Brazil · CRUISES & BOAT TOURS

Boat Trips in Brazil: The 15 Best Days on the Water

72 tours  ·  from $13

Half the coast only makes sense from the water, and so does the river. These 15 range from a two-hour bay cruise to a full day under sail with lunch aboard, each priced and honest about how much swimming time you get.

Rio de Janeiro: Sunset Sailing Tour - Three hours through Guanabara Bay
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Rio de Janeiro: Sunset Sailing Tour

1.Sunset Sailing Tour

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

Join a small sailing group of up to 12 people at Marina da Glória for three hours on Guanabara Bay. You’ll pass historic fortresses, Boa Viagem Island, and Niemeyer’s Niterói museum before watching the sun set behind Rio’s famous skyline. Clarisse, Karina, or another English-speaking host may serve caipirinhas, beer, wine, snacks, and fruit throughout the trip.

“Enthusiastic guide who kept up the supply of nibbles and drinks. We stopped for a swim in a quiet corner of the bay and watched a magnificent sunset.”

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Rio de Janeiro: Sunset Sailboat Tour with Open Bar - Boarding in Urca and getting comfortable
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Rio de Janeiro: Sunset Sailboat Tour with Open Bar

2.Sunset Sailboat Tour with Open Bar

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

Spend three hours aboard a shared sailboat in Guanabara Bay, starting from Urca. Your English- or Portuguese-speaking host, such as Paola, Lohanny, or Mariana, serves caipirinhas, beer, fruit, and snacks while pointing out Rio’s landmarks. Expect music, a possible swim stop, sunset views, and a short boat transfer from the dock.

“We really enjoyed the evening sunset cruise with Lohanni and crew!”

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From Rio de Janeiro: Angra dos Reis Boat Trip with Lunch - Boarding the schooner in Angra dos Reis
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From Rio de Janeiro: Angra dos Reis Boat Trip with Lunch

3.Angra dos Reis Boat Trip with Lunch

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

Leave Rio early for a 14-hour island day with Rio Carioca Tours & Service. After the three-hour drive, board a schooner through Angra dos Reis, stop at Blue Lagoon, Cataguases, and Japariz or Araçá, swim with fish, and eat a buffet lunch by a fishermen’s village. Guides such as Leonardo and Alex are praised for friendly multilingual help.

“Leo was a great guide. This trip would be better if you had more time on the islands you have about 30-40 minutes for each island . One of them you have an hour but because you eat there. Maybe less islands for more time. Other than that guide was great, boat crew was great, food was not the best but definitely worth checking out the islands.”

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From Rio: Arraial do Cabo Day Trip with Boat Tour - Boarding the schooner in Arraial do Cabo
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From Rio: Arraial do Cabo Day Trip with Boat Tour

4.Arraial do Cabo Day Trip with Boat Tour

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

Travel from Rio to Arraial do Cabo, then sail by schooner to Ilha do Farol, Prainhas do Pontal, Praia do Forno, Gruta Azul, and more. Guides speak English, Portuguese, and Spanish on land. Choose the lunch option, bring cash, and expect a very long day with about four hours of road travel each way.

“Really lovely day, guide was excellent and so helpful!”

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Arraial do Cabo Day Trip from Rio de Janeiro: Boat Tour & Beach - The early pickup and road journey
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Arraial do Cabo Day Trip from Rio de Janeiro: Boat Tour & Beach

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

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

Trade Rio’s city streets for Arraial do Cabo’s clear water and bright beaches on a full-day trip with hotel pickup, a schooner cruise, swimming stops, and a buffet lunch option. Guides such as Newton, Andrea, Vivi, and Israel have helped English-speaking visitors, though boat commentary is mainly in Portuguese. Expect a long road journey and possible weather changes.

“The tour is very good! the whole experience of getting to Arraial do Cabo was a dream! Food at casa do piedra was amazing. The weather was the only downside, it was very cloudy and rainy but even with that we had a wonderful time on this day trip. I would recommend and I will be back someday, hoping for a sunny day next time!”

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From Foz do Iguazu: Brazil Iguazu Falls & Macuco Safari Boat - From Foz do Iguaçu to the national park
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From Foz do Iguazu: Brazil Iguazu Falls & Macuco Safari Boat

6.Brazil Iguazu Falls & Macuco Safari Boat

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 358 reviews · from $134

Travel from Foz do Iguaçu into Brazil’s Iguaçu National Park for wide waterfall views, a short forest walk, and the wet, thrilling Macuco Safari boat ride. Small groups of up to 15, hotel pickup, park entry, and English, Portuguese, or Spanish guiding are included. Guides such as Sandro, Junior, and Wederson have earned special praise for friendly, attentive service.

“Vladimiro was an excellent guide. The pick up was bang on time. He was very helpful to me as the only English-speaking person on the tour and made sure I was fully informed. The bird park is a must but sadly 1.5hrs wasn’t quite enough time- 2hrs would have been better in my opinion.”

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Rio de Janeiro: Guanabara Bay Sunset Sailing Tour & Drinks - Leaving Marina da Glória without a last minute scramble
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Rio de Janeiro: Guanabara Bay Sunset Sailing Tour & Drinks

7.Guanabara Bay Sunset Sailing Tour & Drinks

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 331 reviews · 3 hours · from $70

Spend three hours sailing from Marina da Glória around Guanabara Bay aboard a fully equipped sailboat. Your English or Portuguese-speaking crew serves beer, caipirinhas, soft drinks, water, and finger food while pointing out Sugarloaf Mountain and Christ the Redeemer. Weather permitting, you can swim, use provided towels, and watch the sunset from the bow.

“very nice, the guides were wellcoming and Happy to explain the history of the erea and answer all questions. Good food and drinks onboard, defenetly recomend.”

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

8.Arraial do Cabo Boat Trip with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★3.8 · 321 reviews · 14 hours · from $65

Leave Rio early for a full day in Arraial do Cabo, known for clear water and abundant sea life. A guide leads you from hotel pickup to a schooner ride with four beach and swimming stops, including Forno, Farol, Atalaia, and Blue Grotto views. Lunch is included, while drinks, snorkel gear, and local cash fees cost extra.

“Even though the weather was not the best, this tour was fantastic. My guide, Maira was is 100% exceptional. She immediately turned the mood into a joyful and exciting experience. The entire crew on the boat was also extremely professional, helpful, and welcoming. When we visited, the beaches were empty, and it felt like a private beach. The sand was powdery white. This was an overall really fun experience, and I highly recommend it!”

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From Foz do Iguaçu: Iguazú Falls Boat Ride Argentina - The 75-minute ride from Foz do Iguaçu
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From Foz do Iguaçu: Iguazú Falls Boat Ride Argentina

9.Iguazú Falls Boat Ride Argentina

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 274 reviews · 9 hours · from $192

Travel from Foz do Iguaçu to Argentina with a bilingual or trilingual guide such as Fabio, Claudio, or Jair. Walk the Devil’s Throat and Upper Circuit, then take the Great Adventure boat into the spray of the falls. Expect about 7 kilometers of walking, border formalities, and a very wet finish.

“The organization of this trip was great, everything went smoothly which made our experience wonderful. Fabio was an exceptional guide, explained everything very well and exceeded our expectations. Whenever possible, he always tried to avoid the crowds, which we really appreciated. We did everything stated in this tour’s itinerary. And on our way back, we decided spontaneously we wanted to go to the Parque de Aves and he was very kind to drop us off there instead of our hotel. He even accompanied us to buy the tickets to make sure everything was fine and explained us where we should wait for the Uber or where we could take taxis…”

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Paraty Bay: Islands & Beaches Boat Tour with Snorkeling - The boat: comfort, space, and practical facilities
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Paraty Bay: Islands & Beaches Boat Tour with Snorkeling

10.Paraty Bay: Islands & Beaches Boat Tour with Snorkeling

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 274 reviews · 5 hours · from $22

Spend five hours cruising Paraty Bay aboard a well-equipped boat with Portuguese-speaking crew. Stop at two beaches and two islands for swimming and snorkeling, with floaties, masks, music, bar service, restrooms, and optional lunch. Paddleboards, kayaks, and a caipirinha are available with selected options. Arrive early at the Paraty Tours office to collect your ticket before walking to the harbor.

“Great tour with lots of awesome stops. Good for many types of people! Snorkeling was fun. There’s good food as well. Good bang for your buck overall. I’d recommend to both couples and families.”

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Sunset Boat Tour with Beer, Water, Soda and Snacks included - Niterói’s Contemporary Art Museum in 15 minutes
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Sunset Boat Tour with Beer, Water, Soda and Snacks included

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

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

Set out from Marina da Glória for about three hours with an English- or Spanish-speaking guide, beer, water, soda, and snacks. You’ll pause at the Museum of Tomorrow, Niterói’s Contemporary Art Museum, Urca, and Adão e Eva Beach, where swimming, paddle boards, and pool noodles add a relaxed break before the sunset return.

“If you’re looking for a truly magical experience in Rio de Janeiro, a sunset sailing trip is an absolute must! From start to finish, this tour exceeded all expectations and provided one of the most breathtaking moments of our entire trip. As we set sail from Marina da Glória, the views of Rio’s iconic skyline were already stunning. But as the sun began to dip towards the horizon, the scenery transformed into something straight out of a dream. Watching the golden light reflect off Sugarloaf Mountain, Christ the Redeemer, and the beautiful coastline was simply unforgettable. The crew was professional, friendly, and incredibly knowledgeable about the city’s history and landmarks.…”

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Rio: Boat Tour of Guanabara Bay - Starting at Marina da Glória
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Rio: Boat Tour of Guanabara Bay

12.Boat Tour of Guanabara Bay

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 214 reviews

Board a modern catamaran at Marina da Glória for a 90-minute circuit of Guanabara Bay. You’ll pass Rio’s port, Niterói, the Oscar Niemeyer Museum of Contemporary Art, historic forts, and Sugarloaf Mountain. Portuguese, English, and Spanish audio commentary is included, with morning and sunset departures.

“Could not hear the tour narrator over the speaker.”

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From Foz do Iguaçu: Argentinian Iguazu Falls with Boat Ride - Pickup from Foz do Iguaçu and the border crossing
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From Foz do Iguaçu: Argentinian Iguazu Falls with Boat Ride

13.Argentinian Iguazu Falls with Boat Ride

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 185 reviews · 5 hours · from $197

Travel from Foz do Iguaçu to Argentina’s Iguazu National Park with a guide in a small group of up to 15. You’ll walk the falls, ride the Gran Aventura boat beneath the cascades, and return soaked but happy. Guides such as Joao, Junior, Marcos, and Valdomiro are praised for helpful border assistance, local insight, and flexible timing.

“The trip was great, considering that we booked a speedboat as well! The problem with Argentinian side is that the bridge to Devils throat is completely destroyed by the floods. So the walking trails are not much interesting right now, but the speedboat experience was unbelievable, we were 4 times driven through the waterfalls!”

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From Rio de Janeiro: Búzios Boat Trip with Lunch - Boarding the schooner in Búzios
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From Rio de Janeiro: Búzios Boat Trip with Lunch

14.Búzios Boat Trip with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★3.8 · 129 reviews · 14 hours · from $68

You’ll leave Rio early for Búzios, board a schooner, and stop at up to four beaches such as João Fernandes, Azeda, Azedinha, Tartaruga, or Ossos. Lunch and hotel pickup are included. Guides speak English, Portuguese, and Spanish. Plan for a long 14-hour day, extra cash, and possible traffic delays.

“Ainda não acabou mas foi o horror da minha vida tenho 71 anos, já viajei pelo mundo todo. 10 vezes no Brasil e nunca tive uma guia tão horrível, como mandei mensagem devido a um atraso de 1 hora a senhora RAQUEL péssima guia quando chegou e depois de lhe dizer que não me avisaram do atraso, simplesmente me mandou sair do bus, dizendo que seria uma pena eu continuar (somos 4 pessoas de 72, 71, 72e 74 anos chamou-me por imensas vezes merda de portugueses, vocês são uma merda. Acham isto normal. O mínimo que a agência devia ter feito era mudar-nos a excursão. Tive medo de seguir com…”

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Angra dos Reis and Ilha Grande: Small-Group Fast-Boat Tour - The three-hour ride to Angra dos Reis
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Angra dos Reis and Ilha Grande: Small-Group Fast-Boat Tour

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

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

Leave Rio early for a three-hour transfer to Angra dos Reis, then board a speedboat for Ilha Grande. With a bilingual guide such as Lucas, Jessie, or Erica, you may visit up to five beaches and lagoons, including Blue Lagoon and Botinas Islands. Bring snacks, swimwear, sun protection, and a change of clothes.

“Great tour! Pick up on time, comfortable big bus to location, then split into 3 small boat groups. Beautiful locations, nice food, free caipirinhas!! Lucas and Max were excellent guides! Highly recommended this activity!”

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