Pirate ship day trip Cartagena: rope swing, fort & lunch

The rope swing hangs over open water, not a pool.

A seven-hour pirate ship tour from Cartagena combines sailing, swimming, and Caribbean history. You board a working replica, swing from a rope into the sea, visit the 18th-century Fort San Fernando at Bocachica, and eat lunch at a beach club restaurant—all with a live Spanish-speaking guide and unlimited cocktails on board. The ship stays small enough that the day doesn't feel crowded, and lunch substitutions (vegetarian, vegan, or no fish) are arranged before you arrive.

Step-by-step itinerary

Pirate adventure and beach lunch

• Set sail from Cartagena
• Observe Cartagena architecture from water
• View Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas
• See Bocagrande city skyline
• View Castillo Grande lighthouse and beaches
• Visit San Fernando de Bocachica Fort
• Walk to local beach club restaurant
• Enjoy fried fish or grilled chicken lunch
• Relax and optional fishing experience

The Experience

The ship leaves Cartagena and sails past the Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas, the Bocagrande skyline, and the Castillo Grande lighthouse before reaching the entrance to the bay. The route is built around the 1741 Battle of Cartagena de Indias—the itinerary notes the English fleet that attacked that March, and the fort you'll visit was part of that defense. The open-sea rope swing happens once you're far enough out; you can jump or skip it and swim from the platform instead. Fishing is optional if you want to try your hand at it with crew guidance.

At Fort San Fernando, you get a brief tour and time for photos before walking three minutes to a beach club restaurant. Lunch is fried fish or grilled chicken with coconut rice, patacones, and salad—order ahead if you need vegetarian or vegan. Drinks at the beach club are available for purchase; what's included on board are the cocktails: Pirates Punch (aged rum or vodka with tropical fruits), Pirates Coconut Lemonade (aged rum or vodka), and Pirates Paloma (orange juice with vodka), plus unlimited refills of fruit punch, coconut lemonade, and orange juice. You get a souvenir cup with the ship's logo and can borrow pirate props for photos on the water.

The whole day runs seven hours. Infants can ride in a stroller and sit on an adult's lap; the boat has restrooms, and public transportation is nearby if you need it. The guide speaks Spanish and tells the pirate history as you sail—this is not a silent cruise or a party boat, but a structured day that moves between swimming, eating, and the fort visit.

What’s included

• Seven hours at sea with a live Spanish-speaking guide.
• unlimited cocktails on board (Pirates Punch, Pirates Coconut Lemonade, and Pirates Paloma, plus unlimited refills of fruit punch, coconut lemonade, and orange juice).
• open-sea rope swing and swimming time.
• admission and a guided tour of Fort San Fernando at Bocachica.
• fried fish or grilled chicken lunch with coconut rice, patacones, and salad at a beach club restaurant (vegetarian and vegan options available upon request).
• a souvenir cup with the ship's logo.
• pirate props to borrow for photos.

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by La Fantastica Pirate Ship

Is this one for you?Choose this if you want a guided day with a fixed itinerary and group of other travelers—the schedule handles logistics so you focus on swimming and history, not coordinating stops and timing.

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Top questions

What is the rope swing like on the pirate ship tour in Cartagena?

The rope swing hangs over open sea once the ship reaches deep water, so you swing out and drop into the Caribbean instead of a contained area. You can jump, or you can swim from the platform without using the swing—both are part of the same stop.

Does the pirate ship tour include lunch and drinks?

Lunch is included: fried fish or grilled chicken with coconut rice, patacones, and salad, served at a beach club restaurant. Unlimited cocktails (Pirates Punch, Pirates Coconut Lemonade, and Pirates Paloma) are included on board; drinks at the beach restaurant are available for purchase. Vegetarian and vegan options are available if you request them before the trip.

What is Fort San Fernando and how long do you spend there?

Fort San Fernando at Bocachica is an 18th-century fort built during the colonial period and damaged in the 1741 Battle of Cartagena de Indias. You get a brief tour and time for photos, then walk three minutes to the beach club for lunch.

How long is the pirate ship tour from Cartagena?

The tour runs seven hours total, including sailing, the rope swing and swimming stop, the fort visit, and lunch at the beach club.

Is the pirate ship tour suitable for families with small children?

Yes—infants and small children can ride in a stroller or pram, and infants sit on an adult's lap during the boat ride. The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels, and the boat has restrooms on board.

What is included to take home from the pirate ship tour?

You receive a souvenir cup printed with the La Fantastica pirate ship logo, and you can borrow pirate props (hats, sashes, fake weapons) for photos while on the water.