Johnny Cay & Aquarium boat tour: San Andrés island in a day

Two island keys, shallow water, and palm-fringed beaches in a single afternoon

A shared boat tour from San Andrés visits Johnny Cay, a palm-covered islet 7 minutes offshore, and the Aquarium (Rose Cay), where water depth stays around one meter for wading and viewing marine life. The tour runs 5 hours with a qualified guide, boat transportation and an internal bay tour included. Children welcome from age 5. Boarding is first come, first served after you pay the dock tax on arrival.

Step-by-step itinerary

Visit Rocky Cay and Aquarium

• Travel to Rocky Cay island
• Explore Rocky Cay for 2 hours
• Travel to Aquarium (Rose Cay)
• Enjoy Aquarium for 3 hours

What’s included

• Qualified guide.
• motorboat transportation to both keys.
• internal tour of the bay.

Times

• Every day 08:30

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Before you book

Group Up to 10

Meeting point and pickup No hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point. 2 with pickup ›

Ages Adult (18 to 65 years) · Youth (11 to 17 years) · Child (5 to 10 years) · Under 5: can't be booked

Cancellation and refunds Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund. It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Good to know

Low physical effort Not recommended during pregnancy Not recommended with heart problems

Operated by Agencia de Viajes y Turismo Bonaitur

Prices and times updated yesterday

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The experience

You arrive at the dock in San Andrés with a free afternoon or a morning to spare, and the two stops on this tour cover what most first-time visitors want to see. Johnny Cay sits 7 minutes by motorboat from the island: a small, rocky key ringed with sand and palm trees where local restaurants serve typical island dishes and cocktails. The Aquarium, also called Rose Cay, lies east of San Andrés and is the shallower of the two: the water depth hovers around one meter, which means you can wade and see the marine flora and fauna without needing to swim far from shore. Both stops fit inside 5 hours, with qualified personnel guiding the group and handling the boat.

The tour departs on a shared motorboat, so you'll travel with other visitors rather than as a private group. Boarding happens first come, first served after you settle the dock tax (15,000 COP per person) at the harbor. Because Johnny Cay has no landing dock, entry is restricted by the local harbor master: the boat crew will help you board and disembark, but the process requires you to step on and off the motorboat yourself. Children under 5, adults over 65, pregnant travelers, and people with mobility restrictions are not permitted to land there. The Aquarium, with its shallow water and easier access, works for a wider range of visitors.

Food and drink are not included, so bring cash for the restaurants on Johnny Cay or pack snacks. The internal tour of the bay gives you time to float in the shallow water at the Aquarium and take in the marine life. Plan to arrive early on the day of your tour. The first-come, first-served system means late arrivals may not secure a spot if the boat fills.

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (11 to 17 years); Child (5 to 10 years). Children under 5 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 is Johnny Cay like when you get there?

Johnny Cay is a small rocky islet with beaches and palm trees, located 7 minutes by boat from San Andrés. Small restaurants on the islet serve typical island dishes and cocktails, so you can eat and drink while you're there.

Can you actually swim or wade at the Aquarium?

Yes. The Aquarium (Rose Cay) has water depth around one meter, so you can wade in and see the marine flora and fauna without swimming far from shore. It's the shallower of the two stops and designed for wading and viewing.

What happens if I arrive late on the day of the tour?

Boarding is first come, first served after you pay the dock tax, so arriving late means you risk not getting a spot if the motorboat fills up before you board. Arrive on time to secure your place.

Is the boat ride rough, or is it a smooth trip to the keys?

The tour uses motorboats to reach both keys. The ride to Johnny Cay takes 7 minutes. The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels, though the motorboat boarding and disembarking require you to step on and off the vessel yourself.