Cartagena: Private Boat to Rosario Islands & Baru with Snorkeling

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Free cancellationExcellent quality

1/17

Duration8h

GroupPrivate

LanguagesEN · ES

Mobile ticketAccepted

Your own boat to the Rosario Islands, leaving from a quiet marina instead of the crowded pier

You board your own private boat at a quiet marina and head to the Rosario Islands with a certified driver, snorkel gear, and a cooler of ice included. Swim and snorkel at Cholon Cove or Baru Island's hidden beach, customize your stops based on what your group wants, and return when you're ready. No entry fees, no group schedules, no haggling at a crowded public dock.

Step-by-step itinerary

Private boat tour to Rosario Islands

Depart from private marina
Visit Rosario Islands
Explore Cholon cove
Relax at hidden beach in Baru

The Experience

The boat pulls away from the private marina in Cartagena before most of the tour groups have even lined up at the public dock. That's the first thing you notice — no crowds, no waiting, just your group and a certified driver who knows the water. The Rosario Islands sit about an hour offshore, and the route takes you past Cholon Cove and into the kind of shallow turquoise water that makes you understand why people come here. You can snorkel straight from the boat, or swim to a hidden beach on Baru Island if the water's calm enough. The whole day is flexible — if your group wants to stay longer at one spot or skip somewhere else, the driver adjusts.

The boat itself matters. These are the company's own vessels, kept in working condition, not chartered from someone else's fleet. You get snorkel gear, life jackets, a cooler with ice, and a Bluetooth speaker if you want music while you're anchored. Families bring kids, groups of friends bring their own drinks and food (the boat doesn't provide those), and couples looking for a quiet morning can get exactly that. The certified driver handles navigation and safety; you handle the day. Small children can ride in a pram or stroller on board, and the marina setup is wheelchair accessible, which matters when you're loading gear and people onto a private boat instead of herding through a public terminal.

What makes this different from the standard Rosario Islands tour is the private marina departure itself. The public pier in Cartagena is chaotic — vendors, crowds, boats jostling for space. Here you walk to a quieter dock, board your own boat, and leave on your schedule. The snorkeling is the same water, the islands are the same islands, but the pace and the company are yours to shape. Eight years of boat rental experience means the operation knows how to keep things running smoothly without the noise.

What’s included

Snorkel gear for all passengers.
certified driver and boat assistance.
life jackets.
cooler with ice.
Bluetooth sound system for music. Food and beverages are not included — bring your own or arrange in advance.

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Arrecife Boat Rentals

Is this one for you?Book this if your group wants to control the day without joining a scheduled tour — the private boat and flexible itinerary mean you set the pace and stops, and the private marina departure saves you the hassle of navigating Cartagena's crowded public dock.