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

Rosario Islands day trip with snorkeling, Bocachica Fort views, lunch and a boat ride

You spend the day touring the Rosario Islands by boat from Cartagena, with Bocachica Fort and Pablo Escobar’s former mansion seen from the water and three island stops, one of them for snorkeling and lunch. The day is built around beach beds, parasols and clear water rather than crowded beaches.

Options for this experience

2 options

From US$ 74.80 per person, depending on the option and date you choose.See dates & book

Family-Friendly Eco Tour 08:00 Guide in English or Spanish Nature option: two sightseeing stops from the boat and three in-person island stops, with lunch, snorkeling and shuttle boat transport (see images). Departure point: Muelle de la Bodeguita – Puerta 1, Centro, Cartagena, Bolívar, Colombia.

Family-Friendly VIP Tour 08:30 Guide in English or Spanish Premium option: two sightseeing stops from the boat and three in-person PREMIUM island stops, with lunch, snorkeling and a comfort speedboat (see images). Departure point: Muelle de la Bodeguita – Puerta 3, Av. Blas de Lezo, El Centro, Cartagena de Indias, Bolívar, Colombia.

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Step-by-step itinerary

Full-day Rosario Islands boat tour

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

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 views from the boat of Bocachica Fort and Pablo Escobar’s former mansion) 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, plus use of snorkeling gear (mask and tube) at the fish habitat before heading back to Cartagena.

Times

• Every day 08:00 08:30

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Before you book

Group Up to 100 1 private ›

Live guide English and Spanish

Meeting point and pickup No hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point. 4 with pickup ›

Book up to 1h before

Ages Adult (18 to 60 years) · Youth (15 to 17 years) · Child (10 to 14 years) · Under 10: 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 Public transport nearby Not recommended during pregnancy Not recommended with heart problems Not recommended with back problems

Operated by COCOCARTAGENA

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The experience

Both tours start with a stop on the water at Bocachica Fort, where you take photos and learn about the naval and pirate battles in its history. Then comes the first island: on the Eco Tour, Marina Island, known for its wildlife, with clear water and beach beds right there. On the VIP Tour, a private section of Islabela Island with personalized service. Back on board, you pass Pablo Escobar’s former island mansion and see it from the boat.

Next you head to another island where, before lunch, both tours snorkel at a nearby fish habitat with mask and tube. It’s for confident swimmers, and getting in the water is up to you.

Lunch is on Grande Island, with fish, chicken or a vegetarian option prepared on site, and on the VIP Tour you have a private beach club on a separate part of the island. On this island you can also stretch out on a beach bed under a parasol, swim, or just take in the scenery. The last stop is Rosario Island on the Eco Tour, with beach chairs and parasols, or the Rosario de Mar resort on the VIP Tour.

The Eco Tour travels on shuttle boats and the VIP Tour on comfort speedboats. On both you can get soaked on the way, so swimwear is required, and the open sea can make speedboat rides bumpy. If you want a Rosario Islands day trip from Cartagena focused on calm beaches and nature rather than crowds, this one keeps a relaxed pace that suits families and couples.

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (15 to 17 years); Child (10 to 14 years). Children under 10 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.

Is snorkeling included on all Rosario Islands tours?

Yes, both the Eco Tour and the VIP Tour include snorkeling at a fish habitat, with mask and tube provided.

What islands do you visit during this day trip?

After a look at Bocachica Fort from the boat, you visit Marina Island (Eco Tour) or Islabela Island (VIP Tour), pass Pablo Escobar’s former mansion, snorkel near Grande Island and have lunch there, and finish at Rosario Island (Eco Tour) or the Rosario de Mar resort (VIP Tour).

Is lunch included on the Rosario Islands tour?

Yes, lunch is included on Grande Island, with fish, chicken or vegetarian options prepared on site.

Are there guides on board during the trip?

Yes, a bilingual tour guide is included on both the Eco Tour and the VIP Tour.

What’s different about the VIP Tour option?

The VIP Tour uses comfort speedboats and includes premium stops: a private section of Islabela Island, a private beach club for lunch on Grande Island, and an island resort to end the day.

Are there vegetarian options for lunch?

Yes, lunch on Grande Island includes a vegetarian option alongside fish and chicken.