Rio de Janeiro: Sailing Tour with Open Bar & Sunset Views

Sail past Sugarloaf & Corcovado with caipirinhas at sunset

You’ll board a sailboat in Rio de Janeiro for three hours of city views from the water—Sugarloaf and Corcovado included—with stops for swimming and plenty of laughs over fresh caipirinhas. Expect fruit snacks, local stories from your guide, and an open bar as sunset colors spill across Guanabara Bay.

What’s included

• Your sailing day includes a 3-hour cruise from Urca with all drinks—beer, caipirinhas in several flavors like lime and passion fruit, plus caipivodkas—served onboard for guests over 18.
• You’ll also get snacks like peanuts, biscuits, sandwiches, and fresh fruit skewers.
• There’s a stop for swimming at Adão e Eva beach before returning through Guanabara Bay as sunset falls over Rio’s skyline.

Traveler reviews

4.91★★★★★★★★★★

87 verified traveler reviews

Ratings come from travelers who booked this exact experience. We never edit or filter them.

Read all the reviews ›

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Sailing tour with sightseeing and drinks

• Depart from Urca near Floating River
• Pass Fort São João and Ilha da Laje
• Pass Fort Santa Cruz and beaches of Adão and Eva
• Stop for diving at beach
• Return via Icarai and pass MAC
• Pass Praia da Boa Viagem and Santos Dumont airport
• Pass Aterro do Flamengo
• Enjoy snacks, fruit skewers, and drinks onboard
• Toast with caipirinhas during sunset

The Experience

I almost missed the boat—literally. The Uber driver got lost in Urca’s winding streets, and I ended up running along the marina, sandals in hand, hair already sticking to my forehead. The skipper just grinned and waved me aboard like this was all perfectly normal. There was a mix of locals and travelers on deck, everyone sort of eyeing each other at first, but once we pushed off and someone handed me a cold caipirinha (with passion fruit, not lime—didn’t expect that), things loosened up fast.

Our guide, Renata, pointed out Fort São João as we drifted by—she told us stories about old Rio soldiers that made me laugh more than I thought I would on a “sightseeing” trip. You could smell salt and something sweet from the fruit skewers they passed around; I grabbed one with pineapple that dripped down my wrist. We stopped near Adão e Eva beach for a swim. The water was colder than it looked but honestly refreshing after the sticky heat. Someone tried to teach me how to say “graviola” properly—I definitely butchered it, but nobody seemed to mind.

The sun started dipping behind Sugarloaf Mountain just as we circled back through Icaraí. There was this weird hush for a minute—everyone staring at the orange light on Corcovado’s silhouette while planes floated down toward Santos Dumont airport overhead. It felt kind of surreal, like being inside one of those old postcards you find in flea markets here. On the way back past Praia da Boa Viagem and Aterro do Flamengo, people swapped stories over beers and watermelon caipivodkas (dangerously good). I still think about that view sometimes when I hear seagulls or smell lime peel—funny what sticks with you.

Top questions

How long does the Rio sailing tour last?

The shared sailing tour is 3 hours long.

Where does the sailboat depart from in Rio?

The boat departs from Urca, in front of the Floating River.

Are drinks included on this sailing tour?

Yes, beer, caipirinhas (lime and other flavors), and caipivodkas are included for guests over 18.

Is there food served during the tour?

Yes, you’ll get peanuts, biscuits, sandwiches, and fruit skewers during the cruise.

Do we stop for swimming on this day trip?

Yes, there’s a stop for diving or swimming at Adão e Eva beach.

Is this sailing tour suitable for all fitness levels?

Yes, it’s suitable for all physical fitness levels except those with spinal injuries.

Can infants join this Rio sailing trip?

Infants are allowed but must sit on an adult’s lap.

Are service animals allowed on board?

Yes, service animals are permitted on this tour.

Which Rio landmarks do we see from the boat?

You’ll see Sugarloaf Mountain, Corcovado, Fort São João, Ilha da Laje, Fort Santa Cruz, Praia da Boa Viagem, and more.

Is public transport available near the departure point?

Yes, there are public transportation options nearby in Urca.