AROUND THE WORLD · SUNSET RIVER CRUISES

Best Sunset River Cruises Worldwide — Our Top 11

11 tours  ·  from $35 a head

The hour before dark is when a river city lights up and the day boats have gone in. These 11 sailings are compared on departure time by season, what is served on board and how long you are out.

Lisbon: Sunset Cruise with Welcome Drink and Snacks - Finding the boat at Sul e Sueste
Lisbon River Cruises, Portugal River Cruises, Sunset River Cruises, Sunset River Cruises in Lisbon, Sunset River Cruises in Portugal, Tour Reviews

Lisbon: Sunset Cruise with Welcome Drink and Snacks

1.Sunset Cruise with Welcome Drink and Snacks

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 3,021 reviews · 1.5 hours · from $35Our pick

Spend 1.5 hours on the Tagus aboard a comfortable, wheelchair-accessible FRS Portugal boat. You’ll receive a welcome drink and small snack, hear lounge music, and pass Praça do Comércio, the 25 April Bridge, MAAT, Belém Tower, and Cristo Rei as sunset colors spread across Lisbon.

“Beautiful sunset 🌞 would definitely recommend doing the sunset cruise was lovely and relaxing”

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Lisbon: Private Sunset Cruise on the Tagus River with Drink - Finding Gate 1 in Belém
Lisbon River Cruises, Portugal River Cruises, River Cruises, Sunset River Cruises, Sunset River Cruises in Lisbon, Sunset River Cruises in Portugal, Tour Reviews

Lisbon: Private Sunset Cruise on the Tagus River with Drink

2.Private Sunset Cruise on the Tagus River with Drink

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 775 reviews · 2 hours

Sail from Belém beneath the 25 de Abril Bridge toward Praça do Comércio and São Jorge Castle, then return past Cristo-Rei as the sun fades. Your skipper and crew provide live commentary and one welcome drink. The private yacht suits couples, families, and groups of up to 10.

“We both really enjoyed the cruise and the sunset. The wine was good and the skippers were so knowledgeable. Great value for money and would highly recommend”

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Savannah: Riverboat Sunset Cruise - Boarding near River Street
River Cruises, Sunset River Cruises, the USA River Cruises, Tour Reviews

Savannah: Riverboat Sunset Cruise

3.Savannah: Riverboat Sunset Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 669 reviews · 2 hours · from $55

Spend two hours aboard a Savannah Riverboat Cruises vessel, watching the sunset from the open-air top deck and seeing the historic riverfront from the water. English-speaking staff, live music, a bar and grill, dancing, indoor seating, and wheelchair access make this a flexible evening outing.

“The activity was an event selected for one of our groups members birthday. It was a first time for all of us. We really enjoyed ours. They had four levels the first and second floor was for the dinner portion of the cruise, however they still serve food on all the floors. It was a live d.j. On the fourth floor of the boat and he is really what made the best part of the trip. He was very engaged with the people and is energy was great. I most definitely would do it again. It only down fall was the receptionist that was doing the food and making the…”

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Lisbon: Tagus River Sunset Cruise with Drinks - Meeting the boat at Doca de Alcântara
Lisbon River Cruises, Portugal River Cruises, River Cruises, Sunset River Cruises, Sunset River Cruises in Lisbon, Sunset River Cruises in Portugal, Tour Reviews

Lisbon: Tagus River Sunset Cruise with Drinks

4.Tagus River Sunset Cruise with Drinks

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 330 reviews · 2 hours · from $42Top rated

Sail the Tagus for two hours aboard Sailing with Sal’s 39-foot boat, limited to 10 people. Miguel and his family share local stories as you pass Belém Tower, Christ the King, Alfama, and the 25 de Abril Bridge, with two drinks included.

“This was a great activity and Miguel was a fabulous captain. I got some great sunset pictures! There were ten people on our outing. Plenty of seating in the back and front of the boat. Wine and beer were served. Miguel and his mate expertly navigated the sailboat around a huge cruise ship that was in the channel when it should not have been. I would definitely do this again and highly recommend!”

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Sunshine Coast: Mooloolaba River Sunset Cruise - Meeting the boat at The Wharf Mooloolaba
Australia River Cruises, River Cruises, Sunset River Cruises, Tour Reviews

Sunshine Coast: Mooloolaba River Sunset Cruise

5.Sunshine Coast: Mooloolaba River Sunset Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 310 reviews · 1h 30m · from $38

Join Coastal Cruises Mooloolaba for a 90-minute evening ride through the harbour, river, and canals. You’ll pass Minyama’s Millionaires Row, collect fresh seafood, and hear local commentary from the crew. Order dinner, wine, beer, or cocktails onboard while watching the sunset.

“Perfect way to spend the evening cruising the river, added bonus of being able to order food and drinks during the cruise was great. The food was picked up from a local restaurant and was amazing.”

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Victoria Falls: 2-Hour Luxury Zambezi River Sunset Cruise - Upstream first, with wildlife along the banks
2-Hour Experiences, Luxury River Cruises, River Cruises, Sunset River Cruises, Sunset River Cruises in Zimbabwe, Tour Reviews, Victoria Falls River Cruises, Zambezi River Cruises, Zimbabwe River Cruises

Victoria Falls: 2-Hour Luxury Zambezi River Sunset Cruise

6.2-Hour Luxury Zambezi River Sunset Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 303 reviews · 2 hours · from $69

Spend two hours cruising upstream from Victoria Falls on a comfortable luxury boat. Enjoy drinks and canapés, watch for hippos, crocodiles, elephants, and birds, then turn back toward the distant spray of Victoria Falls as the sun goes down. Choose the Luxury or Signature Deck.

“very nice boat. crews, drinks, food, everything is awesome! and of course the sunset views too ;)”

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Amazing Brazos River Morning or Sunset Boat Adventure in Waco - McLane Stadium from the water
Morning, River Cruises, Sunset River Cruises, the USA River Cruises, Tour Reviews

Amazing Brazos River Morning or Sunset Boat Adventure in Waco

7.Amazing Brazos River Morning or Sunset Boat Adventure in Waco

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 284 reviews · 1 hour 45 minutes (approx.) · from $64

See Waco from the Brazos River on a 1-hour-45-minute morning or sunset cruise for up to 10 people. Guides such as Danielle, Jeff, and Harry share local stories while you pass Baylor, McLane Stadium, the suspension bridge, Cameron Park, and Brazos Park East. Bring a drink, but skip the glass.

“Tour guide very nice Relaxing and educational, there were other people on the boat but we all got on well”

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Lisbon: Tagus River Sunset Cruise in a Traditional Vessel - Finding the boat at Commerce Square
Lisbon River Cruises, Portugal River Cruises, River Cruises, Sunset River Cruises, Sunset River Cruises in Lisbon, Sunset River Cruises in Portugal, Tour Reviews

Lisbon: Tagus River Sunset Cruise in a Traditional Vessel

8.Tagus River Sunset Cruise in a Traditional Vessel

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 161 reviews · from $40

Join a shared two-hour sunset cruise on a 1947 traditional vessel from Commerce Square to Belém and back. A multilingual guide points out Lisbon’s monuments while white wine is served freely. Expect open-air views, music, friendly crew, and a cooler breeze after sunset.

“This was a great relaxing way to see Lisbon. We learned a bit, got a new perspective, and even saw dolphins! Recommend to top off a day of walking the city”

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Sunset Cruise on the Zambezi River - The boat, seating, and upper-deck choices
River Cruises, Sunset River Cruises, Sunset River Cruises in Zimbabwe, Tour Reviews, Victoria Falls River Cruises, Zambezi River Cruises, Zimbabwe River Cruises

Sunset Cruise on the Zambezi River

9.Sunset Cruise on the Zambezi River

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 151 reviews · from $92

Spend about two hours on the upper Zambezi River near Victoria Falls, watching the sunset, birds, hippos, elephants, and crocodiles from a comfortable boat. Pure Africa provides drinks, freshly prepared canapés, and complimentary transfers from Zimbabwe-side hotels. This is a sunset cruise, not a dinner cruise.

“Great experience. Smooth sailing. Comfortable seating. Great drinks and snacks. The staff were great and sang before we docked.”

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Victoria Falls: Zambezi River Relaxing Sunset Boat Cruise - From your hotel to the Wanuka Queen
River Cruises, Sunset River Cruises, Sunset River Cruises in Zimbabwe, Tour Reviews, Victoria Falls River Cruises, Zambezi River Cruises, Zimbabwe River Cruises

Victoria Falls: Zambezi River Relaxing Sunset Boat Cruise

10.Zambezi River Relaxing Sunset Boat Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 124 reviews · 2.5 hours · from $70

Cruise upstream on the Zambezi from Victoria Falls aboard the Wanuka Queen. Look for hippos, crocodiles, elephants, buffalo, and birds as the sun drops behind the river. Hotel transfers, snacks, and an open bar are included, with a US$12 river fee payable separately.

“Unfortunately the weather wasn’t great, but the guide explained a lot about the Zambezi. No music playing, so a rather peaceful experience. Snacks are a few, drinks are unlimited.”

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Livingstone: Zambezi River Sunset Cruise - Two hours on the Zambezi at sunset
River Cruises, Sunset River Cruises, Sunset River Cruises in Zimbabwe, Tour Reviews, Zambezi River Cruises, Zimbabwe River Cruises

Livingstone: Zambezi River Sunset Cruise

11.Livingstone: Zambezi River Sunset Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 71 reviews · 2 hours · from $75

Cruise upstream from Victoria Falls for two hours aboard the African Queen or African Princess. You’ll watch the sunset, look for hippos and other wildlife, and enjoy drinks and snacks with English-speaking service. Pickup from Livingstone-area accommodation is included.

“I was a liveky relaxing way to enjoy the surroundings and beautiful sunse .t”

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