Sailing with Nigel Lisbon: 2-Hour Champagne Sail for Up to 12 Guests
Quick answer
Sailing with Nigel is a 2-hour champagne sail on a 15-metre yacht from Doca de Santo Amaro, from $56 (about 50 EUR) for a maximum of 12 guests.
It includes champagne, wine, beer, soft drinks and homemade snacks, lets you steer, and scores 4.9/5 from 1,392+ reviews on GetYourGuide.
Sailing with Nigel is the most generous boat I found in Lisbon: a 2-hour trip on the 15-metre sailing yacht Mara with Portuguese champagne, wine, beer, soft drinks and hot snacks all included, from $56 per person.
The detail that changes the decision is how the money is spent. At 28 dollars an hour it is the dearest boat per hour on this site, but it is also the only one where champagne and food are in the ticket, and the group is capped at 12.
To compare it with other boats, start at the Harbour Advisor home page or the guide to boat tours in Lisbon.
| Operator | Sailing with Nigel, sold on GetYourGuide |
|---|---|
| Boat type | Mara, a 15-metre sailing yacht, with a captain and a co-pilot; maximum 12 guests |
| Price | from $56 per person (about 49.76 EUR at 1 USD = 0.88865 EUR); extra food and drinks cost more |
| Duration | 2 hours |
| Departure times | Not stated in the listing; arrive 15 minutes before departure |
| Start point | Doca de Santo Amaro, gate 1, under the suspension bridge; 6 minutes from Alcântara-Mar station |
| Route (named stops) | 25 de Abril Bridge, Praça do Comércio, Cristo Rei, Belém Tower |
| Food and drink | Portuguese champagne, white wine, beer, soft drinks and homemade snacks |
| Languages | English, Portuguese and French |
| Cancellation | Free up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund |
| Rating | 4.9/5 from 1,392+ reviews on GetYourGuide (guide 4.9, transportation 5.0, value 4.9) |
What is Sailing with Nigel and what do you see?
It is a 2-hour sail on the yacht Mara with a captain and a co-pilot, where champagne, wine, beer, soft drinks and snacks flow and you can take the wheel.
The listing says the captain tells you about Lisbon's history as you pass the 25 de Abril Bridge, Praça do Comércio, Alfama, Cristo Rei and Belém. It also names the monastery, the Palácio Nacional de Belém and the MAAT museum, and the boat sails towards the ocean before returning.
| Stop | What you see | Maps |
|---|---|---|
| 25 de Abril Bridge | You sail under it | Ponte 25 de Abril |
| Praça do Comércio | The riverfront square | Praça do Comércio |
| Alfama | The hillside old quarter | Alfama |
| Cristo Rei, Almada | The statue on the south bank | Cristo Rei |
| Belém Tower | The riverside tower at Belém | Torre de Belém |
| Padrão dos Descobrimentos | The explorers monument | Padrão dos Descobrimentos |
| Jerónimos Monastery | Seen from the water | Mosteiro dos Jerónimos |
| MAAT museum | The curved art and technology museum | MAAT |
Belém Tower and the monastery beside it are one UNESCO World Heritage property, and Mara passes both from the water.
Where does the boat leave from?
You meet at gate number 1 under the suspension bridge in the Doca de Santo Amaro marina, after walking past the bars and restaurants towards the bridge.
The operator asks you to search for the operator's name on Google for directions and to arrive 15 minutes before departure. The nearest station I could route from is Alcântara-Mar, which is 6 minutes on foot (452 m) from the marina by the OSRM foot router.
A Carris/Metro single ticket costs 1.90 EUR and the 24-hour ticket 7.25 EUR, per the Metro de Lisboa 2026 tariffs.
How long is Sailing with Nigel, and when does it sail?
The sail lasts 2 hours, and the listing does not publish departure times, although reviewers mention evening sunset sails.
A summary of reviews says travellers want the full duration honoured when a substitute boat is used, so ask what time you are due back. The table gives sunset on the 15th of each month and a boarding time one hour earlier, as my own planning rule.
| Month | Sunset (15th) | Board about 60 min before |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 17:37 | 16:37 |
| Feb | 18:13 | 17:13 |
| Mar | 18:43 | 17:43 |
| Apr | 20:12 | 19:12 |
| May | 20:40 | 19:40 |
| Jun | 21:02 | 20:02 |
| Jul | 21:01 | 20:01 |
| Aug | 20:33 | 19:33 |
| Sep | 19:47 | 18:47 |
| Oct | 19:00 | 18:00 |
| Nov | 17:25 | 16:25 |
| Dec | 17:16 | 16:16 |
In June a sail that boards at 8 pm finishes after sunset, close to 10 pm. In December the same two hours are mostly after dark.
What is on board and what is included?
The ticket covers the sail, the captain, Portuguese champagne, white wine, beer, soft drinks and homemade snacks; additional food and drinks cost more.
| Item | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 2-hour sail on a 15 m yacht | Included | Maximum of 12 guests |
| Captain and commentary | Included | History of Lisbon and its monuments |
| Portuguese champagne | Included | Refilled throughout, per reviewers |
| Wine, beer, soft drinks | Included | White wine and beer named |
| Hot snacks | Included | Sweet and savoury, homemade |
| Steering the yacht | Optional | You can try, or sit back |
| Additional food and drinks | Not included | Pay extra if you order more |
A reviewer says the crew catered for a coeliac child, but I would ask Nigel about allergies before relying on that. The listing advises anyone prone to seasickness to bring nausea medicine.
What does this sail really cost?
The ticket is $56, about 49.76 EUR today, and nothing else is required.
At 2 hours that is about $28.00 per hour against a median of $17.58 for the 12 Lisbon boat trips, the highest rate among the 12. The price covers champagne and food, so compare it with a $26 open-bar boat or a $38 sailboat plus the bar bill.
How does Nigel compare with the other sailing and champagne trips?
It costs $18 more than the Saildreams sailboat and $28 more than the WaterScenery sail, and it is the only one with champagne and hot snacks in the price.
| Trip | Price | Duration | Included | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| This Sailing with Nigel champagne sail | $56 | 2 hours | Champagne, wine, beer, snacks | 4.9 / 1,392 |
| Saildreams sunset sailboat | $38 | 2 hours | Welcome drink, snacks | 4.9 / 1,690 |
| WaterScenery sailing tour | $28 | 1 to 2 hours | Beer or soft drink, water, snack | 4.8 / 2,857 |
| Bubble Sea champagne cruise | $33 | 2 hours | Champagne and water | 4.9 / 28 |
My comparison of every sail is on the sailing in Lisbon page, and the evening options are on the sunset cruise in Lisbon page.
| Tour | Operator | Price | Duration | Rating (reviews) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tagus river cruise with welcome drink | Blue Cruises | $17 | 1.5 hours | 4.3 (6,505) |
| Sunset boat tour with music | Sardinha do Tejo | $22 | 2 hours | 4.6 (4,255) |
| Sunset party with DJ and open bar | Stern Wind | $26 | 2 to 4 hours | 4.5 (14,214) |
| Sailing tour on the Tagus | WaterScenery | $28 | 1 to 2 hours | 4.8 (2,857) |
| Catamaran sunset with welcome drink | Sardinha do Tejo | $31 | 1.5 hours | 4.7 (3,590) |
| Morning, day, sunset or night river cruise | Bloo Boat Charter | $31 | 2 to 3 hours | 4.8 (846) |
| Tagus river tour with champagne | Bubble Sea Events | $33 | 2 hours | 4.9 (28) |
| Small-group sailboat sunset | Saildreams | $38 | 2 hours | 4.9 (1,690) |
| Sunset DJ party with pizza | Ondas de Angelo | $39 | 2 hours | 4.5 (347) |
| Sunset party with club entry | Lisbon Boat Party | $45 | 4 hours | 4.6 (243) |
| This tour: Champagne sailing | The boat | $56 | 2 hours | 4.9 (1,392) |
| 3-hour dolphin watching | SeaEO | $73 | 3 hours | 4.9 (2,220) |
Is Sailing with Nigel worth it versus the other boats?
For a special occasion, I would book this sail, because a 12-guest cap, unlimited champagne and snacks, a 4.9 rating from 1,392 reviews and the chance to steer justify $56.
I would pick the Saildreams sailboat at $38 for a quieter sunset with less food, and the Bubble Sea cruise at $33 for champagne at a lower price, though it has only 28 reviews. The Nigel trip is the best fit for couples, birthdays and small groups.
- Book it - for a celebration, a small group or a couple who want food and champagne included
- Pass - if you want a party, a cheaper ticket or a tour with fixed sunset timing
- Ask first - about allergies and the return time if a substitute boat is used
89.7 million overnight stays were recorded in Portuguese tourist accommodation in 2025, 1.6% more than in 2024, so evenings on the Tagus in high season sell out earlier than the listings suggest.
When is the best time to go?
The sail is at its best from May to September, when the average daily maximum wind is 20 to 22 km/h and the days are warm, while winter brings rain and a cold wind.
| Month | Avg high 2025 / 2015-24 | Rain days | Sunset 15th | On deck |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 16.0 °C / 14.6 °C | 7.4 | 17:37 | Cold on the water; dress for the wind |
| Feb | 16.3 °C / 15.9 °C | 6.7 | 18:13 | Windproof layer, expect spray |
| Mar | 16.5 °C / 17.2 °C | 8.9 | 18:43 | Rain days common; waterproof jacket |
| Apr | 19.6 °C / 19.4 °C | 9.0 | 20:12 | Showery, windy: dress in layers |
| May | 23.5 °C / 22.8 °C | 4.5 | 20:40 | Good sailing weather, bring a fleece |
| Jun | 28.7 °C / 24.8 °C | 4.1 | 21:02 | Warm, steady breeze, sunscreen |
| Jul | 29.7 °C / 27.7 °C | 0.9 | 21:01 | Hot; hat and sunglasses |
| Aug | 30.6 °C / 28.3 °C | 0.6 | 20:33 | Hot with afternoon wind; sunscreen |
| Sep | 26.8 °C / 26.1 °C | 4.0 | 19:47 | Warm and calmer, excellent for sailing |
| Oct | 24.8 °C / 22.9 °C | 9.4 | 19:00 | Fleece for the evening, some rain |
| Nov | 17.7 °C / 18.1 °C | 9.9 | 17:25 | Waterproof layer; wet and windy |
| Dec | 14.8 °C / 15.8 °C | 7.5 | 17:16 | Cold wind off the river; coat |
| Month | Avg daily max wind | Avg daily max gust |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 19.7 km/h | 37.5 km/h |
| Feb | 20.8 km/h | 39.7 km/h |
| Mar | 22.2 km/h | 43.1 km/h |
| Apr | 20.8 km/h | 40.9 km/h |
| May | 21.7 km/h | 42.2 km/h |
| Jun | 21.4 km/h | 42.0 km/h |
| Jul | 21.9 km/h | 42.8 km/h |
| Aug | 21.9 km/h | 42.7 km/h |
| Sep | 20.1 km/h | 39.5 km/h |
| Oct | 19.6 km/h | 38.4 km/h |
| Nov | 19.1 km/h | 37.3 km/h |
| Dec | 19.0 km/h | 36.7 km/h |
Check the IPMA forecast before you go, and bring a layer for the return leg. One reviewer enjoyed perfect weather, another a relaxed trip with music and drinks.
What do passengers say?
Of the ten snippets I read for the boat, eight mention the captain or crew by role or name, and six mention food or drinks.
- Captain and crew - friendly, informative hosts who let guests steer are the top theme
- Food and drink - refilled glasses, homemade snacks and a crew that catered for a dietary need
- Atmosphere - one reviewer says you can choose music and drinks or a quiet sail
- Gap - the marketplace summary asks for clearer communication and the full duration when substitutions occur
The sample is five-star only, so the substitution and duration gap is the signal to trust.
Who should skip Sailing with Nigel?
Skip this sail if you want a big boat, a DJ or a low price.
- Party seekers - see the party boat in Lisbon options
- Budget travellers - the sailing trips from WaterScenery cost $28 and the Blue Cruises river boat $17
- Anyone prone to seasickness - the listing advises nausea medicine
- Large groups - the boat takes 12 guests at most
How do you book Sailing with Nigel?
Book Sailing with Nigel from $56 per person for a 2-hour champagne sail with snacks and a captain, free to cancel up to 24 hours before.
Check availabilityI earn a commission if you book through this link, at no extra cost to you.
Frequently asked questions
How much is Sailing with Nigel in Lisbon?
It starts at $56 per person, about 49.76 EUR. The ticket includes champagne, white wine, beer, soft drinks and homemade snacks.
How long is the sail?
It lasts 2 hours. The listing does not publish departure times, so check the slots for your date on the booking page.
How many people sail on the boat?
The description says a maximum of 12 guests on the 15-metre yacht Mara, with a captain and a co-pilot.
Where do I meet for the sail?
At gate number 1 under the suspension bridge in the Doca de Santo Amaro marina. The listing asks you to search for the operator's name on Google and arrive 15 minutes before departure.
Can I steer the yacht?
Yes. The listing says you can try your hand at steering or sit back and relax on deck, and reviewers confirm they steered.
Is food included on this sail?
Yes, homemade sweet and savoury hot snacks are included. Additional food and drinks are not included.
Is this sail suitable for seasickness?
The listing recommends bringing nausea medicine if you are prone to seasickness. The river is sheltered, but a sailing yacht heels in the wind.
Does the boat cater for allergies?
A reviewer says the crew catered for a coeliac child, but the listing does not state it. Ask the operator before booking.
Can I cancel this sail?
Yes, free up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund.
Sources: GetYourGuide listing 61733 (Nigel), checked 2026-10-16; UNESCO World Heritage Centre: Belém Tower; Metro de Lisboa 2026 tariffs; IPMA; Statistics Portugal (INE), tourism; Open-Meteo archive and marine APIs; Frankfurter API; NOAA solar formula; OSRM walking routes.
