Rosario Islands snorkeling tour from Cartagena: reef and beach

★★★★★★★★★★ 4.85 (265 reviews) 94% rated it 5 stars

Free cancellationTravelers' pick

1/19

Duration7h

GroupUp to 30

LanguagesEN · ES

Mobile ticketAccepted

You pick between watching sharks and dolphins at the aquarium or diving straight into the coral reef yourself.

A 7-hour speedboat tour from Cartagena to the Rosario Islands with snorkeling on a living coral reef, a stop at San Martín de Pajarales Island, lunch and beach time at Playa Blanca, and a bilingual guide throughout. You choose at checkout between visiting the aquarium (where you watch marine species in captivity) or snorkeling in the open water—both cannot fit in the same day. Snorkeling is included; the aquarium entrance costs extra.

The Experience

The day starts with a speedboat crossing from Cartagena across the bay, passing the Bocachica castles on the way to the Rosario Islands. Once there, you'll have a choice to make: the aquarium on San Martín de Pajarales Island, where you can watch a dolphin and shark show and see turtles, coral fish, octopuses and seahorses up close, or skip it and head straight to the reef. If you choose snorkeling, you'll enter water with more than 40 species of corals and 20 tropical fish living in it—not behind glass, but around you. The bilingual guide stays with the group throughout, pointing out what you're seeing and answering questions as you move between stops.

After the reef or aquarium, the boat takes you to Playa Blanca in Barú, a beach on the quieter side of the archipelago. You'll have lunch there—fresh seafood and typical Caribbean dishes—and time to rest in an exclusive beach club facing the water. Beach beds, sunbathing chairs and hammocks are set up for you; the afternoon is yours to swim, read or simply sit. The return speedboat ride to Cartagena closes out the 7 hours.

A bilingual guide (English and Spanish) is with you the whole time, so questions about what you're seeing get answered without hunting for translation. Children from age 1 are welcome, though infants sit on an adult's lap during the boat ride. The speedboat is the only transport—no separate car pickups or transfers to arrange.

What’s included

Speedboat transport from Cartagena to the Rosario Islands and back.
snorkeling on a coral reef with more than 40 coral species.
beach bed, sunbathing chair or hammock at Playa Blanca.
Caribbean lunch with fresh seafood and local dishes.
bilingual guide (English and Spanish) for the entire 7 hours.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by OPERADORA DE TURISMO CORALES CARTAGENA

Is this one for you?Book this if you're arriving with a free afternoon and want to choose between snorkeling the reef or visiting the aquarium at booking time—pick the reef for water-based exploration, or the aquarium for a land-based, educational alternative.