12 Germany Sailing Tours to Get on the Water

1.Rostock: Full-Day, Half-Day, or Sunset Sailing Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 174 reviews · 30 minutes - 7 hours · from $86Our pick

Meet your skipper at Yachthafen Hohe Dune for a 30-minute to 7-hour Baltic sailing trip. You can help set the sails and steer, or simply relax. Routes may head toward Kühlungsborn, Darß, or up the Warnow toward Rostock and Warnemünde. English and German guidance is available, with groups capped at 12.

“Skipper Kai ist toll! Als nicht erfahrene Seglerin konnte ich wunderbar von seinen Erläuterungen profitieren. Kai ist superentspannt und kann sehr gut erklären und nimmt sich auch viel Zeit für Nichtsegler. Man fühlt sich extrem sicher bei ihm und er weiß, was er tut. Ich mochte seine Art. Und natürlich, dass er uns immer wieder das Boot hat steuern lassen. Wir hatten einen Traumsegeltag auf einer großen Yacht. Wenn das Charterunternehmen jetzt noch Getränke oder zumindest Mineralwasser für seine Gäste bereit hielte, wäre das eine nette Servicegeste und dem Preis angemessen.”

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2.1.5-Hour Sailing Sightseeing Tour on Aussenalster

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 118 reviews · 1h 30m · from $221 whole boat, up to 4

Take a private 90-minute sailing tour on Hamburg’s Aussenalster with an English- or German-speaking skipper. Harald and Andreas are among the skippers, and the trip can include sailing instruction, local history, architecture, and time simply enjoying the water. The boat suits small groups of 1 to 6 people, though the listed price covers up to 4.

“Wonderful guide. Harold is a awesome sailor. So fun to be on the water!”

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3.Alster River Sailboat Tour with Sundowner

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 110 reviews · 1 hour · from $45Best value

Join captain Henning or another German-speaking skipper aboard the wooden cutter Große Freiheit or Hans Albers. This one-hour Outer Alster cruise needs no sailing experience and includes beer, prosecco, or a soft drink. Expect a small group of up to 10, skyline views, and a calm introduction to sailing.

“Henning hat uns über die Alster mit dem Segelboot Hans Albers gefahren und wir konnten ganz entspannt den kleinen Segeltörn mit Sonnenuntergang genießen. Hamburg mal anders sehen und entdecken. Sehr zu empfehlen.”

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4.Alster River Sailing Tour on a 2-Masted Sailboat

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 101 reviews · 1h 30m · from $45

Join a German-speaking skipper and crew aboard a two-masted mahogany sailing cutter for 90 minutes on Hamburg’s Alster. You can handle sheets, help set the sails, and try the tiller under supervision, or simply enjoy views of the Alster Fountain, Hotel Atlantic, Hamburger Michel, TV Tower, and distant Elbphilharmonie. Sailing clothing and life jackets are supplied.

“We had a very nice time relaxing on the Alster.”

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5.Hamburg Small-Group Sunset Sailing Cruise on Lake Alster

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 91 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $46Top rated

Sail Hamburg’s Alster on a two-masted boat with a skipper such as Henning or Reiner. The one-hour cruise carries no more than 11 people and includes one beer, prosecco, or soft drink. Expect a quiet, informal sailing trip rather than a narrated sightseeing tour, with views of parks, churches, the Alster Fountain, and the Elbphilharmonie.

“Beautiful and relaxing end to the day. Nice conversation with other guests and guide during tour while having drink on board.”

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6.Sailing trip on the Hamburg Outer Alster

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 44 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $46

You’ll spend about 90 minutes sailing Hamburg’s Outer Alster aboard a classic wooden two-masted boat from the 1960s. With up to 11 people aboard, captain Henning and his team keep the trip relaxed and flexible. Ask questions, help with simple sailing tasks, or sit back with your own drink and watch Hamburg from the water.

“Our captain was skilled, friendly, & quite knowledgeable about the area. He welcomed our two young teens to help with tasks on the boat, teaching & guiding them carefully as they did so. Excellent English, which was great, since our German is still “student level.””

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7.Yacht Sailing After Work Tour of Hamburg Harbor

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 13 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $84

Join Elbsegelei for an after-work sailing trip from City Sporthafen Hamburg. Over about two hours, you’ll see the Elbe, Hamburg’s concert hall, city beach, older harbor areas, and a large container terminal from the water. The English-language tour takes up to 12 people and returns to the starting point.

“Weather / boot / skipper / scenery were just exceptional on the Elbe today.”

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8.“After Work” – Sailing-Yacht Cruising Event, Hamburg/Elbe

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5 reviews · 2 hours · from $70

Join a German-speaking skipper aboard a modern 42-foot sailing yacht for a two-hour Elbe cruise from Hamburg’s City Sporthafen. You’ll pass the Elbphilharmonie, dry docks, container ships, Övelgönne, Teufelsbrück, Airbus, and Mühlenberger Loch. Help steer, listen to port stories, and enjoy one included soft drink.

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9.Sunset sailing on Lake Constance

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · 2h 30m · from $135

Spend 150 minutes sailing Lake Constance with an experienced skipper, in German or English, aboard a modern 11-meter yacht limited to seven people. You can help with the sails or steering, or simply enjoy the sunset, open water, and relaxed pace. Drinks are available to buy onboard.

“Ein großartiges Erlebnis mit einer einzigartigen Sicht vom Bodensee auf das Festland. Sehr netter Guide - absolut empfehlenswert 👍🙂”

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10.Sailing trip ”the Elbe by night”, Hamburg/Elbe

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · 4 hours · from $152

Join a German-speaking skipper for a four-hour night sail from Hamburg’s City Sporthafen. On a Bavaria 42-3 cruiser, you can learn sailing, navigation, and seamanship, take the wheel, and watch the Elbe change from dusk to darkness. The small group is limited to 10, with drinks sold on board.

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11.“Hafengeburtstag Hamburg” 2024. Cruise&Sail from/to Wedel

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2 reviews · 6 hours · from $199

Join skipper Holger Brauns aboard the 42-foot SY Zaandam for a six-hour Hafengeburtstag cruise from Wedel. You may help steer, learn basic sailing and navigation, and watch Hamburg’s riverfront, parades, ships, and fireworks from a small yacht. German commentary, a WC, pantry, saloon, drinks for purchase, and Wi-Fi are included.

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12.“Cruise in the City” – Sailing Yacht Event, Hamburg/Elbe

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2 reviews · 2 hours · from $88

Join a German-speaking skipper aboard a modern 42-foot sailing yacht in Hamburg’s City Sporthafen. In two hours, you’ll pass the Elbphilharmonie, container ships, dry docks, Övelgönne, Teufelsbrück, and Airbus before reaching Mühlenberger Loch. Expect live commentary, changing wind and tide, and a chance to steer.

“Moin, wir hatten eine tolle Zeit, trotz oder gerade wegen dem Wetter (feuchte Luft, gehört halt zum Hamburger Sommer). Der Skipper hat uns alles erklärt und wir durften alle mal mit anpacken. Wir kommen gerne wieder, vll. dann auch für 4h.”

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