Boat trips on Guanabara Bay at a glance
Guanabara Bay is the water around Sugarloaf. From a boat you see the mountain from the sea side, together with the Niterói shore, old forts, Urca and the Bay of Botafogo. These trips are sightseeing rides. They do not include landings or swim stops.
Two cruises run on this route. A 2-hour cruise leaves from the Marina da Glória every morning, and a catamaran tour sails three times a day. A public ferry to Niterói is a third option. It is cheap, but it is a commuter service and not a guided cruise.
Our picks: Guanabara Bay boat tours
The catamaran suits you if you want to be collected and brought back. The sunset sail is for leaving from Marina da Glória as the light turns, with drinks and food on board. The morning sail leaves from the same marina and suits an earlier start.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide and Viator. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Guanabara Bay catamaran tour with pickup
- Round-trip transfer
- Catamaran ticket
A catamaran outing on Guanabara Bay, door to door.
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Sunset sailing on Guanabara Bay
- Boat and skipper
- Beer, caipirinha and soft drinks
- Finger food
A sailing trip timed for the sunset, with the skipper at the helm.
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Morning sailing tour from Marina da Glória
- Guide on board
- Drinks and charcuterie
A sailing trip in the morning light on the bay, leaving from the same marina as the sunset sail.
Check availability →Guanabara Bay boat tours and Sugarloaf trips
Bay cruises, city tours with the cable car and combinations with Christ the Redeemer, with live prices and availability.
Bay boat options compared
Times and fares for 2026. Confirm them for your date.
| Option | Departs from | Times | Length | What you get |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morning cruise | Marina da Glória, Cais Nobre | Boarding from 09:00, departs 09:30, back 11:30 | 2 hours | Niterói, forts, Urca, Sugarloaf, Bay of Botafogo |
| Catamaran tour | – | 10:00, 14:00 and 16:00 | – | Photo stops at the Museu do Amanhã, MAC Niterói and Sugarloaf, audio guide |
| Public ferry to Niterói | Praça XV | – | Up to 22 minutes | Crossing to Praça Arariboia, BRL 5.00 one way |
| Public ferry to Charitas | Praça XV | – | Up to 28 minutes | Crossing to Charitas, BRL 7.70 one way |
For most visitors, the 2-hour morning cruise is the simplest way to see Sugarloaf from the water. Choose the catamaran if you want an afternoon departure or an audio guide, and take the ferry only if you want a cheap crossing to Niterói.
What each option involves
Details that decide which boat to pick.
The morning cruise
You board from 09:00, the boat leaves at 09:30 and it is back at 11:30. The route passes Niterói, the forts, Urca, Sugarloaf and the Bay of Botafogo. These are views from the water, not stops on land. Children up to 4 years travel free. The 50 percent reduction for ages 5 to 10, students and seniors applies to Brazilian residents only. Weather can change the route or cancel a sailing.
The catamaran tour
The boat takes up to 105 passengers plus crew and leaves at 10:00, 14:00 and 16:00. The audio guide runs in Portuguese, English and Spanish. The route covers the bay with photo stops at the Museu do Amanhã, MAC Niterói and Sugarloaf. There is no landing and no swimming. The main deck is wheelchair accessible. Food and drinks are bought separately.
The same company sells a second route along the coast to Praia Vermelha and the Cagarras Islands. That is a different trip and not part of every bay cruise, so check the route name when you book.
The public ferry
The ferry from Praça XV to Praça Arariboia in Niterói costs BRL 5.00 per trip and takes up to 22 minutes. A return trip is BRL 10.00. The line to Charitas is a separate service at BRL 7.70 and up to 28 minutes. There is no commentary, and no ferry goes to Urca. From Praça XV you need another ride to reach the cable car station, see how to get to Sugarloaf.
Pairing a cruise with the cable car
The morning cruise is back at 11:30, which leaves the afternoon for the mountain. The park is busiest from 15:00 to 18:00, so an early afternoon slot is calmer. Prices and slots are on the Sugarloaf cable car tickets page. For the Christ statue on the other side of the city, see Christ the Redeemer tickets.
Before you book a boat
Four checks that save a wasted morning.
Departure point
The morning cruise leaves from the Cais Nobre at the Marina da Glória. The ferry leaves from Praça XV. Both are away from Urca, so allow travel time to the pier.
Weather
Wind and rain can change a route or cancel a sailing. Ask what happens in that case before you pay, and book the boat early in a longer stay so you have a spare day.
Swimming
These trips have no swim stops. Water quality in the bay varies by beach and drops after rain, so do not plan to swim from the boat.
Prices
The tour cards above show current prices. Ferry fares on this page are 2026 values. Read the catamaran price and the morning cruise price on the booking page for your date.
More ways to see Sugarloaf
From the air, from the mountain, from the shore.
Guanabara Bay boat tours: frequently asked questions
Is this the official website of Sugarloaf or of the boat operators?
No. This is an independent guide. It is not connected to the cable car operator, the city, Riotur or any boat company. Times and fares here are 2026 examples, so confirm them when you book.
How long is a Guanabara Bay boat tour?
The morning cruise from the Marina da Glória takes 2 hours, from 09:30 to 11:30. For the catamaran, check the length on the booking page for your departure.
Does the boat stop at Sugarloaf?
No. Boats pass the mountain or stop for photos. To go up, you take the cable car from Praia Vermelha.
Can I swim during the trip?
These trips do not include swim stops. Water quality changes by beach and after rain.
How do I get from Niterói back to Sugarloaf?
Take the ferry to Praça XV, then continue by metro and bus, taxi or a ride app to Avenida Pasteur 520 in Urca. The ferry does not call at Urca.