Snorkeling in Tayrona Park from Santa Marta: Private sailboat

The sailboat has a bathing platform on the stern that lets you slip straight into the water without climbing down a ladder.

Snorkel from a private sailboat in Tayrona Park, departing Santa Marta with up to six people, snorkeling equipment, lunch and drinks included. You arrive at a bay around midday, then spend hours swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding and sunbathing on deck before sailing back at 3:30 PM. The captain speaks English, Spanish or French and will choose a different bay if weather prevents reaching the planned one.

The experience

Seven and a half hours on the water starts with a sail out from Santa Marta into Tayrona Park. On the way, you might see dolphins or catch fish, though the main draw is the landscape itself: the park's bays and coastline unroll as you move through them under sail. Around midday you arrive at the bay and the day opens up: swim off the platform, snorkel the reefs with gear provided, jump from the boat, paddleboard, or simply lie on deck with a drink. The boat carries a full set of snorkeling equipment, so you don't bring your own.

Lunch comes on board (fish, chicken or vegetarian), and you can buy beer, wine or rum if you want them. The boat has refrigerators, so drinks stay cold. At 3:30 PM you sail back to the marina, watching the light change as Santa Marta and the park recede behind you. The captain reserves the right to switch to a different bay (Playa Blanca, Inca Inca or Taganga) if weather makes the planned one unreachable. During certain periods (February 1–15, June 1–15 and October 19–November 2) park access closes entirely, so those dates are not available.

The boat itself is a Beneteau Oceanis 41, spacious and recent, and it's yours alone with your group of up to six. Tery and Amy, the French couple who run it, speak English, Spanish and French, and the boat carries all required safety equipment. Public transportation options exist near the departure point if you need them.

What’s included

• Snorkeling equipment and paddle.
• bottled water and snacks throughout the day.
• a coastal lunch with fish, chicken or vegetarian options.
• restroom on board.
• use of the bathing platform and full access to the sailboat's deck and facilities.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 00:00 and 10:30

Book up to4h before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and French

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 16 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Vela del Mar

Is this one for you?Book this if your group is up to six people traveling together. The private boat means no strangers on deck, and the fixed 7:30 AM departure and 3:30 PM return fit a single day in Santa Marta without eating into the evening.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and French.

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 can I do once we reach the bay in Tayrona Park?

Once the sailboat arrives around midday, you can swim, snorkel with the provided equipment, paddleboard, jump from the boat, sunbathe on deck or simply relax. The bathing platform on the stern makes it easy to get in and out of the water.

Is snorkeling equipment included, or do I need to bring my own?

Snorkeling equipment is included on the boat, along with a paddle for paddleboarding. You don't need to bring or rent gear separately.

What's included in the lunch and drinks?

A coastal lunch with fish, chicken or vegetarian options is served on board. Bottled water and snacks are included. You can buy beer, wine and rum separately, and the boat has refrigerators to keep them cold.

What happens if the weather is bad on the day I book?

The captain will choose a different bay (Playa Blanca, Inca Inca or Taganga) if weather prevents reaching the planned Tayrona Park bay. During February 1–15, June 1–15 and October 19–November 2, park access is suspended entirely, so the activity is not available on those dates.

How many people can fit on the sailboat?

The boat accommodates up to six people, so you can privatize it with friends or family. Infants must sit on an adult's lap.