Rosario Islands Boat Charter from Cartagena: Family Day Trip

Sail to white-sand beaches and reef snorkeling without the noise of a crowded tour boat.

A private boat charter from Cartagena takes your family to the Rosario Islands and Barú for a full day of swimming, snorkeling and beach time. The boat is yours alone, a bilingual guide comes with you, snorkeling gear is included, and the pace stays relaxed—no rushing between stops or competing for deck space with other groups. Lunch is your choice to arrange; the operator provides bottled water and ice.

Step-by-step itinerary

Boat trip to Rosario Islands and Barú

• Sail through crystal-clear waters
• Relax at beach clubs with drinks
• Enjoy lunch at the beach club
• Swim and snorkel in Rosario Islands
• Continue to Barú beaches
• Swim and relax at Playa Blanca and Playa Tranquila

The Experience

The boat leaves Cartagena and heads into clear water toward the Rosario Islands, where you pick the stops. Beach clubs dot the islands—places to anchor, swim off the boat, order a drink and eat without leaving the water's edge. The snorkeling gear is on board, so you can drop in wherever the guide suggests the reef is best that day. Time at each stop is yours to spend: some families stay put at one beach club for hours, others move between two or three islands depending on what the kids want to do.

After the Rosario Islands, the route continues to Barú, where Playa Blanca and Playa Tranquila sit on the far side of the peninsula. The water there is shallow and clear, the sand is white, and the beaches are quieter than the islands. You'll have time to swim, walk the shore, or stay on the boat and rest. The whole day runs eight hours from pickup to return.

A bilingual guide travels with you and knows where the best snorkeling is and which beach clubs have the calmest water for young swimmers. The boat is private—no strangers sharing the deck, no schedule built around other groups' preferences, no noise from a party atmosphere. Bottled water and ice come with the charter. Lunch is something you arrange at a beach club or bring along; the operator does not provide it.

What’s included

• Bilingual guide in English and Spanish.
• snorkeling equipment.
• bottled water and ice for the full eight hours.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Botegena

Is this one for you?This is a private charter, so the boat and guide are yours alone—ideal if your family wants to set the pace, skip the crowded tour boats, and spend time at whichever beach appeals most without keeping to someone else's schedule. If you prefer a set itinerary with a group and a fixed departure time, a shared tour boat would be simpler.

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Top questions

How long is the boat ride from Cartagena to the Rosario Islands?

The full charter runs eight hours from start to finish, which includes travel time to the islands, time at the beach clubs and stops in Barú, and the return to Cartagena. The actual boat ride out is roughly an hour each way.

What's included with the private boat charter?

The charter includes the bilingual guide, snorkeling equipment, bottled water and ice. Lunch is not included—you order it at a beach club or bring your own food.

Can young children and grandparents come on this boat?

Yes. The tour is designed for families of all ages. Infants sit on an adult's lap. The pace is relaxed, not rushed, and you choose how long to stay at each stop.

Is snorkeling required, or can we just swim and relax on the beach?

Snorkeling is optional. The gear is there if you want it, but many families skip it and spend the day swimming off the boat, floating in the shallows, or sitting at a beach club. The guide can point out where the reef is if you decide to go in.

What are Playa Blanca and Playa Tranquila like?

Both beaches are on the Barú peninsula and known for soft white sand and very clear, shallow water. They're quieter than the Rosario Islands and good for families who want a calmer beach experience without the beach club crowds.

Do we need to bring our own snorkeling gear?

No. Snorkeling equipment is included with the charter, so you don't need to pack or rent your own.