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One of the best things you can do in the UNESCO World Heritage city of Paraty is take a party boat tour of Paraty Bay. You’ll have the chance to go swimming in the warm waters of the Atlantic while sipping caipirinhas, enjoying the sun, and meeting friendly people.
Booking a Tour
If you visit the marina in the historic town of Paraty in the morning, you’ll be able to board a schooner for a trip around Paraty Bay. The boats stop at a few swimming spots and depending on departure time, some take different routes. It costs about R$120 (as of June 2024) and includes a very good lunch. Drinks and other snacks are available for an additional cost.
Sailing Away
I arrived in the morning and found a decent boat recommended by my hostel. I climbed aboard and waited for more people to gather before leaving. The views of Paraty as the boat sails into the bay are spectacular.
Lula Beach
I sat up on the top deck of the boat and enjoyed the scenery as we cruised through the bay. We made a couple of stops, including one at Lula Beach (Praia da Lula), one of the best beaches around the bay. The water was comfortable as jumped off the boat and swam to shore, but it was a little cloudy with lots of debris from the forest.
Lunch and the End
We also stopped near an island for lunch and did some more swimming before heading back to Paraty. The only thing that could have made my day better was the sun!