Category Cruises & Boat Tours

Rio de Janeiro · CRUISES & BOAT TOURS

The 15 Best Cruises & Boat Tours in Rio de Janeiro

31 tours

Rio packs a lot into a small strip between the granite and the sea, and the cruises & boat tours below are the 15 that use it best. Each entry carries its price, its running time and the kind of traveller it suits, strongest first.

Rio de Janeiro: Sunset Sailing Tour

Rio de Janeiro: Sunset Sailing Tour - Fortresses, Boa Viagem Island, and Niterói Museum views from the bay

1.Sunset Sailing Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 994 reviews · 3 hours · from $75Our pick

Sunset sailing in Guanabara Bay from Marina da Glória. Small-group Rio views, caipirinhas, snacks, and time to swim in 3 hours.

“We had such an amazing time. The yacht took us to all areas of the bay, time for pictures in front of sugar loaf, swimming for those who were brave enough. Close up views of the vessels in the bay, planes landing. All accompanied by drinks and snacks. Only 10 people on out cruise so felt very private. One of our highlights of our trip❤️”

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Rio de Janeiro: Sunset Sailboat Tour with Open Bar

Rio de Janeiro: Sunset Sailboat Tour with Open Bar - Getting on board in Urca, and the quick transfer to the main boat

2.Sunset Sailboat Tour with Open Bar

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 785 reviews · 3 hours · from $57

Sunset sail from Urca in Guanabara Bay with open-bar caipirinhas, snacks, and a chance to swim, plus big Rio skyline views.

“I absolutely loved this - and it's a great way to see a different part of Rio. Paola and the team were super nice and fun. Highly recommend!!”

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From Rio de Janeiro: Angra dos Reis Boat Trip with Lunch

From Rio de Janeiro: Angra dos Reis Boat Trip with Lunch - The early bus ride from Rio, and how to survive it

3.From Rio de Janeiro: Angra dos Reis Boat Trip with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 737 reviews · 14 hours · from $63

Schooner cruise from Rio to Angra dos Reis and Ilha Grande, with snorkel swim stops and lunch, plus hotel transfers.

“Most comfortable trip ever: Luisa is downright a sweetheart who knows whats up. From the coach driver to the ship captain and the staff are extremely nice.. I cannot describe in words how beautiful the whole area is!! I'm very glad I booked this trip. Also would 1000% recommend snorkeling and getting your pics!!”

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From Rio: Arraial do Cabo Day Trip with Boat Tour

From Rio: Arraial do Cabo Day Trip with Boat Tour - Boat time on a traditional schooner, plus real water stops

4.From Rio: Arraial do Cabo Day Trip with Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★3.8 · 400 reviews · 14 hours · from $65

Sail a traditional schooner around Arraial do Cabo, swim at Ilha do Farol, photograph Gruta Azul, and enjoy beaches like Praia do Forno.

“Amazing tour! Our guide Vicente and our driver Rodrigo were both very professional and friendly. Vicente was very knowledgeable and we learned a lot from him. We could also tell he was very experienced by the way he dealt with unforeseen circumstances. Sadly only the night before he was warned about the wind and the fact that could mean the boat trip had to be cancelled. Vicente let us know straight away and on the tour day it was confirmed no boats were allowed to get out of the port. However, Vicente created an amazing alternative program for us and very kindly adapted the plans to the group wishes of…”

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Arraial do Cabo Day Trip from Rio de Janeiro: Boat Tour & Beach

Arraial do Cabo Day Trip from Rio de Janeiro: Boat Tour & Beach - Ilha do Farol: your first chance to get in the clearest water

5.Arraial do Cabo Day Trip from Rio de Janeiro: Boat Tour & Beach

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 390 reviews · 14 hours (approx.) · from $70

Swim in Arraial do Cabo’s turquoise water on a schooner from Rio, with hotel pickup, photo stops, and buffet lunch option.

“The bus trip was long and bumpy. but it was worth it. The boat trip was great, and the beaches were wonderful. The scenery was inspiring. Our guide did a great job. Overall, it was a long but great experience. We are having a wonderful time in Brazil.”

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Rio de Janeiro: Guanabara Bay Sunset Sailing Tour & Drinks

Rio de Janeiro: Guanabara Bay Sunset Sailing Tour & Drinks - Boarding at Marina da Glória, and What the Sail Feels Like

From Rio de Janeiro: Arraial do Cabo Boat Trip with Lunch

From Rio de Janeiro: Arraial do Cabo Boat Trip with Lunch - The early pickup and the 3-hour drive to the coast

Paraty Bay: Islands & Beaches Boat Tour with Snorkeling

Paraty Bay: Islands & Beaches Boat Tour with Snorkeling - Getting Onboard at Paraty Tours and How the Day Flows

Sunset Boat Tour with Beer, Water, Soda and Snacks included

Sunset Boat Tour with Beer, Water, Soda and Snacks included - Price and what you really get for $74

9.Sunset Boat Tour with Beer, Water, Soda and Snacks included

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 227 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $74Top rated

Small-group Rio sunset boat tour from Marina da Glória with beer, water, soda, snacks, and swimming plus quick stops for photos.

“Excellent small group boat ride experience. Wonderful views of the city and Niteroi. Even though the day was cloudy and cold, it was very worth it! Rio Water Fun are very professional. I recommend 100%Auto-translated”

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Rio: Boat Tour of Guanabara Bay

Rio: Boat Tour of Guanabara Bay - Marina da Glória, Seats, and How to Beat the Sound Problems

10.Rio: Boat Tour of Guanabara Bay

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 214 reviews

1.5-hour catamaran through Guanabara Bay, from Marina da Glória to Niterói and Sugarloaf, with photo stops and multilingual audio.

“Very basic and fast boat tour of Rio waterfront. Advertised as a sunset tour but the 4pm tour ended well before sunset. Other tours available which seem to be better for a sunset tour, which I recommend.”

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Boat Trip in Arraial do Cabo by Arraial Viagens

Boat Trip in Arraial do Cabo by Arraial Viagens - Gruta Azul: a cave visit where the light does the work

From Rio de Janeiro: Búzios Boat Trip with Lunch

From Rio de Janeiro: Búzios Boat Trip with Lunch - Schooner Ride and Music, What the First Hours Feel Like

Angra dos Reis and Ilha Grande: Small-Group Fast-Boat Tour

Angra dos Reis and Ilha Grande: Small-Group Fast-Boat Tour - Boarding in Angra dos Reis: meet the crew, then get moving

13.Angra dos Reis and Ilha Grande: Small-Group Fast-Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 119 reviews · 14 hours · from $200

Small-group speedboat from Rio to Ilha Grande and Angra dos Reis, with lagoon stops, snorkel swims, and optional underwater photos.

“Wonderful locations, nice, calm beaches - absolutely worth the price. We had brilliant tour guides(both Eva and Kako we amazing, cheerful & super-helpful), and despite the not-that-great weather, we had a really memorable day around the islands. The only downside was that the transportation driver was slow and careless at the same time, so our trip back was quite ugly. Anyway, we will remember the stunning views, the speedboad, the our nice tour guides.”

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Brunch & Sunset Cruise with Capirinha in Rio

Brunch & Sunset Cruise with Capirinha in Rio - Caipirinha, brunch-style snacks, and the calm rhythm on board

14.Brunch & Sunset Cruise with Capirinha in Rio

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 89 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $50

Brunch and caipirinha on a 3-hour Rio cruise with Guanabara Bay views, Christ the Redeemer, Sugar Loaf, snacks, and a calm sunset.

“This gives a great view of the bay and Rio de Janeiro. Relaxing on the boat while sipping some drinks and enjoying snacks.”

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Rio From the Sea: Guanabara Bay Cruise with Optional Barbecue Lunch

Rio From the Sea: Guanabara Bay Cruise with Optional Barbecue Lunch - Museum of Tomorrow to the Rio-Niteroi Bridge: Where the Route Gets Fun

15.Rio From the Sea: Guanabara Bay Cruise with Optional Barbecue Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 88 reviews · 4 to 6 hours (approx.) · from $74

Guanabara Bay half-day cruise from Rio’s waterfront with sweeping views of Sugarloaf and Christ the Redeemer, plus optional Brazilian barbecue lunch.

“Trip was amazing and totally worth it. To avoid disappointment I suggest that you confirm with the weather forecast the likelihood of rain as it almost rained during our trip (a refund was the next best option but as you can imagine when you have a limited time to see a place the refund becomes the least exciting option). Fortunately the day cleared and the trip was amazing.”

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