WaterScenery sailing tour on the Tagus: 1 to 2 Hours Under Sail From $28
Quick answer
The WaterScenery sailing tour is a sail on the Tagus from $28 (about 25 EUR) that lasts 1 to 2 hours, with a beer or soft drink and a snack.
It boards at Doca do Bom Sucesso, lets you help the crew sail, is not a guided tour, and scores 4.8/5 from 2,857+ reviews on GetYourGuide.
The WaterScenery sailing tour is the cheapest sail on the Tagus that lets you work the ropes: a 1 to 2 hour trip on a 10 to 14 person boat from the Doca do Bom Sucesso marina, from $28 per person.
The detail that changes the decision is the guide line. The included list ticks a guide, yet the know-before notes say this is not a guided tour and the crew are not official guides, so expect friendly sailors, not a commentary on the monuments.
To compare it with the other boats, start at the Harbour Advisor home page or the guide to boat tours in Lisbon.
| Operator | WaterScenery, sold on GetYourGuide; the itinerary starts at Taguscruises Boat Tours & Yacht Charter in Belém |
|---|---|
| Boat type | Sailing boat (10 to 12 people) or sailing catamaran (12 to 14 people), assigned by availability |
| Price | from $28 per person (about 24.88 EUR at 1 USD = 0.88865 EUR); infants and children count towards boat capacity |
| Duration | 1 to 2 hours; the itinerary shows a 5-minute safety briefing and 105 minutes of sightseeing |
| Departure times | Not stated in the listing; a sunset option exists |
| Start point | Doca do Bom Sucesso marina, Gate 1, white van with a red flag by the BP garage; 18 minutes from Belém train station |
| Route (named stops) | Padrão dos Descobrimentos, 25 de Abril Bridge, Cristo Rei, Belém Tower |
| Food and drink | One beer or soft drink, unlimited spring water and a light snack (peanuts or crackers) |
| Languages | Not stated in the listing; ask the operator |
| Cancellation | Free up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund |
| Rating | 4.8/5 from 2,857+ reviews on GetYourGuide (transportation 4.9, value 4.7) |
What is the WaterScenery sailing tour and what do you see?
It is a shared sail for 10 to 14 people from the Doca do Bom Sucesso marina, where you can help the crew trim the sails (no experience needed) or just sit back.
The description has the boat pass the Padrão dos Descobrimentos and the 25 de Abril Bridge on the way out, then return past the Cristo Rei statue and Belém Tower. A sunset option exists, and the crew may change the route for tide and wind.
| Sight | Where in the trip | Maps |
|---|---|---|
| Padrão dos Descobrimentos | Passed on the way out | Padrão dos Descobrimentos |
| 25 de Abril Bridge | You sail under it | Ponte 25 de Abril |
| Cristo Rei, Almada | On the return, south bank | Cristo Rei |
| Belém Tower | On the return | Torre de Belém |
Belém Tower and the Jerónimos Monastery beside it are listed by UNESCO as one World Heritage property, so the sail doubles as a look at it from the water.
Where does the boat leave from?
For this sail, you meet at the white van with a red flag outside Gate 1 of the Doca do Bom Sucesso marina, beside the BP garage and close to the Vela Latina restaurant.
Crew in white polo shirts and blue jackets collect you there, and the walk to the boat takes 3 minutes. The nearest station I could route from is Belém, which is 18 minutes on foot (1,368 m) from the marina by the OSRM foot router.
Bus and tram tickets in Lisbon cost 1.90 EUR single or 7.25 EUR for 24 hours on the Carris/Metro ticket, per the Metro de Lisboa 2026 tariffs.
How long is the WaterScenery sailing tour, and when does it sail?
WaterScenery runs 1 to 2 hours, depending on the option, and the itinerary shows 105 minutes of sightseeing after a 5-minute briefing and two 3-minute walks.
The listing publishes no departure times. If you pick the sunset option, plan around the time in this table, which gives sunset on the 15th of each month and a boarding time one hour earlier as my own suggestion.
| 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 midsummer sunset is after 9 pm, so a sunset sail finishes close to 10 pm. In winter it is over by 6 pm.
What is on board and what is included?
The ticket covers the sail, a crew, insurance, a life jacket, one beer or soft drink, unlimited spring water and a light snack; meals and hotel pickup are not included.
| Item | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Sail on a small boat | Included | 10 to 12 people on a sailing boat, 12 to 14 on a catamaran |
| One drink | Included | Beer or soft drink |
| Spring water and a snack | Included | Peanuts or crackers |
| Insurance and life jacket | Included | Listed as included |
| Guide | Not a guided tour | Ticked in the list, but the notes say the crew are not official guides |
| Meals | Not included | Eat before or after |
| Hotel pickup and drop-off | Not included | The meeting point is a van at the marina |
Infants and children must be named on the booking because they count towards the boat's maximum occupancy, and children must board with an adult. High-heeled shoes are not allowed; sports shoes are the listing's advice.
What does the WaterScenery sailing tour really cost?
This ticket is $28, about 24.88 EUR today, with no fees mentioned in the listing.
At a 1.5-hour midpoint that is about $18.67 per hour against a median of $17.58 for the 12 Lisbon boat trips. Groups are split according to boat availability, so put everyone on one booking and name every child.
How does this sail compare with the other sailing trips?
WaterScenery is the cheapest of the three sailing trips and the only one that invites you to help sail.
| Trip | Price | Duration | Group size | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| This WaterScenery sail | $28 | 1 to 2 hours | 10 to 14 | 4.8 / 2,857 |
| Saildreams sunset sailboat | $38 | 2 hours | Up to 10 | 4.9 / 1,690 |
| Sailing with Nigel champagne sail | $56 | 2 hours | Not stated | 4.9 / 1,392 |
| Bloo Boat Charter river cruise | $31 | 2 to 3 hours | Not stated | 4.8 / 846 |
My comparison of all the sails is on the sailing in Lisbon page. If you want the sunset to be the point of the trip, read the sunset cruise in Lisbon page too.
| 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) |
| This tour: 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) |
| Champagne sailing | Sailing with Nigel | $56 | 2 hours | 4.9 (1,392) |
| 3-hour dolphin watching | SeaEO | $73 | 3 hours | 4.9 (2,220) |
Is the WaterScenery sailing tour worth it versus the other boats?
For a first sail, I would book the boat, because $28 buys a drink, a snack, water and the chance to steer, and 2,857 reviews put it at 4.8.
I would pick the Saildreams sailboat at $38 for a guaranteed group of 10 or fewer, and Sailing with Nigel at $56 for champagne and food. The WaterScenery boat splits groups by availability, so its small-group promise is a range, not a cap.
- Book it - for the cheapest sail, couples and friends who like to help the crew, and anyone happy with a short briefing and no commentary
- Pass - if you want a guide naming the sights, a meal, or a guaranteed single boat for a large group
- Ask first - about the language of the crew, because the listing does not state it
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?
Sailing weather for the WaterScenery sailing tour is 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 days 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 |
Wind decides whether the boat sails or motors, and the marketplace summary asks for clearer information on that. For the day's forecast, check the IPMA weather service, and expect the crew to change the route for tide and wind.
What do passengers say?
Of the ten snippets I read for this sail, seven praise the sunset or the views and five praise the crew.
- Crew - friendly, professional skippers are the most repeated theme, and two reviewers mention history and geography they shared
- Sunset timing - travellers call the sunset well timed on the sunset option
- Atmosphere - a relaxed trip with a clear safety briefing is a recurring remark
- Gap - the marketplace summary notes that clearer information on when the boat sails versus uses the motor would help
The sample is five-star only, so the sail-or-motor gap is the useful signal.
Who should skip WaterScenery?
Skip the boat if you want a guide, a quiet dinner on the water, or a party.
- Commentary fans - the Blue Cruises river cruise has an app audio guide; see the river cruise in Lisbon page
- Party seekers - the DJ boats are on the party boat in Lisbon page
- High-heel wearers - high-heeled shoes are not allowed on board
- Large groups - groups are split across boats according to availability
How do you book the WaterScenery sailing tour?
Book the WaterScenery sailing tour from $28 per person for a 1 to 2 hour sail with a drink, snack and water, 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 the WaterScenery sailing tour in Lisbon?
It starts at $28 per person, about 24.88 EUR. The ticket includes one beer or soft drink, unlimited spring water and a light snack.
How long is this sail?
WaterScenery is listed at 1 to 2 hours. The itinerary shows a 5-minute safety briefing and 105 minutes of sightseeing, which is the longer version.
Where do I meet for the boat?
At the white van with a red flag outside Gate 1 of Doca do Bom Sucesso marina, next to the BP garage and close to the Vela Latina restaurant. Crew take you to the boat.
Can I help sail on WaterScenery?
Yes. The description says you can help the crew sail with no experience, or simply relax on deck.
Is WaterScenery a guided tour?
No. The notes say the crew are not official guides, even though the included list ticks a guide. Reviewers still mention friendly, knowledgeable skippers.
How many people are on the boat?
Sailing boats take 10 to 12 people and sailing catamarans 12 to 14. Groups are split according to which boat is available.
Can children join this sail?
Yes, with adult supervision. Infants and children must be listed on the booking because they count towards the boat maximum.
What should I wear on WaterScenery?
Comfortable clothes and sports shoes. High-heeled shoes are not allowed, and the listing recommends warmer clothes for sunset sailings.
What if the weather changes?
The listing says the crew may change the itinerary for tide and wind conditions on the day. You can cancel free up to 24 hours before departure.
Sources: GetYourGuide listing 227302 (WaterScenery), 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.
