Boating -- Just beyond the muddy Paraty waterfront, the coast is dotted with more than 60 islands, many lush and green, surrounded by turquoise water. It shouldn't be surprising then that schooner trips are extremely popular. The pier in the city center is the main departure point. Boats leave daily, weather permitting, and take you on a 5- to 6-hour tour, stopping several times for a swim or snorkel and a lunch break. Paraty Tours (tel. 024/3371-1327) and Saveiro Porto Seguro (tel. 024/3371-1254) are just two of several companies that have daily departures at 11am (as well as 10am and noon in high season); the cost is R$25 (US$13/£7) for adults, free for children under 5, R$15 (US$7.50/£4) for 5- to 10-year-olds. To explore the bay at a more leisurely pace, Paraty tours offers a kayak tour. The 6-hour paddle provides plenty of opportunity for checking out some of the islands and beaches. Cost is R$60 (US$30/£16) per person, including a guide and all the equipment (minimum of two people).
Diving -- The islands around Paraty have some decent diving and cater to a variety of levels. Most operators take you to the many islands around Angra dos Reis (up the coast from Paraty). Two dive companies in town are Alpha Dive, Praça da Bandeira 1, centro histórico (tel. 024/3371-2798), and Paraty Tours, Av. Roberto da Silveira 11 (tel. 024/3371-1327). Both offer a full range of services, including cylinder refill and courses, and an introductory dive if you do not have a license. For a certified diver, a two-dive excursion costs approximately R$150 (US$75/£41). This rate includes all the equipment such as a regulator, BC (buoyancy control), wet suit, and mask/fins/snorkel.
Biking -- A mountain bike is the perfect way to reach some of the waterfalls in the surrounding hills or some of the beaches just a 10km (6 1/2-mile) ride out of town. Paraty Tours, Av. Roberto da Silveira 11 (tel. 024/3371-1327), rents bikes by the hour for R$6 (US$3/£1.60) or by the day for R$30 (US$15/£8). Maps are provided.
Hiking -- In the surrounding hills one can still find stretches of the old wagon trail that was used to bring the gold from Ouro Prêto down to the coast. Parts of the old cobblestone trail have been restored and are accessible to hikers. Caminho do Ouro (Gold Trail) offers an easy trek along this historic route. The full-day tour leaves Thursday through Sunday at 10am and includes a guide and transportation from Paraty. R$35 (US$18/£9.50) per person, children 4 to 10 half price. Their booking office is located inside the Teatro Espaço, Rua Dona Geralda 327 (tel. 024/3371-1575; www.caminhodoouro.com.br). If you want a more serious hike, consider a 2- or 3-day trip. Rio Hiking (tel. 021/9874-3698; www.riohiking.com.br) offers excellent hiking trips along the beaches and through the coastal rainforest on the peninsula just south of Paraty, Paraty-Mirim. Transportation from Rio de Janeiro and rustic accommodations are included (2-day trip R$440/US$220/£119 per person, and 3-day trip R$660/US$330/£178). Paraty Tours, Av. Roberto da Silveira 11 (tel. 024/3371-1327), offers a number of short guided hikes to the isolated beaches at Trinidade and Praia do Sono (R$35-R$45/US$18-US$23/£9.50-£12 per person). Transportation is by jeep and includes several stops.
Horseback Riding -- Paraty Tours, Av. Roberto da Silveira 11 (tel. 024/3371-1327), can organize horseback rides in the local hills. Groups can be as small as two people with a minimum of a 3-hour ride (R$90/US$45/£24 per person).
