Those looking for what to do in Paraty usually find lists of traditional beaches and tours. However, there is a part of the region that only appears when you are onboard a charter. The logic shifts from “visiting tourist spots” to living experiences that only make sense when the boat is your starting point and your accommodation—often being the only way to reach places far from the conventional path.
What to do in Paraty during a charter
Being on a boat opens up access to places and experiences that simply do not exist for those on land. Many of them are little known, while others require logistics that only make sense with a sailboat.
Being on a boat opens up access to a series of experiences that are not part of conventional tourism.
Below are some of the most interesting experiences to include in your itinerary, helping to build a varied, interesting week far from the obvious.
Dives and underwater experiences
The Fluorescent Cave at Ilha dos Cocos
The Fluorescent Cave (Gruta Fluorescente), located at Ilha dos Cocos, is an underwater cave that draws attention due to the visual effect of its water.
With a depth of about 4 meters, the location is ideal for snorkeling. The main highlight is the way sunlight enters through submerged crevices, creating an intense, almost neon blue glow.
This phenomenon depends on direct sunlight, so the best condition for visiting is on sunny days. It is an experience that is simple to access by boat and completely different from what most people expect to find in the region—a true bucket list item for Paraty.
The natural aquarium of Ilha Comprida
Ilha Comprida is known as a true natural aquarium in the Bay of Paraty, and if you enjoy diving, it is a mandatory stop.
Its waters are crystal-clear, greenish, and very calm, creating a perfect environment for observing marine life. The visibility is usually excellent, allowing you to swim among fish and explore the area peacefully.
Because it is accessible only by boat, the site maintains a more preserved and less crowded characteristic, ideal for those who want to spend more time in the water.
Seeing starfish at Enseada das Estrelas
Enseada das Estrelas, located in Ilha Grande, is a little-explored refuge known for the large quantity of starfish at the bottom of the sea.
The region consists of six beaches surrounding Saco do Céu, with a small community of about 550 people, mainly composed of fishermen. This helps keep the environment preserved.
The waters are calm, crystal-clear, and ideal for diving and snorkeling. The feeling is that of being in a more isolated place, surrounded by the Atlantic Forest, with a rhythm very different from busier areas.
Night diving with luminous plankton
Few people know that it is possible to see the sea glow in Paraty.
On nights close to the new moon, the absence of light allows you to observe the bioluminescence of plankton. When moving in the water, points of blue light appear following the movement, creating an impressive visual effect.
Night diving to observe the bioluminescence of plankton in Paraty is a magical experience and usually takes place at Ilha da Cotia. It is one of the most memorable bucket list activities for those seeking something truly different.
Waterwheel at Praia do Engenho and historical ruins
Praia do Engenho d’Água gathers nature and history in a single spot.
There, you can see the ruins of an old 19th-century sugarcane mill. The large waterwheel still remains on-site, surrounded by vegetation, creating a scenery that mixes nature and historical memory.
Located in the Bay of Paraty, it features a calm sea, an extensive strip of sand, and access by boat a few minutes away from our base.
Praia da Costa (Scenery from the movie Twilight)
Praia da Costa, in Saco do Mamanguá, became famous for being the setting for Bella and Edward’s honeymoon in Breaking Dawn – Part 1, from the Twilight saga.
The cinematic mansion, designed by the Bernardes+Jacobsen architecture firm and known as “Isle Esme” in the saga, is a luxury house located on a private island. Although it is a private property, the beach can be visited by those arriving by boat.
It is a curious point and highly sought after by those who like to include unique pop-culture references in their Paraty bucket list itinerary.
Praia do Bom Jardim and the fort
Praia do Bom Jardim is a peaceful beach, surrounded by native forest and coconut trees, with calm waters ideal for swimming. However, it is also part of Paraty’s historical context. There, the ruins and an old cannon, located on the hill that separates Praia do Bom Jardim from the neighboring Praia de Iticupê, remind us that this was one of the defense points of the protection system of the bay against pirates and privateers during the colonial period.
The surrounding area is private. On-site, there is a luxury property linked to the owners of Paris Filmes, where a famous King Kong statue stands right by the sand.
The historical Village of Tarituba and the Brazilian soap opera Mulheres de Areia
A charming and quiet fishing village in Paraty is known for its calm waters, Caiçara culture, and for being the setting of the classic Brazilian soap opera “Mulheres de Areia”.
The fishing village carries a lot of traditional culture, maintaining the Caiçara lifestyle. In addition, the village served as a filming location for the classic television production.
Paraty Mirim
Visiting Paraty-Mirim is essential for anyone looking for a paradisiacal and peaceful beach with calm, crystal-clear waters, ideal for families. It is a historic haven with ancient ruins, where you can visit the historic Church of Nossa Senhora da Conceição, dating back to 1720. Additionally, the region is home to a Guarani indigenous village and offers direct access to Saco do Mamanguá.
The place maintains a simple and preserved lifestyle. It is a good spot for those who want to spend more time on land, walk, or simply enjoy a calmer day far from busier areas.
The Guarani indigenous village is a few minutes away from the beach and it is a protected area, but you can walk around and if you get lucky you can spot the families.
Hikes and land experiences
Pico do Pão de Açúcar do Mamanguá (“Sugarloaf Peak”)
Located at Praia do Cruzeiro, Pico do Pão de Açúcar do Mamanguá is one of the most famous trails in the region.
Measuring about 1.5 km in length and standing 425 meters high, the route is short but intense, with a steep climb and stretches of dense forest. The hike takes between 50 minutes and 1 hour and 15 minutes.
From the top, the panoramic view is considered one of the most beautiful in the region, as it reveals the Saco do Mamanguá, which is regarded as the only tropical fjord in the world.
When people talk about what to do in Paraty, most think of specific beaches. However, the region goes far beyond that, especially when explored from a boat.
A charter allows you to access preserved locations, fully vary your itinerary, and live experiences that do not appear in traditional travel guides.
If you want to set up an itinerary with this type of experience and understand which boat makes the most sense for your profile, contact WIND Charter.
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