Snorkeling in Cartagena: 5 Rosario Islands with plankton

★★★★★★★★★★ 3.34 (58 reviews) 33% rated it 5 stars
Free cancellation
  • Snorkeling in Cartagena: 5 Rosario Islands with plankton
  • Snorkeling in Cartagena: 5 Rosario Islands with plankton 2
  • Snorkeling in Cartagena: 5 Rosario Islands with plankton 3
  • Snorkeling in Cartagena: 5 Rosario Islands with plankton 4
  • Snorkeling in Cartagena: 5 Rosario Islands with plankton 5
  • Snorkeling in Cartagena: 5 Rosario Islands with plankton 6
  • Snorkeling in Cartagena: 5 Rosario Islands with plankton 7
  • Snorkeling in Cartagena: 5 Rosario Islands with plankton 8
  • Snorkeling in Cartagena: 5 Rosario Islands with plankton 9
  • Snorkeling in Cartagena: 5 Rosario Islands with plankton 10
  • Snorkeling in Cartagena: 5 Rosario Islands with plankton 11
  • Snorkeling in Cartagena: 5 Rosario Islands with plankton 12
  • Snorkeling in Cartagena: 5 Rosario Islands with plankton 13
  • Snorkeling in Cartagena: 5 Rosario Islands with plankton 14
  • Snorkeling in Cartagena: 5 Rosario Islands with plankton 15
  • Snorkeling in Cartagena: 5 Rosario Islands with plankton 16
  • Snorkeling in Cartagena: 5 Rosario Islands with plankton 17
  • Snorkeling in Cartagena: 5 Rosario Islands with plankton 18
  • Snorkeling in Cartagena: 5 Rosario Islands with plankton 19
  • Snorkeling in Cartagena: 5 Rosario Islands with plankton 20
  • Snorkeling in Cartagena: 5 Rosario Islands with plankton 21
  • Snorkeling in Cartagena: 5 Rosario Islands with plankton 22
  • Snorkeling in Cartagena: 5 Rosario Islands with plankton 23
  • Snorkeling in Cartagena: 5 Rosario Islands with plankton 24
  • Snorkeling in Cartagena: 5 Rosario Islands with plankton 25
  • Snorkeling in Cartagena: 5 Rosario Islands with plankton 26
  • Snorkeling in Cartagena: 5 Rosario Islands with plankton 27
  • Snorkeling in Cartagena: 5 Rosario Islands with plankton 28
  • Snorkeling in Cartagena: 5 Rosario Islands with plankton 29
  • Snorkeling in Cartagena: 5 Rosario Islands with plankton 30
  • Snorkeling in Cartagena: 5 Rosario Islands with plankton 31
  • Snorkeling in Cartagena: 5 Rosario Islands with plankton 32
  • Snorkeling in Cartagena: 5 Rosario Islands with plankton 33
  • Snorkeling in Cartagena: 5 Rosario Islands with plankton 34
  • Snorkeling in Cartagena: 5 Rosario Islands with plankton 35
  • Snorkeling in Cartagena: 5 Rosario Islands with plankton 36
  • Snorkeling in Cartagena: 5 Rosario Islands with plankton 37
  • Snorkeling in Cartagena: 5 Rosario Islands with plankton 38
  • Snorkeling in Cartagena: 5 Rosario Islands with plankton 39
  • Snorkeling in Cartagena: 5 Rosario Islands with plankton 40
  • Snorkeling in Cartagena: 5 Rosario Islands with plankton 41
  • Snorkeling in Cartagena: 5 Rosario Islands with plankton 42
  • Snorkeling in Cartagena: 5 Rosario Islands with plankton 43
  • Snorkeling in Cartagena: 5 Rosario Islands with plankton 44
  • Snorkeling in Cartagena: 5 Rosario Islands with plankton 45
  • Snorkeling in Cartagena: 5 Rosario Islands with plankton 46
1/46
Duration12h
GroupUp to 22
LanguagesEN · ES
PickupAt your hotel

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.

12h

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).
Good to know
Easy physical levelPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for 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.

Traveler reviews

3.34★★★★★★★★★★
58 verified traveler reviews
5 19
4 12
3 9
2 6
1 12
Read all the reviews ›

Compare the 13 similar options

Snorkeling in Cartagena: 5 Rosario Islands with planktonYou are hereSnorkeling in Cartagena: 5 Rosario Islands with plankton★ 3.34 (58)12hEN · ESUS$ 120
Cartagena Island Hopping: Snorkel, Lunch & Beach ClubsCartagena Island Hopping: Snorkel, Lunch & Beach ClubsIsland hopping tour from Cartagena with snorkeling, lunch and visits to Bocachica Fort and Pablo Escobar's estate — choose between eco, VIP speedboat or party island options.★ 4.75 (6,470)7hEN · ESUS$ 70View ›Cartagena Party Boat: Rosario Islands, Barú & Cholón with LunchCartagena Party Boat: Rosario Islands, Barú & Cholón with LunchSpeedboat tour from Cartagena to 5 Caribbean stops: Rosario Islands, Barú, Cholón party island. Includes lunch, drinks, music, certified captain & VIP beach service.★ 4.86 (113)7hENUS$ 64View ›Cartagena: Rosario Islands Snorkeling & 5-Island Day TripCartagena: Rosario Islands Snorkeling & 5-Island Day TripFive-island boat tour from Cartagena with snorkeling at Isla Grande, seafood tasting, and lunch included. Returns 3pm or 8pm with night plankton option.★ 4.36 (340)7hEN · ESUS$ 110View ›Cartagena Sunset Catamaran Cruise: Open Bar & Bay ViewsNewCartagena Sunset Catamaran Cruise: Open Bar & Bay ViewsSail Cartagena Bay at sunset on a shared catamaran with open bar serving cocktails, wine and soft drinks, plus music and snacks included.2hEN · FR +1US$ 89View ›Cartagena: ATV Beach Ride & Private Swim with LunchPrivateCartagena: ATV Beach Ride & Private Swim with LunchFeel the rush riding ATVs along Cartagena’s beaches, swim at a private spot, and enjoy local lunch. Includes pickup, helmet, and guide for a real adventure.★ 4.94 (1,376)2h 30mEN · ESUS$ 115View ›Snorkeling Rosario Islands: 5 islands with planktonSnorkeling Rosario Islands: 5 islands with planktonSnorkel five islands in the Rosario archipelago, explore a sunken plane and coral reefs, then swim through bioluminescent plankton at night★ 4.25 (4)8hEN · ESUS$ 130View ›ATV Tour Tierra Bomba: Ride & Beach Club AccessATV Tour Tierra Bomba: Ride & Beach Club AccessGuided ATV tour on Tierra Bomba island near Cartagena with safety gear included—ride natural trails, meet locals, and finish at Playa Linda beach club where you can swim.★ 4.92 (787)2h 30mEN · ESUS$ 98View ›Cholón Island & Rosario Islands: Boat Party Day Trip with LunchCholón Island & Rosario Islands: Boat Party Day Trip with LunchFeel the beat on Isla Cholón and Rosario Islands with a boat party, swim stops, local lunch, and two beers—includes pickup from Cartagena and a lively crew.★ 4.83 (198)6hEN · ESUS$ 110View ›Snorkeling in Cartagena: Isla Grande Beach Club Day TripNewSnorkeling in Cartagena: Isla Grande Beach Club Day TripLeave Cartagena at 8 a.m. on a shared speedboat, arrive at Isla Grande by 9 a.m., and spend the day swimming in turquoise water with lunch and a welcome8h 30mEN · FR +1US$ 209View ›Private Walking Tour Cartagena Walled City & GetsemaníPrivatePrivate Walking Tour Cartagena Walled City & GetsemaníTwo to three hours walking through Cartagena's UNESCO-listed Old Town and the street-art neighborhood of Getsemaní with a private local guide★ 4.95 (1,619)2h–3hEN · ESUS$ 57View ›Cartagena: 4 Rosario Islands Snorkeling & Bioluminescent PlanktonCartagena: 4 Rosario Islands Snorkeling & Bioluminescent PlanktonFull-day Rosario Islands tour from Cartagena with snorkeling, seafood lunch, fruit tasting, and bioluminescent plankton swim. Hotel pickup included.★ 3.38 (13)12hEN · ESUS$ 70View ›Cartagena: Private City Tour with Castle & Old Town WalkPrivateCartagena: Private City Tour with Castle & Old Town WalkStep into Cartagena’s history with a private city tour, exploring San Felipe Castle, Getsemaní’s colors, and the Old Town’s lively streets. Includes hotel pickup.★ 4.89 (230)4hEN · DE +4US$ 120View ›
Compare more experiences like this »

Top questions

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.

Snorkeling in Cartagena: 5 Rosario Islands with plankton

12h · EN · ES · at your hotel

from US$ 120 per person

★★★★★★★★★★3.3458 reviews
More experiences in Cartagena »
Do you need help planning your next activity?