REVIEW · ARMACAO DOS BUZIOS
Búzios: Speedboat tour of 2 islands and 11 beaches
Book on GetYourGuide →Operated by Lancha Albatroz de Búzios · Bookable on GetYourGuide
Eleven beach stops sounds like a shortcut. This private Búzios speedboat makes it real with up to 3 islands and 11 beach visits in one day, plus a boat setup made for time in the water.
What I like most is the BBQ-on-board setup (charcoal, utensils, cooler basics) and the fact you get gear like snorkels, float options, and a bathroom so the day stays easy instead of rushed. One consideration: the schedule is tight, with frequent short stays like 30 minutes on most beaches and about 10 minutes for island look-and-see.
In This Review
- Key highlights at a glance (what matters most)
- Lancha Albatroz: private speed, small-group comfort, and real seaworthiness
- 4 to 7 hours in motion: how the timing actually feels
- The north-coast beach lineup: Tartaruga to João Fernandinho
- Praia da Tartaruga (about 30 minutes)
- Azeda Beach and Armação dos Búzios (about 30 minutes)
- Ilha Feia (about 30 minutes)
- Praia João Fernandes (about 30 minutes)
- Azedinha Beach (about 30 minutes)
- Branca Island (about 10 minutes sightseeing)
- Ossos Beach (about 30 minutes)
- Amores Beach (free time)
- João Fernandinho (about 30 minutes)
- Islands and quick looks: Feia, Branca, and Ilha do Caboclo
- Ilha Feia: more than a pass
- Branca Island: a fast viewpoint stop
- Ilha do Caboclo: a short sight stop (about 10 minutes)
- BBQ strategy: what to bring so lunch feels like a win
- Snorkel, floaties, buoys, and Bluetooth: water time without stress
- Price and value: $522 for up to 11 people makes the math easier
- Booking logistics that keep the day smooth
- Who this Búzios speedboat tour suits best
- Should you book it? A practical decision guide
- FAQ
- How many islands and beaches does this speedboat tour include?
- Is this a private tour?
- How long is the tour?
- What are the main stops on the route?
- What should I bring for the onboard barbecue?
- Is snorkeling gear included?
- Are towels provided?
- Where do pickup and drop-off happen?
- Is there a bathroom onboard?
Key highlights at a glance (what matters most)

- Up to 3 islands plus 11 beach stops across Búzios, all in one outing
- Private speedboat for up to 11 people, with a bathroom onboard and Bluetooth sound
- BBQ included on the boat using charcoal and barbecue utensils (bring the food)
- Snorkel and float gear included, so you can make the water time count
- Host language support online in Portuguese, English, and Spanish (driver speaks Portuguese)
- 4 or 7 hour options, so you can match the day to your cruise or schedule
Lancha Albatroz: private speed, small-group comfort, and real seaworthiness

This is the kind of tour that works because it’s built for speed and simplicity. You’re in the Lancha Albatroz de Búzios, a speedboat that’s set up for a private group of up to 11. That matters in Búzios, because a lot of the fun is on the water and the slow parts are exactly what you want to skip.
I also like the onboard comfort items that don’t sound exciting until you need them: there’s a bathroom onboard, plus Bluetooth sound for music without needing extra speakers. You’ll also find a grill/BBQ setup and practical water access, including a fresh water hose and a cooler. The boat includes safety and water fun items like buoys and snorkel gear, which helps you get into the rhythm quickly.
One more small detail that’s worth your attention: the boat includes a mattress, so if the group mood is relax, you can actually chill for a bit instead of only sitting upright the whole ride. And because this is private, you’re not stuck with a big mix of strangers arguing over what side of the boat gets the best views.
4 to 7 hours in motion: how the timing actually feels

The total experience runs about 4–7 hours, depending on the option you book. The day is structured around a sequence of beach time blocks and a few quick island stops for sightseeing. In practice, you’re not buying a “long lounge at one beach” plan. You’re buying a “see a lot, choose your moment, get back on the boat” plan.
Here’s what that looks like in real timing:
- Several beaches come with about 30 minutes of free time.
- A couple island stops are about 10 minutes mainly for views and quick photo time.
- The boat also passes by additional beaches on the way between stops, but without swimming there.
The upside is obvious: you get to experience different corners of Búzios in a single outing. The tradeoff is that you should treat each stop like a mini-visit. Bring your swimwear and sunscreen in a way that lets you change fast, because the best moments often happen right as you’re settling in.
Also, you’ll want to be ready for the pier-side timing ritual. The boat is near the pier at the agreed time. You do need to notify the operator when you arrive at the pier, so docking and boarding can start smoothly.
The north-coast beach lineup: Tartaruga to João Fernandinho

This route is focused on some of Búzios’ most photographed stretches, with a mix of calmer beach time and classic “jump in if you feel like it” stops. The itinerary goes in a loop style, moving north and working through the bays.
Here are the stops, in the order you’ll encounter them, and what they’re good for:
Praia da Tartaruga (about 30 minutes)
This is your early warm-up stop. It’s a nice chance to get oriented fast, swim if you want, and grab a snack mindset before the day builds momentum.
Azeda Beach and Armação dos Búzios (about 30 minutes)
This stop is built for views. You’ll have time to walk a bit, settle in, and enjoy the bay angle from the beach side. It’s also a useful “reset” stop because the day moves quickly afterward.
Ilha Feia (about 30 minutes)
Not every island stop is just a photo. Ilha Feia gives you a chunk of time rather than only a quick pass, so it’s a good point in the day to take it slower.
Praia João Fernandes (about 30 minutes)
If you’re hoping for that classic Búzios vibe, this is one of the places that delivers. You get enough time to swim, people-watch, and still feel like you did something beyond just sitting on the sand.
Azedinha Beach (about 30 minutes)
This is another “make the water time count” stop. The fact that you return for more beach time after island sightseeing is a big deal, because you’re less likely to feel like you’re only sightseeing from the boat.
Branca Island (about 10 minutes sightseeing)
This is shorter and more viewpoint-focused. Use it for photos, shoreline angles, and spotting what you might want to revisit later on your own.
Ossos Beach (about 30 minutes)
Ossos is a strong mid-to-late day stop. You get time to get back in the water and then regroup for the final part of the tour.
Amores Beach (free time)
This is one of the heart-of-the-action style beaches on the list. Expect a more “beach day” feel here, with time to relax and swim.
João Fernandinho (about 30 minutes)
This is the final beach-style stop in the sequence, and it’s a good closer. The timing works well because it lets you end with a proper block of beach time rather than only speeding to the finish.
Islands and quick looks: Feia, Branca, and Ilha do Caboclo

Not every stop is equal. Some are built around long beach breaks, while islands work like quick “get the big picture” moments. That’s not a downside if you go in with the right expectations.
Ilha Feia: more than a pass
You get about 30 minutes here, which is longer than the pure sightseeing stops. That makes it a good point for a relaxed swim-and-spot session.
Branca Island: a fast viewpoint stop
You’ll get about 10 minutes for sightseeing. Think of it as a chance to see the island shapes and shoreline lines up close, then get back to the beaches where you can spend more time.
Ilha do Caboclo: a short sight stop (about 10 minutes)
Like Branca Island, this is mostly for viewing. It’s quick, but those quick moments are exactly why the tour packs in so much. You get variety without losing the day to long transfers.
Also, the boat passes by additional areas, including Virgem, Gêmeas, Canto, Armação, Ilha do Cabouclo, and Ilha Branca, but without stopping for swimming. So if you’re the kind of traveler who loves photo angles and shoreline spotting, this “pass-by” portion still has value.
BBQ strategy: what to bring so lunch feels like a win

Here’s the biggest practical advantage of this tour: you can barbecue onboard. But the tour doesn’t cook for you from scratch. You bring your food and drinks.
The boat includes the tools: barbecue utensils, charcoal, and a cooler-style setup, along with ice and mineral water. They do not serve food beyond mineral water. No towels are provided either, so plan on bringing your own towel if you want one.
My advice for the BBQ day:
- Bring food that handles short time spans well (things that don’t require complicated prep once you’re on the boat).
- Pack drinks carefully and keep them organized. The cooler and ice help, but you still want everything easy to access.
- Keep an eye on timing. Since the schedule is packed, cooking and eating works best when the group agrees on a simple rhythm early in the day.
If you’re traveling with friends, this is the part that turns a sightseeing day into a shared event. And because you’re private, your group can actually use the boat’s grill without coordinating around other tours.
Snorkel, floaties, buoys, and Bluetooth: water time without stress

You’re not just riding in a boat. The tour is set up for time in the water. In the included setup, you get snorkels, floating options like a floating mat and noodle floats, and buoys.
That matters because Búzios is all about the water. When the ocean is calm enough for swimming, being handed the gear takes away the “we forgot something” problem. If the water isn’t perfect, you can still enjoy shallow time and use the floaties for a slower hang.
There’s also Bluetooth sound onboard. I like that detail because it gives you background music without turning the boat into a speaker party. If your group likes tunes, bring a playlist you can share quickly.
And yes, bring swimwear even if you think you won’t. The tour includes those free time blocks at multiple beaches, and with snorkel gear included, it’s easy for the water fun to happen spontaneously.
Price and value: $522 for up to 11 people makes the math easier
The price is listed as $522 per group up to 11. That’s the key value lever here. You’re not paying per person like a typical group tour. If you’re traveling with a group, the per-person cost drops a lot.
Quick math idea:
- If you fill the boat with 11 people, you’re looking at roughly $47 per person.
- If it’s fewer people, the per-person cost climbs, but you still get the private setup.
What you’re getting for that price is more than just transportation. Fuel, the pilot captain, mineral water, ice (a 10 kg bag), BBQ materials like charcoal and utensils, and water fun gear are included. Also included are boat items like the bathroom and basic water accessories.
The tradeoff, like with any private boat tour, is that you need to bring your own food and drinks beyond mineral water. If you’re expecting someone to hand you a full lunch, you’ll be disappointed. But if you want a simple onboard BBQ and you’re traveling as a group, this is one of those plans that starts to look like good sense.
Booking logistics that keep the day smooth

The pickup part is simple, but you have to do the one important step: contact the operator via WhatsApp or email to confirm which boarding pier you’re using. You have three pickup locations options:
- Sailboat Harbor Buzios
- Píer de Búzios
- BR Marinas Búzios
You’ll also have three drop-off options that match those same areas.
When you arrive at the pier, you must notify them so the boat crew can begin docking and boarding. The boat sits near the pier at the agreed time, so being there on schedule matters.
One extra cost to plan for: there can be a fee for using the pier and accessing the bathroom on land, depending on the boarding pier. It’s listed as R$10. Also, tip is not included.
Who this Búzios speedboat tour suits best

This tour fits best if you want a “one-day highlights” plan without dealing with long overland transfers. It’s also great for groups who want to spend money once and get a memorable shared day.
Here’s who tends to be happiest:
- Groups up to 11 that want privacy and flexibility at multiple beaches
- People who like the sea but don’t want to plan rentals, gear, and navigation
- Cruise stop visitors who need a strong day plan and can work within the 4–7 hour window
Also, it’s worth noting the language setup. You have online access to a host in Portuguese, English, and Spanish, and the driver is Portuguese. That can make it much easier to handle questions on the fly without turning the day into a translation exercise.
Not for wheelchair users. The tour is listed as not suitable for wheelchair access, and it also doesn’t allow non-folding wheelchairs, baby carriages, or electric wheelchairs. If mobility is an issue, you’ll want to look for an alternative tour style.
Should you book it? A practical decision guide
Book this speedboat tour if your top priority is variety in one day: beaches, a couple islands, and plenty of time that feels like you actually did something on the water. The onboard BBQ option plus snorkel and float gear makes it feel like an experience, not just a ride.
Skip it if you hate short beach stops. This isn’t a slow travel day. You’re cycling through places with quick blocks of free time, and island sightseeing is brief. Also, if you want a full meal provided for you, you’ll need to bring food since they only provide mineral water.
If you’re traveling with a group that can fill the boat, the value math is strong. And if you’re the type who loves Búzios when it’s seen from the sea, this plan is built for exactly that.
FAQ
How many islands and beaches does this speedboat tour include?
The tour includes stops that cover up to 3 islands and 11 beaches in Búzios.
Is this a private tour?
Yes. It’s a private group speedboat tour with a capacity for up to 11 people.
How long is the tour?
The duration is listed as 4 to 7 hours, depending on the option you choose.
What are the main stops on the route?
The itinerary includes beach time at Tartaruga, Amores, Ossos, Azeda, Azedinha, João Fernandes, and João Fernandinho, plus Ilha Feia and sightseeing stops at Branca Island and Ilha do Caboclo.
What should I bring for the onboard barbecue?
Bring your own food and drinks for the BBQ. The boat setup includes BBQ items, but it does not serve food other than mineral water.
Is snorkeling gear included?
Yes. Snorkels and other water items like floating mat and noodle floats are included.
Are towels provided?
No. The boat has no towels, so you should bring your own.
Where do pickup and drop-off happen?
Pickup and drop-off can be at Sailboat Harbor Buzios, Píer de Búzios, or BR Marinas Búzios. You need to contact the operator to confirm the boarding pier.
Is there a bathroom onboard?
Yes, there is a bathroom onboard. There may also be a land pier bathroom fee depending on the pier you use.




