Snorkeling in San Andrés: Natural Aquarium boat tour

Swim among colorful fish in the Natural Aquarium, then walk through mangroves and float in turquoise shallows.

A shared boat tour from San Andrés to three snorkeling stops: Haynes Cay with white sand shallows, Rose Cay (the Natural Aquarium) where you swim surrounded by tropical fish, and White Watta natural pool with calm turquoise water. The five-hour tour includes boat transport, a guided walk through the mangroves, and a live guide speaking English or Spanish. Children from age one are welcome. Infants sit on an adult's lap.

Step-by-step itinerary

Boat tour and swimming experience

• Land at Haynes Cay beach
• Visit Rose Cay natural aquarium
• Swim among colorful fish
• Walk through mangrove ecosystem
• Swim at White Watta natural pool

The experience

The tour starts at Haynes Cay, where white sand and shallow water meet. From there the boat moves to Rose Cay, the Natural Aquarium itself, where you enter the water surrounded by colorful fish and marine life. The water is clear enough that you can watch the ecosystem as if you're inside a giant tank. Between the two cays, the guide leads a walk through the mangroves, an ecosystem full of life where the water stays shallow and calm.

The final stop is White Watta natural pool, a corner of turquoise water so clear and still it looks unreal. You swim and float here before the boat returns. The whole experience runs five hours. Transport by boat and a qualified guide in English or Spanish are included. The guide provides personalized attention before and during the tour. This is a shared boat, so you travel with other visitors.

The tour depends on good weather. If conditions cancel the departure, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. Infants must sit on an adult's lap during the boat ride. The experience is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, poor cardiovascular health, or pregnancy. Public transportation options are available near the meeting point.

What’s included

• Boat transport to all three snorkeling stops.
• a qualified live guide in English or Spanish.
• an internal walk through the mangroves ecosystem.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:30

AgesAdult (18 to 60 years) · Senior (65 and older) · Youth (11 to 17 years) · Child (1 to 10 years)

GroupUp to 10

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 5 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Agencia de Viajes y Turismo Bonaitur

Is this one for you?The shared boat format means you travel with other visitors and split the cost, making this tour affordable for families, couples and groups. The five-hour schedule covers three distinct stops (each with different water conditions and marine life), so you experience variety rather than staying in one spot.

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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: Youth (11 to 17 years); Child (1 to 10 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 is the San Andrés Natural Aquarium?

Rose Cay, one of the three stops on this tour, is known as the Natural Aquarium because the shallow water around it fills with colorful tropical fish. You snorkel in the same water where the fish live, so the marine life surrounds you without any barrier between.

How much time do I spend actually snorkeling and swimming?

The five-hour tour includes snorkeling at Rose Cay and swimming at Haynes Cay and White Watta natural pool. The guide also leads a walk through the mangroves between stops, so the water time is broken into separate segments rather than one long stretch.

Is this tour private or shared, and who else will be on the boat?

This is a shared boat tour, so you travel with other visitors booked on the same departure. The guide provides personalized attention to all passengers during the experience.

What happens if the weather is bad on the day of my tour?

The tour requires good weather to operate safely. If bad weather forces a cancellation, the operator will offer you another date to reschedule or a full refund.