Private Boat Rental To The Rosario Islands Up To 17

The most appealing part of this Rosario Islands trip is the freedom of having a private boat for your own group. You can spend the day moving between sea stops, snorkeling at La Piscinita, relaxing on Isla Grande, and pausing at the Pablo Escobar mansion or abandoned plane instead of following a large group through Cartagena’s usual island circuit.

I like the simple group pricing, which can work well for a family or friend group of 10 to 15 people. I also like that snorkeling equipment, bottled water, ice, fuel, insurance, a captain, and a bilingual host are included. The main concern is that the advertised details need careful confirmation: the price is listed for up to 15 people, while the title refers to up to 17, and one booking reported a different boat and no English-speaking guide.

Key points to know

• Private group format: Only your group takes part, giving you more control over the day.
• Isla Grande focus: Expect clear water, white sand, snorkeling at La Piscinita, and time to relax.
• Several unusual sights: The route includes the Pablo Escobar mansion and an abandoned plane.
• Group value: The $1,049 price can be sensible when split among a larger group, but confirm the maximum group size.
• Included supplies: Snorkeling equipment, water, ice, gas, insurance, a captain, and a bilingual host are provided.
• Important check before booking: Confirm the actual boat, English-language support, lunch arrangements, and final stops.

A private day on the Rosario Islands

The Rosario Islands offer an easy way to trade Cartagena’s city streets for open Caribbean water. This is an eight-hour private boat outing from the city, designed less as a formal guided tour and more as a shared day at sea for your own party.

That distinction matters. If you want a polished, tightly scripted sightseeing trip with a guide explaining every stop, this may feel loose. If you want to swim, sit in the sun, stop for lunch, and enjoy the islands at your group’s pace, the private format has real appeal.

The boat leaves from Sibarita del Mar on Avenida Blas de Lezo in Cartagena’s El Centro. The activity ends at the same meeting point, so you do not need to arrange a separate return from the islands.

Your package includes a captain and bilingual host, along with fuel, insurance, bottled water, ice, and snorkeling equipment. Alcohol is not included, and you should bring your own beverages if you want something beyond the supplied water. Towels are also not listed as part of the package, so pack your own.

What the $1,049 group price really means

The price is listed as $1,049 per group of up to 15 people. That sounds high if you are booking for two or three people, but the math changes quickly with a larger party:

• 15 people: about $70 per person
• 10 people: about $105 per person
• 5 people: about $210 per person

For a full group, the private boat can offer good value. You are paying for the vessel and crew rather than individual seats, and the cost covers fuel, ice, water, insurance, snorkeling gear, a captain, and a bilingual host.

For a small group, the value is less obvious. A private boat still gives you privacy and flexibility, but the per-person cost rises sharply. Before paying, confirm the exact capacity. The tour title refers to up to 17 people, while the stated price applies to up to 15. That difference could affect your budget and comfort.

I would also confirm what the bilingual host means in practice. One booking reported that the group received a boat with crew members who did not speak English, even though an English-speaking guide had been requested. The company explained that partner boats may be used during busy periods. That can be reasonable, but you should have the arrangement clearly confirmed in writing.

Leaving Cartagena for Isla Grande

The main island stop is Isla Grande, one of the best-known parts of the Rosario Islands. The appeal is straightforward: clear water, white sandy beaches, warm Caribbean sun, and a setting that feels far removed from the city.

The route is meant to give you several ways to enjoy the island. You can swim, sit on the beach, snorkel, or simply take a break from the heat on the boat. The private format means you can tell the crew what your group values most, although the exact amount of time at each stop may depend on weather and conditions.

La Piscinita is the key snorkeling stop. Its name suggests a natural swimming pool, and it is known for marine life and clear water. Snorkeling equipment is supplied, which saves you from renting gear separately. Still, I would check the condition and fit of the equipment before leaving the dock, particularly if several people in your group need different sizes.

This is a good stop for mixed groups. Strong swimmers can spend more time in the water, while anyone who prefers a slower pace can stay on the boat or beach. The tour description does not promise an instructor or a dedicated snorkeling lesson, so you should expect basic equipment and a chance to explore rather than formal water-sports instruction.

The Pablo Escobar mansion and abandoned plane

Two of the day’s more unusual sights are the mansion associated with Pablo Escobar and an abandoned plane. They give the trip a different feel from a simple beach outing.

The mansion is presented as a place of mystery and history. It is not just another view from the water, and it may appeal to anyone interested in Colombia’s modern past. At the same time, the available information does not say that you enter the building, receive a detailed historical talk, or get a formal tour. Treat it as a visual stop and a chance to hear what the host can explain.

The abandoned plane is another memorable landmark. Like the mansion, it adds a touch of oddness to an otherwise sunny island day. These stops are useful if you want more than swimming and sunbathing, but they are not the reason to book this experience if your main goal is serious cultural interpretation.

I would ask the crew how close the boat gets to each sight and how long the group can stop. Private trips often offer flexibility, but flexibility works best when the route is discussed at the start.

Lunch beside the water

Lunch is planned at a beachfront restaurant, surrounded by the islands rather than Cartagena’s streets. That setting is a major part of the meal’s appeal. You can take a break from the boat, eat near the water, and return to the sea afterward.

The price of lunch is not specified, so budget for it separately. Alcoholic drinks are also excluded. One important practical point is that a booking reported being asked to purchase lunch for the crew as well. The company described this as customary in Colombia, but it was not explained ahead of time.

I would ask three simple questions before departure: Is lunch included in the tour price? Where will we eat? Are guests expected to cover crew meals? Clear answers prevent an awkward conversation once you are sitting at the restaurant.

The lunch stop may also involve a minimum purchase at a beach club or restaurant. One booking encountered a minimum spend at Paue, which was acceptable to that group but still worth knowing in advance. Since the named stop can vary, ask for the expected restaurant and any minimum spending requirement before you board.

The freedom and limits of a private boat

A private boat is the strongest reason to choose this experience. You do not share the activity with unrelated passengers, and your group can enjoy the day together. That works especially well for families, birthday groups, couples traveling with friends, or anyone who wants a more personal outing.

You may have more say in how long you swim, when you relax, and how much time you spend at the unusual sights. You can also avoid the social compromises of a large shared excursion.

But private does not automatically mean fully customized. The published route includes Isla Grande, La Piscinita, the mansion, the plane, and lunch, yet the exact sequence and final beach stop may change. One booking expected Playa Tranquila but felt the boat went elsewhere. Before setting out, repeat your preferred stops and ask the captain to confirm the route.

The boat itself also matters. A private booking is only as satisfying as the vessel assigned to your group. One booking reported receiving a smaller partner boat rather than the expected Botegena boat after the operator learned that only two people were attending. The boat was described as fine, but the change was not what had been paid for.

That does not mean a partner boat will be unsafe or uncomfortable. It does mean you should ask what boat is reserved for your date, especially if your group is small or you have specific space requirements.

What to pack for eight hours on the water

The supplied water and ice are useful, but you should still prepare for a full day outdoors. Pack a towel, sun protection, a swimsuit, a change of clothes, and any personal drinks you want. Alcoholic beverages are not included, and one booking specifically advised bringing your own beverages.

You should also bring a dry bag or waterproof pouch for phones, wallets, and cameras. The provided information does not promise storage lockers or dry storage, so keep valuables protected.

The boat has snorkeling equipment, but personal gear may fit better if you already own a mask and snorkel. Bring any needed medication, since the trip takes you away from the city for much of the day.

The activity is considered suitable for most people, and service animals are allowed. Nearness to public transportation is noted for the meeting area. The information does not describe wheelchair access, boat boarding conditions, or special arrangements for reduced mobility, so ask before booking if those details matter to you.

Communication, crew, and expectations

A captain and bilingual host are included, which should make the day easier for international visitors. Good communication is especially useful when you are coordinating snorkeling, lunch, beach time, and the return to Cartagena.

Still, language service deserves special attention. One booking requested English support but received two crew members who spoke no English. The crew were described as friendly, but the language problem affected the value of the experience.

When you book, state your preferred language clearly and ask for written confirmation that an English-speaking host will be present. Also confirm whether the host is a guide who explains the area or mainly a coordinator who helps the boat run smoothly. Those are different roles, and the description does not spell out the level of interpretation.

The company is Botegena, and one response refers to Adam as the owner. You may wish to confirm the contact person and ask for the day’s basic plan before you arrive at Sibarita del Mar.

Weather, cancellation, and timing

The tour lasts about eight hours, so weather can shape the entire experience. The activity requires good weather. If poor conditions force cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund.

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made inside that 24-hour window are not refunded or accepted. The cut-off follows local Cartagena time.

The eight-hour schedule is long enough to include several stops without making the outing feel rushed, but it also means you should be comfortable spending much of the day in the sun and on a boat. If your group includes children, older adults, or anyone prone to seasickness, plan carefully and ask about the expected conditions.

Who should book this Rosario Islands trip?

I would consider this tour for a group that values privacy more than a fixed, highly polished program. It suits friends who want a boat day together, families who need room to set their own pace, and groups willing to split the cost across many people.

It is also a good choice if you want several types of activity in one day: snorkeling, beach time, unusual sights, and lunch by the water. You do not have to choose between a pure swimming trip and a sightseeing outing.

I would be more cautious if you are booking for only two people, need guaranteed English guidance, or care strongly about a particular boat or beach. In those cases, confirm the vessel, host, route, lunch costs, crew meal expectations, and maximum capacity before paying.

The 99 percent recommendation rate and 5.0 rating from 79 reviews point to a strong overall record, but the specific complaints are practical rather than minor. They concern the boat supplied, language support, route accuracy, and extra meal costs. Those are exactly the details worth settling in advance.

Should you book it?

Book this private Rosario Islands boat trip if you have a reasonably large group and want a flexible day with Isla Grande, La Piscinita, beach time, lunch, and several unusual sights. At full capacity, the group price can be attractive, and the included fuel, water, ice, snorkeling gear, insurance, captain, and host add useful value.

I would not book it without confirming the capacity, since the information gives both 15 and 17 as possible limits. I would also get written confirmation of an English-speaking host, the actual boat, the planned stops, lunch arrangements, and any minimum purchase or crew meal expectation.

With those points settled, this can be a relaxed and memorable way to leave Cartagena for the Caribbean. Without them, you risk paying for a private experience that is different from the one you thought you reserved.

FAQ

How long does the private Rosario Islands boat tour last?

The experience lasts approximately eight hours.

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts at Sibarita del Mar on Avenida Blas de Lezo in El Centro, Cartagena de Indias. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

How much does the private boat cost?

The listed price is $1,049 per group for up to 15 people. The tour title refers to up to 17 people, so confirm the exact capacity before booking.

Is this a private activity?

Yes. Only your group participates in the boat activity.

What is included in the price?

The package includes snorkeling equipment, bottled water, ice, insurance, gas, a bilingual host, and a captain.

Are alcoholic drinks included?

No. Alcoholic beverages are not included.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience starts. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

Because the activity requires good weather, you will be offered another date or a full refund if poor weather causes cancellation.