8.7· 20 reviews
Arraial do Cabo Boat Trip
On this boat trip around Arraial do Cabo you'll discover places such as the Ilha do Farol, Praia do Forno or the Blue Grotto.
4 h
from US$ 56
In brief
Arraial do Cabo is worth 2 to 3 days: one full day for the boat trip around the islands, with stops at the Gruta Azul and Praia do Forno, and the rest for Prainha, Praia Grande and the Pontal do Atalaia lookout. The best window runs from April to November, with 35 to 72 mm of rain a month and highs of 24 to 27 °C; summer reaches 29 °C, but it fills the town and pushes prices up.
The destination
What to expect in Arraial do Cabo
Arraial do Cabo earned the nickname of the Brazilian Caribbean for a simple reason: few places in the country have water this transparent. At Prainha, the strip of fine white sand drops into a blue-green sea where you can see the bottom several meters down; at Praia do Forno, reached by a short trail or by boat, the sheltered cove is as calm as a swimming pool; and in the Gruta Azul (Blue Grotto), a sea cave on Ilha do Farol, the sun lights the water from below with an electric blue that gives you the photo of the trip.
That clarity is no accident. Arraial sits on one of the strongest upwelling zones in the South Atlantic: northeast winds push warm surface water offshore and draw cold, clean water up from the ocean floor. The result is a sea of unusual visibility, excellent for diving, but notably cold, with temperatures that fall to 18 °C or less when the upwelling is active. The same cold current dries the air and chases away the clouds, creating an almost semiarid microclimate: it is one of the driest, sunniest corners of the whole Rio de Janeiro coast.
The classic way to see the place is by water. Boat trips leave from Praia dos Anjos and run the circuit of the islands (Pontal do Atalaia, Gruta Azul, Praia do Forno and Prainha), with stops to swim and snorkel. On land, Pontal do Atalaia offers the highest lookout in town, with views of deserted beaches and the open blue of the sea. It is a compact destination, made for two or three days of beach, boat and bare feet in the sand, without the fashionable bustle of neighboring Búzios.
Updated on October 19, 2026
What to see
Must-sees in Arraial do Cabo
1 Boat trip
Boat circuit of the islands
The must-do outing in Arraial do Cabo. Boats leave from Praia dos Anjos and run past Pontal do Atalaia, the Gruta Azul, Praia do Forno and Prainha, with stops to swim and snorkel.
2 Beach
Prainha
A strip of fine white sand that drops into a blue-green sea, where you can see the bottom several meters down.
3 Beach
Praia do Forno
Reached by a short trail or by boat. The sheltered cove is as calm as a swimming pool.
4 Nature
Gruta Azul
A sea cave on Ilha do Farol where the sun lights the water from below with an electric blue. It is a regular stop on the island circuit.
5 Lookout
Pontal do Atalaia
The highest lookout in town, with views of deserted beaches and the open blue of the sea. It is also one of the stops on the island circuit.
6 Beach
Praia Grande
A beach to enjoy, to pair with Prainha, the Pontal do Atalaia lookout and the boat trip around the islands.
Tours and tickets
Things to do in Arraial do Cabo, bookable in English
When to go
Best time to visit Arraial do Cabo
Brazil is in the Southern Hemisphere, so the seasons run opposite to those in Europe and North America: summer in Arraial do Cabo falls between December and March and winter between June and August. Summer is hot, with highs of 28 to 29 °C (January, the hottest month, reaches 29 °C), and winter is mild: in July, the coolest month, the average high is 24 °C and the low is 18 °C.
Arraial do Cabo is one of the driest areas on the Rio de Janeiro coast. The months with the least rain are July (35 mm over 5 days), August (36 mm over 5 days) and June (38 mm over 6 days). The wettest are December (85 mm over 10 days), January (78 mm over 9 days) and November (72 mm over 9 days), figures that are still moderate.
For sun with fewer people and better prices, the best window runs from April to November, with July the best month; spring (September to November) and autumn (April and May) have highs of 24 to 27 °C. Summer has the most tempting sea, but it fills the town and pushes prices up. These are historical averages and do not guarantee the weather on any given day.
Best window: April to November More rain / less comfortable Comfort index · INMET (updated 2026)
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Rainy days | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 29 °C | 23 °C | 78 mm | 9 | Good |
| February | 29 °C | 23 °C | 58 mm | 7 | Good |
| March | 29 °C | 23 °C | 65 mm | 8 | Good |
| April | 27 °C | 21 °C | 55 mm | 7 | Good |
| May | 26 °C | 20 °C | 45 mm | 6 | Good |
| June | 24 °C | 19 °C | 38 mm | 6 | Good |
| July | 24 °C | 18 °C | 35 mm | 5 | Very good |
| August | 24 °C | 18 °C | 36 mm | 5 | Very good |
| September | 24 °C | 19 °C | 50 mm | 7 | Good |
| October | 25 °C | 20 °C | 62 mm | 8 | Good |
| November | 26 °C | 21 °C | 72 mm | 9 | Good |
| December | 28 °C | 22 °C | 85 mm | 10 | Fair |
Monthly averages for 1991-2020 from INMET (Brazil's National Institute of Meteorology). The rating combines rainfall, temperature and humidity.
The weather in Arraial do Cabo, season by season
Summer
In summer (December to February), Arraial do Cabo has highs of around 29 °C (84 °F) and lows of 23 °C (73 °F), and it is the wetter season, with about 74 mm of rain spread over about 9 days a month. The days are hot and call for beach time and shade.
Fall
In fall (March to May), Arraial do Cabo has highs of around 27 °C (81 °F) and lows of 21 °C (70 °F), and it is the driest time of year, with about 55 mm of rain a month. Temperatures are pleasant for sightseeing all day.
Winter
In winter (June to August), Arraial do Cabo has highs of around 24 °C (75 °F) and lows of 18 °C (64 °F), and it is the driest time of year, with about 36 mm of rain a month. The weather is milder, good for walking and exploring without the summer heat.
Spring
In spring (September to November), Arraial do Cabo has highs of around 25 °C (77 °F) and lows of 20 °C (68 °F), and it is the driest time of year, with about 61 mm of rain a month. Temperatures are pleasant for sightseeing all day.
Month by month
Arraial do Cabo in every month of the year
Weather, crowds, prices and what is happening at the destination in each period. Tap a month to open its full page; the colored dot shows how good the time is for a visit.
Calendar
Recurring events in Arraial do Cabo
February/March
Carnival in Arraial do Cabo
Blocos (street parties), marchinhas (classic Carnival songs) and seaside parties over the resort town's four days of celebration.
April
Squid Festival (Festival da Lula)
A food festival during Holy Week with dozens of dishes made from locally caught squid, plus live concerts.
July
Whale Festival (Festival da Baleia)
An event marking the whale season on the coast, with cultural and environmental programming by the sea.
December
New Year's Eve in Arraial do Cabo
Midnight celebrations with concerts by national artists and fireworks at several points along the town's beaches.
Recurring annual events: exact dates change every year, so confirm them before you plan your trip.
Getting there
Getting to Arraial do Cabo from abroad
The nearest airport is Cabo Frio International Airport (CFB), about 20 km from Arraial do Cabo, with few scheduled flights. Tom Jobim International Airport, known as Galeão (GIG), in Rio de Janeiro, is about 165 km away (around 2 h 30 min) and has a much larger network of connections.
The final stretch is by land, over the Rio-Niterói Bridge, the BR-101 and the Via Lagos. From Rio de Janeiro it is 165 km (about 2 h 40 min), from Búzios 38 km (about 55 min) and from São Paulo 585 km (about 7 h 30 min). There are also buses from Rio and São Paulo.
Routes and airlines change often; the safest approach is to check them when planning your trip.
CFB · Cabo Frio International Airport, about 20 km (12 mi) from Arraial do Cabo
Where to stay
Hotels in Arraial do Cabo
Downtown Arraial do Cabo is small and can be covered on foot. Prainha and Pontal do Atalaia are a few minutes away by car, taxi or ride-hailing app, and in high season parking near the beaches is hard to find. It is best to pick a place to stay near what you most want to visit and to allow for the transfer to the pier, where the boats depart.
Rates change with the dates: confirm the price on Booking.com.
Before you go
Practical information for visitors from abroad
Entry requirements
Passport and visa requirements depend on your nationality and can change. Confirm them on the website of Brazil's Ministry of Foreign Affairs before buying your flight.
Currency and payments
The currency is the Brazilian real (BRL). Cards are accepted at most inns and restaurants, but it is wise to carry cash in small bills for the boat boarding fee, parking and beach shacks.
Language and time
Portuguese is spoken. Arraial do Cabo uses Brasília time, UTC−3, all year round.
Getting there
By road from Rio it is about 165 km (2 h 30 min to 3 h) over the Rio-Niterói Bridge, the BR-101 and the Via Lagos. The nearest airport is Cabo Frio (CFB), 20 minutes away; Galeão (GIG), in Rio, is around 2 h 30 min away.
Boat trip
This is the must-do outing. Boats leave from Praia dos Anjos and run the island circuit with stops to swim. You buy a ticket on the spot at the pier, or book ahead in high season; bring cash for the port's boarding fee.
Cold water
Because of the cold-water upwelling, the sea can turn icy (18 to 22 °C) from one day to the next, especially in summer with northeast winds. A wetsuit helps when diving; on the other hand, the cold water leaves everything crystal clear.
Getting around
The center is small and walkable. Prainha and Pontal do Atalaia are a few minutes away by car, taxi or ride-hailing app. In high season parking near the beaches is hard to find: arrive early.
When to avoid
New Year, Carnival and the January peak fill the town and the boats, and prices soar. To enjoy the sun with fewer people, choose spring or weekends without a public holiday.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions about Arraial do Cabo
What is the best time to go to Arraial do Cabo?
Arraial is dry and sunny all year, so there is no bad season. Summer (December to March) is hot and has the most tempting sea, but it gets crowded and expensive. For sun with fewer people and better prices, spring (September to November) and autumn (April and May) are the best windows, with highs of 24 to 27 °C.
How many days do you need in Arraial do Cabo?
Two to three days are enough at a relaxed pace. Set aside a full day for the boat trip around the islands, with stops at the Gruta Azul and Praia do Forno, and the rest for Prainha, Praia Grande and the Pontal do Atalaia lookout. If you want to add Búzios or Cabo Frio, you can stretch it to four or five.
Is the boat trip worth it?
Yes, it is the town's main attraction. Boats leave from Praia dos Anjos and run the island circuit (Gruta Azul, Praia do Forno, Pontal do Atalaia and Prainha), with stops to swim and snorkel. The boarding fee is paid on top of the fare.
Is the water cold in Arraial do Cabo?
It can be. Because of the upwelling (a current that brings cold water up from the ocean floor), the sea changes temperature from one day to the next and drops to 18 °C, especially in summer with northeast winds. That same cold water makes the sea so transparent. On days without upwelling, the temperature rises and is much more pleasant.
How do you get to Arraial do Cabo?
By road, it is about 165 km (2 h 30 min to 3 h) from Rio de Janeiro over the Rio-Niterói Bridge, the BR-101 and the Via Lagos; from São Paulo, about 585 km, 7 to 8 hours of travel. The nearest airport is Cabo Frio (CFB), 20 minutes away by car. There are also buses from Rio and São Paulo.
Is Arraial do Cabo expensive?
It depends on the season. In high season (New Year, Carnival and January) inns and boat trips get more expensive and sell out. Outside those peaks it is a moderately priced destination, and you can eat well at reasonable prices away from the most touristy waterfront.
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Sources
The weather and population data in this guide come from official agencies and open databases. Entry requirements and health recommendations change: always check the official source linked.