Snorkeling in Cartagena: Isla Grande Beach Club Day Trip

A calm beach-club escape with turquoise water, palm shade, and the choice to snorkel or simply float.

This day trip from Cartagena takes you by shared speedboat to Isla Grande in the Rosario Islands, where you spend roughly eight hours swimming, sunbathing, and eating lunch on a quiet beach. The group stays under 15 travelers, and snorkeling is optional—you can book it on the island if the reefs appeal to you. Round-trip transport, a welcome drink, lunch with one drink, sun lounger, towel and beach-club access are included; you meet at the pier at 7:30 a.m. and return by 4 p.m.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day trip to Isla Grande beach club

• Check in at Gate 4 at 7:30 AM
• Board shared speedboat to Rosario Islands
• Cruise across Cartagena Bay
• Arrive at Isla Grande beach club
• Receive welcome drink and relax on beach
• Enjoy included lunch with a drink
• Swim, relax, or snorkel (optional)
• Return to Cartagena by speedboat

The Experience

You're free for an afternoon or a full day and want to leave Cartagena without renting a car or planning a route. The speedboat departs at 8 a.m. from Muelle de la Bodeguita (Gate 4), and the crossing to Isla Grande takes about 45 minutes. You'll see the modern Bocagrande skyline drop behind as the boat heads into Cartagena Bay toward the protected Rosario Islands—the water shifts from city-harbor brown to Caribbean blue as you go.

By 9 a.m. you're on the sand with a non-alcoholic welcome drink in hand and your own sun lounger waiting. The beach club is built for sitting still: individual loungers, towels, shade under palms, changing rooms and restrooms all there. Lunch arrives around midday—you choose fish, grilled chicken, shrimp rice, or a vegetarian plate, and it comes with one drink. The afternoon is yours to fill: swim in the turquoise water, stay in the shade, or book snorkeling on the island if you want to see the coral reefs. The boat leaves at 3 p.m. and gets back to Cartagena by 4 or 4:15 p.m., depending on harbor conditions.

The shared speedboat means you're traveling with up to 14 other people, not a private group, and the pace is set by the beach club's schedule, not your own. That's what keeps the day simple: transport, timing, lunch and access are all arranged, so you show up at the pier and the rest unfolds. Snorkeling costs extra and is optional, so you only pay for it if you decide once you're there.

What’s included

• Round-trip shared speedboat transport from Cartagena.
• individual sun lounger and beach towel.
• non-alcoholic welcome drink.
• lunch with one drink and a choice of four meal options.
• beach-club admission with access to changing rooms and restrooms.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Boat Trips Club

Is this one for you?Groups of up to 15 work well here because the beach club stays calm and the shared boat keeps costs down. If you want a full day away from the city without arranging transport or a private boat, and you're comfortable with a set schedule and other travelers, this trip holds together without any planning on your end.

Top questions

What time do I need to arrive at the pier in Cartagena?

Check-in is at 7:30 a.m. at Gate 4 (Puerta 4) at Muelle de la Bodeguita. Bring your booking voucher and a photo ID or passport, and the speedboat departs around 8 a.m.

How long is the boat ride to Isla Grande?

The shared speedboat takes about 45 minutes each way across Cartagena Bay to reach Isla Grande in the Rosario Islands. The return journey is also roughly 45 minutes, and you arrive back at the pier by 4 to 4:15 p.m.

Can I snorkel on this day trip?

Snorkeling is optional and available for purchase on Isla Grande itself, so you can decide once you arrive and see the water. If you want to explore the coral reefs, you book it with the beach club staff and pay on the island.

What meals and drinks are included?

You get a non-alcoholic welcome drink when you arrive, and lunch around midday with your choice of fish, grilled chicken, shrimp rice, or a vegetarian option, plus one drink with the meal.

How many people travel on the speedboat?

The group is capped at 15 travelers per booking, keeping the boat and the beach club experience more intimate than larger party-boat trips.

What's provided at the beach club on Isla Grande?

Isla Grande includes your own sun lounger, a beach towel, access to the beach areas, changing rooms, and restrooms. You can swim in the turquoise water, relax in the shade of palm trees, or stay in your lounger all day.