By the glass · SAILING
This is the shortlist you would send a friend: 12 sailing trips worth the money, each with its price, its traveller verdict and the one thing to check before you commit.
Cruise from Douro Marina past Gaia, Ribeira, Porto’s bridges, and Foz do Douro on a comfortable small-group sailboat. Your crew shares local stories, serves a welcome drink and port wine, and may head into the Atlantic when conditions allow. Sunset departures add the best light.
“Loved the sunset cruise! Wonderful way to see the city with a very nice crew! Thank you!”
Join Nigel and his crew aboard the 15-meter yacht Mara for a relaxed two-hour sail from Doca de Santo Amaro. You’ll pass Belém Tower, Christ the King, Alfama, and the 25 de Abril Bridge, with Portuguese champagne, wine, beer, soft drinks, and homemade sweet and savory snacks included.
“Nigel and Manuel great hosts. Cruise was lovely. Delicious bites and plenty of drinks.”
Set out from Doca de Santo Amaro about two hours before sunset for a relaxed sail past Lisbon’s bridge, Cristo Rei, Belém Tower, MAAT, and riverside palaces. Expect a small boat, Portuguese wine, cheese or chouriço, music, and guide stories, with hosts such as Manuel, Vasco, Fernando, or Miguel depending on the departure.
“Fun, informative, enjoyable. Wonderful weather, good company. Can't beat that. Miguel & Alfonso we're wonderful.”
Spend two hours on a private Miami yacht for your own group, with a captain, cooler and ice, restroom, Bluetooth audio, and views of Bayside Marketplace and Star Island. Sunset and evening departures are especially appealing, but read the separate captain and fuel fees before booking.
“Had an amazing experience definitely worth it !! Even though the rain was trying to stop our party we still had a great time”
Join Hawaii Nautical for a 90-minute barefoot catamaran cruise from Honolulu toward Diamond Head. Enjoy a snack box, two alcoholic drinks, unlimited nonalcoholic beverages, and a sunset view beside Oahu’s most famous volcanic crater. Shuttle pickup is available with the correct booking option.
“The crew was great, a tentative we saw an amazing sunset, the cocktails were great we enjoyed them. The crew told us about the waters around Waikīkī and the wild life we can see.”
Set out from Port Olímpic for a two-hour small-group sail with a captain such as David, Fiona, or Alessio. Expect cava, drinks, Catalan-style snacks, waterfront views of the Sagrada Família and W Hotel, and a possible Mediterranean swim when conditions allow.
“Great day started with this 2 hour Sail! David our captain was great. Very friendly and took very good care of us. I would definitely recommend this activity. Close to beach to hang out after and Great restaurants right off the dock. Remember to tip your tour guide!”
Sail the Tagus for about two hours with a maximum of 14 people, hearing Lisbon stories from guides such as Pedro and David while sipping Vinho Verde. Expect views of the 25th April Bridge, Christ the King, Belém Tower, and the sunset, with blankets provided for cooler evenings.
“Really great to see Lisbon from the water. Friendly, welcoming, helpful crew. Wine and Bugles snack! We had a wonderful time!”
Sail from Key West Historic Harbor on a spacious catamaran, with champagne, wine, beer, sangria, soft drinks, and water included. You will pass Mallory Square and Fort Zachary Taylor, watch the sunset from the water, and return to 205 Elizabeth Street. Bring a light jacket for the ride home.
“It was above the expectation. Nice crews, open bar and live music were great. Only thing I could’ve done differently is bringing a sweatshirts. It was pretty chilly out in the sea.”
Join Alma Sailing Charter in central Cagliari for a three-hour catamaran trip to Cala Mosca, Cala Fighera, and the Devil’s Saddle. With up to 12 people aboard, you get swimming time, snorkeling gear, floating tubes, coastal stories, and a prosecco toast, with Alma and the crew often leading the way.
“The trip was fantastic , we were sailing in high winds with appropriate music AC/DC. I recommend it to everyone , my 11 year old daughter really enjoyed it”
Board the Hanu Lani at Kewalo Basin Harbor for a 90-minute sunset sail past Waikiki and Diamond Head. You get open-air or shaded seating, snacks, restrooms, and a full bar with cocktails, beer, wine, soda, and juice. The crew, including names such as Clay and Captain Mark, keeps the mood relaxed and social.
“Nice casual cruise with drinks and snacks. Fun crew and beautiful views. We really enjoyed this activity.”
Spend four hours sailing from Alcudia along the Bay of Pollença to Cala en Gossalba and Cap de Formentor. Your skipper serves homemade tapas, wine, beer, and soft drinks, while you swim, snorkel, use the SUP, or take the wheel and learn basic sailing.
“Es war das perfekte Geburtstagsgeschenk für meinen Mann. Die Zeit war rundum gelungen. Vielen Dank an dieser Stelle an Jörn, dessen Art als Guide und Käpten den Tag zu einem tollen Erlebnis für uns gemacht hat :)”
Join a three-hour Beneteau Antares 42 cruise from Puerto Colon, limited to 10 people. Juan, Maxi, Michelle, and other crew members may guide your outing, with champagne, tapas, wildlife watching, swimming, snorkeling, paddleboards, and sea scooters included.
“This was a fantastic trip !! Saw orcas, dolphins and a turtle. The crew couldn’t have been better we were a family of 8 and they looked after us extremely well. Food was beautiful and the cava free flowing. Had a beautiful swim stop. I did get really bad sea sickness which was a shame but the crew were helpful in telling me the best place to sit etc. highly recommend and next time I’ll take sea sickness tablets.”
Pick a bottle and see where it is poured properly.
