Full day Isla del Encanto – Rosario Islands

The best part of this Cartagena day trip is the change of scene: after a 60-minute speedboat ride, you arrive at Isla del Encanto, where more than 300 meters of sand, clear Caribbean water, a pool, loungers, hammocks, and kayaks give you a full day away from the city. I like the easy resort setup and the chance to spend the day at your own pace. I also like that lunch is included, so you do not need to plan every detail.

The main drawback is the cost. At $158 per person, you still pay the boarding tax, and the optional oceanarium has its own entrance and boarding charges. Pier access and boat loading may feel disorganized, and the ride back can be rough when the sea turns choppy.

Key points before you book

• A 60-minute speedboat ride takes you from Cartagena to Isla del Encanto.
• The day includes lunch, beach loungers, hammocks, a pool, and kayaking.
• More than 300 meters of sand give you room to rest by the water.
• The optional oceanarium features dolphins, turtles, rays, cat sharks, and other sea life.
• The $158 price does not include the COP 31,500 boarding tax or oceanarium charges.
• The group can reach 40 people, so this is a shared island day rather than a private escape.

Reaching Isla del Encanto from Cartagena

Your morning begins at Gate 3 of the Bodeguita Pier, also called Muelle de la Bodeguita, in Cartagena’s El Centro area. The stated start time is 8:00 am, so you should allow enough time to find the correct gate and handle the pier process before boarding.

The speedboat ride to the Rosario Islands takes about one hour. That is short enough to make the island practical as a day trip, but long enough for the sea conditions to shape your morning. The boat is part of the experience, not just a transfer. On calm water, the trip should feel like a clean break from Cartagena. On rougher water, the ride can be hard, especially on the return.

You should also budget for the COP 31,500 per-person boarding tax. It is not part of the advertised tour price, so include it when comparing this outing with other Cartagena island trips. The group size can reach 40 people, which keeps the price lower than a private charter but means boarding may take patience.

What your day at Isla del Encanto looks like

The main stop is Isla del Encanto, inside the Corales del Rosario Natural Park. The island offers a resort-style setting rather than an unstructured sandbar visit. You disembark at the Isla del Encanto hotel, then spend the day using the beach area, pool, loungers, hammocks, and included kayak access.

The beach has more than 300 meters of sand. That matters because you are not limited to one small patch beside the boat landing. You can choose a place to rest, swim, or sit in the shade of a hammock, depending on what is available when you settle in.

You can explore freely or take part in a guided island visit. The available information does not name a guide or describe a fixed walking route, so do not expect a detailed cultural tour with a named local expert. The focus is simple: water, sand, rest, and the facilities at the island hotel.

I like this setup for a relaxed family day or a couple who wants a pretty beach without arranging separate transport, food, and chairs. It is less suited to someone seeking a demanding outdoor adventure. Most of the day is built around comfort and free time.

Beach time, pool time, and kayaking

The appeal here is variety within a small area. You can swim in the sea, use the pool, take a kayak, or stay dry on a lounger or hammock. That gives you a useful choice if the water becomes too warm, the sea gets choppy, or you simply want a break from the beach.

The included loungers and beach beds are an important part of the value. A basic island transfer may leave you searching for a place to sit or paying extra for comfort. Here, the tour includes the main resting facilities, though the day can still feel busy if many people arrive at the same time.

Kayaking is included, but the available details do not specify the length of use, the type of kayak, or a formal kayaking route. Think of it as an added water activity, not a guided expedition. You can use it to add movement to an otherwise restful day.

Bring your own towel. One complaint about the day is that towels may not be provided, while extra purchases on the island can add up. The safest approach is to pack the beach basics you need rather than assume every small item is included.

Lunch at the island hotel

Lunch is served buffet-style and focuses on typical local flavors. This is convenient because you are spending the day away from Cartagena, where finding another meal would be difficult. You can eat without leaving the island or interrupting your beach time.

The buffet is also where expectations matter. The meal is included, but the experience is not positioned as a polished restaurant lunch. One particularly critical account described it as a cheap buffet, while another praised the food as exceptional. That difference tells you to treat lunch as practical island fare, not a reason to book the trip by itself.

For me, the meal adds useful value to the package. A separate beach day would require transport and food planning, and both can cost more than expected in a resort setting. Still, if you care strongly about dining quality, keep the buffet format in mind.

The optional Oceanario visit

The Oceanario is an optional stop, not part of the base price. The visit lasts about one hour and includes the chance to see dolphins, turtles, rays, cat sharks, and other marine animals.

The entrance costs COP 30,000 per person. There is also a COP 20,000 per-person boarding fee for the Oceanario. That makes the optional stop cost COP 50,000 per person before considering the main tour price and boarding tax.

This can be a good add-on if you want a planned wildlife stop or if your group includes children who enjoy seeing marine animals. It is less attractive if your priority is uninterrupted beach time. Since the island already offers swimming, kayaking, a pool, loungers, and hammocks, you should decide if an extra hour of activity is worth giving up some free time.

The Oceanario also changes the financial picture. At the base price of $158, the tour is already a significant day-trip purchase. Add the COP 31,500 boarding tax, then add COP 50,000 if you visit the Oceanario, and the total rises quickly.

Is the $158 price fair?

The price is high for a beach day, but you are paying for more than access to sand. The package includes speedboat transportation, lunch, use of loungers and beach beds, pool access, and kayaking. The boat transfer alone saves you from arranging separate transport to the Rosario Islands.

I see the strongest value in the convenience. You have a fixed departure, a set island destination, lunch waiting, and a return to the same Cartagena pier. For a couple or family that wants a simple plan, this can be easier than piecing together boat tickets, food, chairs, and activities.

The value is weaker if you want adventure, privacy, or a low-cost beach escape. The group may reach 40 people, the pier process can be confusing, and island prices can feel high once you start adding extras. You also need to pay the boarding tax separately, which makes the headline price less complete than it first appears.

I would compare the total cost against your priorities. If you want a comfortable resort day with transport and lunch included, the package has a reasonable case. If you mainly want to swim and sit on sand, a cheaper transfer or public beach option may make more sense.

The pier and boarding process

The Bodeguita Pier can be the least pleasant part of the morning. You need to enter through the correct gate, locate the tour process, and board a shared speedboat. One account described difficulty getting through the gate and confusion while boarding.

That does not mean every departure will be chaotic, but it does mean you should arrive ready for a busy port routine. Keep your booking confirmation handy, follow staff directions, and do not expect the calm, polished feel of a private marina departure.

The return trip goes directly back to the Bodeguita Pier in the afternoon. Sea conditions can change, and a rough return was described as uncomfortable, with the boat hitting hard at the front. If you are sensitive to motion, plan accordingly and avoid assuming that the ride will feel the same in both directions.

Who will enjoy this day trip most?

This outing suits you best if you want a full-service island day with a clear schedule and plenty of time to rest. Couples can split the day between swimming and hammocks, while families can use the pool, beach, and optional Oceanario visit to keep different interests covered.

It also works for people who prefer a destination with facilities. The beach is not your only option. You have a pool, loungers, beach beds, hammocks, lunch, and kayaking in one place.

You may not enjoy it as much if you want a quiet private island, an active water-sports program, or a strong cultural connection to local island life. The resort setting is convenient, but it can feel commercial. You should also be comfortable with a shared boat, possible pier confusion, and extra costs.

Practical advice for a smoother day

Pack a towel, swimwear, sun protection, and any personal beach items you need. The island may charge for additional products or services, so bring what you can rather than counting on inexpensive purchases there.

Keep small expenses separate from the advertised price. At minimum, plan for the COP 31,500 boarding tax. If you visit the Oceanario, add the COP 30,000 admission and COP 20,000 boarding fee.

The experience requires good weather. If poor weather causes cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time, but cancellations or changes made inside that window are not accepted.

Confirmation is provided at booking, and most people can participate. The activity is capped at 40 people, though that still leaves you with a shared group experience rather than a small private tour.

Should you book Isla del Encanto?

Book it if you want an easy, organized day at a comfortable island resort and you value having transport, lunch, beach seating, a pool, and kayaking bundled together. It is a sensible choice for couples and families who want beautiful water and a quiet break from Cartagena without planning every piece themselves.

Think twice if you are paying the price mainly for adventure. The boat ride can be rough, the pier process may be messy, the buffet is not guaranteed to impress, and the optional Oceanario adds a noticeable cost. Bring a towel, arrive prepared for the shared departure, and judge the $158 price as a convenience package rather than a bargain beach ticket.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin?

It begins at Gate 3 of the Bodeguita Pier, also called Muelle de la Bodeguita, in El Centro, Cartagena de Indias.

What time does the tour start?

The stated start time is 8:00 am.

How long is the trip to Isla del Encanto?

The speedboat journey from Cartagena to the Rosario Islands takes about 60 minutes.

What is included in the tour?

The tour includes lunch, speedboat transportation, sun loungers, beach beds, pool access, and kayaking.

Is the Oceanario included?

No. The Oceanario is optional. Admission costs COP 30,000 per person, and its boarding fee costs COP 20,000 per person.

Is the pier boarding tax included?

No. The boarding tax costs COP 31,500 per person.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. Poor-weather cancellations offer a different date or a full refund.