Snorkeling in Cartagena: 5 Islands & Rosario Park
Five islands, one speedboat, snorkeling in a coral reef and a sunset stop
A full-day speedboat tour from Cartagena explores five islands in the Rosario Islands and Barú, with a 45-minute snorkeling session in the coral reefs at Big Island, stops at a private island and Playa Blanca beach, and views of the Bocachica colonial forts. A bilingual guide leads the route. Snorkeling equipment and a lunch voucher are included.
Options for this experience
4 optionsStep-by-step itinerary
Explore Cartagena and Rosario Islands
- Depart from Pegasus dock at 8:30 a.m.
- View Bocachica forts on Tierra Bomba Island
- Snorkel in natural pool at Isla de Grande
- Rest and sunbathe on private island
- Relax and explore Playa Blanca beach
- Optional: Visit plankton at night
- Optional: Watch sunset at Isla Tierra Bomba
What’s included
- Snorkeling equipment and a 45-minute reef session at Big Island.
- a 30,000 COP lunch voucher redeemable at Playa Blanca.
- bottled water and a complimentary lemonade or shrimp cocktail on the private island.
- bilingual guide in English or Spanish.
- travel insurance.
- access to beach facilities at Playa Blanca including loungers, Balinese beds and bathrooms.
Times
- Every day 07:30
Before you book
Operated by Nexxt Tours
Prices and times updated 7 days ago
Traveler reviews
The experience
The boat leaves Pegasus dock at 8:30 a.m. and heads first to Bocachica, where Fort San José and the Battery of Angels still stand from the colonial era. The pair defended Cartagena from pirate attacks and enemy troops. The panoramic view frames the canal and Tierra Bomba Island. From there the speedboat takes you to Big Island's natural pool, where you spend 45 minutes snorkeling in the coral reefs with a mask and breathing tube, watching fish and marine life without needing to dive deep. You float on the surface or swim down to get closer to the reef.
The third stop lands on a private island where you rest in loungers and swim in turquoise water, with a complimentary lemonade or shrimp cocktail. Playa Blanca comes next: the only public beach on the route, famous for white sand and clear water, where you can use sun loungers, Balinese beds, bathrooms and social areas. A 30,000 COP lunch voucher lets you order from the menu there. The tour runs eight to twelve hours depending on which option you book. Some versions add a nighttime plankton excursion on the white beach after dark, where native islanders take you out to watch the organisms glow like stars when the water is disturbed. A final sunset stop at Isla Tierra Bomba closes the day before the return to the city.
Snorkeling equipment is provided and a bilingual guide (English or Spanish) leads the group throughout. Bottled water and travel insurance are included. Children from age one are welcome, though the tour is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, pregnancy, or cardiovascular concerns.
Is this one for you?Book the standard five-island option if you want a full day of snorkeling, beach time and island stops without staying past sunset. Choose either plankton version if you're willing to stay into the evening to watch the organisms glow on the white beach after dark.
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Top questions
What languages is the tour guided in?
Live guide in English and Spanish.
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Child (1 to 6 years).
What happens if it rains?
It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.
What exactly happens during the 45-minute snorkeling at Big Island?
Big Island's natural pool is where you put on snorkeling equipment (a mask and breathing tube), and either float on the surface watching the coral reef and fish below, or swim down to get closer to the marine life. No scuba certification is needed. You stay in the shallow reef area.
How many islands do we actually visit on this tour?
Five stops across the day: Bocachica for the fort views, Big Island for snorkeling, a private island for rest and a drink, Playa Blanca beach for lunch and swimming, and Isla Tierra Bomba for the sunset before heading back to Cartagena.
Is lunch included, or do I need to bring money?
A 30,000 COP voucher is included and redeemable at Playa Blanca's menu. You choose what to order from the options available. Liquor and cocktails are not covered by the voucher and cost extra.
What's the difference between the four tour options listed?
All four visit the five islands and include snorkeling at Big Island. Two options add a nighttime plankton excursion on the white beach after dark, where you watch the organisms produce a brilliant glow when disturbed. Choose the standard version for the daytime route, or either plankton option if you want to stay into the evening.
What time does the boat leave, and how long is the full day?
Departure is 8:30 a.m. from Pegasus dock (arrive by 8:00 a.m.). The tour runs eight to twelve hours depending on which option you book. The plankton versions run longer because they wait for nightfall on the beach.
What's included in the price, and what costs extra?
Included are snorkeling equipment, the lunch voucher, bottled water, a complimentary drink on the private island, the bilingual guide, and travel insurance. Lunch items beyond the voucher amount, liquor, cocktails, towel service, and the dock tax are not included.
Snorkeling in Cartagena: 5 Islands & Rosario Park
8h–12h · EN · ES
from US$ 75 per person
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