Boat rental for the Rosario Islands up to 15 people.

The best thing about this Rosario Islands outing is control. You get a private boat for up to 15 people, so your group can decide how long to stay at each stop instead of following a fixed shared-boat schedule. Isla Grande, La Piscina, Cholón, and Aguazul offer a full day of sea, swimming, food, and photos.

I like the generous eight-hour window, from 9 A.M. to 5 P.M., and the fact that you can bring your own drinks, snacks, and lunch. I also like the practical touches: a cooler, 13 kilos of ice, snorkeling gear, life vests, a restroom, Bluetooth sound, and bottled water for each person.

The main thing to consider is the route rule: once the boat has passed a stop, it cannot return to it. You will need to agree on the order and timing early, especially if your group wants both snorkeling and a long stop at Cholón.

Key points to know before booking

• Private boat for up to 15 people: The $815 group price becomes far better value when shared by a full party.
• A flexible 9 A.M. to 5 P.M. day: You choose how long to stay at each island, but you cannot go back to an earlier stop.
• Named crew with a friendly reputation: Luis and Moisés have been praised for being punctual, courteous, and helpful with local food orders.
• Bring your own food and drinks: Alcohol and lunch are not included, though you may bring them or pay extra to arrange them.
• Useful onboard equipment: You get a cooler, 13 kilos of ice, snorkeling equipment, life vests, a restroom, Bluetooth audio, and water.
• Return to the same marina: The boat leaves from and returns to Todomar CHL Marina Bocagrande in Cartagena.

Why a private boat changes the Rosario Islands day

A shared boat can be cheaper, but it often means fitting your day around someone else’s clock. This charter gives you the whole boat for your own group, with space for as many as 15 people. That makes sense for a birthday, family outing, wedding group, or a set of friends who want to spend the day together.

At $815 per group, the value depends on your head count. With 15 people, it works out to about $54 per person before any extra costs for lunch or alcohol. With 10 people, it is about $82 per person. For a small party of four or five, the price is much harder to justify unless privacy and control matter more to you than keeping costs low.

The boat leaves at 9 A.M. and returns around 5 P.M., giving you roughly eight hours on the water. That is enough time for several stops, though not enough to linger everywhere. I would decide before departure which matters most: a quiet swim, snorkeling, lunch, lively Cholón, or a string of quick photo stops.

The crew includes a captain and a skipper. Luis and Moisés are named among the crew members associated with especially warm and attentive service. Their useful role is not just steering the boat. They can help you decide how to use the day and can assist with local food orders, including arrangements at Cholón.

Leaving from Todomar CHL Marina Bocagrande

Your meeting point is Todomar CHL Marina Bocagrande 2nda in Cartagena de Indias. The tour ends back at this same meeting point, so you do not need to arrange a separate return from an island.

The departure time is 9 A.M. The schedule matters because a late start cuts into the day and can affect which stops fit comfortably. One poor experience involved a delayed start and confusion over timing, so I would arrive early, confirm the boat and crew, and make sure everyone in your party is ready before departure.

The booking information says the marina is near public transportation, and private transportation is included as part of the service. It also lists service animals as allowed and says most people can participate. Specific details about boarding assistance are not provided, so anyone with mobility concerns should confirm those arrangements before paying.

Isla Grande and the first stretch of open water

Isla Grande is one of the named stops on the route and may be a natural early choice for your first swim or snorkel session. The boat includes snorkeling equipment, so you do not need to arrange that separately for the basic activity.

The value of stopping early is simple: you can get into the water before spending too much time on lunch or social stops. If your group has strong swimmers and snorkelers, ask the crew to help you use this part of the day for water time rather than treating every island as a brief photo stop.

The boat also carries life vests, bottled water, and a restroom. Each person receives two 330cc bottles of water, which comes to 660cc per person. That is useful, but it is not a full day’s supply in hot Caribbean weather. Bring additional drinks, especially if you expect to spend much of the day in the sun.

Caño Ratón and La Piscina for flexible swim stops

Caño Ratón and La Piscina are also included among the possible stops. The names suggest a route built around short island visits and water access, but the available information does not promise a set activity at each one. Your captain and skipper can help you decide how long to stay, within the limits of the route.

This flexibility is the strongest reason to book privately. You can stay longer at a place your group likes, or move on if a stop does not suit you. The catch is that you need to make decisions as you go. Once the boat has passed a point, it cannot return there, so do not rush away from a favorite stop on the assumption that you can come back later.

I would use the first part of the day to test the group’s rhythm. If everyone wants to swim, allow more time at the first good water stop. If the priority is a wide range of photos, keep each visit shorter and save more time for the later stops.

Cholón, local food, and a livelier pause

Cholón brings a different mood from a quiet swim stop. It is a place where you may want to order typical island food and spend time around the water. Lunch is not included, but you can bring your own food or pay an additional cost to arrange it.

The crew can help facilitate orders at Cholón. That is practical because ordering food on an island can take some coordination, and a crew member familiar with the area may help you understand where and when to buy. Still, confirm prices before ordering, particularly for a large group, and remember that neither lunch nor alcohol is part of the base price.

You can bring your own alcoholic drinks, or request them for an additional cost. The same applies to lunch. The included cooler and 13 kilos of ice make bringing your own supplies much more workable than it would be on a bare boat, but you should plan quantities for your entire party.

Cholón may be the best fit for a group that wants a social stop. It may be less appealing if your ideal day is quiet and uncrowded. Since the route is flexible, tell the crew early if you want to limit time there rather than allowing the stop to take over the day.

Aguazul and the last part of the route

Aguazul is another named destination on the planned island route. As with Caño Ratón and La Piscina, the exact length of the stop is up to your group and crew, but the boat cannot reverse to a place already passed.

That rule makes the day feel more like a one-way loop than a free-form taxi service. It is not a serious problem if you plan ahead. It becomes frustrating only when a group splits over priorities or assumes that a missed stop can be recovered later.

For a smooth day, name one person in your group to help make timing decisions. You can ask the crew how much time remains, then choose between a longer final swim, food, or returning on schedule. A private boat gives you choice, but it also means your group must use that choice wisely.

Music, gear, and what is actually included

The boat has a professional sound system with Bluetooth connection. You can play your own music, which is a nice touch for a birthday or group celebration. Bring a charged phone and keep the volume at a level that lets you hear the crew’s instructions.

The included equipment is practical rather than luxurious:

• Captain and skipper
• Private transportation by boat
• Life vests
• Snorkeling equipment
• Cooler
• 13 kilos of ice
• Restroom onboard
• Two 330cc bottles of water per person
• Bluetooth sound system

The restroom is a useful feature during an eight-hour outing, especially for a full group. The water allocation is welcome, but I would still bring more nonalcoholic drinks. You may also bring snacks, lunch, and drinks of your own.

The information calls out both a captain and a skipper. Ask at the marina who will handle navigation and who will be assisting your group so you know whom to approach with questions.

The real value of the $815 group price

The price is $815 for the entire boat, up to 15 people. That is a strong deal for a large group that wants a private day, particularly when compared with paying separately for several smaller activities or arranging transport between island stops.

At full capacity, the cost is roughly $54 per person. At 12 people, it is about $68 per person. At eight people, it is about $102 per person. Those figures do not include lunch or alcohol, though you can bring both yourself.

The price becomes more attractive when you use the boat’s flexibility. You are not simply paying for a ride to one island. You are paying for a full day with several possible stops, your own music, room for your party, onboard equipment, and a crew that can help shape the route.

For a small group, compare the cost with a shared boat before booking. For a birthday or reunion where keeping everyone together matters, the private format may be worth the extra money. The strongest value comes when you fill most of the available 15 spaces.

Who will enjoy this day most

I would recommend this outing to a group that wants control over its schedule and does not mind making choices during the day. It suits families, friend groups, birthday parties, and larger parties that want to bring their own food and music.

It is also a good match for people who want a mix of stops rather than one fixed beach visit. You can include Isla Grande, Caño Ratón, La Piscina, Cholón, and Aguazul, then adjust the pace around swimming, snorkeling, photos, or lunch.

I would hesitate if you are traveling alone, as a couple, or with only a few people and are focused on the lowest possible price. I would also be cautious if your group dislikes changing plans. The flexible format works best when everyone agrees on priorities before boarding.

The experience is rated 4.9 out of 5, with 99 percent of customers recommending it. That strong record fits the best parts of the format: private use, helpful crew service, a long day, and the ability to bring your own supplies. One serious complaint involved a captain not showing up because of a timing issue, so clear confirmation and early arrival are sensible precautions.

Booking, cancellation, and practical planning

Confirmation is provided at the time of booking. Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. If you cancel less than 24 hours ahead, the payment is not refunded, and changes made inside that window are not accepted.

The cut-off follows local Cartagena time. Since the boat leaves in the morning, keep an eye on the deadline rather than waiting until the night before.

I would plan food and drinks before arrival, decide who will manage music, and agree on your top two or three stops. Bring extra water and any preferred snacks, since only two small bottles per person are included. Most people can participate, service animals are allowed, and the meeting and return point are the same marina.

Should you book this Rosario Islands charter?

Book it if you have a medium or large group and want a private day with room to set the pace. The best reasons are the eight-hour schedule, several island options, useful onboard equipment, and the freedom to bring your own food and drinks.

Think twice if you have only a few people or want every meal and drink included. The base price covers the boat and listed equipment, not lunch or alcohol, and the route rule means you should plan the order of stops before leaving.

For a birthday or group celebration, I would choose this over a shared outing. Ask about the crew at confirmation, arrive early at Todomar CHL Marina Bocagrande, and make your priorities clear. That is how you turn a flexible boat day into a well-paced one instead of a series of rushed decisions.

FAQ

How long does the boat rental last?

The activity lasts approximately eight hours, from 9 A.M. until 5 P.M.

Where does the boat leave from?

The meeting point is Todomar CHL Marina Bocagrande 2nda in Cartagena de Indias.

Where does the activity end?

The boat returns to the same meeting point at Todomar CHL Marina Bocagrande.

How many people can join?

The private boat accommodates up to 15 people.

Which islands can the boat visit?

The listed stops are Isla Grande, Caño Ratón, La Piscina, Cholón, and Aguazul.

Can my group choose how long to stay at each island?

Yes. Your group can determine how long to stay at each island, but the boat cannot return to a point it has already passed.

Is lunch included?

No. You may bring your own food or pay an additional cost to arrange lunch.

Are alcoholic drinks included?

No. You may bring your own alcoholic drinks or request them for an additional cost.

What equipment and supplies are included?

The service includes life vests, snorkeling equipment, a cooler, 13 kilos of ice, a restroom onboard, and two 330cc bottles of water per person. It also includes a captain, skipper, and Bluetooth sound system.