Snorkeling in Cartagena: 5 Rosario Islands with plankton

Five islands, two snorkel stops, a sunken plane, seafood cocktail, fruit tasting, lunch, and plankton under the stars

A 12-hour snorkeling tour from Cartagena visits five islands in the Rosario archipelago, with two guided snorkel stops, a choice of oceanarium entry or reef diving, meals on the water, and a nighttime plankton activity on Baru Island. The tour includes snorkeling equipment, an air-conditioned vehicle for transport, and a guide who speaks English or Spanish. You choose whether to add the plankton experience at checkout, and whether to book for one or two people or as a family group.

Step-by-step itinerary

Rosario Islands tour with snorkeling and plankton

• Panoramic view of Bocachica Fort
• Tour of Rosario Islands beaches and stories
• Snorkel at sunken plane on Big Island
• Snorkel at coral pool in San Martin de Pajarales
• Choose oceanarium visit or snorkeling or beach time
• Shrimp cocktail at Cholón Island
• Visit quiet Isla Agua Azul
• Lunch and sunset at quiet beach on Baru Island
• Plankton activity on Baru Island

The experience

The day starts with a boat ride past Bocachica Fort, then into the Rosario Islands themselves: 28 islands in total, though the tour hits five of them. Your first snorkel stop is at Isla Grande, where a sunken plane sits in shallow water. You'll see it before dropping in to the coral pool at San Martin de Pajarales for the second snorkel. Both stops come with full snorkeling equipment and time in the water.

Between snorkels, you'll pull up at Cholón Island for a shrimp cocktail, then Isla Agua Azul for a fruit salad tasting: both served on the boat or on the deck. At San Martin de Pajarales you can also choose to skip the snorkel and visit the oceanarium instead, or stay on the beach. The day moves toward Baru Island, where a quiet white-sand beach is the setting for lunch and the sunset.

If you've booked the plankton option, the evening ends with a bioluminescent activity in the water off Baru: the plankton glows when disturbed, turning the sea electric in the dark. The whole day runs 12 hours, with an air-conditioned vehicle handling the transport between the dock and your hotel in Cartagena. Snacks are included throughout, and your guide speaks either English or Spanish.

What’s included

• Snorkeling equipment for two stops.
• lunch on Baru Island.
• shrimp cocktail at Cholón Island and fruit salad tasting at Isla Agua Azul.
• snacks throughout the day.
• air-conditioned vehicle transport from your hotel.
• a guide in English or Spanish.
• the plankton activity on Baru Island (if you choose that option at checkout).

Options for this experience

4 options

Family or group option, without planktonUp to 15 people · Guide in English or Spanish · 07:00Duration: 8 hours. This option excludes plankton and finishes at 4:30 pm; transportation to your lodging is not included. Family or group plan: this option suits families or groups, since children, young people and seniors get discounts. Pickup is included.

1 or 2 people plan, without planktonUp to 2 people · Guide in English or Spanish · 07:00Plan without plankton: a discounted plan for 1 or 2 people. Duration: 8 hours. This tour ends at 4:30 pm. They return to the Cartagena pier by boat. There is no transportation to the hotel. The price is per person: if 2 people are going, they have to purchase 2... Pickup is included.

Family or group option, with planktonUp to 15 people · Guide in English or Spanish · 07:00Duration: 12 hours. Family or group plan: this option suits families or groups, since children, young people and older adults get discounts. Pickup is included.

1 or 2 person plan, with planktonUp to 2 people · Guide in English or Spanish · 07:00Plan with plankton: a discounted plan for 1 or 2 people. Duration: 12 hours. They return to the hotel by bus at 8 pm. The price is per person: if 2 people are going, they have to purchase 2... Pickup is included.

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:00

AgesAdult (18 to 65 years) · Senior (66 to 90 years) · Youth (12 to 17 years) · Child (4 to 11 years) · Infant (under 4): free

GroupUp to 22

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Audio guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by GR TOURS Cartagena

Is this one for you?Choose the plankton variant if you want to stay out until evening. Pick the standard version to finish by late afternoon with a beach lunch.

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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 (12 to 17 years); Child (4 to 11 years); Infant (under 4): free.

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 exactly is the plankton activity at the end of the day?

The plankton activity happens in the water off Baru Island after sunset, where you'll see bioluminescent plankton that glow when the water is disturbed. It's an optional add-on you choose at checkout. The base tour ends with lunch and the sunset on the beach.

Can I snorkel at both stops, or do I have to choose one?

You snorkel at both Isla Grande (where the sunken plane is) and San Martin de Pajarales (the coral pool). At San Martin, you also have the option to visit the oceanarium instead of snorkeling, or to stay on the beach, but both snorkel stops are part of the itinerary unless you opt out.

What's included in the meals on the tour?

Lunch is served on Baru Island at the quiet beach. A shrimp cocktail is included at Cholón Island, and a fruit salad tasting at Isla Agua Azul. Snacks are provided throughout the day, and the tour includes an air-conditioned vehicle for transport between your hotel and the dock.

Do I need to bring my own snorkeling gear?

No, snorkeling equipment is included with the tour. You'll have a full set for both snorkel stops.

How does the group size option work?

You choose at checkout between a tour for one or two people, or a family or group rate. The itinerary and inclusions stay the same. The price changes based on group size.

What time does the tour start and end?

The tour runs 12 hours total. Pickup is included from your hotel in Cartagena, and the guide speaks English or Spanish. Confirm your preferred language and hotel location when you book.