Sport Boat : Rosario Island,lunch on private island

The best part of this day is the mix of open-water sightseeing and a private-island stop. You sail past Bocachica and the Rosario Islands, snorkel near a coral reef and sunken plane, then settle in for buffet lunch, pool time, and a beach afternoon at Isla del Encanto Resort.

I like the small maximum group of 22 and the fact that lunch and resort access are included. I also like the route’s variety: historic fort, island views, snorkeling, and quick looks at Cholón and Playa Blanca. The weak point is that conditions can change, and the snorkeling, food, crowds, and service may not match the price on every departure.

Key points to know before booking

• Isla del Encanto is the main comfort stop: Your included lunch, private beach access, and pool time happen at the resort.
• The boat visits several famous Cartagena sights: You pass Bocachica, the Rosario Islands, Cholón, and Playa Blanca.
• Snorkeling lasts about 25 minutes: The activity takes place near Isla Grande, by a coral reef and a sunken plane.
• The group is limited to 22 people: That is smaller than many island boats, though the public stops can still feel crowded.
• Bring your own water and towel: Alcohol, bottled water, and towels are not included.
• The day is sensitive to local conditions: A marathon, a closed party island, or changes at a stop can affect the plan.

A nine-hour boat day from Cartagena

This tour begins at 8:30 am at Todomar CHL Marina Bocagrande2nda in Cartagena. You return to the same marina at the end of the day, with the full outing lasting about nine hours.

That timing matters. This is not a quick island shuttle or a simple beach transfer. You spend much of the day moving between stops, so it works best if you want to see several parts of the Cartagena coast rather than sit in one place from morning to afternoon.

The boat carries a maximum of 22 people. I consider that a useful limit for a group excursion. It should make boarding, listening to instructions, and moving between the boat and water easier than on a large party vessel. Still, the popular public areas around the Rosario Islands can be busy once you arrive, regardless of the size of your own group.

The meeting point deserves attention. Go to Todomar CHL Marina in Bocagrande2nda, not simply to a general area around Bocagrande. One especially difficult outing involved confusion over the meeting location and a booking transfer problem. Give yourself time to find the exact marina and have your booking confirmation ready.

Bocachica Fort and the first views from the water

The first named stop is Fuerte de San Fernando de Bocachica, with about 15 minutes for a historical look at the fort. Admission is included, so there is no separate ticket to arrange.

Fifteen minutes is short. Think of this as a photo and orientation stop, not a full fort visit. You will have time to see the setting and hear a brief account of its history, but not enough for a slow examination of every part of the structure.

That short pause still adds something important to the day. Cartagena is often treated as a city of beaches and nightlife, yet its coastal routes are tied to defense and shipping. Seeing Bocachica from the boat gives the island outing a little historical shape before the focus shifts to swimming and snorkeling.

If your priority is a long guided fort tour, this schedule will disappoint. If you want a quick cultural stop before the water activities, it fits well.

Sailing through all 27 Rosario Islands

The boat then moves through the Rosario Islands, an archipelago made up of 27 islands. This portion lasts about two hours and is mainly a scenic cruise.

You should expect changing views of small islands, water, boats, and coastal homes or resorts, though the exact feel of the ride depends on the weather and sea conditions. The value here is not a single attraction. It is the chance to see the island group from the water instead of rushing straight to one beach.

Two hours can feel long if you are hoping to reach the resort quickly. It can also be one of the more enjoyable parts of the day if you like boat travel and want a broad look at the area. Bring sun protection and be ready for an exposed ride. Bottled water is not supplied, so plan for that before departure.

The route also includes a panoramic view of Cholón. This is a well-known party and boat area, but the supplied schedule does not promise a full stop there. Treat it as a passing view rather than a guaranteed beach or party session.

That distinction is important because expectations can shape the whole day. One departure did not reach the party island because it was closed. If Cholón or a party stop is your main reason for booking, this is not the safest choice. The tour’s central plan is the Rosario Islands, snorkeling, and Isla del Encanto.

Isla Grande snorkeling by a coral reef and sunken plane

At Isla Grande del Rosario, the boat stops for about 25 minutes of snorkeling. The site includes a coral reef and an area with a sunken plane.

The sunken plane gives this short water stop a clear point of interest. It is more distinctive than simply swimming near shore, and it gives you something specific to look for in the water. The reef adds a natural feature to the activity, though you should keep your expectations sensible.

The quality of the snorkeling can vary. One particularly negative outing found the reef in poor condition and the nearby plankton boats too crowded. That does not mean every departure will look the same, but it does mean this should not be booked as a specialist snorkeling trip. The activity is only about 25 minutes, and the reef environment may not feel pristine.

For you, the practical question is simple: do you want a brief taste of snorkeling as part of a wider day, or do you want a full marine excursion with a long water session? This tour suits the first purpose. Bring any personal swim equipment you prefer, though the supplied information does not confirm what equipment is provided.

Be realistic about boat traffic and shared water stops. The Rosario Islands are popular, and a famous site can feel busy. The boat’s 22-person limit helps your own group, but it cannot control the number of other boats in the area.

Two hours at Isla del Encanto Resort

The longest settled stop is Isla del Encanto Resort, where you have about two hours. This is the part of the tour designed to slow the day down.

Your included admission covers access to the resort, where you can use the private beach and pool and eat a buffet lunch. That combination is a real benefit. After a morning on a boat, a planned place to sit, swim, and eat is more comfortable than being dropped at an open public beach with no clear base.

The private beach wording also matters. It does not mean the whole island belongs to your group, but it gives you a designated resort setting rather than only a brief stop at a public shore. The pool provides a second option if the sea is busy or you simply want a break from salt water.

Lunch is included, but the food deserves a cautious assessment. One strong complaint described poor-quality food, including seafood pieces served with ketchup in a plastic cup. That may not represent every meal, but it is enough to keep expectations modest. The included buffet is useful for convenience and value, not a reason to book this as a food tour.

Two hours goes quickly once you account for getting off the boat, finding lunch, eating, and changing between the beach and pool. You may have time for a relaxed swim and some sitting around, but do not expect a full resort day.

Alcoholic drinks and bottled water cost extra. Towels are also not included. Pack a towel and bring water or budget for buying drinks. Credit card charges and service fees have also caused frustration on at least one outing, so ask about prices before ordering anything beyond the included lunch.

The quick views of Cholón and Playa Blanca

The route includes a panoramic view of Cholón and the chance to observe Playa Blanca Barú, one of the area’s best-known public beaches.

These are sightseeing moments, not clearly defined full beach visits. You may get a good look from the boat and a sense of how popular these places are, but the schedule does not promise extended time on either shore.

That is useful if you want a broad introduction to Cartagena’s island circuit. It is less useful if you want to spend most of the day at Playa Blanca. The beach can be visually appealing, but the public setting may also be busy, and the tour gives you a more controlled base at Isla del Encanto instead.

This balance is one of the tour’s better design choices. You see famous public places without giving up your longer resort stop. The tradeoff is that you do not get deep time at each location.

Is the $134 price fair?

At $134 per person, the price is not cheap for a Cartagena boat day. The value depends on what you would otherwise pay for transport, lunch, a beach base, and island activities.

You receive a full-day boat excursion, the fort and island route, a snorkeling stop, buffet lunch, resort access, a private beach, and a pool. For someone who wants all of those elements arranged in one booking, the package can make sense. The group cap of 22 also adds value compared with an unstructured public boat ride.

The price feels less convincing if your priorities are only snorkeling or only a beach. The water activity is short, the reef may be underwhelming, and the food has drawn serious criticism. You also need to pay separately for alcohol and bottled water, and towels are not supplied.

I would compare this with the cost of a simple Rosario Islands transfer before booking. If you mainly want a quiet beach and clear water, another boat option might give you more time in one place. If you want a mixed itinerary with lunch and resort facilities, the included extras help justify the cost.

The tour has an overall rating of 4.8 from 41 ratings, with 95 percent recommending it. That is a strong record, but the low ratings reveal the risks clearly: unclear meeting arrangements, late starts caused by city events, closed attractions, crowded public stops, poor food, and extra charges.

Timing, service, and the risk of an altered day

The operator is Vip Tour Cartagena. Confirmation is issued at booking, and free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund.

The most practical warning concerns changing city conditions. One outing started late because of the Ironman marathon in Cartagena. That delay was understandable, but it changed the rhythm of the day. Another outing did not reach the party island because it was closed, and the group felt that this should have been explained before departure.

You should ask before booking whether every advertised panoramic view and optional-feeling stop is operating on your date. The information supplied here does not name individual guides, so you should not book based on expecting a particular guide.

Service at the start has also been uneven. A booking-system mistake caused a transfer problem for one departure, although the situation improved later in the day. This is a reminder to arrive early and confirm where to meet instead of assuming the marina name will be obvious.

Who will enjoy this Cartagena excursion?

I would recommend this tour most strongly to you if you want a varied island day and prefer having lunch, a pool, and a beach base arranged in advance.

It is a good fit for:

• First-time visitors who want a broad look at the Rosario Islands
• Couples and families who value a resort stop over a full party boat
• People who enjoy a little history, sightseeing, snorkeling, and beach time in one day
• Anyone comfortable with a set schedule and a nine-hour outing
• Visitors who do not want to organize separate boat transport and lunch

I would be more careful recommending it to serious snorkelers, people seeking a quiet and uncrowded island, or anyone mainly interested in Cholón nightlife. The snorkeling is brief, public sites may be busy, and the plan can change when local conditions affect the route.

Bring a towel, sunscreen, and enough water for the day. Keep some money available for drinks and possible extras. Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed, but the supplied information does not give detailed mobility guidance for the boat or island stops.

Should you book this tour?

Book it if you want convenience and variety more than perfect snorkeling or a luxury meal. The fort, island cruise, sunken-plane snorkeling stop, resort pool, private beach, and included lunch create a full day with plenty of change.

Skip it if the $134 price needs to deliver a quiet beach, excellent seafood, or a serious reef experience. In that case, the short snorkeling stop, variable food quality, public crowds, and possible schedule changes could leave you disappointed.

Before paying, confirm the exact meeting point at Todomar CHL Marina, ask what stops are operating on your date, and remember that Cholón and Playa Blanca are listed as views rather than guaranteed long visits. With those expectations in place, this can be a convenient introduction to Cartagena’s island circuit. Without them, the day may feel expensive for what you actually receive.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin and end?

The tour begins at Todomar CHL Marina Bocagrande2nda in Cartagena. It ends back at the same meeting point.

What time does the tour start?

The scheduled start time is 8:30 am, and the total duration is approximately nine hours.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 22 people.

Is lunch included?

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

Are drinks and towels included?

No. Alcoholic beverages, bottled water, and towels are not included.

How long is the snorkeling activity?

The snorkeling stop at Isla Grande del Rosario lasts about 25 minutes. It takes place near a coral reef and an area with a sunken plane.

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 the start are not accepted for a refund.