Boats Big Island (LIG)

Speedboat Tour to the Paradise Islands of Angra Dos Reis

## Boats Big Island (LIG): Small-Group Speedboat Adventures Around Ilha Grande

If you want to actually feel the coastline of Ilha Grande rather than just stare at it from the sand, Boats Big Island (LIG) is one of the better-known outfits doing exactly that from Angra dos Reis, Rio de Janeiro State.

Operating under the legal name LIG – Lanchas Ilha Grande Turismo Ltda, the company has been active since 2013 and is registered specifically for tourist boat transport. In practical terms, that means they focus on one thing: taking people out on fast boats to explore the islands and beaches scattered off Angra’s coast.

### Where Boats Big Island (LIG) Is Based

Online listings put Boats Big Island (LIG) in Vila do Abraão, the main village on Ilha Grande. One business directory lists their address as:

> Rua Presidente Getúlio Vargas, 164, Vila do Abraão, Angra dos Reis – RJ, 23968-000, Brazil

Ctrip/Trip.com and related portals list a departure/meeting area by Pousada Água Viva on Rua da Praia in Angra dos Reis, using:

> Pousada Água Viva – Rua da Praia, Anexo A, Angra dos Reis – RJ, 23968-000, Brazil

In practice, most travelers report checking in around the pier area by the waterfront in Vila do Abraão, where several agencies cluster together.

> Important: Addresses and meeting points can change as agencies shift counters or work with partners. Always reconfirm the exact pier and check-in point when you book.

### What Kind of Tours Boats Big Island (LIG) Runs

Boats Big Island (LIG) sits in that sweet spot between “big schooner party boat” and ultra-luxury private yacht. Wanderlog describes them as a boat tour agency running small-group speedboat trips along the south coast of Ilha Grande, highlighting three key points:

– Exploring southern Ilha Grande beaches
– A boat that doesn’t feel crowded
– Speedboat-style transport rather than slow schooners

Brazilian directories also list them offering a wide menu of nautical services – boat rental, schooner rental, jet ski rental, rafting and travel packages, on top of regular shared tours.

For most visitors, the flagship product is the “Volta da Ilha” loop tour, sold via partners such as GoPasseios and operated by LIG – Lanchas Ilha Grande.

#### The “Volta da Ilha” (Island Loop) – Snapshot

According to GoPasseios, the Volta da Ilha trip:

– Circles Ilha Grande 360°, focusing on the more remote south coast, which faces open ocean
– Lasts around 8 hours, departing about 09:30 from Vila do Abraão
– Runs in a fast launch (lancha) with limited capacity
– Is marketed for roughly up to age 60, mainly because of the physical demand of multiple beach landings and choppier seas in open water

Again, these details are from a third-party booking platform; operators can adjust times, routes and age guidance, so treat them as a starting point, not a guarantee.

### Key Stops and Scenery You Can Expect

On the Volta da Ilha itinerary described for LIG, the highlights are very specific. You’ll see them repeated across Brazilian travel blogs and booking sites:

1. Praia do Caxadaço
– Small cove carved into cliffs, with clear water, a narrow strip of sand and large boulders for short scrambles.
– Access is difficult by land, so arriving by boat keeps numbers relatively low.

2. Parnaioca
– One of Ilha Grande’s more isolated sectors, where a freshwater river forms a lagoon behind the beach.
– You can alternate between a dip in the Atlantic and rinsing off in cooler river water.

3. Praia do Aventureiro
– Famous for the leaning coconut tree (“coqueiro deitado”), a classic Ilha Grande postcard shot.
– Long arc of pale sand, shallow entry and often calm enough for less confident swimmers.

4. Praia dos Meros
– A quieter, more remote beach at one end of Ilha Grande, reached only by sea according to the tour description.
– Sold as a stop for people who want a more peaceful segment with fewer buildings in sight.

These stops are characteristic of LIG’s loop tour, but sea conditions can force changes. The official description explicitly says that departures depend on ocean forecasts, and that they cancel and refund if conditions are unsafe.

### What’s Typically Included (and What Isn’t)

From the GoPasseios listing for LIG’s loop:

Included

– Drinking water on board
– Cooler with ice (you’re allowed to bring your own drinks, which many Brazilians do)

Not included

– Lunch – there’s a roughly one-hour lunch stop, but the meal itself is extra and is usually paid directly at a simple beach restaurant
– Snorkel gear rental (this isn’t specified as included, so assume you need to bring or rent your own)

Because inclusions can change per season or contract, double-check the exact list when you reserve.

### Reputation and Reviews

A Dutch backpacking blog covering Ilha Grande calls Boats Big Island (LIG) a recommended operator for people looking for a reliable agency to book tours.

Wanderlog aggregates review scores in the 4.5/5 range based on around a couple of hundred ratings for Boats Big Island (LIG), indicating generally positive feedback across different platforms at the time of that snapshot. Travelers on TripAdvisor have highlighted clear water, sightings of turtles and sea stars and overall good experiences on LIG tours.

> Reality check: Ratings shift over time as more reviews come in or management changes. Always scan the most recent comments rather than relying on historic averages.

### Practical Tips: Booking, Safety and Accessibility

#### 1. Sea conditions and cancellations

Because the Volta da Ilha route runs partly in open sea on the south coast, the operator is explicit that:

– They confirm departure based on marine forecasts the day before
– The loop can be cancelled if conditions aren’t safe, with full refunds mentioned in the GoPasseios listing

That’s a positive sign from a safety perspective, but it also means you should avoid scheduling this trip on your very last day on Ilha Grande if your whole itinerary hinges on it.

#### 2. Who this tour is best for

Based on the route and the way it’s sold:

– Good for travelers wanting smaller-group speedboat experiences rather than packed schooners
– Ideal if you want to see some of the most remote beaches (Caxadaço, Aventureiro, Meros) in one long day
– Less ideal if you have significant mobility issues, since boarding often involves stepping from pier to boat and doing wet landings in shallow water

The age guideline “up to 60” on the booking page looks like a broad risk-management measure rather than a hard prohibition, but anyone with joint issues, recent surgeries or balance problems should contact the company in advance and get personalized advice.

#### 3. What to bring

Given what’s explicitly included and not included on the LIG Volta da Ilha description, plus typical Ilha Grande conditions, a realistic packing list would be:

– Sun protection: high-SPF reef-safer sunscreen, hat, UV shirt, sunglasses
– Water shoes or sandals for rocky entries at Caxadaço and Meros
– Mask and snorkel if you want to maximize turtle and fish sightings
– Cash or card for the lunch stop and any extra drinks
– Light waterproof layer – passing showers on the south side are common year-round

#### 4. Accessibility & inclusivity notes

Public listings for Boats Big Island (LIG) don’t give detailed information on wheelchair access, step-free boarding or gender-neutral facilities. Based on the general setup in Vila do Abraão:

– Expect basic piers and floating docks, not full ramps with handrails everywhere.
– If you’re traveling with reduced mobility, small children, or need language support beyond Portuguese, it’s worth messaging or calling the operator ahead of time (the phone number +55 24 99836-5302 appears in several Brazilian directories).

For LGBTQ+ travelers and solo women, Ilha Grande and Angra dos Reis are widely reported as relaxed beach destinations, but as always in Brazil, normal big-city precautions around valuables and night walks still apply.

### How Boats Big Island (LIG) Fits Into an Angra dos Reis / Ilha Grande Itinerary

If you’re planning a few days on Ilha Grande, think of LIG’s trips as:

– The “big sweep” day that gives you a macro view of the island’s coastline (Volta da Ilha)
– A way to reach hard-to-access beaches without committing to multi-day hikes or camping
– A complement to more relaxed days around Abraão, short hikes to near-by trails, or classic schooner outings to Lagoa Azul and other calmer spots

For people short on time, doing one full-day LIG loop plus one easier half-day tour or beach hike is usually enough to feel like you’ve genuinely experienced Ilha Grande’s geography rather than just sitting on one beach.

### Before You Book: Data That Can Age Quickly

A few elements about Boats Big Island (LIG) are time-sensitive:

– Opening hours (Trip.com and Ctrip currently show 08:30–11:30 and 16:00–22:00 for the attraction listing).
– Exact meeting point (office vs pier)
– Tour prices, payment options, and age limits
– Inclusions (drinks, snorkel gear, lunch arrangements)

Those details can and do change from season to season. Treat the information above as a baseline and always:

1. Check the most recent listing for Boats Big Island (LIG) on a major platform you trust.
2. Confirm specifics directly via WhatsApp/phone or email before you lock in your dates.

Do that, and Boats Big Island (LIG) is a strong candidate for seeing Ilha Grande’s remote side on a small-group speedboat, without having to organize a private charter from scratch.