Johnny Cay boat tour from San Andrés: Snorkel and swim

Snorkel the turquoise shallows, then walk a Caribbean island with time to spare

A shared boat tour from San Andrés to Johnny Cay, a small island in the Sea of 7 Colors, with a live guide in English or Spanish, boat transport and an internal walk along the bay. The tour runs 4 hours and includes snorkeling, swimming in a marked area, and time to rest or explore the island. Children from age 3 are welcome. Adults over 65, pregnant women, children under 5, and people with mobility constraints cannot land on the island due to harbor restrictions, though they may remain on the boat.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Johnny Cay Island

• Boat transfer to Johnny Cay
• Relax on the beach
• Swim in buoy-marked area
• Snorkel in clear waters
• Walk ecological trails
• Purchase local crafts
• Enjoy typical local cuisine

The experience

The boat leaves from San Andrés and carries a small group across water so clear the seabed is visible. Once at Johnny Cay, there's no dock. You wade ashore into shallow turquoise water, which is part of why the island stays uncrowded and why the harbor master restricts access for older adults, young children, and anyone who cannot board the boat independently. A guide in English or Spanish is with you the whole time, and the crew includes lifeguards and trained personnel.

On the island itself, you choose what to do. Snorkel in the marked swimming area, walk the ecological trail, rest on the sand, or buy local crafts and food from the restaurants there. The island has bathrooms, a recycling center, and an environmental education center. Water sports are available if you want them. Most people spend the afternoon moving between the water and the shade, taking photos of the palms and the bay.

The tour is 4 hours total, including the boat ride both ways. It's designed for couples, families and groups who want the island without arranging their own transport or worrying about timing. Because quotas fill quickly in high season, booking ahead is worth doing.

What’s included

• Qualified guide in English or Spanish.
• shared boat transportation to and from Johnny Cay.
• internal walk along the bay.
• access to snorkeling, swimming in a marked area, and island facilities including restaurants, lifeguards, bathrooms and an environmental center.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:30

AgesAdult (18 to 60 years) · Senior (61 and older) · Youth (11 to 17 years) · Child (3 to 10 years) · Under 3: can't be booked

GroupUp to 10

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree 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.

Prices and times updated 13 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Agencia de Viajes y Turismo Bonaitur

Is this one for you?The shared boat means you don't need a car or private transport to reach Johnny Cay from San Andrés: pickup is included and the timing is set, so you can plan the rest of your day around it. The 4-hour window fits easily into a morning or afternoon without eating your whole day.

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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 (3 to 10 years). Children under 3 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 can I actually do once I'm on Johnny Cay?

Snorkel in the buoy-marked swimming area, take an ecological walk around the island, rest on the beach, purchase local crafts, or use the water sports available there. The island has restaurants serving typical Caribbean food, lifeguards on duty, and bathrooms open all day.

How do I get to the boat, and where does it pick me up?

The tour departs from San Andrés itself. Public transportation options are available nearby if you're staying elsewhere on the island. The boat is shared, so you travel with other visitors.

What happens if the weather turns bad?

The experience requires good weather. If the tour is canceled due to poor conditions, you'll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Is there anything I need to know before I book?

The island has no landing dock, so you wade ashore in shallow water. Adults over 65, pregnant women, people with disabilities requiring special boarding assistance, and children under 5 are not permitted to land. The tour is not recommended for people with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health. Dock tax of 15,000 COP per person and food and drinks are not included in the tour price.