Sport Boat : Rosario Island,lunch on private island

Cartagena’s best escape by water combines a boat ride through the Rosario Islands with a buffet lunch and beach time at Isla del Encanto Resort. You’ll pass San Fernando de Bocachica, see the Rosario chain from the water, snorkel near Isla Grande, and get views of Cholon and Playa Blanca.

I like the mix of activities, especially the private-island stop with a pool and lunch. I also like the small maximum group of 22, which should feel more manageable than the large party boats common in this area. The main caution is value: the reef may disappoint, and drinks, bottled water, and a towel cost extra.

Key points to know before you book

• A full nine-hour day on the water: The schedule begins at 8:30 am and returns to the Todomar CHL Marina in Bocagrande.
• Twenty-seven islands from the boat: The Rosario chain is the scenic heart of the trip, with about two hours spent sailing through it.
• Short snorkeling stop: You get about 25 minutes near Isla Grande, including an area with a sunken plane.
• Private-island lunch and facilities: Isla del Encanto Resort provides buffet lunch, a private beach, and pool access for about two hours.
• Small group, but not a private boat: The maximum is 22 people, a useful middle ground between a custom charter and a crowded excursion.
• Bring your own practical extras: Alcohol, bottled water, and towels are not included.

The day begins at Bocagrande Marina

You meet at Todomar CHL Marina Bocagrande at 8:30 am. The meeting point is in Cartagena’s Bocagrande district, but allow extra time to find the correct marina entrance and check in. One booking problem reported at this operation involved confusion over the pickup arrangement, so I would keep your confirmation available and verify the exact meeting point before the morning of departure.

The boat returns to the same marina after the day’s stops. At roughly nine hours, this is not a quick island hop. You are giving most of your day to the sea, so it makes sense to book this only if you want a full water excursion rather than a short beach visit.

The group limit of 22 is useful. You should have more room to move around than on a large public boat, though this is still a shared outing. The quality of the day can also depend on weather, sea conditions, traffic at popular stops, and the way the operator handles the schedule.

San Fernando de Bocachica adds a short history lesson

The first listed stop is Fuerte de San Fernando de Bocachica, where you get a 15-minute historical look at the fort. Admission is included, and the stop gives the day a little more substance than a straight run to the beaches.

Do not expect a long fort visit. Fifteen minutes is enough for a quick orientation, a few photographs, and some context about Cartagena’s defensive past, but not enough for a detailed tour of the site. I would treat this as a brief introduction rather than the main reason to book.

The fort also helps you see Cartagena from a different angle. The city is famous for its walls and colonial streets, but its maritime defenses mattered just as much. Even a short stop can make the boat route feel connected to the history of the port instead of being only a day at the beach.

Two hours through the Rosario Islands

After the fort, the boat sails through the Rosario Islands, a chain made up of 27 islands. This is one of the most enjoyable parts of the outing for me because you get time to watch the islands pass rather than racing directly between two stops.

The value here is simple: the boat gives you a broad view of the island chain. You can see how quickly Cartagena changes from a city port to open Caribbean water and small island communities. The cruise also breaks up the active parts of the day and gives you time to sit, take photographs, and enjoy the ride.

The practical side matters. A two-hour boat passage can feel long if the water is rough or if you expected constant activities. Bring sun protection and plan for a day exposed to heat and spray. Bottled water is not included, so arrange your drinking water before departure or be ready to buy it along the way.

The islands are popular, and the boat traffic can be part of the experience. You should not expect complete solitude around the busiest areas. Still, the extended cruise is a worthwhile feature if you enjoy seeing the coast from the water instead of spending the entire day in one resort.

Isla Grande brings the snorkeling stop

At Isla Grande del Rosario, the excursion includes about 25 minutes of snorkeling around the coral reef and an area where there is a sunken plane. That is a memorable idea on paper: you get a quick look below the surface and a point of interest beyond ordinary beach swimming.

Keep your expectations measured. Twenty-five minutes is a short snorkeling session, and conditions in the reef area can affect what you see. A poor experience reported from this route described the reef as badly damaged and the water activity as crowded. That does not mean every departure will be the same, but it is a useful warning not to book this as a dedicated marine-life tour.

The sunken plane gives the stop a distinct focus, yet the supplied details do not promise a close or extended exploration. Think of it as a brief introduction to the underwater area. If snorkeling is the main reason you want to visit the Rosario Islands, you may prefer to compare this trip with a specialist excursion that gives more time in the water.

For a mixed group, though, the short length can work well. You get a taste of snorkeling without giving up the rest of the day. I would bring swimwear, sun protection, and any personal snorkeling items you prefer, while confirming with the operator what equipment is supplied, since that detail is not specified here.

Isla del Encanto is the day’s main reward

The central stop is Isla del Encanto Resort, where you spend about two hours. Your admission includes buffet lunch, use of the private beach, and access to the pool. This is the part that gives the trip its clearest value beyond transportation.

A private resort stop provides a more organized break after the morning on the boat. You can eat, swim, sit by the beach, or use the pool without having to search for a place to settle. For many people, that combination will matter more than the short fort visit or the brief snorkeling session.

The lunch is a buffet, but quality appears to be uneven. One particularly unhappy experience described the seafood as poor and complained about small portions presented with ketchup. I would not book this expecting a standout meal. Treat lunch as convenient fuel included in the price, not as a culinary attraction.

Two hours is enough for a meal and some pool or beach time, but it is not a full resort day. If your priority is quiet beach relaxation, the schedule may feel rushed. If you want variety, the timing is sensible because it leaves room for the fort, cruise, snorkeling, and sightseeing.

Cholon and Playa Blanca are viewing stops

The route also includes a panoramic view of Cholon and an observation point for Playa Blanca Baru, one of the area’s most visited public beaches. These stops add recognizable names to the route, but they should not be confused with long beach visits unless the operator confirms otherwise.

Cholon is widely associated with boat-based social activity, while Playa Blanca is known as a busy public beach. The supplied schedule describes panoramic observation, so plan on seeing these places from the boat rather than spending a long period ashore.

This distinction is important. One complaint came from a day when the party-island portion did not happen because that place was closed. The operator apologized and explained that the day’s event conditions had changed the normal operation. I would confirm before departure which stops are operating that day, especially if you are booking for a specific party atmosphere rather than for the Rosario cruise and private-island lunch.

Is $134 a fair price?

At $134 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach the Rosario Islands. The price includes the boat outing, buffet lunch, and access to the private resort facilities. You are also paying for a structured day that links several stops without requiring you to arrange separate transport.

The value is strongest if you will use the full package. Someone who wants a private beach, pool, lunch, a fort view, island scenery, and a short snorkeling stop may find the price reasonable. The value is weaker if you care mainly about snorkeling or a long stretch of uninterrupted beach time.

Extra costs can affect your final budget. Alcoholic drinks, bottled water, and a towel are not included. One bad experience also described complaints about drink pricing, service charges, and credit card fees at stops. I would ask about prices before ordering and check any bill carefully, especially if you are buying drinks for a group.

The 4.8 rating from 41 reviews and recommendation rate of 95 percent suggest that many bookings go well, but the lower ratings point to real risks: meeting confusion, schedule changes, crowded water activities, and food that may not satisfy everyone. A high overall score should not replace checking the details that matter most to you.

How this compares with a custom island day

This excursion suits you if you want one booking to cover the main pieces of a Rosario Islands day. You get transportation, a known lunch stop, a place to swim, and a set route. That removes much of the guesswork, which is useful when you have only a few days in Cartagena.

A custom private boat could give you more control over timing and stops, but it would likely cost more and require more planning. A basic public boat might cost less, though you could lose the private resort lunch and pool access. This experience sits between those choices.

I would choose it for a first visit when you want to sample the islands without spending the whole day planning. I would look elsewhere if you want serious snorkeling, a quiet uncrowded beach, or a guaranteed party-island stop. The excursion offers variety, not deep time at any one activity.

Who will enjoy this trip most?

You are a good match for this outing if you:

• Want a full day away from Cartagena’s city streets
• Enjoy seeing several places in one organized route
• Like having lunch and pool access included
• Prefer a small shared group to a large public boat
• Are satisfied with a short snorkeling session
• Want a mix of history, sightseeing, swimming, and beach time

I would be cautious if you dislike boat travel, need a long snorkeling session, or expect a polished resort meal. You should also think twice if schedule certainty is essential, since closures and special events can change the normal route.

Service animals are allowed, and the activity states that most people can participate. No other detailed accessibility information is provided, so anyone with specific mobility or medical needs should ask the operator before booking.

Booking, cancellation, and simple preparation

Confirmation is provided when you book. Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the 8:30 am start time. Changes or cancellations made inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

I would prepare a small day bag with sun protection, swimwear, dry clothing, and water. A towel is not included. Keep your booking details handy at the marina, and confirm the meeting instructions before leaving your hotel.

Because the trip is commonly reserved about 15 days ahead, book early if your Cartagena dates are fixed. Also confirm the operating stops close to departure, particularly Cholon and any party-related stop, since local events or closures can change the day.

Should you book this Rosario Islands tour?

Book it if you want a broad, convenient introduction to the Rosario Islands and you value the private-island stop more than the snorkeling itself. The two-hour cruise, Isla del Encanto lunch, pool, and private beach give you a well-rounded day, and the 22-person limit is a useful advantage.

Do not book it expecting a premium food experience, untouched reef, or guaranteed party stop. The strongest case for this tour is variety and convenience. The strongest reason to hesitate is that several parts of the day are short, and prices at island stops may require close attention.

For a first island outing, I think it can work well if you set realistic expectations and confirm the route in advance. If your top priority is underwater wildlife or quiet beach time, compare other Rosario options before paying $134.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and finish?

It starts and ends at Todomar CHL Marina Bocagrande, 2nda, in Cartagena de Indias. The scheduled start time is 8:30 am.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately nine hours and returns to the original meeting point.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Buffet lunch at Isla del Encanto Resort is included in the price.

Are drinks and towels included?

No. Alcoholic beverages, bottled water, and a towel are not included.

How many people can join the tour?

The activity has a maximum group size of 22 people.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund.