Snorkeling in the Rosario Islands: 27-island tour with lunch

Snorkel coral reefs and a wreck, then eat and swim on a private island

A snorkeling tour of the Rosario Islands archipelago (27 islands total) with a live guide in English or Spanish, departing from Cartagena. You snorkel at an exclusive site to see fish, coral and a small plane on the seafloor, then move to a private island for lunch with multiple menu options and time to swim in the sea or a pool. The tour includes an air-conditioned vehicle pickup, snorkeling equipment, a panoramic pass by Bocachica fort, and a stop at Barú Island for cocktails and beach time. Duration is about 5.5 hours.

Step-by-step itinerary

Tour of Rosario Islands and activities

• Pick-up at Plaza de Cervantes
• View Bocachica fort with guide
• Panoramic tour of Rosario Islands
• Snorkeling at exclusive spot
• Lunch and swim on private island
• Enjoy cocktails and music on Baru Island
• Relax and bathe on beach

The Experience

Pickup starts an hour before 7:30 am from Plaza de Cervantes (at the popular bank, near the clock tower) in an air-conditioned vehicle. The route opens with a brief stop at Bocachica fort, where the guide gives a historical overview, then moves into a panoramic tour of the archipelago itself. The 27 islands come into view as you travel by boat toward the snorkeling site.

The snorkeling happens at an exclusive location where you'll see various fish and coral reefs; a small plane sits on the seafloor here as well. Equipment is provided. After the water, the boat heads to a private island where lunch waits with several menu options. You have time to swim either in the sea or in a pool on the island, and to rest in the shade. This is the longest stop of the day.

From there, you move to Barú Island (known locally as the party island) for about an hour to an hour and a half. Cocktails, music and socializing happen here. A final beach stop gives you time to swim and relax on one of the archipelago's best beaches before the return to Cartagena. The whole day runs about 5.5 hours from start to finish.

What’s included

• Snorkeling equipment.
• lunch with multiple menu options on a private island.
• air-conditioned vehicle pickup from central Cartagena.
• a live guide in English or Spanish.
• panoramic views of all 27 islands in the archipelago.
• time to swim in the sea or pool.
• cocktails and beach time on Barú Island.

Good to know

Easy physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Caribean Ocean

Is this one for you?If your guide speaks English or Spanish fluently and you want to follow the history and the details of what you're seeing underwater, this tour delivers both. The snorkeling site is exclusive and the private island lunch means you're not eating at a crowded restaurant — you're eating where the tour operator chose, which changes the whole pace of the afternoon.

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Top questions

What will I see when I snorkel in the Rosario Islands?

The snorkeling site has various fish species, coral reefs, and a small plane on the seafloor that you can explore underwater.

Is snorkeling equipment included, or do I need to bring my own?

Snorkeling equipment is included in the tour; you don't need to bring your own.

What's included for lunch on the private island?

Lunch is included with several menu options to choose from, and you have time to swim in the sea or use the pool on the island after eating.

What language does the guide speak?

The guide speaks English or Spanish, so you can choose the language that works for you.

Are children allowed on this tour?

Children are welcome from age 5 and up.

How long is the whole tour?

The tour runs about 5.5 hours from pickup to return, including the snorkeling, lunch, and stops at Barú Island and the final beach.