15 Sailing Trips for Cruise Passengers Worth a Port Day

1.Full Day Low Isles Sailing & Snorkelling Cruise from Port Douglas

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 565 reviews · from $243Our pick

Sailaway takes you from Port Douglas to Low Isles aboard a 33-passenger catamaran. Snorkel in a sheltered lagoon, join a marine biologist, walk to the 1878 lighthouse, and view coral from the EV Discovery glass-bottom boat. Lunch, equipment, tea, and reef fees are included.

“Amazing snorkelling experience with great crew who we're enthusiastic and helpful. So tranquil sailing there. A must do to see an awesome undersea world. Buffet was sumptuous and plentiful. The sail back was exciting as we had a swell.”

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2.Sunset Sailing Cruise from Port Douglas

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 558 reviews · from $67

Sail from Crystalbrook Superyacht Marina for 90 minutes aboard a luxury catamaran, with a welcome drink, hot and cold canapés, and sunset views over the Coral Sea, Low Isles, mountains, and Port Douglas coast. The cruise suits visitors aged 13 and older.

“It is the best there is , the weather was absolutely perfect , friends visiting from Tassie loved every minute ..”

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3.Benagil Cave Boat Tour – Catamarans or Rib – 2 H From Portimão

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 288 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $21Best value

From Portimão, you’ll cruise the Algarve coast toward Benagil Cave in a catamaran or RIB, passing Praia Grande and Santa Catarina Fortress, entering coastal grottoes, and stopping briefly to swim. English support is offered, though boat type, guiding, drinks, and timing can vary.

“Nice staff but they overbooked the day we did our tour and we wasted the whole day from traveling to the location. They asked us if we would wait for a later tour but we couldn’t so they just refunded us.”

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4.Outer Reef Cruise by Luxury Catamaran

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 182 reviews · 9 hours · from $240

Set out from Port Douglas at 7:30am aboard Sailaway’s custom catamaran for Mackay Cay and two Outer Reef sites. A marine biologist leads snorkeling, while a glass-bottom boat offers a dry view of coral, turtles, clams, and fish. Lunch, morning tea, afternoon tea, and equipment are included.

“We had an absolutely fantastic day! The boat itself was spacious, comfortable, and beautifully maintained. The guides were incredibly helpful, kind, and clearly passionate about what they do, making the whole experience even better. The snacks and lunch were delicious and plentiful. My partner had an amazing time snorkeling over the reef, while I loved the opportunity to stroll around the island and take in its beauty. A perfect combination of adventure and relaxation — highly recommended!”

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5.Barcelona Sunset Sailing Cruise from Port Olímpic with Open Bar

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 130 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $54

Spend about two hours sailing from Port Olímpic with skipper Jorge or Daniel, enjoying views of Montjuïc Castle, Maremagnum, the Olympic Towers, and Barcelona’s waterfront. Drinks and light snacks are included, with space for no more than 11 people.

“Our skipper, Jorge was hospitable and very informative as we sailed on the Mediterranean. The journey was well worth it.”

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6.Barcelona Unforgettable Sailing Cruise with Open Bar and Snacks

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 104 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $54

Join skipper Jorge or Eduardo for a two-hour sailing trip from Marina Port Olímpic. You’ll pass Barceloneta, the W Hotel, Maremagnum, the Olympic Towers, and the harbor fortress, with drinks, light snacks, and room to enjoy Barcelona from the water.

“Beautiful sunset sailing trip with drinks and snacks included! Jorge was a perfect host/guide - definitely recommend this experience!”

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7.Catamaran Cruise from Port d’Alcudia with Lunch and Swim Stop

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 66 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $86

Set sail from Port d’Alcudia at 10 a.m. for a five-hour catamaran ride past Aucanada lighthouse and the cliffs of northern Mallorca. Swim at Coll Baix, anchor in the Bay of Pollensa, and use the onboard kayak and snorkel gear while lunch is prepared. Drinks cost extra.

“Lo mejor las paradas y la tripulacion. Lo peor la comida y el horario( estamos en España, se come bastante más tarde) Por lo demás ideal”

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8.Edinburgh Shore Excursion: City Tour and Royal Yacht Britannia

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 41 reviews · 7 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $92

Spend about 7.5 hours touring Edinburgh from your cruise port, with a 90-minute visit to Royal Yacht Britannia, a Holyroodhouse photo stop, and 2.5 hours at Edinburgh Castle and the Royal Mile. Driver-guides such as Connor, David, Adam, and Robert provide lively local commentary.

“The tour was well done in terms of the guide being very descriptive about the historical information relevant to the areas we were in.”

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9.Private Sailing Experience From Port Olimpic

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 20 reviews · 2 - 4 hours

Sail Barcelona’s coast aboard the private yacht Bombon with a professional skipper such as Violetta. Choose 2 to 4 hours, enjoy cava, wine, beer, soft drinks, and snacks, and bring your own music for a relaxed outing suited to families, birthdays, and bachelorette groups.

“The experience was amazing! We booked a private 4 hour sailing event with Violet and had the best time with all the cava (sparking long wine) and snacks you could ask for. We brought extra bottles of cava which we didn’t event need. Played our own music and had a blaster! 100% recommend booking :-)”

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10.Exclusive Barcelona Private Luxury Sailing Cruise with Open Bar

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 20 reviews · 2 hours (approx.)

Join Jorge, Luigi, or Alexis for a two-hour private sail from Port Olimpic. You’ll see Barcelona’s Olympic Towers, old fortress, commercial-port drawbridge, and waterfront shopping center while enjoying snacks and drinks aboard a yacht for your own group.

“It was an amazing experience to discover Barcelone from the sea !”

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11.Sunset On A Luxury Sailboat From Port Olimpic

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 20 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $70

Join Captain Cristian and a maximum of nine people for a two-hour sunset sail from Port Olimpic. You’ll pass Port Vell and view Montjuïc Castle, the Sagrada Família, Tibidabo, the Arts Hotel, and the Mapfre Tower from the water, with drinks and shared snacks available on board.

“a very nice sailing tour with super nice crew and good catering on a comfortable sailboat. unfortunately we were not suitably dressed, luckily the captain could help out with warming blankets and jackets. highly recommended sailing trip.Auto-translated”

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12.Private Sailing Experience from Port Olimpic

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 18 reviews · 2 - 4 hours

You’ll sail from Port Olimpic aboard Bombon with a professional skipper, enjoying Barcelona’s coast, drinks, snacks, and time for swimming. The private boat holds up to 11 people, and some guests have been allowed to take the helm. Choose a 2-hour sunset cruise or ask about longer options.

“Met een mannenweekend een trip gereserveerd voor op de boot. Heerlijke tocht gemaakt en lekker gezwommen midden op de zee. Een van ons had wat ervaring met zeilen en mocht ook een stukje zelf zeilen. Onze reisleider sprak zeer goed Engels en was super relaxed. 1 tip, neem voor de zekerheid reispillen mee voor de mensen die snel wagenziekte of zeeziek zijn. Twee gasten zijn uiteindelijk wel misselijk geworden ondanks dat de zee niet heel wild was.”

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13.Edinburgh Shore Excursion: City Tour & Royal Yacht Britannia

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 12 reviews · 8 hours · from $92

Spend eight hours exploring Edinburgh by coach and on foot, with stops at Royal Yacht Britannia, the Royal Mile, Holyroodhouse, and Edinburgh Castle. Guides such as David, Adam, and Allan bring the city to life, but attraction tickets cost extra and free time is limited.

“It was a good day in Edinburgh. The Royal Yacht, Britannia was a highlight, but there was not enough time to complete the tour. Free-time on the Royal Mile was good, because the Fringe Festival was beginning and we saw several interesting acts. We could not access Edinburgh Castle because of waiting times, etc. The rest of the tour was by bus in mostly heavy traffic. But we did get a taste of the city.”

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14.Sunrise Private Sailing Experience from Port Olimpic

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 10 reviews

Set out from renovated Port Olimpic for a private two-hour sunrise sail with a skipper such as Marian, Fabio, Jorge, Vicky, Nora, or Marcelo. Expect Barcelona views from the water, cava and light snacks, safety gear, and time for a Mediterranean swim when conditions allow.

“DON’T MISS IT!! Amazing experience enjoyed with my husband and my 6y boy. Beautiful sailing boat, very well maintained and secure. Lovely sunny day and despite the strong wind our skipper Fabio managed the boat very well…gooRead more”

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15.Catamaran ride at sunset from the Port of Denia

★★★★★★★★★★3.0 · 8 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $24

Set sail from Esplanada Cervantes in Denia for about 90 minutes aboard a Boramar catamaran. You’ll pass the Costa Blanca coastline and spend around 30 minutes near Cova Tallada, a sea-level cave shaped partly by human hands. The trip includes a complimentary drink and ends where it began.

“A unique and very pleasant experience, very romantic sunset on the catamaran with the cup of cavaAuto-translated”

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