Private Marine Tour: Discover the 7 Colors of the San Andreas Sea

The best part of this private San Andrés tour is the range packed into one day: mangrove channels, coral sand cays, shipwreck views, snorkeling, and floating bars. You move by pontoon rather than trying to piece together several separate excursions, and the boat returns to the police pier after roughly six and a half hours.

I like the private setup, since your group of up to five can control the music, pace, and time in the water. I also like the practical inclusions: 12 bottles of water, 12 beers, ice, snorkeling masks, and a floating mat are supplied. The main caution is that lunch costs extra, drone photos are only offered on some occasions, and the advertised English support may not always be consistent.

• Mangrove opening: Start with a quiet ride through Old Point Regional Park, where crabs, iguanas, lizards, mussels, and birds share the channels.
• Six water-focused stops: Palito, Aquarium, Rose Cay, Sea World, and White Wata each offer a different kind of swim or snorkel.
• Private pontoon: The boat is reserved for your group of up to five, with Bluetooth speakers and room to spread out.
• Useful onboard extras: Water, beer, ice, snorkeling masks, and a floating mat are included, but snorkels themselves are not.
• Lunch is your responsibility: Bring food or buy it at Aquarium, and carry Colombian pesos for dock fees and purchases.
• Weather matters: Strong wind can cancel the trip or prevent drone use, even when the boat outing itself goes ahead.

One Boat, Seven Shades of San Andrés Water

San Andrés is famous for water that changes color as the bottom shifts from mangrove mud to coral, white sand, and deeper blue. This tour gives you a broad look at that range without asking you to join a large shared boat.

The price is $300 per group, not per person, for up to five people. At full capacity, that works out to $60 each before the $1.30-per-person boarding charge. For a couple, the same boat is a much bigger spend, but you are paying for privacy, space, and a flexible day rather than a basic transfer.

The boat leaves at 10:30 am from the police pier on Carrera 1. Plan to arrive ready for the small boarding fee and bring physical identification. Your reservation holder must present valid identification, and the booking cannot be transferred to somebody else.

The private format is especially useful for a family or small friend group. You can play music through the Bluetooth speakers, ask for help arranging food, and let stronger swimmers spend more time snorkeling while others relax on the mat or remain aboard.

Old Point Mangroves Set a Calmer Tone

The first route passes through the mangroves of Old Point Regional Park on San Andrés’ eastern side. This is not a beach stop. It is a chance to see the island’s coastal ecosystem before the day turns toward open water.

Look for mussels and crabs around the roots, along with iguanas, lizards, and resident or migrating birds. The mangrove setting gives you a useful contrast to the bright water later in the day. It also makes the trip feel like more than a string of swim stops.

Do not expect a long nature walk. The information describes a walk through the mangroves, but the tour is built around a boat route and water access. If your main goal is wildlife photography, bring a protected phone or camera and keep expectations sensible. The value here is the change of pace and the chance to see a less polished side of the island.

Palito and the Tiki Bar

The first major stop is Palito, also called The Stick in the tour details. You get white sand, shallow water for swimming, and the option to snorkel or simply float.

The nearby Tiki Bar gives this stop a social feel. You can also use the floating mat supplied with the pontoon. This is a good place to settle into the day because you are not expected to rush from one activity to the next.

Allow about an hour here. You can swim, take photos, use the mat, or order something at the floating bar if you wish. Any bar purchases are separate from the tour price.

Beach shoes are a smart addition. They are not rented as part of the tour, though they may be available for purchase at the pier. This small bit of footwear can make rocky or uneven entries more comfortable, especially for children or anyone uneasy walking in the sea.

Rocky Cay and the Nicodemus Ship

The boat then passes Rocky Cay and the old vessel commonly called Nicodemus. The ship is linked to Greek magnate Aristotle Onassis, who brought part of its structure to the cay after it ran aground in the Caribbean.

Today, the wreck serves as a local landmark and a home for marine life. The boat-sighting stop is more about viewing and context than a long scheduled visit. You may see the vessel from the water and understand why it has become part of San Andrés’ character.

This is one of the tour’s more distinctive details. Many island outings focus only on sandbars and cocktails. Here, the old ship adds a bit of working-sea history and an artificial reef setting to the day.

Two Hours at Aquarium and Haynes Cay

Aquarium, also known as Haynes Cay, is the longest stop, with about two hours planned. It is a small islet surrounded by clear water, coral sand, and a mix of blue tones. Fish gather around the shallow coral areas, making this one of the main snorkeling sections.

You can snorkel, swim, sit on the cay, or have lunch here. Lunch is not included. Bring your own food or buy it on the island, and carry Colombian pesos because card payment may not be available at every place. One family group found it useful when the captain called ahead to make sure the eating spot would accept its money, but you should still arrive prepared.

The stop works well for mixed groups. Strong swimmers can head into the water while someone else rests on the sand or stays aboard. If you have children, keep a close eye on them around coral and changing water depth.

The supplied masks are included, but the snorkel tube is not, due to health regulations. That detail matters. If you want to snorkel properly, bring your own snorkel or confirm what is available before departure. A mask alone lets you see underwater, but it is not the full equipment you may expect.

Rose Cay, the White Sandbar Next Door

Rose Cay is next to Haynes Cay and is part of the Aquarium area. Its white sandbanks are shallow enough in places to create the famous almost-walking-on-water effect.

This is the most photo-friendly section of the route. The sandbars, clear water, and small island setting make it easy to understand why people call it Instagram Beach. You can also snorkel here and look for fish in the surrounding water.

The sandbar can feel exposed, especially under the midday sun. Bring sun protection, a hat that will stay put, and a waterproof pouch for small belongings. The stop lasts about an hour, which gives you time for photos and a swim without turning the whole afternoon into a photo session.

Sea World for a Dedicated Snorkel

At Sea World, the pontoon anchors in a snorkeling area with marine plants, fish, and other sea life. This is a straightforward water stop rather than a beach landing.

You can enter the water with a mask, snorkel if you brought one, and your own comfort level in mind. If you do not want to snorkel, you can stay on the boat. That flexibility is important because the group may include confident swimmers and people who prefer to watch from the deck.

Sea conditions can change. The tour description calls the experience calm and relaxing, but it also suggests taking a motion sickness pill as a precaution if you are not used to the sea. That is sensible advice for a pontoon day. Eat lightly before departure, bring water, and tell the crew if you need a quieter place to sit.

White Wata and the Floating-Bar Finish

The final stop is White Wata, an area of clear water where boats gather later in the afternoon. Floating bars operate here, and you can swim, visit a bar, use the floating mat, or stay aboard.

This is a pleasant way to finish because the choice is yours. You can keep swimming after a full day of stops, or simply sit with a cold drink and let the boat day wind down. The planned time is about an hour.

Bar drinks are not included in the $300 price. The included beverages are 12 beers and 12 bottles of water, stored in a cooler with ice. One booking had an initial mix-up in which only part of the drinks were placed in the cooler, but the operator says the full amount was later supplied. To avoid confusion, confirm the drink allowance with the captain at the start.

What the Private Boat Adds

The boat is a pontoon, and recent descriptions present it as clean, spacious, and comfortable. One group used the Bluetooth speakers for its own music, while another appreciated help from Captain Carlos with drinks, food, and movement between stops.

Crew names connected with positive experiences include Carlos, Jorge, Sebastian, and Riccardo. Riccardo is described by the operator as fluent in English. Still, one booking reported difficulty communicating in English, so I would confirm your language needs through WhatsApp before you go rather than assume every crew member will be fluent.

A private boat also lets you avoid the social pressure of a large group. You can ask to stay longer at a favorite water stop, within the planned route and timing. You should not assume the boat can add every famous site on San Andrés. Johnny Cay and La Piscinita are not part of this tour, and the vessel is not presented as a way to visit them.

That distinction is important. Book this for the listed mix of mangroves, Aquarium, Rose Cay, Palito, Sea World, and White Wata. Do not book it expecting a custom tour of every island attraction.

Drinks, Drone Photos, and the Real Cost

At $300 for five people, the tour can be good value if you fill the boat. The included beer, water, ice, masks, floating mat, and snorkeling route reduce the number of small purchases you need to make. The private boat is the key value, not the drinks alone.

For two people, the per-person cost is high. You should compare it with shared boat tours and decide how much privacy matters. Families may find the cost easier to justify because the boat can accommodate different ages and swimming abilities without splitting up.

The drone point needs careful reading. A photo or video may be provided on some occasions, but it is not a guaranteed inclusion. Wind is a regular issue in the Caribbean, and the operator says drone use depends on conditions. Treat it as a possible bonus, not part of the price calculation.

Bring extra drinks and snacks if you like, though the tour already supplies water and beer. Lunch remains separate, as does the $1.30 dock fee per person. Small costs are easy to overlook, so carry pesos and keep some cash available for food, bars, beach shoes, and other purchases.

Who Will Get the Most From This Day

I would choose this tour for a group that wants a relaxed day on the water with several different settings. It suits families, couples traveling with friends, and anyone who prefers a private boat to a crowded excursion.

It is also a good match for people who want a little nature along with their swimming. The mangroves and shipwreck give the route more variety than a simple sandbar trip.

You should think twice if your top priorities are guaranteed drone images, fluent English from every crew member, a specific lunch, or visits to Johnny Cay and La Piscinita. Those expectations do not line up with the stated service.

The trip requires good weather. If poor conditions cancel it, you are offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted.

Should You Book the San Andrés 7 Colors Tour?

Book it if you can share the $300 cost with four or five people and want one private boat day covering several of San Andrés’ best-known water settings. The itinerary has a nice rhythm: mangroves first, beach and wreck views, a long Aquarium stop, the Rose Cay sandbar, open-water snorkeling, and a floating-bar finish.

Before paying, confirm three things: the exact route, the language support, and the included drinks. Bring your own snorkel, beach shoes, pesos, sun protection, lunch money, and a backup plan for drone expectations.

For a small group that values space and flexibility, this is a strong way to see the island from the water. For a couple on a tight budget or a person seeking a fully custom route, a shared or more focused excursion may make better sense.

FAQ

How long does the private marine tour last?

The tour lasts approximately six hours and 30 minutes. It starts at 10:30 am and returns to the police pier in San Andrés.

How many people can join the private boat?

The price covers one private group of up to five people. Only your group participates in the activity.

What drinks and equipment are included?

The tour includes 12 bottles of water, 12 beers, ice in a cooler, snorkeling masks, and a floating mat. A snorkel tube is not included due to health regulations.

Is lunch included?

No. You can bring lunch or buy it at Aquarium, also called Haynes Cay. Lunch is paid separately.

Are drone photos guaranteed?

No. A drone photo or video may be provided on some occasions, but use depends on weather and wind conditions.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If bad weather causes the tour to be canceled, you are offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.