Rosario Islands Catamaran Cruise with Lunch and Snorkelling Cartagena
- Duration7.5 hours
- Daily
- Group
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Overview
This full-day catamaran cruise takes you from the pier facing Cartagena's walled city to the Rosario Islands, part of a protected national park. You sail past the bay, stop at a white-sand beach with turquoise water, snorkel over a coral reef and eat lunch on board before the sail back. It suits couples, families with children from seven and groups of friends who want a relaxed day at sea in a small shared group, with snorkelling gear and park fees already covered.
Highlights
- Sail from the pier in front of Cartagena's walled city on a comfortable catamaran
- Swim and relax at a white-sand beach with clear turquoise water
- Snorkel over a coral reef with colourful tropical fish, equipment provided
- Lunch served on board, with a seafood or a vegan option depending on the option you choose
- Welcome drink of fresh fruit, soft drinks, juices and water during the day
- National park and boarding fees covered in the default option
- Seats in the shade or in the sun, and time on deck for photos
Full Description
Cartagena's walled city and the La Bodeguita pier
Your day begins at the Muelle de la Bodeguita, the pier right in front of the walled city of Cartagena. The old town, with its colonial balconies, thick stone ramparts and the fortress of San Felipe de Barajas nearby, has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1984, and seeing it from the water as you leave the dock is one of the best views of the trip.
If you are wondering how to get to the pier, it sits at the edge of the historic centre and is an easy taxi ride or short walk from most hotels in the old town and Getsemaní. Please arrive a little before the departure time on your confirmation, as boarding is handled at the pier and the catamaran leaves on schedule.
The Rosario Islands National Natural Park
The Rosario Islands are a small archipelago off the Caribbean coast and belong to the Corales del Rosario y de San Bernardo National Natural Park, created in 1977 to protect the reefs, mangroves and sea life of the area. A Rosario Islands day trip from Cartagena is the classic escape from the city, and a catamaran gives you more space and a calmer ride than a crowded speedboat.
Is the Rosario Islands cruise worth it? For most visitors the answer is yes: the water is clear, the beaches are pale and quiet compared with the city beaches, and the sail itself, partly under sail and partly under motor, is part of the pleasure. The crossing takes around an hour or more depending on wind and sea conditions.
Snorkelling the coral reef
The main stop is in front of an idyllic beach where the catamaran anchors and you can swim, float or play with the inflatables on board. Snorkelling in the Rosario Islands is the highlight for many guests: you may see coral formations, sea fans and shoals of small tropical fish, all in shallow, clear water that suits beginners.
Snorkelling equipment is provided in the default option, so you only need swimwear and a towel. The best time to visit the Rosario Islands for calm, clear water is usually the dry season from December to April, but the cruise runs through the year and the crew choose the stop according to the weather.
Lunch and time on board the catamaran
The vessel has comfortable seating in the shade and in the sun, so you can sit back between swims. After a welcome drink made with fresh fruit you receive a mid-morning snack, with soft drinks, juices, lemonade and mineral water available during the day.
Lunch is prepared by the crew and served while you sail back toward Cartagena. Depending on the option you choose, the meal is a seafood lunch or a vegan lunch of vegetables and rice, both with a salad buffet and dessert. The itinerary can change slightly with the weather or the captain's decision, always for safety.
Itinerary
- Meet at the Muelle de la BodeguitaCheck in at the pier in front of the walled city and board the catamaran at the departure time shown on your confirmation, around 08:30.
- Welcome drink and sail to the islandsEnjoy a fresh-fruit welcome drink and a mid-morning snack while the crew sail and motor-sail toward the Rosario Islands.
- Beach stop and swimmingAnchor in front of a white-sand beach with turquoise water to swim, relax and play with the inflatables.
- Snorkelling over the coral reefUse the equipment provided to look for coral and tropical fish in the shallow, clear water.
- Lunch on board and return to CartagenaEat the lunch prepared by the crew while sailing back, arriving at the pier in the afternoon after about 7.5 hours.
What's included
- Catamaran cruise to the Rosario Islands
- Welcome drink prepared with fresh fruit
- Soft drinks, juices, lemonade and mineral water
- Mid-morning snack
- Seafood lunch with rice, salad buffet and dessert
- Snorkelling equipment
- National Natural Park fees and boarding fees
Not included
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off
- Tips and personal expenses
Is this right for you?
Great for
- Families with children — a child price for ages 7–14
- Food lovers
- Anyone who wants to see it from the water
Think twice if
- You want a private tour — this one is shared with other travellers
- You get seasick easily
Not suitable for
- Children under seven (the booking panel shows the age groups for each ticket)
- Travellers who cannot swim or are uncomfortable on a boat, unless they stay on board and enjoy the sail
- Anyone with a condition that makes a full day at sea or time in the sun unsafe
Meeting point
Meet at the Muelle de la Bodeguita pier, in front of the walled city of Cartagena. Hotel pickup is not included, so please make your own way to the pier and arrive a little before the departure time shown on your confirmation, which is normally around 08:30. Show your confirmation to the crew at check-in.
Important information
- Bring a towel, swimwear, sunscreen and a hat or sunglasses; reef-safe sunscreen is kindly appreciated.
- At checkout you need to give the full name, date of birth, passport or ID number and address of every passenger, as it is required to confirm admission to the park and the boat.
- Bring your passport or ID with you on the day.
- Smoking is not allowed on board, and outside food and drinks are not permitted.
- Extras that are not included can only be paid on board by credit or debit card, so bring a card.
- The itinerary can change slightly because of weather or the decision of the captain.
- Hotel pickup and drop-off, tips and personal expenses are not included.
- Tell us at booking which lunch you prefer, as the options are seafood or vegan.
Good to know
Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers to what travellers ask us most, before they book.
How much does the Rosario Islands catamaran cruise cost?
The price depends on the option you choose and the number of adults and children. The booking panel on this page shows the current price for each option, for adults and for children, once you select your date.
Is hotel pickup included?
No. The default option does not include hotel pickup or drop-off. The cruise leaves from the Muelle de la Bodeguita pier in front of the walled city, which is easy to reach by taxi or on foot from the old town.
How long is the Rosario Islands cruise?
The full day lasts about 7.5 hours from boarding at the pier to your return to Cartagena, including the sail each way, the beach stop, snorkelling and lunch.
What is the difference between the options?
Both options are the same day at sea. They differ only in the lunch: one serves a seafood lunch and the other a vegan lunch of vegetables and rice. Choose the one that suits you when you book.
Are snorkelling equipment and park fees included?
Yes, in the default option snorkelling equipment, the national park fees and the boarding fees are included. Hotel transfers, tips and personal expenses are not.
Is the catamaran cruise suitable for children?
Yes, it suits children aged seven and over, who pay the child fare, and the booking panel lists the age groups. Children should be comfortable around water, and adults stay responsible for them during swimming and snorkelling.
What should I wear and bring?
Wear swimwear under light clothes and bring a towel, sunscreen, a hat or sunglasses and your passport or ID. A card is useful for any extras paid on board.
Can I book for today or tomorrow?
Often yes, depending on availability. Pick a date in the booking panel to see which days and departure times are open, and book early in the high season.
What is the best time to visit the Rosario Islands?
The dry months from December to April usually bring the calmest sea and the clearest water, but the cruise runs all year and the crew adjust the stop to the weather.
Can I get to the Rosario Islands from Cartagena on my own?
You can, but a catamaran day trip handles the boat, the national park fees, lunch and snorkelling equipment in one booking, which saves you from arranging each part separately.
