Rosario Islands: 5-Stop Boat Tour with Lunch & Snorkeling

★★★★★★★★★★ 4.76 (1,523 reviews) 86% rated it 5 stars

Free cancellationTravelers' pick

1/25

Duration7h

GroupUp to 100

LanguagesEN · ES

Mobile ticketAccepted

Rosario islands day trip with snorkeling forts lunch and boat ride

You’ll spend your day cruising between five Rosario Islands stops by boat from Cartagena—snorkeling over bright reefs (if you want), eating fresh-cooked lunch with your feet in the sand, hearing stories from your local guide, and soaking up sun on quiet beaches or busier ones if you pick the party route. Expect laughter, sea spray, simple food—and maybe a few surprises along the way.

Step-by-step itinerary

Full-day Rosario Islands boat tour

Stop at Bocachica Fort for sightseeing
View Pablo Escobar’s former island mansion
Stop at Marina or Islabela Island for beach time
Enjoy snorkeling near fish habitat (Snorkel tour only)
Lunch and relaxation on Grande Island or private beach club
Final stop at Rosario or Cholon Island for leisure
Return to departure port

The Experience

The first thing I remember is the salt spray hitting my face as we left Cartagena’s harbor, everyone squinting into the sun. Our guide, Andrés, had this way of making even the old Bocachica Fort seem like more than just a photo stop—he told a story about pirates that made a kid on board gasp. I liked that. The fort looked kind of battered but proud, sticking out above the water. Then we passed Pablo Escobar’s old mansion—half crumbling, half weirdly glamorous—and Andrés just shrugged and said, “That’s Colombia,” which made everyone laugh.

I picked the snorkel tour, so after our first island stop (Marina Island—white sand, clear water, lots of pelicans), we got handed masks and tubes. I’m not great at snorkeling honestly—I always get water up my nose—but floating above those fish habitats was worth it. There were these flashes of blue and yellow everywhere under me. Someone in our group kept shouting through their snorkel about seeing a pufferfish. The water felt warm but not too warm, and I could smell grilled fish drifting over from the beach kitchens while we dried off.

Lunch was on Grande Island—plastic chairs in the sand, grilled fish (or chicken or veggie if you wanted), coconut rice, plantains. It wasn’t fancy but it tasted good because you’re hungry by then. I tried to order in Spanish but mixed up pescado and pollo; Andrés teased me about it for the rest of the day. After lunch we just lay around under parasols watching some kids play soccer in bare feet. The last stop was Rosario Island itself—more swimming, more lazy sun—and by then everyone felt kind of sleepy and happy in that way you only get after a day outside.

I still think about that boat ride back to Cartagena: wind tangling my hair, skin salty and tired, people quietly swapping stories or just staring at the horizon. If you’re looking for a day trip to Rosario Islands from Cartagena that isn’t all party noise or rushed photos, this one felt real—messy in places but honest. Just bring sunscreen and don’t expect your hair to look good at the end.

What’s included

Your day covers round-trip shuttle boat or comfort speedboat transport (depending on ticket), all island stops listed in your chosen itinerary—including sightseeing at Bocachica Fort and Pablo Escobar’s estate—with a bilingual guide leading you throughout. You’ll have access to beach beds and parasols at most stops, enjoy a freshly prepared island lunch with fish, chicken or veggie options included (drinks extra), plus use of snorkeling gear if booked on that specific tour variant before heading back to Cartagena late afternoon.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by COCOCARTAGENA