Snorkeling in Rosario Islands from Cartagena: five stops in a day

The Rosario Islands hold 27 islands and you visit three of them in one morning and afternoon.

A private boat tour from Cartagena to the Rosario Islands with snorkeling gear included, a live guide in English or Spanish, and stops at Isla Cholon for lunch and Playa Tranquila for swimming. The boat holds a maximum of five passengers, so the group stays small. Weather can cancel the tour, but you can reschedule or get a full refund.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Rosario Islands by boat

• Panoramic view of Rosario Islands
• Snorkeling and swimming
• Visit Isla Cholon and swim
• Lunch at Isla Cholon
• Swim and relax at Playa Tranquila

The Experience

The boat leaves Cartagena and heads to the Rosario Islands, where you get a panoramic view before the first snorkel. The islands are a marine park 30 kilometers offshore, and the water holds fish in numbers most snorkelers don't expect in a single day. You move between three main stops: the islands themselves for snorkeling, Isla Cholon (the largest of the 27) where lunch happens, and Playa Tranquila on Baru Island for a final swim. The whole day runs 7.5 hours.

Snorkeling gear is included, so you don't bring your own. A live guide speaks English or Spanish and stays with the group. At Isla Cholon you can eat lunch on the island or skip it and take the boat to another spot instead — the choice is yours. Playa Tranquila is the last stop, a beach where you swim and rest before heading back to Cartagena.

The boat is private and holds a maximum of five passengers, which means no crowding and no waiting for strangers to finish. If weather turns bad and the tour can't run, you reschedule for another date or get your money back. The tour works for all fitness levels, though it's not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health, and pregnant travelers should sit this one out.

What’s included

• Snorkeling gear.
• a live guide in English or Spanish.
• boat transport to three snorkeling stops at the Rosario Islands and Baru Island.
• swimming time at Playa Tranquila.

Good to know

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

Operated by VIP BOATS

Is this one for you?Book the five-passenger private boat if your group is small and you want the flexibility to skip lunch at Isla Cholon and snorkel elsewhere instead. Choose the larger group option if you have more than six people and want to keep costs down by sharing the boat.

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Top questions

What fish will I see when snorkeling in the Rosario Islands?

The Rosario Islands hold a wide array of fish species in the shallow reefs around the three snorkeling stops. The exact species change with the season and the specific reef, but the operator notes the fish count is substantial enough that most snorkelers see far more than they expected in a single day.

Is lunch included in the Rosario Islands snorkeling tour?

Lunch happens at Isla Cholon, the largest island in the Rosario Islands group, and you can eat there or ask the guide to take the boat to another island instead. The meal itself is not listed as included in the tour price, so plan to pay for it separately.

How many people will be on the private boat?

The private boat holds a maximum of five passengers, so your group stays small. A larger group option is available if you have more than six people, which books a separate boat.

What happens if the weather is bad on the day of my tour?

The Rosario Islands tour requires good weather to run safely. If conditions are poor on your departure date, the operator will offer you a different date or a full refund — you choose which one.

Do I need to bring my own snorkeling gear?

Snorkeling gear is included in the tour, so you don't need to bring or rent your own equipment. The guide will make sure it fits before you get in the water.

What language does the guide speak?

The guide speaks English or Spanish, so you can book the language that works for your group.