Rosario Islands Day Trip: Snorkel & Lunch at Isla del Sol

Boat out to an island, snorkel the reefs, eat lunch on the beach, come back the same day

A full-day trip from Cartagena to Isla del Sol in the Rosario Islands combines speedboat transport, snorkeling in protected waters, and a lunch of fresh-caught fish on the beach. Hotel pickup covers central neighborhoods (Boca Grande, Laguito, Casco Antiguo, Getsemani), and the boat departs between 9:00 and 9:30 AM depending on traffic. Basic driver support is available in English and Spanish, but this is not a guided tour — you set your own pace on the island. The Rosario Islands are a national park established in 1977, home to coral reefs and tropical fish. A port fee of 18,500 COP (payable in cash before boarding) is separate from the tour price.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day trip to Rosario Islands

• Hotel pickup in Cartagena
• Travel to marina and board speedboat
• Sail to Rosario Islands
• Arrive at Isla del Sol
• Swim and snorkel in Caribbean Sea
• Use kayaks and hammocks (optional)
• Enjoy freshly prepared fish lunch
• Relax on the beach
• Return to Cartagena

The Experience

Hotel pickup gets you to the marina in Cartagena, where you board a speedboat bound for the Rosario Islands. The crossing takes you over open water to Isla del Sol, an island in a protected national park where the reef sits close enough to shore for easy entry. Once there, you choose how to spend the hours: swim and snorkel in the warm Caribbean, float in a hammock, or lie on the sand. Kayaks are available if you want to paddle out, and snorkeling gear can be rented on the island at your own cost.

Lunch arrives mid-afternoon — fresh fish caught that morning, prepared with local ingredients and served on the beach. After eating, most travelers either wade back into the water or rest under the palms until the boat departs for the return to Cartagena. The beach is small and sun beds are limited, so arriving early in the day helps with seating. Bring your own towel; the island does not provide them.

The full day runs about eight hours from pickup to drop-off. The boat leaves the port in a window between 9:00 and 9:30 AM, and return times shift based on how many boats are moving that morning. A port fee of 18,500 Colombian pesos must be paid in cash before you board — this is not included in the tour price. The driver offers basic support in English or Spanish but does not lead activities or narrate the stops; you are on your own to explore the island and the water.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup from central Cartagena neighborhoods.
• speedboat transport to and from the Rosario Islands.
• access to Isla del Sol beach and reef.
• fresh seafood lunch with local ingredients.
• use of hammocks and kayaks on the island (snorkeling gear rental is optional and at your own cost).

Good to know

Easy physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for back problems

Operated by Impulse Travel

Is this one for you?The boat ride is fast and the island time is unstructured, so this suits a traveler who wants a beach and water day without a schedule or a guide talking — you arrive, swim or rest as you choose, eat lunch, and leave when the boat does. The early departure (between 9:00 and 9:30 AM) and eight-hour commitment work best if you have a full day free and don't mind an early start from your hotel.

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Top questions

Can I snorkel at Isla del Sol, or is it just a beach day?

Snorkeling is available at Isla del Sol in the protected reef waters, but the gear rental is optional and costs extra — you pay on the island if you want to use it. The water is warm and clear, and tropical fish and coral are close to shore.

What's included in the lunch, and when do we eat?

Lunch features fresh fish caught the same day, prepared with typical island ingredients and served on the beach in the early afternoon. It is included in the tour price and is the main meal of the day.

Do I need to pay anything extra besides the tour price?

Yes — a port fee of 18,500 Colombian pesos (roughly $7 USD) must be paid in cash and in Colombian pesos before boarding the boat. Snorkeling gear rental, kayak use, and any food or drinks beyond lunch are also at your own expense.

What neighborhoods in Cartagena does hotel pickup cover?

Hotel pickup is included for hotels in Boca Grande, Laguito, Casco Antiguo, and Getsemani. If your hotel is outside these areas, you will need to arrange your own transport to the marina.

Is there a guide on this tour, or do I explore on my own?

This is not a guided tour — you have basic driver support in English or Spanish, but no narration or led activities. You set your own pace on the island, choosing when to swim, snorkel, rest, or eat.

How early do we leave Cartagena, and when do we get back?

Hotel pickup happens in the morning, and the boat departs the port between 9:00 and 9:30 AM depending on boat traffic. The full day is about eight hours, so return to your hotel is typically in the late afternoon.