Duration2 hrs
We recommend the boat ride at Eco Park Porto da Ilha for families with children ages 5 and up and groups looking for adrenaline without technical demands — everyone in the same boat at the same time. The activity is a 5 km descent down the Rio Formoso (Formoso River) in inflatable boats that hold up to 12 people, passing 3 waterfalls and 1 rapid, with a swimming stop along the way. It shares characteristics with rafting but is rated easy difficulty and requires no prior experience or specific physical conditioning. The excitement is collective and happens with the entire group at once.
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Eco Park Porto da Ilha is a state conservation unit with three hectares of land on the banks of the Rio Formoso. The park serves as a natural swimming area and as the disembarkation point for the boats, with fish, birds, and waterfalls along the route. The facilities allow guests to spend the whole day on site — not just the 2 hours of the boat ride: there is a restaurant, changing rooms, luggage storage, a rest area, and a lake for those who want to extend their visit.
📍 11.6 km from downtown Bonito · ⏱ 2 hours of activity · Difficulty: easy
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The activity follows a straightforward sequence, always accompanied by a specialized guide.
Before entering the water, the group receives a training session and puts on life jackets and helmets. Both are required from the start to the end of the activity.
It is a 5 km descent of the Rio Formoso, passing 3 waterfalls and 1 rapid. The boat has lateral ropes that guests hold with both hands throughout the entire route. Holding the rope is not optional: it is what keeps you steady when the boat rocks and prevents sliding into the person in front of you.
Midway through the route there is a stop to swim in the river. The descent ends at Eco Park, where the disembarkation point and the natural swimming area facilities are located.
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Activity duration: 2 hours
Distance from downtown Bonito: 11.6 km, approximately 15 minutes away
Route: 5 km of river, 3 waterfalls, and 1 rapid
Capacity: up to 12 people per boat
Minimum age: 5 years old
Maximum weight: 140 kg
Difficulty: easy
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We recommend the boat ride for families with children ages 5 and up and groups that want a shared adrenaline experience. Since the difficulty is easy, no prior rafting experience or specific physical conditioning is required. Safety is supported by the initial training session, life jackets, accident insurance, and a specialized guide — all included in the activity.
The boat covers 5 km of the Rio Formoso with 3 waterfalls and 1 rapid: the descent delivers controlled thrills, with support ropes along the sides. Those expecting only a calm snorkeling float should adjust their expectations — the boat rocks and requires both hands on the ropes. A few things to plan ahead:
Transportation, breakfast, and lunch are not included. There is a restaurant in the park, but meals are paid separately.
Regular cameras are not allowed for safety reasons, as both hands must remain free. Only a GoPro attached to a chest harness or helmet is permitted.
The activity cannot be done by guests with reduced mobility.
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Can children participate?
Yes, from age 5 onward. The difficulty is easy and the group is always accompanied by a specialized guide.
Can I bring my camera or phone on the boat?
Regular cameras and phones are not allowed, as both hands must remain free on the lateral ropes. Only a GoPro attached to a chest harness or helmet is permitted.
Do I need to know how to swim or have rafting experience?
No prior experience is needed. Life jacket use is mandatory throughout the entire route and a training session is provided before the descent.
Are transportation and meals included?
Transportation and meals are the responsibility of the guest. The park has a restaurant with separate charges.
Can we spend the whole day there?
Yes. Beyond the 2-hour boat ride, Eco Park functions as a natural swimming area, with a restaurant, changing rooms, a rest area, and a lake.
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Life jacket and helmet are required throughout the entire activity and may not be removed.
Regular cameras are not allowed for safety reasons. Only a GoPro attached to a chest harness or helmet is permitted.
Documents, bags, pouches, or sharp objects are not allowed inside the boat, as the activity is collective.
Alcohol or drug consumption is prohibited during activities, and participants under the influence may not take part.
The activity cannot be done by guests with reduced mobility.
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