Boat rental in Rio de Janeiro starts from R$1,250 per charter, with private trips across Guanabara Bay, Niterói and the Atlantic coast. All prices on this page are in Brazilian reais (BRL).
Choose from sailboats, motorboats, trawlers, catamarans, schooners and yachts, each chartered privately for your group. A skipper is included on most boats, so you don’t need a boating license to enjoy the day.
Quick summary
A private boat tour in Rio de Janeiro shows the city from the angle its first visitors saw: from the water, with Sugarloaf Mountain rising straight out of Guanabara Bay. Rio sits between this sheltered bay and the open Atlantic, so a few hours on board can cover calm coves, historic forts and ocean islands.
Guanabara Bay covers about 384 km² (148 sq mi) and holds more than 40 islands and islets. Its mouth narrows to roughly 1.6 km (1 mile) between Fortaleza de São João in Urca and Fortaleza de Santa Cruz in Niterói, which is why so many of Rio’s landmarks crowd its shores.
From the deck you see Sugarloaf, Christ the Redeemer on Corcovado and the long curve of Copacabana from a different perspective, without queues or traffic. Most trips mix sightseeing with swim stops, and late-afternoon departures often end with the sun setting behind the mountains.
Rio is the main hub for our boat rental in Brazil, and many boats here also sail on the Niterói side of the bay. Every charter is private: the boat, the skipper and the itinerary are for your group only.
Boat rental in Rio de Janeiro starts from R$1,250 per charter on a sailboat, while motorboats start from R$1,400 per charter. Prices are for the whole boat and your group, not per person.
The final quote depends on a few factors:
What’s included, such as fuel, drinks, food or extras like a barbecue, varies from boat to boat and must be confirmed with our team before you book. The table below shows the starting price for each boat type.
| Type | Ideal for | From |
|---|---|---|
| Sailboat | Couples and small groups, quiet sailing and sunsets | R$1,250 per charter |
| Motorboat | Covering more ground: bay, Niterói beaches and ocean islands | R$1,400 per charter |
| Trawler | Larger groups cruising at a relaxed pace with shade | R$2,400 per charter |
| Catamaran | Families, children and big celebrations on a stable deck | R$3,000 per charter |
| Schooner | Large groups, birthdays and company outings | R$3,000 per charter |
| Yacht | VIP guests, corporate events and special occasions | R$7,500 per charter |
Sailboats are the most affordable way onto the water in Rio, from R$1,250 per charter. With the sails up the engine goes quiet and the ride feels slower and more intimate, which suits couples and small groups at sunset. A few sailboats can also be chartered bareboat by licensed sailors. See every option for sailboat rental in Rio de Janeiro.
Motorboats cover more distance in a few hours, so one trip can combine Sugarloaf, the Niterói beaches and, when the sea allows, the Cagarras Islands. They start from R$1,400 per charter and range from compact day boats to larger cruisers with cabins. Compare models for motorboat rental in Rio de Janeiro.
Trawlers are sturdy displacement boats with wide, covered decks and room for bigger groups at an easy pace. They start from R$2,400 per charter and work well for unhurried bay cruises with plenty of shade. Learn more about trawler rental in Rio de Janeiro.
Twin hulls make catamarans the most stable boats on the water, with broad decks that suit families, children and large celebrations. You’ll find both sailing and motor catamarans, starting from R$3,000 per charter. Browse catamaran rental in Rio de Janeiro.
Schooners are traditional wooden boats with masts and long open decks, a classic sight in Brazilian bays. They carry large groups comfortably and start from R$3,000 per charter, a cost-effective choice for birthdays and company outings. See schooner rental in Rio de Janeiro.
Yachts bring the most comfort on board, often with flybridges, air-conditioned cabins and lounge areas for guests. They start from R$7,500 per charter and are the usual pick for VIP guests, corporate events and milestone celebrations. Explore yacht rental in Rio de Janeiro.
Rio’s waters split into three areas: the sheltered Guanabara Bay, the Niterói shore across from the city and the open Atlantic off the South Zone beaches. Itineraries often combine two of them in a single day charter, depending on the boat and sea conditions.
Some boats in our Rio fleet also sail the Costa Verde, south of the city. These trips are planned on request and often suit overnight or multi-day charters.
Most boats in Rio are booked for a few hours, but some also offer longer formats. Here is what each term means:
Where you board depends on the boat you choose and is confirmed with each quote. Possible boarding points include:
Rio is warm enough for boat trips all year. Summer, from December to March, is hot and humid and also the rainiest season, usually with short afternoon showers; the sea averages about 25°C (77°F) in January.
From April to October, clear skies and dry days are more common. July highs average around 25°C (77°F), the water stays near 22°C (72°F), and it’s an excellent season for sightseeing on the bay.
High season runs from November to April. New Year’s Eve on December 31 and Carnival, in February or early March, are the busiest dates on the water, so plan those well ahead.
Birthdays, proposals, bachelor and bachelorette parties, graduations and company events all work well on a private boat in Rio. Catamarans, schooners, trawlers and yachts carry the largest groups, and the maximum number of guests is set by the Brazilian Navy and stated on each boat’s documents.
Extras such as decoration, a DJ or catering depend on the boat and must be confirmed with our team; items like a barbecue may be subject to fees.
New Year’s Eve off Copacabana is Rio’s biggest night on the water. Boats that anchor for the fireworks must pass a Capitania dos Portos inspection beforehand, and the Navy keeps a safety perimeter around the fireworks barges. Plan ahead with our New Year’s Eve boat rental in Copacabana.
Navegue Temporada, a Brazilian boat rental platform, connects travelers with private boats along the coast of Brazil. Still comparing? Browse all our boats for rent, then send a message when you’re ready to plan your boat rental in Rio de Janeiro.
Boat rental in Rio de Janeiro starts from R$1,250 per charter on a sailboat. Motorboats start from R$1,400, catamarans and schooners from R$3,000 and yachts from R$7,500 per charter. The final price depends on the boat, duration, date and route, and is confirmed in your quote.
No, not on most boats, because a skipper is included and handles all navigation. Only a few sailboats can be chartered bareboat, and that requires a nautical license valid in Brazil, such as the amateur boating license issued by the Brazilian Navy. Check with our team whether your license is accepted before booking.
Yes, on most boats the skipper is included in the charter price. The quote states exactly who will be on board and what the price covers.
It depends on the boat and the route. Fuel terms are listed in each quote and must be confirmed with our team before you book.
Many boats let you bring your own food and drinks, usually in a cooler. Some also offer catering or a barbecue, which may be subject to fees, and our team confirms the rules for each boat.
Yes, private boat trips work well for families, and catamarans are especially stable for children. Brazilian Navy rules require tour and recreational boats to carry life jackets for everyone on board, and children under 12 must wear one. Tell us the children’s ages so we can check child-size life jackets with the boat.
Strong winds or a heavy swell can make a trip unsafe, and the skipper or the maritime authority may restrict navigation. In that case, our team discusses a new date or another solution with you, and the terms are set out with each quote.
Yes. Catamarans, schooners, trawlers and yachts carry larger groups, and the biggest boats in Rio take up to 100 guests. The maximum capacity of each boat is set by the Brazilian Navy and must always be respected.
Most day charters last 4 to 6 hours, depending on the boat and route. Overnight and multi-day charters are available on select boats, on request.
For regular dates, booking a few days to a couple of weeks ahead usually gives you a good choice of boats. For summer weekends, New Year’s Eve and Carnival, book several weeks or months ahead, since the most requested boats are often reserved early.
Yes. Our team answers in English and Spanish on WhatsApp and by email, from the first question to the final booking details.
Planning more time on the water? These destinations are close to Rio or easy to add to your trip.
