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 boarding a cruise ship 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 a little out of the city and sail to Ilha Grande, an island where you can enjoy all the exuberance of the rainforest.

Undoubtedly, one of the best activities you can 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 take place all year round, and both adults and children can participate. 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 it is usually paid for separately, 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, located on Corcovado Hill; and Copacabana Beach, one of the most beautiful beaches in the city. You also usually 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 neighborhoods such as Urca, Flamengo and Botafogo.

Details of interest

• Price: from about $50 for adults and about $36 for children. Babies do not pay.
• 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 you want to visit its unmissable attractions, you can hire a catamaran ride of about two hours in the Guanabara Bay. These sea tours usually take place both in the morning and in the 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. Generally, there is no guide on board, but you can listen to an audio guide that will tell you about the places you visit. 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 Sugar Loaf 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 can also visit the city's emblematic buildings, such as the Museum of Contemporary Art, known for its disc shape, and the Museu do Amanha, 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 room inside the ship if you prefer to be more sheltered from the sun. You will also be able to buy regional meals and drinks on board, as they are not usually included in the price of the cruise.

Interesting details

• Price: about 25 € for adults approximately, and about 20 € for children. Babies do not pay.
• Duration: about 2 hours.
• Means of transportation: catamaran.
• Advantages of this option: you will be able to see the main attractions of Rio de Janeiro from the sea, and aboard a comfortable catamaran with on-board services.
• Disadvantages of this option: the price of the cruise does not usually include meals and drinks. It does not usually include stops at the islands, swimming or snorkeling.

An unmissable thing to do in Rio de Janeiro, besides taking a boat ride, is to watch the sunset over the enchanting Guanabara Bay, aboard a catamaran. In addition to enjoying this spectacle of nature in Rio de Janeiro, you can 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 colors of the sunset, so they become 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 amazing when the sun begins to set and, later, when the night reveals its harmonious illumination.

Usually, in these sunset tours you can navigate listening to an audio guide that gives you information about the places you know during the tour. Headphones are not usually included, so it is best to bring your own. These tours are available year-round and are ideal for people of all ages.

Details of interest

• Price: about 25 € for adults approximately, 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 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 or 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 located about 150 km from Rio de Janeiro, so these tours are full day 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 know the archipelago.

One of the most visited islands in Angra dos Reis is Ilha Grande, where there are rainforests with a great biodiversity. There you usually stop for a dip, snorkel or dive, or sunbathe on one of its white sandy beaches. Please note that snorkeling 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 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.

Details of interest

• Price: about 45 € for adults approximately, and about 25 € for children. Babies do not pay.
• 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 your stay in Rio de Janeiro is 1 or 3 days and you 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 the Guanabara Bay.

On board the catamaran, you can see iconic sites of Rio de Janeiro, 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, or the historic fortresses of San Juan and Santa Cruz.

These types of tours usually include pick-up and drop-off at your hotel, and usually start in the morning or at noon. 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 visit in a short time some of the most important attractions of Rio de Janeiro, such as Christ the Redeemer and Guanabara Bay, both by land and water.
• Disadvantages of this option: it does not usually include drinks.

If you are traveling with friends or with 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 these night cruises with guaranteed fun. Many of these boat tours usually have an open bar and a DJ on board that will play music for dancing throughout the tour. Without a doubt, it is one of the best things to do in Rio de Janeiro at night.

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

In addition to dancing on board, these cruises travel along the Guanabara Bay and pass by 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 catches 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 who are looking for an option to enjoy the night in Rio de Janeiro, and also tour the Guanabara Bay.
• Disadvantages of this option: not all cruises include meals or drinks on board. Not suitable for children.

Before hiring 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 to read everything included in the cruise and ask any questions you may have before hiring 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 do not include meals and drinks, but you can buy them on board. It never hurts to have your own water bottle.
• Check the schedules: write down the departure and arrival times of the cruise, and the place from where it departs. Generally, you should arrive some time before to board at your leisure and avoid delays in the departure time. Cruises usually depart from Marina da Glória.
• Take care of your camera and/or cell phone: use safety straps to protect your camera and/or cell phone in case of a fall.
• Book in advance: especially if you will spend only a few days in the city, or if you are traveling in high season, such as December in Rio de Janeiro, as the city receives many visitors.
• Wear appropriate clothing: temperatures are always warm or hot in Rio de Janeiro, and the rainy season is mostly from December to March. Be sure to check weather conditions to bring 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, keep in mind that many cruise ships do not stop at beaches or islands, unless they make it clear. However, if they do not stop, you will have enough time to see all the attractions, beaches and islands the cruise ship passes by.