Cartagena Island Hopping: Snorkel, Lunch & Beach Clubs

Three ways to island hop: pick the pace that matches your day

An island-hopping tour from Cartagena visiting Bocachica Fort, the Rosario Islands and other stops, with lunch included and snorkeling on the Eco and VIP tours. You choose between an eco tour on a shuttle boat, a VIP experience on a comfort speedboat with premium island access, or a party-focused tour hitting the louder beach clubs, all with a guide.

Step-by-step itinerary

Island hopping with sightseeing and lunch

• Boat sightseeing at Bocachica Fort
• Party Tour: Visit lively beach club on Baru or Grande Island
• VIP & Eco Tours: Stop at respective islands for beach lounging
• Photo stop at Pablo Escobar's abandoned mansion
• Lunch at dedicated island (snorkeling first on VIP & Eco)
• VIP Tour: Visit exclusive island resort
• Eco Tour: Visit island known for wildlife
• Party Tour: End at Cholon Island party hub

The experience

The tour starts with a boat ride past Bocachica Fort, where the guide explains its colonial history from the water. From there, the route splits by option: the Eco Tour heads to Marina Island first, then Grande Island for snorkeling and lunch, finishing at a wildlife-focused island; the VIP Tour goes to Islabela and then to a private beach club for snorkeling and lunch, ending at an exclusive resort; the Party Tour swaps those stops for Baru Island, Grande Island and Cholon Island, known for its crowded, vendor-heavy floating party scene. Every tour passes Pablo Escobar's abandoned mansion as a sightseeing stop.

Snorkeling happens on the Eco and VIP tours only: a 30 to 45 minute session at a fish habitat before lunch. Lunch is included on every option, with fish, chicken or vegetarian choices made on-site. The Eco and Party Tours travel by shuttle boat. The VIP Tour uses a comfort speedboat with smaller groups and personalized service. All tours include access to beach beds and parasols at the island stops.

Swim attire is required, and the itinerary can shift if weather demands it.

What’s included

• Bilingual tour guide in English and Spanish.
• lunch with fish, chicken or vegetarian options.
• snorkeling with mask and tube on Eco and VIP tours.
• island stops with beach bed and parasol access.
• sightseeing at Bocachica Fort and Pablo Escobar's estate.
• shuttle boat transport on Eco and Party tours, or comfort speedboat on the VIP tour.

Options for this experience

3 options

Party Tour (For Adults Only)Guide in English or Spanish · 08:30Fast-paced option with 2 sightseeing island stops (the Fort and Escobar's mansion), 3 party stops at inland island beach clubs, and lunch. NOTE: Be selective. Starting point: Monumento Santander, Centro, Cartagena, Bolivar, Colombia

Eco Tour (Open to All Ages)Guide in English or Spanish · 08:00Nature-focused option with 2 sightseeing island stops (the Fort and Escobar's mansion), a snorkel activity, 3 inland island beach club stops, and lunch. Starting point: Monumento Santander, Centro, Cartagena, Bolivar, Colombia

VIP Tour (Suitable for All Ages)Guide in English or Spanish · 08:30Premium option with 2 sightseeing island stops (the Fort and Escobar's mansion), a snorkel activity, 3 PREMIUM inland island beach club stops, and lunch. Starting point: Muelle de la Bodeguita - Puerta 3, Av. Blas de Lezo, El Centro, Cartagena de Indias, Bolívar, Colombia

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 08:00 and 08:30

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (12 to 75 years) · Under 12: can't be booked

GroupUp to 100

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 9.99

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by COCOCARTAGENA

Is this one for you?Pick the Eco Tour for a nature-focused day with snorkeling and wildlife stops on a shared shuttle boat. Choose VIP if you want smaller groups, personalized service and a comfort speedboat with premium island access. Go Party Tour only if you're an adult seeking high-energy beach clubs and don't mind crowds and vendors. It's built for that scene, not for quiet relaxation.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What's the difference between the Eco, VIP and Party tour options?

The Eco Tour uses a shuttle boat and visits Marina Island, Grande Island and a wildlife island with snorkeling and lunch included. The VIP Tour travels on a comfort speedboat with fewer people, visits Islabela and a private beach club where you snorkel and have lunch, then an exclusive resort. The Party Tour also uses a shuttle boat but swaps the quieter islands for Baru Island and Cholon Island, a loud and crowded party hub.

Is snorkeling included on all the tours?

Snorkeling is included on the Eco and VIP tours only, with a 30 to 45 minute session at a fish habitat before lunch.

What does lunch include?

Lunch is included on every option, with fish, chicken or vegetarian choices made on-site at the lunch island.

What is Bocachica Fort and why is it on the tour?

Bocachica Fort is a colonial-era fortification that every tour passes on the boat at the start of the day. The guide provides a brief explanation of its history from the water, and you'll have time for photos.

What should I bring and what do I need to know before booking?

Bring swim attire: it's mandatory, and you may get soaked on the boat rides. The itinerary may change due to weather. It isn't advised for travelers with spinal injuries, during pregnancy or with poor cardiovascular health.