Cartagena Rosario Islands: Private Boat Day for Groups

Summary

Private boat from Cartagena to Rosario Islands with music, snorkeling, flexible timing and local flavor

You’ll spend your Cartagena day trip cruising by private boat to the Rosario Islands with your friends or family (up to 13 people). Swim or snorkel in clear Caribbean water, play your own music, eat snacks onboard, and chat with locals along the way. It’s relaxed, flexible, and you’ll probably leave feeling lighter than when you arrived.

What’s the experience like?

I thought I knew what “blue water” meant until we left Cartagena’s harbor that morning. The city faded behind us — just a blur of sunlit buildings and the odd pelican swooping low — and suddenly it was just our little group, the hum of the motor, and this impossible turquoise stretching out everywhere. Our captain, Andrés (I think he’s done this route a thousand times), grinned when I asked if it always looked like this. He just shrugged and said, “Siempre.” And then he cranked up the music — something salsa-ish — and honestly, it felt like the whole boat loosened up right then.

We stopped near one of the Rosario Islands after maybe an hour or so? Hard to keep track because time gets weird out there. The air smelled salty but also kind of sweet — sunscreen mixed with sea spray. Someone handed me a snorkel mask (included in the boat rental, which I hadn’t even realized) and I slid into water so clear I could see my own feet waving under me. There were flashes of yellow fish darting around coral; I tried not to kick too much and scare them off. At one point my friend Julia tried teaching me some Spanish slang for “chill out” while we floated — I still can’t pronounce it right.

Lunch wasn’t included but we’d packed snacks in a cooler with ice (they provided that too), so we just ate on deck while drying off in patches of sun. Some locals from another boat drifted over to chat; they offered us slices of mango sprinkled with salt and lime. It was sticky and messy but tasted better than anything fancy. Later, lying back on the bench seat with wet hair sticking to my neck, I remember thinking: this is exactly how I wanted Colombia to feel — open, easygoing, everyone sharing what they have.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Boat rental and island exploration

• Flexible pick-up time
• Boat rental to Rosario Islands
• Enjoy crystal-clear blue waters
• Listen to great music
• Immerse in coastal culture
• Relax and connect with surroundings

Top questions

How many people can join the private boat rental?

The boat rental accommodates up to 13 people per group.

Is snorkeling equipment included in the tour?

Yes, use of snorkeling equipment is included in your booking.

Does the tour include lunch or food?

No meals are included; you can bring your own snacks or buy food locally during stops.

Is pickup time fixed or flexible?

The pickup time is flexible depending on how early you'd like to start your day.

Are service animals allowed on board?

Yes, service animals are allowed on this tour.

Is bottled water provided during the trip?

Bottled water is included as part of your day on the boat.

Can travelers with health issues join?

This tour is not recommended for pregnant travelers or those with spinal or cardiovascular conditions.

Is public transportation nearby for getting to departure point?

Yes, public transportation options are available near the departure area in Cartagena.

What’s included

Your day includes bottled water for everyone onboard, use of snorkeling equipment so you can explore underwater at any stop, plus plenty of ice for keeping drinks cold as you go from Cartagena out into the Rosario Islands by private boat.