Tijucas Islands
The boat tour that leaves through the canals of Gigóia, reaches open sea and stops to swim at the archipelago off the Barra shoreline.
Duration
⏳ 3 to 4-hour tour
Average Price
R$ 150 per person
A Dip in Paradise
The tour to the Tijucas Islands begins by navigating the beautiful canals of Gigóia until reaching the open sea. The archipelago, formed by the Alfavaca, Pontuda, and Meio islands, is a marine life sanctuary, where it's very common to swim alongside turtles and colorful fish.
Tour Highlights
- ✓ Crystal clear waters for swimming
- ✓ Sea turtle watching
- ✓ Incredible view of the Barra coast
- ✓ Approximately 4-hour itinerary
Conditions
This tour strictly depends on good sea and wind conditions.
Pro Tip
🤿 Bring your diving mask to enjoy the visibility!
How much the Tijucas Islands tour costs
As with the Carioca Pantanal, you can take the tour on its own or the package with lunch.
Tour + lunch
R$ 200 per person
The full tour plus lunch, served on the way back to the island.
Tour only
R$ 150 per person
The boat tour with a swimming stop, without a meal.
Payment in cash, Pix or card, with a 50% deposit to secure the booking. Departures run hourly, and this tour must be booked in advance.
How the tour works
The tour lasts 3 to 4 hours. It sets off through the canals of Gigóia Island, then reaches open sea towards the archipelago, formed by the islands of Alfavaca, Pontuda and do Meio, off the Barra da Tijuca shoreline.
Unlike the Carioca Pantanal, this tour has a swimming stop and the boat puts the group ashore on the island. The water is clear and it is common to swim alongside sea turtles and fish — hence the nickname Carioca Caribbean.
The tour depends on the weather
Because part of the route is open sea, departure depends strictly on sea and wind conditions. In rough seas the tour does not run, and confirmation usually comes close to the date. It is worth agreeing on a fallback: the Carioca Pantanal stays inside the lagoon and runs even on windy days.
What to bring
- A mask or snorkel, for the good visibility
- Sunscreen and a hat — these are hours in the sun
- A towel and a dry change of clothes
- Water and something to eat, if you take the tour without lunch
Which of the two tours to choose
Both leave from Gigóia Island, but they are quite different experiences.
Carioca Pantanal
- 35 to 40 minutes, inside the lagoon
- Watching caimans and capybaras
- No swimming stop
- R$ 50, or R$ 100 with lunch
Tijucas Islands
- 3 to 4 hours, with a stretch of open sea
- Clear water, turtles and fish
- Swimming stop and time ashore
- R$ 150, or R$ 200 with lunch
Getting to the boat departure point
Gigóia Island sits in the Tijuca Lagoon, in Barra da Tijuca, and has no bridge: the last stretch is always by water and takes about two minutes. The boarding decks are at Av. Armando Lombardi, 370.
By metro, get off at Jardim Oceânico station, Lagoa exit — the deck is less than a five-minute walk away. The Jardim Oceânico BRT terminal is next to the station, so BRT passengers arrive at the same point. By car, there are private car parks around the decks; on weekends, allow extra time to find a space. The ordinary crossing costs R$ 2 to R$ 5 per person and runs 24 hours.
Frequently asked questions about the Tijucas Islands
How much does the Tijucas Islands tour cost?
The tour on its own costs R$ 150 per person. With lunch included, R$ 200 per person.
How long does the tour last?
3 to 4 hours, counting the ride out through the Gigóia canals, the crossing to the archipelago and the stop on the island.
Does the tour have a swimming stop?
It does. The boat puts the group ashore on the island, and that is the main difference from the Carioca Pantanal tour.
Can you see sea turtles?
It is common to swim alongside sea turtles and fish in the area, thanks to the clear water. As this is free-living wildlife, nothing is guaranteed.
Does the tour run in any weather?
No. Part of the route is open sea, so departure depends on sea and wind conditions. In rough seas the tour does not run.
Where are the Tijucas Islands?
Off the Barra da Tijuca shoreline in Rio de Janeiro. The archipelago is formed by the islands of Alfavaca, Pontuda and do Meio.
How does payment work?
In cash, Pix or card, with a 50% deposit to secure the booking.