the companies offering tours to the islands vary in route and ships, ranging from a world-war one ship to sail boats, yachts, and speed-boats.

most tours allow for a peak into many interesting part of the bay, such as niterói, flamengo, the morro da urca, the sugar loaf, praia vermelha, and praia de fora - the place where the city of rio was founded.

depending on the tour, food and drinks are served onboard, and it is possible to go swimming for a while near the islands.