Rosario Islands boat tour with snorkeling & lunch pickup

Summary

Cartagena day trip with snorkeling stops & island lunch

You’ll start your Rosario Islands day trip with fresh fruit and friendly faces before heading out by speedboat from Cartagena. Snorkel above bright reefs with your local guide’s tips, taste shrimp cocktail on a private island, join in Cholon’s floating party if you feel like it, then relax over lunch at Playa Blanca. Expect laughter, saltwater hair, and memories that linger long after you’re home.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed was the smell of lime — not the sea, but that sharp citrus from the fruit salad they handed us as we climbed onto the bus in Cartagena. It was early but already warm, and everyone seemed half-awake except our guide, Andrés, who greeted each person by name like he’d known us for years. I’m not usually a group tour person, but this felt more like tagging along with someone’s friends than anything official.

The drive to Barú went by in a blur of reggaeton on the radio and flashes of blue between the trees. When we switched to the speedboat, I nearly lost my hat to the wind (Andrés just grinned and said “welcome to Caribbean air!”). The Rosario Islands looked unreal — water so clear you could see your own toes dangling off the side. At one stop, there was this shrimp cocktail that tasted almost too fresh; Li from our group tried to ask for seconds in Spanish and got a round of applause from the staff. I still think about that view — white sand, bright boats bobbing around us, laughter echoing over the water.

Snorkeling was next. I hesitated at first (I always worry about losing my mask), but Andrés gave me a quick demo and told me not to overthink it. Floating above those reefs felt strange and peaceful at once — fish darting everywhere, sunlight flickering through turquoise water. Afterward they handed out cold bottles of water; I sat on the edge of the boat dripping wet and just watched everyone else splash around for a while.

Cholon was loud — music thumping from every direction, people dancing waist-deep in the sea with drinks held high so they wouldn’t spill. Not really my scene but honestly? It was impossible not to smile. Lunch at Playa Blanca came with fried fish (or chicken if you wanted), rice, plantains — nothing fancy but exactly what you want after swimming all morning. We sprawled out on towels under patchy shade until it was time to head back. The sunburn hit later but I didn’t care much; it felt earned somehow.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Full day Rosario Islands tour

• Meet all travelers at meeting point
• Visit private island for swimming and relaxing
• Enjoy shrimp cocktail and bar access
• Snorkel for 45 minutes with provided gear
• Hydrate with provided water bottle
• Party at Cholon island with music and drinks
• Have lunch at Playa Blanca de Barú
• Relax and swim at Playa Blanca beach

Top questions

Is hotel pickup included for this Rosario Islands tour?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are included in Cartagena.

How long do we spend snorkeling during the day trip?

You’ll have about 45 minutes of guided snorkeling time.

Are meals or drinks included on this Rosario Islands boat tour?

The tour includes fruit salad at the start and lunch at Playa Blanca; some drinks are extra.

Do I need to bring my own snorkeling equipment?

No, snorkeling masks and tubes are provided (fins are not included).

Is this day trip suitable for travelers with health issues?

This tour is not recommended for pregnant travelers or those with spinal or cardiovascular conditions.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off in Cartagena, entry fees for Corales del Rosario National Park, use of snorkeling equipment (mask and tube), bilingual local guide support throughout each stop, a fresh fruit salad starter plus refreshing lemonade to kick things off, a 30.000 COP credit toward lunch at Playa Blanca (with extra charge for special dishes), bottled water after snorkeling, and access to all social areas on the islands before returning in the evening.