Cartagena Rosario Islands: 5-Stop Tour with Lunch & Snorkel

Summary

Rosario Islands day trip from Cartagena with snorkel, party or leisure options plus lunch and local stories

You’ll hop between Cartagena’s Rosario Islands with stops at Bocachica Fort and Pablo Escobar’s odd mansion, then swim or snorkel in clear water before lunch at a local beach club. Expect salty air, laughter with guides, and time to unwind under parasols—plus that feeling of real escape you only get island-hopping by boat.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll admit, I didn’t expect the boat ride out of Cartagena to feel so bumpy — I actually laughed out loud when my hat nearly flew off into the bay. The guide, Javier, just grinned and shouted something about “Caribbean massage.” We started with a quick stop at Bocachica Fort on Tierra Bomba Island. It’s only about ten minutes but you can smell salt and old stone while he tells you about pirates and Spanish cannons. The fort’s faded yellow walls look almost soft in the morning haze. Then back on the boat before you really get your bearings.

Next was this weird moment where we floated past Pablo Escobar’s old mansion — honestly, it’s half-sunk and kind of eerie. Javier pointed out bullet holes (not sure if he was joking) and everyone craned their necks for photos. After that, depending on your ticket (I picked the snorkel tour), you either hit Barú for a party vibe or head straight to a quieter island in the Rosario chain. On our route, we landed at a private spot with water so clear you could see fish darting under your toes. Lying on those beach beds felt like pressing pause on everything noisy in my head.

Lunch came next — fish for me, though they had chicken and veggie too. It’s not fancy but tasted fresh; I swear the lime juice made it sing a bit. If you’re on the snorkel tour like I was, there’s a 45-minute session before eating. The mask fogged up at first (classic), but once I got it sorted I spotted these wild blue-and-yellow fish near some coral chunks. Kids nearby squealed every time something brushed their legs — made me laugh because I did the same inside.

The last stop was Islabela Beach Club for us (the party folks go to Cholon Island instead — way louder). There were parasols and dance music drifting over from somewhere behind the bar, but mostly people just stretched out or tried salsa steps with one of the staff showing moves. Sun felt heavy by then; I remember sand sticking to my skin even after swimming again. Honestly, by late afternoon everyone looked sun-drunk and happy in that lazy Caribbean way.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Cartagena Island Hopping Tour

• Stop at Bocachica Fort for photos
• Cruise past Pablo Escobar’s mansion
• Visit private island resort for swimming
• Lunch and relax at Rosario Islands
• Snorkel session at marine habitat
• End at Islabela Beach Club

Top questions

How long is the Rosario Islands tour from Cartagena?

The tour runs from around 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM depending on option chosen.

Is lunch included in the Cartagena island hopping tour?

Yes, lunch is included on Grande Island with fish, chicken or vegetarian options available.

Do all tours visit Cholon Island?

No, only the Party Tour visits Cholon Island; Snorkel and Leisure tours end at Islabela Beach Club instead.

Can I snorkel during this Rosario Islands day trip?

Yes, snorkeling is included only on the Snorkel Tour option; equipment is provided.

Are there any historical sites visited during this tour?

Yes, all tours include a brief stop at Bocachica Fort for photos and history shared by your guide.

Does this Cartagena islands tour include hotel pickup?

No hotel pickup is provided; guests meet at the pier in Cartagena for departure.

What should I bring for this day trip to Rosario Islands?

You should bring swimwear (mandatory), sunscreen, cash for port tax and any extras.

Is this tour suitable for families or kids?

The Snorkel and Leisure tours are more family-friendly; Party Tour is louder and more crowded.

What’s included

Your day includes round-trip shuttle boat transport from Cartagena’s pier to several Rosario Islands stops (with safety vest), entry to beach clubs or bars based on your ticket type, a guided visit to Bocachica Fort plus sightseeing past Pablo Escobar’s mansion, all snorkeling equipment if you choose that option, and lunch served fresh on Grande Island before returning late afternoon.