Cartagena: Rosario Islands Catamaran with Lunch and Snorkel

The best part of this Rosario Islands trip is the easy day on the water. You get a roomy catamaran, two chances to swim and snorkel, a filling lunch, and a long ride back to Cartagena with music, sea air, and room to stretch out. I especially like the clean boat and the included juices, lemonade, water, and soft drinks. You are not forced to keep buying refreshments just to stay comfortable.

I also like the relaxed pace. The boat offers shaded and sunny seats, onboard bathrooms, and enough space that even a large group does not necessarily feel cramped. The main drawback is important: you generally do not go ashore on the Rosario Islands. The stops are from the catamaran, and snorkeling can be modest rather than spectacular.

Key points to know before booking

• Two swim stops: Plan on swimming from the catamaran, with about an hour at each stop on many departures.
• A boat day, not an island tour: You may see beaches and reach shallow water near land, but the catamaran does not normally take you onto the islands.
• Lunch is a real strength: Choose seafood, chicken, or a vegetable option with rice, salad buffet, and dessert.
• Free drinks all day: Soft drinks, juices, lemonade, and mineral water are included. Alcohol costs extra.
• Large, comfortable catamaran: There are seats in both shade and sun, clean bathrooms, and room to lounge.
• Allow 7.5 hours: The trip leaves from Bodeguita Dock, near Cartagena’s old city, and returns in the afternoon.

What this Rosario Islands day is really about

At $107 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach the water outside Cartagena. It is also not simply a transport boat to a beach. You are paying for a full package: a catamaran cruise, park fees, boarding fees, snorkeling equipment, food, non-alcoholic drinks, and a full day away from the city.

I see the value most clearly if you want one convenient outing with no need to arrange separate meals, equipment, or boat transfers. The experience is built around sitting comfortably at sea, stopping for swims, eating onboard, and enjoying the ride. If your main goal is to walk on a white-sand beach or spend hours among coral, another excursion may suit you better.

The Rosario and San Bernardo Corals National Natural Park provides the setting, but the experience itself is more about the boat than about visiting a particular island village or beach club. That distinction matters. Several people enjoyed the water and the scenery but were surprised that they did not step onto an island.

Starting at Bodeguita Dock near the old city

The meeting point is Bodeguita Dock, Door 1, directly in front of Cartagena’s walled city. There is no hotel pickup or drop-off, so you need to make your own way to the pier.

Allow extra time at the port. The entrance can be confusing, with queues forming outside and several lines nearby. Once inside the waiting area, the process is more orderly, but the boat leaves promptly. Arriving early is sensible, especially if you want a seat in your preferred area.

Bring your passport or identification details as required during booking. The reservation process requires each passenger’s full name, date of birth, identification or passport number, and address. At the dock, keep your towel, sunscreen, and payment card handy.

The boat is wheelchair accessible, though the practical ease of boarding can depend on conditions at the dock. Smoking, outside food, and outside drinks are not allowed. Onboard extras can be paid for only by credit or debit card, so do not count on cash for cocktails or other purchases.

The welcome drink and the outward cruise

Once aboard, you receive a welcome drink made with fresh fruit. A mid-morning snack follows, and the catamaran heads toward the Rosario Islands using a mix of sailing and motor power.

Set expectations correctly here. This is advertised as a sailing catamaran, but the boat may spend much of the trip under motor power. One account described the outward ride as roughly two and a half hours to the snorkeling area. The exact timing can change with weather, sea conditions, and the captain’s decisions.

The long ride is part of the outing, not dead time. You can sit in shade or sun, watch the coast recede, and settle into the rhythm of the sea. The boat has a bar, but the included drinks are a useful touch: soft drinks, juices, lemonade, and mineral water are available without an extra charge.

Music plays onboard. On many departures, it creates a pleasant holiday mood without turning the trip into a full party boat. Still, music volume can be high for some people, so you may prefer a seat farther from the speakers if you want a quiet ride.

Announcements are listed in Spanish. Some departures have offered information in English as well, but you should not book this as a detailed English-language guided tour. The crew handles the practical side of the day efficiently, while explanations about the islands and stopping points may be brief.

Two water stops instead of an island visit

The main activity is stopping in calm, clear water for swimming and snorkeling. Many departures make two stops, often allowing close to an hour at each one. The captain can change the locations or timing because of weather and sea conditions.

The first stop gives you a chance to cool off and get used to entering the water from the catamaran. Life jackets and snorkels are available, and the crew provides safety support. You should be comfortable climbing into and out of the water from the boat, although flotation equipment helps if you are not a confident swimmer.

The second stop may be closer to land. Some passengers have been able to swim toward a beach or see white sand nearby, but the catamaran does not normally land for a beach visit. This is why the wording about an idyllic beach can be misleading if you picture a few hours lying on shore.

You should also know that fins are not included. The snorkeling equipment covers masks and snorkels, but not flippers. That is fine for floating near the boat, though fins would help if you want to cover more water.

The water itself is the star. You may see colorful fish and some coral, but conditions vary. Several people found the snorkeling enjoyable but limited, with more time spent swimming than examining sea life. Visibility, currents, weather, and the precise anchorage all affect what you see.

Jellyfish are also possible in open water. That does not make the stop unsafe, but you should pay attention to the crew and avoid touching anything in the water. Reapply sunscreen often, especially during the long ride and the two swimming stops. The tropical sun can catch you even when the breeze makes the day feel comfortable.

Lunch with a view of the sea

Lunch is served onboard during the return trip or around the latter part of the day, depending on the schedule. The meal includes a choice of seafood, chicken, or a vegetable preparation with rice, plus a salad buffet and dessert.

This is more substantial than a token boat snack. Portions are generous, and the salad buffet lets you add more if you want it. The seafood rice receives especially strong praise, while the vegetarian and vegan options have also been handled well. If you do not eat seafood or meat, make your preference clear when appropriate.

The crew prepares and serves the meal while the catamaran continues toward Cartagena. That saves you from losing another hour at a restaurant and keeps the day moving. It also means you are eating in a practical boat setting, not at a polished waterfront table. Plates, seating, wind, and movement are all part of the deal.

Free juices, lemonade, soft drinks, and water continue through the day. Alcohol is not included, but it can be purchased onboard by card. Prices have generally been considered reasonable, though your total cost will rise if you order several cocktails or beers.

The ride back can be the liveliest part

The return to Cartagena is often the most enjoyable stretch. After lunch and the swim stops, you can choose a shady seat, dry off in the sun, or join the music and dancing.

When the wind picks up, the catamaran may pitch enough for spray to reach the deck. Some people love this lively finish. If you want a dry ride, keep a towel and a change of clothes close by rather than buried in a bag.

The atmosphere is social but usually not as intense as the dedicated party boats. That makes the trip workable for couples, families, and mixed-age groups. You get music and a cheerful onboard mood, but the boat also has quiet corners where you can simply watch the sea.

The catamaran can carry a large number of people, with one departure described as holding around 100 passengers. Even so, its layout and seating mean it may feel less cramped than a smaller speedboat. This is a good trade for a full-day trip, since you have somewhere to sit during the long crossings.

Boat comfort, bathrooms, and service

The vessel is one of the strongest reasons to choose this outing. It has comfortable seating in both shade and sun, clean facilities, and enough deck space for lounging. On a long tropical excursion, those details matter more than a fancy name for the boat.

Bathrooms are maintained during the day, though you should keep normal expectations for a boat toilet. The catamaran’s size also makes the ride feel steadier than a small open launch, though the sea can still be choppy.

The crew’s service is generally practical and friendly. They handle drinks, lunch, boarding, and water stops with a well-organized routine. Do not expect constant personal commentary about every island or reef. The announcements can be limited, and the trip is better understood as a supported leisure cruise than as a naturalist-led tour.

How the price compares with the experience

At $107 per person, the price makes sense for someone who would otherwise pay separately for a boat, lunch, drinks, snorkeling equipment, and park access. The included refreshments are particularly useful. You can spend most of the day aboard without constantly reaching for your wallet.

The price is less compelling if you want a short transfer to a beach and plan to spend the whole day ashore. It is also not the right choice if your top priority is serious snorkeling. The reefs and fish may be pleasant, but the stops are not presented as a specialist marine expedition.

I would compare it with three broad types of Cartagena outing:

• A speedboat trip may get you to the islands faster but offer less room, shade, and comfort.
• A beach-club trip gives you more time on land but less of the sailing experience.
• A party boat may focus more heavily on music and drinks, while this trip keeps a calmer, family-friendly balance.

The strongest value comes from the complete package and the spacious vessel. The weakest value comes if you expect an actual island tour.

Who should book this catamaran?

I would recommend it to you if you want a comfortable full-day escape from Cartagena’s heat. It suits people who enjoy a slow sea ride, swimming in open water, casual snorkeling, a good lunch, and music without needing a tightly packed sightseeing schedule.

It also works well for a group with mixed interests. One person can snorkel, another can float with a life jacket, and someone else can remain on deck with a drink. The boat’s shade and seating make it easier for non-swimmers to enjoy the day.

Families should note the open-water format. There is safety equipment and crew support, but children need close supervision around the railings and swim stops. The same applies to any adult who is not a confident swimmer.

I would hesitate to recommend it if you want a guided explanation of the park, a quiet boat with no music, or a long beach stop. Snorkeling enthusiasts may also find the marine life too limited. In that case, look for a smaller, specialist snorkeling trip that clearly lists fins, reef time, and guided water sessions.

What to pack and how to make the day better

Bring a towel, sunscreen, and a credit or debit card. Pack sunscreen in a place you can reach quickly, since you will need to reapply during the ride and after swimming.

Wear a swimsuit beneath your clothes and consider a dry change of clothing for the return ride. The catamaran may take spray over the deck when the wind rises. You cannot bring outside food or drinks, so use the onboard service rather than planning a picnic.

If you prefer shade, board early and choose accordingly. If music bothers you, sit away from the speakers. Keep your belongings together when you enter the water, and do not leave anything loose where wind or spray can carry it away.

The itinerary can change slightly because of weather or the captain’s decision. Treat the two stops as the plan, not an absolute promise of identical beaches or identical snorkeling conditions.

Should you book the Rosario Islands catamaran?

Book this trip if you want an easy, well-supported day at sea with good food, free non-alcoholic drinks, comfortable seating, and two swim stops. The catamaran and lunch are the safest reasons to choose it, while the water and scenery provide the setting.

Do not book it expecting to walk around the Rosario Islands or spend the day on a white-sand beach. You will usually swim from the boat, and the snorkeling may be pleasant rather than extraordinary. With that distinction clear, the $107 price is fair for a spacious day cruise that gets you away from Cartagena without making you arrange every detail yourself.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran depart from?

It departs from Bodeguita Dock, Door 1, in front of Cartagena’s walled city.

How long does the experience last?

The scheduled duration is 450 minutes, or about 7.5 hours. Some departures may return earlier or later because of weather and the captain’s decisions.

Does the tour visit the islands and beaches?

The catamaran travels toward the Rosario Islands and stops near swimming areas, but it does not normally take you ashore on the islands. You should expect to swim from the boat.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes seafood, chicken, or a vegetable option with rice, a salad buffet, and dessert.

Are drinks included?

Non-alcoholic drinks are included, including soft drinks, juices, lemonade, and mineral water. Alcoholic drinks cost extra and can be paid for onboard by credit or debit card.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and National Natural Park fees are included. Fins are not included, and the snorkeling conditions can vary by stop and weather.