Rio de Janeiro Small Group Sunset Sailing Tour

Sailing Guanabara Bay at sunset

Guanabara Bay is one of the great natural harbours of the world, ringed by mountains and dotted with islands, and a sunset sailing tour in Rio is the best way to appreciate it. The tour departs from a marina meeting point shown on your booking confirmation in the afternoon and sails out onto open water as the light softens.

Because the group is small, the pace is relaxed and there is space to move around the boat, take photographs and ask the crew questions. The exact route depends on wind and tide, and the crew adapts to give you the best views on the day.

Sugarloaf Mountain and Urca

Sugarloaf Mountain, known in Portuguese as Pao de Acucar, rises about 396 metres from the water at the mouth of the bay and is one of the symbols of Rio. From a boat you see its granite dome from below, with the cable car lines running up to the summit and the small neighbourhood of Urca at its foot.

As the sun sets, the rock often turns golden, then pink and orange, making it one of the most photographed moments of the day. If you are wondering what the best time is for sunset sailing in Rio, the late afternoon hours around the tour's departure are ideal, though timing shifts with the season.

Christ the Redeemer and the Rio skyline

From the water you can look back across the city to Corcovado, where the statue of Christ the Redeemer stands with open arms on top of a forested peak. It is a very different view from the one you get on the mountain itself, and the statue can be seen on clear days.

The skyline also includes the beaches of Flamengo and Botafogo, the green park along the shore and, further along the bay, the curved Museum of Contemporary Art in Niteroi. The crew points out landmarks as you sail, and cloud cover can change what is visible on the day.

What is included and how to prepare

The price includes a professional sailing crew, insurance, soft drinks, juice, water and snacks, including finger food. Sunscreen and towels are not included, so bring your own, along with a hat, sunglasses and a light jacket for the breeze at dusk.

Hotel pickup is not included, so you make your own way to the marina shown on your booking confirmation. Sailing tours can be adjusted or rescheduled in poor weather or rough seas, so keep your phone available and check your booking before you leave. Arrive on time so the crew can cast off while the light is still golden and the bay is calm.