Sailing Trips in South America: 15 Weighed Up on Cost and Hours

1.Rosario Islands Catamaran with Lunch and Snorkel

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,479 reviews · 7h 30m · from $107Our pick

Sail from Bodeguita Dock toward the Rosario Islands on a large, wheelchair-accessible catamaran with shaded and sunny seating. You get a welcome fruit drink, snacks, unlimited soft drinks, snorkeling gear, two swim stops, and a hearty seafood or vegetable lunch. This is a boat-and-water day, not an island sightseeing tour or guaranteed beach landing.

“I loved this activity! The catamaran sailing was amazing and so much fun. We were able to swim at two different spots, and the lunch was delicious. Sailing back to Cartagena was such a highlight! 100% recommend.”

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2.Sunset Sailing Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 994 reviews · 3 hours · from $75

Sail from Marina da Glória across Guanabara Bay for three hours, passing Rio’s forts, Boa Viagem Island, and Niemeyer’s Niterói museum. Expect Sugarloaf and Christ the Redeemer at sunset, plus caipirinhas, beer, sparkling wine, snacks, and friendly hosts such as Clarisse and Karina. You can book a small group or private boat.

“We were able to book pretty last minute the day of for my friends birthday celebration. Communication was wonderful and Clarisse was so good at making us feel welcomed, relaxed and taken care of for the whole tour. Our champagne glasses were never left empty and the whole experience really was so worth it. From beginning to end we felt cared for and the whole vibe of the experience was fun and happy. We would definitely book with DDRio again and recommend you consider them for your first or next tour. Clarisse and Captain Gabriel are top notch. Thank you for a memorable experience.”

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3.Sunset Sailboat Tour with Open Bar

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 785 reviews · 3 hours · from $57

Spend three hours on a shared sailboat in Guanabara Bay, leaving from Urca for sunset views of Christ the Redeemer, Flamengo, and Rio’s waterfront. Your host, often Paola, Lohanny, Mariana, or Bia, serves caipirinhas, beer, fruit, snacks, and music. You can also swim from the boat before returning to Mureta da Urca.

“fun, even sailed a bit. we got plenty of music, snacks and drinks”

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4.Penguin Watching Tour by Catamaran

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 439 reviews · 5 hours · from $180

Spend five hours aboard a comfortable catamaran from Ushuaia, visiting Bird Island, Sea Lion Island, Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse, and Martillo Island. An English and Spanish guide explains the wildlife and the SS Monte Cervantes story. You watch Magellanic and Papua penguins from the boat, not on foot.

“Fantastic all around. Lots of opportunity to see the penguins and sea lions. The boats stayed longer than other boats that came and went. Would highly recommend!”

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5.Catamaran Sailing to Penguin Island

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 436 reviews · 5h 30m · from $92

From Ushuaia’s tourist pier, you’ll spend about five and a half hours on a catamaran through the Beagle Channel. Expect sea lions, cormorants, Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse, Chilean and Argentine scenery, and close views of Magellanic and Gentoo penguins at Martillo Island. The guide speaks English and Spanish, and a café is available onboard.

“Great trip to see the penguins and sea lions. Comfortable boat, cafe on board. Enough time at each stop to take pictures. Lots of explanations and history. Overall a great day. Recommend”

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6.Beagle Channel & Sea Wolves Island Catamaran Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 433 reviews · 2h 30m · from $115

Board a heated, wheelchair-accessible catamaran at Avenida Prefectura Naval Argentina 470 for a 150-minute cruise from Ushuaia. You’ll see seabirds, two sea lion species, Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse, and Yamana shell deposits, with Spanish and English commentary, audio guides, and a short island walk.

“It was a lovely way to visit small islands in the Beagle Channel. The views were amazing and, as birders, we appreciated being able to see Geese, Skuas, Terns, and Cormorants on the islands and in flight in the channel. The highlight for us were the two Andean Condors on the island near the lighthouse.”

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7.Sailboat day tour to Tayrona Park

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 352 reviews · 7h 30m · from $64

Sail from Marina Internacional de Santa Marta to Bahía Concha aboard the Sonata, with Captain Carlos and crew handling the day in Spanish and English. Expect a roughly 7.5-hour outing, a bumpy motor ride in open water, grilled fish or another lunch choice, swimming, snorkeling, paddle boards, and a wind-dependent sail home.

“I highly recommend this tour. The trip to the beach in Tayrona Park went smoothly both ways, the beach was absolutely wonderful, the water was clear, and everything was very clean. Transportation, and all details were very well organized. Sometimes on the boat it’s hard to stay out of the sun, so come prepared as it’s a little over an hour each way, and it’s easy to take a lot of sun before you even get to go out on the beach.”

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8.Guanabara Bay Sunset Sailing Tour & Drinks

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 331 reviews · 3 hours · from $70

Meet the Sail in Rio crew at Marina da Glória for a three-hour sunset sail around calm Guanabara Bay. Expect English and Portuguese guidance, caipirinhas, beer, soft drinks, finger food, and possible swimming stops. Crew members such as Maria, Chloe, Pedro, Marcela, and Gabriel have been praised for warm service and useful local insight.

“Great experience! Boat, staff and drinks all was great! One of my absolut highlights of Rio!😊”

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9.Catamaran Tour through the Beagle Channel and Penguins in Isla Martillo

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 124 reviews · 5 to 6 hours (approx.) · from $240

From Ushuaia’s tourist port, you cruise the Beagle Channel for about five to six hours with bilingual guidance, onboard restrooms, a café, and indoor seating. See seabirds, sea lions, Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse, Puerto Almanza, Gable Island, and penguins at Isla Martillo. The catamaran does not land on the islands.

“Overall is good. Just the initial part of trying to figure out what to do to get on board is frustrating. Need to provide more explicit instructions such as: 1. Go to this Kiosk at this location on the google map. 2. Report your name and retrieve an actual boarding ticket. 3. Head to this location on the google map to board. Instead of just indicating a meeting point without explanation. Who are we meeting? What do we show when we meet? etc.”

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10.Tayrona Bay Sailboat trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 107 reviews · 6 to 7 hours (approx.) · from $60

From Santa Marta, sail toward Tayrona National Park and anchor at Bahia Concha for swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, and stand-up paddleboarding. The 6 to 7 hour trip includes lunch, fruit, water, one beer, and a return sail when conditions allow. Expect up to 26 people, strong sun, rough water, and limited English from some crew members.

“The tour was supposed to be lead by an English speaking guide. I felt we had to wait for many of the items we were promised. We needed to be persistent in requesting anything.”

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11.Sunset Sailboat Tour with 2 Beverages

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 93 reviews · 2h 30m · from $47

Meet Tayrona Sailing at Santa Marta’s Marina Internacional and board the Sonata for a 150-minute sunset cruise toward Taganga Bay. With wind permitting, you’ll sail past Santa Marta’s coast, anchor for night views, and enjoy two included drinks. English and Spanish hosts assist at the dock.

“O pôr-do-sol visto de dentro do mar é muito bonito e especial. Ficamos muito felizes por ter tido essa experiência. A equipe do veleiro é atenciosa e gentil, durante todo o passeio estiveram preocupados com as pessoas abordo e o bem-estar de todos. É uma experiência interessante, mas para quem tem medo de barco ou passa mal durante travessias eu não recomendo. Venta bastante e o veleiro fica instável, gerando movimentos contínuos para os lados, as vezes dando a impressão de que algo pode acontecer. Claro que a minha impressão é de alguém que não conhece/veleja, mas é uma impressão sincera sobre o passeio. Não dei nota máxima porque a…”

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12.Catamaran Tour to the Seixas Natural Pools

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 82 reviews · from $29

Travel from João Pessoa to Praia da Penha, board a catamaran for the Seixas Natural Pools, and swim among small fish in clear, warm water. Luck Receptivo provides air-conditioned transport, snorkeling gear, buoys, and an onboard restroom. The outing also includes Penha crafts and the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Penha.

“Eu não fiz esse passeio ainda pois um agente entrou em contato comigo e remarcou para dia 13 de jan mas no app da trip advisor está constando que ele já foi dia 9 de jan. Tenho falado com o analista e ele afirma que o passeio vai ser dia 13 de jan só que não tenho nenhuma segurança”

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13.Sailing Tour to Tayrona Park with Luis’ Team

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 76 reviews · 6h 30m · from $66

Meet Luis’ Team at Santa Marta International Marina for a 6.5-hour sailing trip to Bahia Concha or another Tayrona bay. You’ll pass Taganga and Granate, fish near Aguja Island, enjoy lunch and drinks, then swim, snorkel, paddleboard, or relax before sailing back.

“The crew was lovely and took good care of us. However, the tour didn't deliver and is quite expensive for what it is. Despite having booked an English tour with what was advertised as a bilingual crew, no one spoke any English and we did not understand any of the information given about the park or the day. So it was basically an expensive taxi to Concha beach. The beach is very full with boats who are blasting music despite it being a national park. We did some sailing back to Santa Marta, which was nice. In the end thay wanted to make us pay for some beers we hadn't…”

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14.Open Bar Sunset Cruise in Catamaran or Speedboat (Best Deal)

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 68 reviews · from $20Best value

Choose a two-hour sunset ride from Cartagena’s Centro Histórico: a lively speedboat with rum, aguardiente, mixers, and Latin music, or a steadier catamaran with alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks plus a light snack. The cruise returns to Sibarita del Mar around the meeting point. An optional after-party costs extra.

“What an experience! Such a memorable night! Met amazing people! Danced and drank the night away! Wear something comfy. Bring tip money! Get there 10 mins early so you can find the boat amidst all the chaos of that dock!”

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15.Búzios: Catamaran Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★3.9 · 65 reviews · 3 hours · from $30

Board a comfortable catamaran at Búzios’ Downtown Pier for a three-hour cruise past famous beaches and islands. You’ll get three 30-minute water stops near João Fernandes, Feia Island, and Tartaruga Beach. Portuguese and Spanish hosts lead the trip, while food, drinks, and snorkel gear are available to buy or rent onboard.

“Thank you so much for your kind words! We're thrilled to know you had an excellent experience on the Búzios Catamaran Boat Tour. Your feedback means a lot to us and inspires our team to keep delivering unforgettable moments. – C2Rio Team”

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