AROUND THE WORLD · PRIVATE RIVER CHARTERS

The World’s 15 Best Private Boat Charters on the River

25 tours  ·  from $30 a head

Chartering the whole boat costs less than it sounds once four people split it. These 15 charters list the boat, the maximum on board, the hours you get and whether a skipper and drinks are included.

Porto: Private tour in the Douro (1 to 4 people) on a boat just for you - Freixo Marina starts the outing
Douro River Cruises, Porto River Cruises, Portugal River Cruises, Private River Charters, Private River Charters in Porto, Private River Charters in Portugal, Tour Reviews, Tours

Porto: Private tour in the Douro (1 to 4 people) on a boat just for you

1.Private tour in the Douro (1 to 4 people) on a boat just for you

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 744 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) Our pick

Set out from Freixo Marina on a private two-hour Douro cruise for up to four people. Your local skipper may be Paulo, Luca, Bernardo, Danny, or another DouroBoatman guide. Expect a welcome drink, bridge views, Gaia’s Port caves, Foz, and a possible ocean run when conditions allow.

“Our family (2 adults, 2 children 11 and 12) had a wonderful experience on our boat tour of Porto. Danny was our guide and was friendly and knowledgeable. It felt like we had known him for years! Not only did we learn about the 6 bridges and other notable places, we were also encouraged to ask questions. Any place we pointed out Danny knew all about it! He also had some great anecdotes and we were very entertained, always smiling and laughing. Since our children had a little experience driving boats, he allowed them to take the wheel (supervised of course) and they really enjoyed it. At one time, we…”

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Private Tour: Nighttime Sightseeing with River Cruise - Little India in a 15-minute introduction
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Private Tour: Nighttime Sightseeing with River Cruise

2.Private Tour: Nighttime Sightseeing with River Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 614 reviews · from $149

See Singapore after dark with a private guide such as Alex, Wong, Loy, or Michael. The 3.5-hour tour combines Little India, the Gardens by the Bay light show, Marina Bay Sands SkyPark, Clarke Quay, and a Singapore River cruise, with hotel pickup and drop-off.

“The excellent tour guide stayed with us and the driver dropped us off and picked us up at great locations for the different activities. While we went from one location to another, the guide told us lots of facts about where we were going as well as facts about the country and city. The guide helped us get to great locations for the light show in the Gardens by the Bay. He especially helped me get up and down elevators since I use a walker. He kept close tabs on the six of us and didn’t hurry us as we watched a water show from the observation deck of the…”

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Cu Chi Tunnels and Mekong Delta - VIP Private Tour - Inside the Cu Chi Tunnels
Ho Chi Minh City River Cruises, Mekong Delta Tours, Private River Charters, Private River Charters in Ho Chi Minh City, Private River Charters in Vietnam, Tour Reviews, Tours, Vietnam River Cruises

Cu Chi Tunnels and Mekong Delta – VIP Private Tour

3.Cu Chi Tunnels and Mekong Delta – VIP Private Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 530 reviews · from $125

Spend about 10 hours with a private vehicle and English-speaking guide, visiting the Cu Chi Tunnels, My Tho, a honey farm, coconut groves, and Mekong waterways. Guides may include Toan, Jen, Bunny, or Mai. Lunch, entrance fees, and all boat rides are included.

“The Tour was great. Jen was amazing. Her knowledge was immaculate and we really enjoyed the whole tour and the food too. Will surely recommend them for your tour in Ho Chi Minh City.”

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Blue Hole and Dunn's River Falls Private Tour from Montego Bay - Blue Hole: swimming, short hikes, and cliff jumps
Jamaica River Cruises, Montego Bay River Cruises, Private River Charters, Private River Charters in Jamaica, Private River Charters in Montego Bay, River Cruises, Tour Reviews, Tours

Blue Hole and Dunn’s River Falls Private Tour from Montego Bay

4.Blue Hole and Dunn’s River Falls Private Tour from Montego Bay

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 420 reviews · from $115

Travel privately from Montego Bay to Blue Hole and Dunn’s River Falls in an air-conditioned vehicle. Spend about three hours at each site, with time for swimming, cliff jumps, hiking, and climbing. Drivers such as Darien, Jermaine, and Nikoy can also suggest food stops and help adjust the day.

“Driver was very kind and courteous, showed up at resort early for pickup and gave lots of insights and facts about jamaica for us and even tipped us off on a merchant scam at dunns river falls. Blue hole had a great tour guide that took lots of photos for us and helped us navigate up the falls. Dunns River Falls was great little hike up the falls, we did it without a guide but a guide will definitely help you get around and take photos for you. Our driver afterwards took us to an authentic spot for jamaican cuisine and it definitely did not disappoint! Overall this was the…”

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Mekong Delta Full Day Trip - My Tho & Ben Tre - VIP Private Tour - My Tho by Motorized Boat on the Tien River
1-Day Tours, Full-Day, Ho Chi Minh City River Cruises, Mekong Delta Tours, Private River Charters, Private River Charters in Ho Chi Minh City, Private River Charters in Vietnam, Tour Reviews, Tours, Vietnam River Cruises

Mekong Delta Full Day Trip – My Tho & Ben Tre – VIP Private Tour

5.Mekong Delta Full Day Trip – My Tho & Ben Tre – VIP Private Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 371 reviews · from $85

Leave Ho Chi Minh City at 8 AM for a private Mekong Delta day with an English-speaking guide and driver. Visit Vinh Trang Temple, cruise the Tien River, taste honey and tropical fruit, see coconut candy made, enjoy a rowing boat ride, and eat a Vietnamese lunch in Ben Tre.

“We had an amazing tour with Hanah, our tour guide, so knowledgeable and enjoyable to spend the day with. Everything was beyond our expectations. The lunch provided was incredible and the best we have ever had on a tour.”

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4-Day 3-Night Nile Cruise from Aswan to Luxor - Private Tour - Day 1: Philae, the High Dam, and the unfinished obelisk
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4-Day 3-Night Nile Cruise from Aswan to Luxor – Private Tour

6.4-Day 3-Night Nile Cruise from Aswan to Luxor – Private Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 369 reviews · from $504

Sail from Aswan to Luxor on a 5-star Nile cruise with a private Egyptologist, daily temple visits, full-board meals, and air-conditioned transfers. Guides such as Ahmed, Mustafa, Amro, and Sayed have earned praise for flexible, personal tours. Abu Simbel and a Luxor balloon ride cost extra.

“Every staff on board is really nice. The food is really nice. Our guide is really nice. The whole trip is really nice!!! I’m so glad I booked this trip with this company and this boat.”

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VALE DOURO, Premium Wine Tour, Wine Lunch, Private Boat - Leaving Porto for the Douro
Douro River Cruises, Lunch Experiences, Luxury River Cruises, Luxury River Cruises in Porto, Luxury River Cruises in Portugal, Porto River Cruises, Portugal River Cruises, Private River Charters, Private River Charters in Porto, Private River Charters in Portugal, Tour Reviews, Tours, Wine Tours

VALE DOURO, Premium Wine Tour, Wine Lunch, Private Boat

7.VALE DOURO, Premium Wine Tour, Wine Lunch, Private Boat

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 362 reviews · 10 hours (approx.) · from $163

Travel from Porto in a small group of up to eight with guides such as Vasco, Luis, David, or Rui. Visit two wineries, taste 10 Portuguese wines, enjoy a wine-paired farm lunch, cruise the Douro on a private boat, and stop at scenic viewpoints along the N222.

“Fun and informative thing to do in Porto. See the Douro Valley, take a great little cruise in a small charming boat with accomplished Pirate & Captain. See the wonderful vistas of the valley, stop to take a photo or two at key spots, and have a delicious local traditional wine and food experience in a choice restaurant. Our Tour Guide David P was the best, he really took care of everyone to make sure they had the best time. Take a jacket or sweater just in case.”

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Douro Valley Best-Of Private Tour – Fully Customizable Experience - Pinhão and its blue-and-white tiles
Douro River Cruises, Porto River Cruises, Portugal River Cruises, Private River Charters, Private River Charters in Porto, Private River Charters in Portugal, Tour Reviews, Tours

Douro Valley Best-Of Private Tour – Fully Customizable Experience

8.Douro Valley Best-Of Private Tour – Fully Customizable Experience

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 309 reviews · 8 to 9 hours (approx.) · from $249

Spend 8 to 9 hours exploring the Douro Valley with a private guide such as Nuno, Monica, Tiago, or Sofia. Expect a family winery, the scenic N222, Pinhão, a village wine lunch, and a final tasting in Sabrosa. Add a boat ride or extra winery visits to shape the day.

“Monica, our guide, was excellent. She explained the history and the current operations in the Valley. The scenery was spectacular and the lunch spot was fine. The sip and chill stop at the top of the mountain was beautiful, the owner was a wonderful host, and Trinidad was a beautiful restaurant.”

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Margaritaville Hip-Strip and Great River Rafting Private Tour - Great River rafting at Lethe
Jamaica River Cruises, Montego Bay River Cruises, Private River Charters, Private River Charters in Jamaica, Private River Charters in Montego Bay, River Cruises, River Rafting, River Rafting in Jamaica, River Rafting in Montego Bay, Tour Reviews, Tours

Margaritaville Hip-Strip and Great River Rafting Private Tour

9.Margaritaville Hip-Strip and Great River Rafting Private Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 245 reviews · from $30Best value

Start with hotel pickup, then cruise the Great River on a two-person bamboo raft with a local captain such as Toto, Pompeii, or Big Chain. Add the limestone foot massage, then visit Montego Bay’s Hip Strip and Margaritaville area for food, shopping, and sea views. Guides such as Kemar and Ramon are often praised for safe, friendly service.

“If you go to Montego Bay and don't go down to the Hip Strip you are truly missing out. Our guide was extremely knowledgeable and exceptionally nice. If we return, I will definitely ask for him again.”

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Paris: Seine River Private Cruise - The route from the Statue of Liberty to Notre Dame
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Paris: Seine River Private Cruise

10.Seine River Private Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 237 reviews

Spend 90 minutes on a small private boat with a captain such as Artur, Robert, Rado, or Patricia. Cruise from Port Javel Haut past the Statue of Liberty, Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Pont Neuf, and Notre Dame. Bring your own food and drinks, or enjoy the water, music, photos, and family-style touches on board.

“Wonderful engaging guide who was great with our kids!”

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Dunn's River Falls and Blue Hole Private Tour from Ocho Rios - Climbing Dunn’s River Falls Near Ocho Rios
Jamaica River Cruises, Ocho Rios River Cruises, Private River Charters, Private River Charters in Jamaica, River Cruises, Tour Reviews, Tours

Dunn’s River Falls and Blue Hole Private Tour from Ocho Rios

11.Dunn’s River Falls and Blue Hole Private Tour from Ocho Rios

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 205 reviews · from $50

Ride privately from Ocho Rios to Dunn’s River Falls and the Blue Hole with a driver such as Chris, Vernon, Kelly, or Pepsi. Climb the falls, swing from a Tarzan rope, jump from cliffs, and explore a cave. Bring water shoes, swimwear, cash for entry fees, and a phone case.

“This was such an awesome experience. We went on a dull, rainy day but it was still beautiful. Looks more beautiful than the pictures. There are layers and layers of falls. There aYou need to wear a swimsuit and be handsfree since you will be jumping into the water. You get to jump at different levels, going higher until you get to 30ft above water. Carry a plastic holder for your phone”

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Douro Valley: Winery, Traditional Lunch & Private Boat Trip - Two small producers and 11 wines
Douro River Cruises, Lunch Experiences, Porto River Cruises, Portugal River Cruises, Private River Charters, Private River Charters in Porto, Private River Charters in Portugal, River Cruises, Tour Reviews, Wine Tours

Douro Valley: Winery, Traditional Lunch & Private Boat Trip

12.Douro Valley: Winery, Traditional Lunch & Private Boat Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 176 reviews · 9 hours · from $223

Travel from Porto in a small group of up to seven with guides such as Fabio, Denys, Maria, or Luís. Visit two small wine producers, taste 11 Port and DOC wines, eat a fire-cooked regional lunch, and take a private-style Douro River cruise with snacks and drinks.

“My fiancee and I had an absolute blast on this tour! We were having a hard time deciding among the many (many) Douro day tour options when we got a tip from a colleague about this particular one, and we're very glad we did. Ricardo was easy to get a hold of on WhatsApp and communicated clearly about the pickup logistics etc, and our guide Fabio was outstanding - friendly, excellent English, knowledgeable, professional, basically everything you want in a guide. The tour itself was well balanced and paced, and all the stops were worthwhile (and the food and wine were delicious). You'll probably notice this tour is a bit…”

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Private Tour: 7 Nights Pyramids & Nile Cruise +Flights from Cairo - Cairo begins with the Pyramids of Giza
Cairo River Cruises, Egypt River Cruises, Nile Cruises, Private River Charters, Private River Charters in Cairo, Private River Charters in Egypt, Tour Reviews, Tours

Private Tour: 7 Nights Pyramids & Nile Cruise +Flights from Cairo

13.Private Tour: 7 Nights Pyramids & Nile Cruise +Flights from Cairo

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 157 reviews · from $1,500

Spend eight days seeing Egypt’s essential sights, from the Great Pyramid and Coptic Cairo to Karnak, the Valley of the Kings, Edfu, Kom Ombo, and Philae. Private Cairo touring, domestic flights, four nights on a five-star Nile ship, meals, and airport transfers are included.

“This is a good budget tour, hosted by Reflections. Tours normally are done between 1 and 3 in the afternoon. And there is an “open” day. So if you want to do any additional day or evening tours, they are an additional cost. I did 3 night tours and a couple day tours……..which ended up costing me another $500. You do not have to do the additional tours. You do not have to book additional, if you chose not to. Reflections picks you up at the airport, gets you through customs and visa and takes care of you from the time you land in Egypt until they get you back…”

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8-Day Private Tour Cairo, Aswan, Luxor and Nile Cruise Including Air Fare - Aswan pairs a short flight with Philae at sunset
Cairo River Cruises, Egypt River Cruises, Nile Cruises, Private River Charters, Private River Charters in Cairo, Private River Charters in Egypt, Tour Reviews, Tours

8-Day Private Tour Cairo, Aswan, Luxor and Nile Cruise Including Air Fare

14.8-Day Private Tour Cairo, Aswan, Luxor and Nile Cruise Including Air Fare

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 142 reviews · from $1,323

You will see the Giza Pyramids, Egyptian Museum, Philae, Kom Ombo, Edfu, Karnak, Luxor Temple, and the Valley of the Kings on an eight-day private trip. Cairo stays, a three-night deluxe Nile cruise, domestic flights, airport transfers, meals, and Egyptologist guides are included.

“Before we flew in to Chiro, the tour operator said someone would wait for us "before" the custom, I thought it was a typo. But I was wrong. Someone was indeed waiting for us. He helped us with the visa, then lead us to the fast lane to clear the Read more”

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Private Tour to Explore Cu Chi Tunnels and Mekong Delta - Starting at 7:00 am from Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City River Cruises, Mekong Delta Tours, Private River Charters, Private River Charters in Ho Chi Minh City, Private River Charters in Vietnam, Tour Reviews, Tours, Vietnam River Cruises

Private Tour to Explore Cu Chi Tunnels and Mekong Delta

15.Private Tour to Explore Cu Chi Tunnels and Mekong Delta

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 115 reviews · from $135

Spend about 10 hours with a private guide exploring the Cu Chi Tunnels, Vinh Trang Pagoda, and the Tien River. Expect a 1.5-hour drive each way, local lunch, sampan canals, coconut candy, honey tea, fruit, and hotel pickup in District 1.

“Jason our tour guide gave us a 10/10 experience, he made the trip so special and really adjusted to our groups desires.”

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