmed; for private boats, after booking.
- What are the schedules for the shared boat that leaves from Boiçucanga?
- There are departures at 9 am, 12 pm, and 3 pm, every day. The tour lasts about 3 hours, passes by Ilha das Couves, Ilha dos Gatos, and As Ilhas, with two stops for swimming, and needs a minimum of 8 people per departure.
- Do all of MaresiasTur's boat tours leave from Boiçucanga?
- No. The shared boat to Montão de Trigo leaves from Praia de Maresias at 9 am, and the try-scuba-diving tour leaves from Varadouro, in São Sebastião. The other boat tours leave from Boiçucanga.
- Can you take an Uber to the departure point in Boiçucanga?
- No. Uber, 99, and similar apps don't work in São Sebastião, and transportation to the departure point is not included. It's best to plan a car, local taxi, or a ride from someone, and arrive 30 minutes early.
- What if the tour is canceled because of the weather?
- When a departure is canceled due to weather, maritime safety, or operational reasons, the traveler can choose between rescheduling at no cost or getting a full refund.
