Barra do Sucuri River Snorkeling

Barra do Sucuri is a river snorkeling tour on the lower stretch of the Sucuri River, near where it meets the Formoso River, about 17 km from the center of Bonito. Agencies list it as a cheaper alternative to the Sucuri River tour, which is in the same area but starts at the spring. The tour is short, easygoing and works well for families.

What Brazilians call “flutuação” (floating) is a guided river snorkel: you wear a wetsuit, life vest, mask and snorkel and drift face down with the current, in single file behind a guide, without swimming.

What the tour is like

At the reception the group gets wetsuit, vest, mask, snorkel and footwear. The route starts by boat: the group goes upriver from the meeting point with the Formoso to the entry point. From there you drift downstream with the current for about 1.3 km, with the guide in front and the support boat nearby. No swimming required.

The full tour takes about 2.5 hours, counting preparation, boat, snorkel and shower. Facilities include changing rooms, lockers, showers, a restaurant and a hammock area to wait for the rest of the group.

Barra do Sucuri or Sucuri River

The Sucuri River is known for the clearest water in the region and has a longer route. Barra do Sucuri is on the final stretch, where the water is still clear but visibility is a little lower, and it costs less. If your budget allows only one snorkel near town, the Sucuri delivers more. If you are a large family and every voucher adds up, Barra do Sucuri does the job with a meaningful price difference. Our hub on snorkeling in Bonito compares all the options.

Rules

The rules are the same as on every river snorkel: no sunscreen or repellent before getting in, no standing on the bottom, no touching fish or plants, always behind the guide. The life vest is mandatory.

Price

The 2026 reference price, in Brazilian reais (BRL), is in the info box on this page with the date it was checked. It includes equipment, guide and boat. Transfers are charged separately, and you buy through a licensed agency under Bonito’s single-voucher booking system. The municipal Environmental Conservation Fee is paid for each day you do a tour.

Is it worth it?

Yes, if you want an easy and more affordable river snorkel close to town, especially as a large family or on a tight budget. It does not replace Rio da Prata or the Sucuri River if you are after the clearest water. It fits well on the same day as the Formoso River boat tour or an afternoon at the Municipal River Beach.