The 6 Best Boat Tours and Cruises in Rio de Janeiro

Rio de Janeiro is located in Guanabara Bay, a bay covering around 400 km2 with a dozen islands and surrounded by green hills. From the sea, you can see some of the city's most iconic attractions, such as Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf Mountain, Copacabana Beach and the Rio-Niterói Bridge.

That's why taking a cruise is one of the best things you can do in Rio de Janeiro, as it allows you to discover everything the city and Guanabara Bay have to offer from a privileged perspective at sea. You can also get out of the city and sail to Ilha Grande, an island where you can enjoy all the exuberance of the tropical forest.

Without a doubt, one of the best things to do in Rio de Janeiro is to hop on a cruise and sail around Guanabara Bay, located next to the city. Nestled between hills, this bay is the second largest in Brazil and one of the most beautiful. It has a dozen islands covering an area of around 400 km2 and a wide variety of marine life.

These boat trips usually leave early in the morning and last half a day. They run all year round and are suitable for both adults and children. Many tour companies also offer extra services such as pick-up and drop-off at your hotel and a lunch featuring regional dishes. If you wish to hire a guide, bear in mind that this is usually paid for separately, as they offer this service privately to small groups.

From the sea, you can also see some of the city's most famous sights, such as Sugarloaf Mountain, a Brazilian icon; the famous statue of Christ the Redeemer, located on Corcovado Mountain; and Copacabana Beach, one of the most beautiful in the city. You will also sail under the Rio-Niterói Bridge, which is considered part of Brazil's architectural heritage.

On board the cruise through Guanabara Bay, you will also see sites of historical importance to the city, such as the Fortress of São João, which is linked to the founding of Rio de Janeiro; the 17th-century Fortress of Santa Cruz; and historic neighbourhoods such as Urca, Flamengo and Botafogo.

Details of interest

• Price: from approximately £50 for adults and around £36 for children. Infants travel free.
• Duration: approximately 4-6 hours.
• Means of transport: cruise.

If you have less time in Rio de Janeiro and want to see its must-see attractions, you can book a two-hour catamaran trip around Guanabara Bay. These sea trips usually take place in the morning and afternoon, so you have several options to choose from.

Catamaran trips in Rio de Janeiro are available all year round and are ideal for people of all ages. There is usually no guide on board, but you can listen to an audio guide that will tell you about the places you see. Don't forget to bring your headphones if you want to listen to it.

These catamaran tours usually pass by Rio de Janeiro's main attractions, such as Sugarloaf Mountain, the Christ the Redeemer statue and the Rio-Niteroi Bridge, as well as historically important sites such as the Santa Cruz Fortress, the Forte da Lage and the São José Fortress. You can also see the city's iconic buildings, such as the Museum of Contemporary Art, renowned for its disc shape, and the Museu do Amanhã, a futuristic and sustainable science museum with striking architecture inspired by bromeliads.

Catamarans usually have a large covered deck so you can enjoy the view in the open air, and there is also space inside the boat if you prefer to be sheltered from the sun. You can also buy regional food and drinks on board, as these are not usually included in the price of the cruise.

Details of interest

• Price: approximately £25 for adults and £20 for children. Infants travel free.
• Duration: around 2 hours.
• Means of transport: catamaran.

One thing you can't miss in Rio de Janeiro, besides a boat trip, is watching the sunset in the enchanting Guanabara Bay aboard a catamaran. In addition to enjoying this natural spectacle in Rio de Janeiro, you can see the city's highlights while sailing.

When the sun goes down, the city's main attractions and Guanabara Bay, such as Sugarloaf Mountain, Christ the Redeemer and the Rio-Niteroi Bridge, are illuminated by the colours of the sunset, making them unmissable from the ocean.

The Museum of Contemporary Art, with its distinctive disc shape, and the Museu do Amanha, shaped like a bromeliad, are even more striking when the sun begins to set and, later, when night reveals their harmonious lighting.

On these sunset tours, you can usually sail while listening to an audio guide that provides information about the places you see during the trip. Headphones are not usually included, so it is best to bring your own. These tours are available all year round and are ideal for people of all ages.

Details of interest

• Price: approximately £25 for adults and £20 for children. Infants travel free of charge.
• Duration: approximately 2 hours.
• Means of transport: catamaran.

Angra dos Reis is located in an archipelago with more than 360 islands and around 2,000 beaches, very close to Rio de Janeiro. It is the perfect place to sail and discover its lush nature aboard a schooner that will take you to the most beautiful beaches and sites in the archipelago.

The city of Angra dos Reis is located about 150 km from Rio de Janeiro, which is why these trips are full-day excursions and start early in the morning. You usually arrive by bus to the city of Angra dos Reis, and then board the schooner that takes you to explore the archipelago.

One of the most visited islands in Angra dos Reis is Ilha Grande, where there are tropical forests with great biodiversity. There you can usually stop for a swim, snorkel or dive, or sunbathe on one of the white sandy beaches. Keep in mind that snorkelling or diving equipment rental and lessons are not usually included in the tour price.

Without a doubt, sailing in Angra dos Reis is one of the best excursions to do from Rio de Janeiro, perfect for those looking to spend a day away from the city and surrounded by lush nature. In addition, you are usually accompanied by a local guide who can provide you with lots of interesting information about the city and the archipelago. Lunch is usually included, or you can buy whatever you need at one of the stops along the way.

Details of interest

• Price: approximately £45 for adults and £25 for children. Infants travel free.
• Duration: approximately 14 hours.
• Means of transport: bus and sailing boat.

If you are staying in Rio de Janeiro for 1 or 3 days and want to see the most characteristic sights in a short time, you can take a land and sea tour to see the highlights of the city, such as the statue of Christ the Redeemer and Guanabara Bay.

On board the catamaran, you will see iconic sites in Rio de Janeiro, such as Sugarloaf Mountain, the Rio-Niterói Bridge, the disc-shaped Niterói Contemporary Art Museum, the Museu do Amanhã, whose architecture was inspired by bromeliad flowers, and the historic fortresses of San Juan and Santa Cruz.

These tours usually include pick-up and drop-off at your hotel and tend to start in the morning or at midday. Some include a tour of Christ the Redeemer, where you can enjoy incredible views of Guanabara Bay and the city. You will usually be accompanied by a guide, which is highly recommended, as you will learn interesting facts about the attractions you visit. The tour is suitable for both children and adults.

Important details

• Price: around £110 for adults and around £75 for children.
• Duration: around 6 hours.
• Means of transport: bus and catamaran.

If you are travelling with friends or your partner and want to experience a party in Rio de Janeiro on board a cruise ship, don't miss these night cruises with guaranteed fun. Many of these boat trips usually have an open bar and a DJ on board who will play music for dancing throughout the trip. Without a doubt, it's one of the best things to do in Rio de Janeiro at night.

These night cruises usually start quite late, after 11 p.m. They are not suitable for children, as they start shortly before midnight and alcoholic beverages are served. There are also night cruises that include a dinner of local food and set sail earlier, which are ideal if you are travelling as a couple.

In addition to dancing on board, these cruises tour Guanabara Bay and pass by Rio de Janeiro's main attractions, such as Sugarloaf Mountain, the city's most famous landmark; the statue of Christ the Redeemer, another iconic attraction; the Rio-Niteroi Bridge, an engineering marvel; and the Museu do Amanhã, which catches everyone's eye with its bromeliad shape.

Details of interest

• Price: from approximately £20 per person.
• Duration: around 5 hours.
• Means of transport: catamaran.

Before booking a cruise in the city, it is important to keep in mind a few recommendations so that you can make the most of these tours in Rio de Janeiro. The most important thing is to read everything that is included in the cruise and ask any questions you may have before booking the service. Here are some more recommendations:

• Protect yourself from the sun: although cruises usually have a roof to protect you from the sun, it is a good idea to use sunscreen and wear sunglasses and a hat just in case.
• Bring extra money: many cruises do not include meals or drinks, but you can buy them on board. It never hurts to have your own bottle of water.
• Check the timetable: make a note of the cruise departure and arrival times and the departure point. You should usually arrive a little early to board without rushing and avoid delays in the departure time. Cruises usually depart from Marina da Glória.
• Take care of your camera and/or mobile phone: use safety straps to protect your camera and/or mobile phone in case you drop them.
• Book in advance: especially if you are only spending a few days in the city, or if you are travelling during the high season, such as December in Rio de Janeiro, as the city receives many visitors.
• Wear appropriate clothing: temperatures are always mild or warm in Rio de Janeiro, and the rainy season is mainly from December to March. Be sure to check the weather conditions so you can pack the most suitable clothing.
• Check cancellation policies: many cruises cancel trips due to bad weather, but not all of them cancel in case of rain.

Finally, keep in mind that many cruises do notstop at beaches or islands unless they specify that they do. In any case, if they do not stop, you will have enough time to see all the attractions, beaches and islands that the cruise passes by.