Rosario Islands tour from Cartagena: Snorkeling and lunch on Baru

Four islands, one boat, snorkeling in coral and a quiet beach at sunset

A full-day tour of the Rosario Islands departing from Cartagena with hotel pickup, snorkeling with guide and gear at Isla Grande, a seafood cocktail stop on Cholon Island, and lunch on Baru Island. The boat leaves at 9am and returns by 4pm. A live guide speaks English and Spanish, and children are welcome from age 4.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Rosario Islandspassing by
2. Isla Grande45m · entry included
3. Baru Island1h

Rosario Islands tour with snorkeling and lunch

• Hotel pick-up in downtown Cartagena
• Travel by land to Baru Island
• Boat tour of Rosario Islands
• Snorkeling with guide and equipment
• Seafood cocktail on Cholon Island
• Sunbathing on Blue Water Island
• Lunch on Baru Island with three options
• Enjoy sunset on quiet beach
• Return by land to hotel area

The experience

You're picked up from your Cartagena hotel (downtown, Bocagrande, Laguito or the historic center), and driven to Baru Island, where the boat departs at 9am. From there, the tour moves through the Rosario Islands with a panoramic pass of the archipelago before anchoring at Isla Grande for snorkeling. A guide hands you the equipment and walks you through the corals and marine life in the shallows. The submerged plane wreck sits in this zone, visible if conditions allow. This is the main water time, and it runs roughly two hours depending on the group's pace.

After snorkeling, the boat heads to Cholon Island, known for its party atmosphere and anchored yachts. You get a seafood cocktail here, included, and time to swim or sit on the deck while music plays. Drinks beyond the welcome cocktail are available to buy. Then it's on to Baru Island's quiet beach, where lunch arrives: your choice of fried fish, roasted chicken breast, or a vegetarian plate, all served with coconut rice, patacones and salad. You have time to rest in a sunbathing chair and soak in the beach before the boat heads back to Cartagena, arriving around 4pm.

The tour runs seven hours total. A live guide in English or Spanish stays with the group throughout. Children from age 4 are welcome, though the operator notes the tour is not recommended for pregnant travelers. All fees and taxes are included in the price.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup from downtown Cartagena, Bocagrande, Laguito or the historic center.
• panoramic tour of the Rosario Islands.
• snorkeling with guide and equipment at Isla Grande.
• seafood cocktail on Cholon Island.
• sunbathing chairs on the quiet beach.
• lunch on Baru Island with your choice of fried fish, roasted chicken breast or vegetarian plate, served with coconut rice, patacones and salad.
• ground return to your hotel.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (18 to 50 years) · Senior (51 to 70 years) · Youth (11 to 17 years) · Child (4 to 10 years) · Under 4: can't be booked

GroupUp to 16

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortNot recommended during pregnancy

Operated by serviexpress

Is this one for you?Hotel pickup means you don't need a car or a way to reach Baru Island on your own. The tour collects you and handles the land part, so you step straight onto the boat. The fixed 9am start and 4pm return fit a single day without eating into your evening, and the guide in English or Spanish means you follow what's happening at each stop.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (11 to 17 years); Child (4 to 10 years). Children under 4 can't be included in the booking.

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 exactly happens during the snorkeling part of the Rosario Islands tour?

At Isla Grande, a guide gives you snorkeling equipment and takes you into the water to explore the corals and marine species in the area. The submerged plane wreck is in this zone and visible depending on conditions.

Can I choose what I eat for lunch on Baru Island?

Lunch on Baru Island comes with three options: fried fish, roasted chicken breast, or a vegetarian plate. Each includes coconut rice, patacones and salad.

What time does the tour start and end?

The tour starts at 9am with hotel pickup and ends around 4pm when you return to your Cartagena hotel. The full day runs seven hours on the water and land.

What's included in the price, and what costs extra?

Hotel pickup, the boat tour, snorkeling gear, the seafood cocktail on Cholon Island, and lunch on Baru Island are all included. Drinks beyond the welcome cocktail can be purchased on Cholon Island.