Tours in Maresias with Kids: Which to Choose and How to Prepare
By MaresiasTur · · Updated on · 6 min read
Quick answer
The calmest tours in Maresias for kids are the EcoTour at Praia de Calhetas, the easy 2 km hike to the Cachoeira das 7 Quedas waterfall, and the boat tour around the islands, which includes pool noodles. The Biketour 360º doesn't accept children under 11, and try scuba diving is for ages 10 and up.
Tours in Maresias with kids work best when they're short, include stops for a swim, and have a team keeping a close eye on the group. The region has good options for families: an easy hike to a waterfall, an almost-empty beach with transportation leaving from the agency, and a boat tour around the islands of the South Coast of São Sebastião. The trick is to choose the activity based on your kids' age and pace.
This guide brings together what each MaresiasTur tour offers for families, the age brackets used by the agency, the known age restrictions, and the tips that make the day go smoothly.
What are the calmest tours to do with kids?
For young children, the best programs are the land-based ones, with short stretches and a freshwater or ocean swim along the way.
- EcoTour at Praia de Calhetas: about 3 hours, with round-trip transportation leaving from the agency and a licensed local guide. It's a good fit for couples and families: an almost-empty white-sand beach with natural rock formations.
- Hike to the Cachoeira das 7 Quedas waterfall: 2 km round trip, easy level, through the Atlantic Forest (Mata Atlântica), with a swim at the waterfall at the end. A licensed ecotourism guide leads the group.
Both leave at 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. What about the bike tour? Despite being easy, the Biketour 360º isn't for kids under 11: it doesn't accept babies or children up to age 10. Teens who know how to ride can join, booking together with a responsible adult.
Comparison: what each tour offers families
| Tour | Duration | Why it works with kids | Heads up |
|---|---|---|---|
| EcoTour Calhetas | 3 hours | Transportation from the agency and an almost-empty beach | Sunscreen, insect repellent, swimwear and a towel are not included |
| 7 Quedas Waterfall Hike | 3 hours | 2 km, easy level, and a swim at the waterfall | Food and drinks are not included |
| Biketour 360º | 3 hours | For teens: easy bike ride and hike, with a river swim | Doesn't accept children under 11; water is not included |
| Shared Boat Tour – 3 Islands | About 3 hours | Two stops for a swim and pool noodles | Minimum quorum of 8 people per departure |
| Lookout Rappelling | About 3 hours | 10 meters, with gear and insurance included | Minimum age and weight: check with the team |
| Try Scuba Diving | About 3 hours | A PADI® instructor by your side | Ages 10 and up |
Can kids do the boat tour around the islands?
Yes, and it's usually the highlight of the trip. On the Shared Boat Tour – The 3 Islands, past Ilha das Couves, Ilha dos Gatos and As Ilhas, the tour lasts about 3 hours, leaves from Praia de Boiçucanga at 9 a.m., noon or 3 p.m., and makes two stops for a swim. A licensed boat captain, safety gear and pool noodles are included, which helps anyone who isn't a strong swimmer enjoy the water, always with an adult nearby.
On the shared boat tour to Ilha do Montão de Trigo, which leaves from Praia de Maresias at 9 a.m. and lasts about 4 hours, pool noodles and snorkel masks aren't included: bring your family's own. If anyone tends to get seasick, read the tips on seasickness on boat tours and talk to a doctor or pharmacist before the trip, especially for kids.
Shared or private boat?
With young kids, the private boat can be worth it: the group chooses to leave in the morning, afternoon or at sunset, takes breaks as needed, and doesn't depend on the minimum quorum required for shared departures. Private boats carry up to 14 people, and the price is per boat, not per person, which makes it a better deal for large families or two families traveling together. See the math in the shared vs. private guide.
What's the minimum age for biking, rappelling and diving?
- Biketour 360º: ages 11 and up. The tour doesn't accept babies or young children, and riders need to know how to ride a bike.
- Lookout Rappelling: 10 meters high, with up to 2 descents, a licensed guide, all gear and individual insurance included. Access is via the Trilha dos Mirantes, a 2 km easy-level hike suitable for all ages. The minimum age and weight for the rappelling itself aren't listed on the tour page: confirm with the team before booking. To see what a first descent is like, check out rappelling for the first time.
- Try Scuba Diving at Ilha das Cabras: minimum age of 10, with a parent or guardian's consent. No prior course is required, and a PADI® instructor stays with you for the 30 to 50 minute dive, at about 6 meters deep.
- Maresias Adventure Package: combines the Biketour, a swim at Poço do Caetano and Lookout Rappelling, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Since it includes the Biketour, check the accepted age brackets on the tour page before booking.
Do kids pay for tours in Maresias?
The price depends on the age bracket. MaresiasTur uses the same five brackets across all tours:
| Bracket | Age |
|---|---|
| Infant | Up to 2 years old |
| Young child | 3 to 10 years old |
| Teen | 11 to 17 years old |
| Adult | 18 to 64 years old |
| Senior | 65 years old or older |
The price for each bracket appears on each tour's page, and some tours may not accept certain brackets, as is the case with the Biketour 360º. Anyone under 18 must book together with a responsible adult. Shared and ecotourism tours are paid 100% at booking; for private tours, the deposit is 50%, as explained in MaresiasTur's policy.
How to get kids ready for the tour
- Prefer morning departures, when the sun is milder.
- Bring snacks and water: food and drinks aren't included on the tours.
- Pack swimwear, a towel and a dry change of clothes, plus sunscreen and insect repellent. The full list is in the what to bring for boat tours, hikes and rappelling guide.
- Reapply sunscreen after every swim.
- Arrive at the meeting point 30 minutes early: arriving late and missing the departure counts as a no-show.
- Uber, 99 and similar apps don't work in São Sebastião. Plan transportation to Boiçucanga or to the agency, at Av. Francisco Loup, 500, and see how to get around Maresias.
- Let the team know if your child has any health condition or allergy, and when in doubt, check with a pediatrician before the trip.
What if the weather turns on the day of the tour?
If weather, maritime safety, or an operational issue cancels the departure, the family can choose between rescheduling at no cost or getting a full refund. Date changes requested by the family can be made up to 48 hours in advance, subject to availability. Booking boat tours for the first days of the trip leaves room to reschedule. To choose your dates, see the best time for tours in Maresias.
Frequently asked questions
- What's the calmest tour to do with kids in Maresias?
- The EcoTour at Praia de Calhetas and the hike to the Cachoeira das 7 Quedas waterfall both last about 3 hours, are easy level, and have a licensed guide. The Biketour 360º is off the list for little ones, since it only accepts participants ages 11 and up.
- Can kids do the boat tour around the islands?
- Yes. The shared boat tour has a licensed captain, safety gear, two stops for a swim, and pool noodles, always with a responsible adult nearby.
- What's the minimum age for try scuba diving?
- 10 years old, with a parent or guardian's consent.
- Is there a minimum age for Lookout Rappelling?
- The tour page doesn't list a minimum age or weight. The access hike is easy and suitable for all ages, but confirm with the team before booking the rappelling.
- Do kids pay for tours?
- The price depends on the age bracket. All tours use the brackets Infant (up to 2), Young child (3 to 10), Teen (11 to 17), Adult (18 to 64) and Senior (65 or older), and the price for each appears on the tour page.
- Can kids do the Biketour 360º?
- Only from age 11. The Biketour 360º doesn't accept babies or children up to age 10, and anyone under 18 must book together with a responsible adult.
