Private Boat to Rosario Islands, Cartagena: 14-person charter

The boat stays yours for the whole day.

A private boat charter for 14 people departs Cartagena and sails to the Rosario Islands, stopping at multiple spots to swim and explore the Caribbean. The boat includes a live guide in English, Spanish or French, plus beers, water, towels and onboard bathroom. Hotel pickup is available as an add-on option at checkout.

Step-by-step itinerary

Boat trip to Rosario Islands

• Sail around the bay to islands
• Enjoy Caribbean sea and stops

The Experience

How does a private boat change the day? You're not waiting for a group to assemble, not syncing with strangers' pace, not anchored to a schedule built around a dozen different comfort levels. The boat leaves when your group is ready, stops where you want to linger, and moves on when you do. Eight hours on the water means time to actually swim at each island instead of watching the clock, and the guide—speaking English, Spanish or French—moves at your rhythm instead of herding the group through a script.

The boat sails out of Cartagena across the bay toward Isla Grande and the Rosario Islands, stopping at spots chosen for the water and the reef. You get beers and water throughout the day, towels to dry off, and a bathroom onboard so you're not improvising. The Caribbean here is shallow and warm, and the stops are built around swimming and snorkeling rather than a rushed photo at each island. Fourteen people is large enough to feel like a real outing, small enough that nobody gets lost in the crowd.

Hotel pickup is optional—you can arrange your own way to the dock, or add it at checkout and have the boat's team handle the logistics. Either way, you're on the water by mid-morning and back by late afternoon, with the whole day structured around what your group wants to do, not what a tour operator's schedule demands.

What’s included

• Live guide in English, Spanish or French.
• 12 beers and 12 bottles of water.
• ice.
• towels.
• onboard bathroom.
• multiple swimming stops at the Rosario Islands and Isla Grande.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Jandtcolombia

Is this one for you?Book this if your group wants the flexibility of a private boat and the time to actually swim at each island rather than rush through a shared tour. The eight-hour day works best for swimmers and people comfortable spending most of it in or near the water; if you prefer a shorter outing or mostly want to see the islands from the boat, a group tour might suit you better.

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Top questions

What's the difference between a private boat and a shared group tour to the Rosario Islands?

A private boat charter means your group of 14 has the entire vessel for the day—no other passengers, no fixed itinerary you have to follow, and no waiting for a larger group to assemble. The guide works for you, the stops are chosen by your preferences, and you control the pace instead of keeping up with a schedule.

Can I swim and snorkel at the islands, or is it just looking from the boat?

Swimming is the main event at each stop. The boat anchors at multiple spots in the Rosario Islands where you can get in the water, and the guide chooses locations based on reef and marine life. Towels are provided onboard, and you have time to actually explore instead of rushing through a quick dip.

What's included in the eight-hour boat day?

The charter includes 12 beers, 12 bottles of water, ice, towels, and access to the bathroom onboard. The guide speaks English, Spanish or French and is with the group throughout the day. Hotel pickup can be added as an option when you book.

Is the boat air-conditioned, or will it be hot all day?

The boat does not have air conditioning. You're on the water with ocean breeze, and the stops let you cool off by swimming. Bring sunscreen and a hat, and plan to spend most of the day either in the water or in the shade of the boat's canopy.

Do I need to arrange my own way to the dock, or is pickup included?

Pickup is not automatic—it's an optional add-on you choose at checkout. If you skip it, you'll arrange your own transport to the dock in Cartagena. Either way, the boat departs in the morning and returns by late afternoon.

Are infants and young children allowed on the boat?

Infants are welcome but must sit on an adult's lap throughout the day. The boat has a bathroom and shade, but there's no special seating or equipment for small children. Pregnant travelers are not recommended for this tour.