Best Rio de Janeiro Cruises

Rio de Janeiro is located in Guanabara Bay, a bay of about 400 km2 that offers a dozen islands and is surrounded by green hills. From the sea you can see some of the city's most emblematic 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 to do in Rio de Janeiro, as it allows you to see all that the city and Guanabara Bay have to offer from a privileged perspective at sea. You can also get out of the city for a bit and sail to Ilha Grande, an island where you can enjoy all the lushness of the rainforest.

Without a doubt, one of the best things to do in Rio de Janeiro is to board a cruise ship and sail around Guanabara Bay, which is located next to the city. This bay, embedded between hills, is the second largest in Brazil and one of the most beautiful. It offers a dozen islands in an area of about 400 km2 and a great diversity of marine life.

These boat trips usually leave early in the morning and last half a day. They run all year round and are open to adults and children. Many tour companies also offer extra services such as pick-up and drop-off at your hotel and lunch with regional meals. If you wish to hire a guide, please note that you usually pay extra, as they offer this service privately to small groups.

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

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

Interesting details

• Price: from approximately €50 for adults and around €36 for children. Babies are free.
• Duration: about 4-6 hours.
• Means of transport: cruise.
• Advantages of this option: you will get to know one of the most beautiful bays in Brazil, Guanabara Bay, where you can see beaches, Sugarloaf Mountain and some of the main attractions of Rio de Janeiro from the sea.
• Disadvantages of this option: the tour has no intermediate stops at beaches or islands.

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

Catamaran tours 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 who will tell you about the places you see. Don't forget to bring your headphones in case you want to listen to it.

These catamaran tours usually pass by the main attractions of Rio de Janeiro, such as Sugarloaf Mountain, the Statue of Christ the Redeemer and the Rio-Niteroi Bridge; and sites of historical importance such as the Santa Cruz Fortress, the Forte da Lage and the São José Fortress. You'll also see the city's iconic buildings, such as the Museum of Contemporary Art, renowned for its disc-shaped architecture, and the Museu do Amanha, a futuristic and sustainable science museum with striking bromeliad-inspired architecture.

Catamarans usually have a large covered deck for open-air viewing, and there's also room inside the boat if you prefer to stay out of the sun. You can also buy regional meals and drinks on board, as these are not usually included in the price of the cruise.

Interesting details

• Price: about €25 for adults and about €20 for children. Babies are free of charge.
• Duration: about 2 hours.
• Means of transport: catamaran.
• Advantages of this option: you will be able to see the main attractions of Rio de Janeiro from the sea, on board a comfortable catamaran with on-board services.
• Disadvantages of this option: the price of the cruise does not usually include meals and drinks. Nor does it usually include stops at the islands, swimming or snorkelling.

An unmissable thing to do in Rio de Janeiro, apart from taking a boat ride, is to watch the sunset over the enchanting Guanabara Bay on board a catamaran. Besides enjoying this spectacle of nature in Rio de Janeiro, you will be able to see the highlights of the city while sailing.

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

Also the Museum of Contemporary Art, with its particular disc shape, and the Museu do Amanha, with its bromeliad shape, are even more striking when the sun begins to set and, later, when the night reveals its harmonious illumination.

On these sunset tours you can usually navigate while listening to an audio guide that provides information about the places you see during the tour. 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. Babies are free of charge.
• Duration: about 2 hours.
• Means of transport: catamaran.
• Advantages of this option: you will be able to see the sunset on the sea aboard a catamaran, in the beautiful Guanabara Bay. You will be able to see the main attractions of Rio de Janeiro from the water.
• Disadvantages of this option: it does not usually include meals and drinks on board, nor stops at islands or beaches.

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

The city of Angra dos Reis is about 150 km from Rio de Janeiro, so these tours are full day trips and start early in the morning. Usually you arrive by bus to the city of Angra dos Reis, and then you board the schooner that takes you to the archipelago.

One of the most visited islands in Angra dos Reis is Ilha Grande, where there are tropical rainforests with a great biodiversity. There you can stop for a dip, snorkel or dive, or sunbathe on one of the white sandy beaches. Please note that snorkelling or diving equipment hire 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 exuberant nature. In addition, you are usually accompanied by a local guide who can provide you with a lot of interesting information about the city and the archipelago. Lunch is usually included, or you can buy what you need at one of the stops along the way.

Interesting details

• Price: about €45 for adults and about €25 for children. Babies are free.
• Duration: about 14 hours.
• Means of transport: bus and sailing boat.
• Advantages of this option: you will get to know Angra dos Reis and Ilha Grande, one of the most beautiful and exuberant islands in Brazil. You will be able to spend time on the island to sunbathe, take a dip or practice water sports.
• Disadvantages of this option: the transfer to Angra dos Reis is by bus.

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

On board the catamaran, you'll see iconic Rio de Janeiro landmarks such as Sugarloaf Mountain, the Rio-Niterói Bridge, the disc-shaped Museum of Contemporary Art of Niteroi, the Museu do Amanh, 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 usually start in the morning or at midday. Some include a tour of Christ the Redeemer, from where you can enjoy the incredible view of Guanabara Bay and the city. You are usually accompanied by a guide, which is highly recommended, as you will learn interesting facts about the attractions you visit. It can be done by both children and adults.

Interesting details

• Price: about 110 € for adults and about 75 € for children.
• Duration: about 6 hours.
• Means of transport: bus and catamaran.
• Advantages of this option: you will be able to see some of Rio de Janeiro's most important attractions, such as Christ the Redeemer and Guanabara Bay, in a short time, both by land and by water.
• Disadvantages of this option: it does not usually include drinks.

If you're travelling with friends or your partner, and you want to experience what it's like to party in Rio de Janeiro on board a cruise ship, you can't miss out on these fun-filled night cruises. Many of these boat trips usually have an open bar and a DJ on board who will play dance music throughout the tour. This is definitely one of the best things to do in Rio de Janeiro at night.

These night cruises usually start quite late, after 11pm. They are not suitable for children as they start shortly before midnight and alcoholic beverages are consumed. There are also evening cruises that include dinner with local food and sail earlier, which are ideal for couples.

As well as dancing on board, these cruises cruise the Guanabara Bay and pass Rio de Janeiro's main attractions, such as Sugarloaf Mountain, which is the city's main postcard; the statue of Christ the Redeemer, another iconic attraction; the amazingly engineered Rio-Niteroi Bridge; and the Museu do Amanha, which attracts everyone's attention because of its bromeliad shape.

Details of interest

• Price: from approximately €20 per person.
• Duration: about 5 hours.
• Means of transport: catamaran.
• Advantages of this option: it is ideal for those looking for an option to enjoy the night in Rio de Janeiro, as well as touring the Guanabara Bay.
• Disadvantages of this option: not all cruises include meals or drinks on board. It is not suitable for children.

Before booking a cruise in the city, it is important that you take into account some recommendations, so that you can make the most of these tours in Rio de Janeiro. The most important thing is that you read everything 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 that protects 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 don't include meals and drinks, but you can buy them on board. It never hurts to have your own water bottle.
• Check schedules: note the departure and arrival times of the cruise ship, and where it departs from. Generally, you should arrive a little early to board at your leisure and avoid any delays in departure times. 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 it.
• Book in advance: especially if you are spending only a few days in the city, or if you are travelling in high season, such as December in Rio de Janeiro, as the city receives many visitors.
• Wear appropriate clothing: temperatures are always warm to hot in Rio de Janeiro, and the rainy season is mostly from December to March. Be sure to check the weather conditions to take the most appropriate clothing.
• Check cancellation policies: many cruise ships will cancel for bad weather, but not all will cancel in case of rain.

Finally, be aware that many cruise ships do not stop at beaches or islands unless they make it clear. However, if they do not stop, you will still have plenty of time to see all the attractions, beaches and islands the cruise ship passes.