One amazing day in a private recent sailing boat in the Tayrona Park. The best sail trip from Santa Marta!

The best part of this private Tayrona sailing trip is the freedom. You are not following a crowded group schedule. Thierry and Amy-Esther set the day around your group, then take you by sailboat toward Bahia Concha, where you can swim, snorkel, paddleboard, sunbathe, or simply enjoy the sea.

I like the quiet, personal feel, especially for families or two groups of friends sharing the boat. I also like the easy access to the water: the rear swim platform makes getting in and out simple, and the boat has snorkeling gear, paddleboards, coolers, and space to relax. The main consideration is price. At $790 per group of up to 12, it makes much better sense for a full group than for only one or two people.

What makes this sailing day special

• A private boat for up to 12 people: Your group has the whole experience to itself, with no strangers joining the trip.
• Bahia Concha near Tayrona: You spend the main part of the day in a scenic bay, with time for swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, and beach time.
• A couple who host the boat: Thierry and Amy-Esther handle the sailing and spend the day helping shape the experience around your group.
• A real sailing return: The trip back begins around 3:30 p.m., with the boat returning toward the marina under sail when conditions allow.
• Good family appeal: The boat offers a stable base, simple water access, snacks, and several ways to enjoy the bay without a rigid program.
• Weather and park closures matter: The captain may choose another bay, and Tayrona access is suspended during three set periods each year.

Leaving Santa Marta at 10:30 a.m.

You meet at Alquiler de Yates Santa Marta, at Cra. 1 #22-93 in Comuna 2, and return to the same point at the end of the day. The scheduled start is 10:30 a.m., and the full experience lasts about seven and a half hours.

That timing gives you a leisurely morning rather than a dawn start. You can reach the marina using public transportation, and the departure point is near transit links. Confirmation arrives when you book, so you have the basic meeting details in hand before sailing day.

I would arrive with enough time to find the marina without rushing. A private trip is relaxed once you are aboard, but a late arrival can cut into a day that already has a fixed return window.

The boat is available only to your group. That matters more than it may seem. You can decide how much time to spend swimming, how long to sit in the sun, and how much conversation or quiet you want. With a mixed-age family, this flexibility is especially useful because not everyone needs to do the same thing at once.

Sailing past Santa Marta toward Tayrona

The first part of the day is about the journey itself. As you leave Santa Marta, you get changing views of the coast from the water rather than from a road or beach. The appeal is not a list of monuments. It is the feeling of moving at a slower pace, with the coast and sea providing the scenery.

The crew also keeps an eye out for marine life. You might be lucky enough to fish or see dolphins alongside the boat. Dolphins are never guaranteed, of course, but the possibility gives the outward trip a little excitement without turning it into a wildlife chase.

The crew’s attitude is a key part of the experience. Thierry and Amy-Esther are described as warm, multilingual hosts who make an effort to adjust the day to the people aboard. That can mean finding a quieter place for swimming or helping your group balance active time with rest.

Still, sailing depends on the weather. The boat may not move at the same speed or follow the exact route you picture from the map. This is a day for enjoying the water, not for treating the schedule as a promise of perfect wind or a guaranteed sighting.

Bahia Concha around noon

The main stop is Bahia Concha, reached at around 12 p.m. This is where the outing shifts from sailing to a full afternoon by the water.

You can swim from the boat, use the provided snorkeling equipment, take a paddleboard, or sit on the beach. The rear swim platform is one of the most practical features. It gives you a direct way into the sea and a place to climb back aboard without awkwardly hauling yourself over the side.

You can also jump from the sailboat if that suits your group. I would treat that as an optional extra rather than the focus of the day. Some people will want the thrill, while others will prefer the platform, a paddleboard, or a quiet swim.

Bahia Concha is appealing because the boat acts as your base. You do not need to carry your own snorkeling setup from one activity to another, and you can return aboard for shade, food, or a rest. The exact water conditions will affect how enjoyable snorkeling or paddleboarding feels, so keep your plans flexible.

The stop also has a practical limitation: it may not be the bay you visit. If weather makes the planned destination unsuitable, the captain can change the route. That is the right call for safety, even if you had your heart set on Bahia Concha.

Snorkeling, paddleboarding, and quiet time

This is not a sightseeing cruise where you spend the day looking over the rail. The value comes from having several ways to use the same stop.

The snorkeling equipment is included, which saves you from arranging gear separately. You can spend time looking beneath the surface, then switch to a paddleboard or swim. If you are with children or a mixed group, this variety helps keep the day moving without forcing everyone into one activity.

The setting also works well for people who would rather not be active all afternoon. You can sunbathe, sit on the boat, or enjoy the view from the bay. The private format means you do not have to match another group’s energy.

I especially like this balance for families and two-family groups. One person can snorkel while another relaxes on deck. The boat gives everyone a place to regroup, and the large swim platform makes repeated trips into the water easier.

Do not expect an organized lesson in snorkeling or paddleboarding. The supplied information promises equipment and access, not formal instruction. If you are not comfortable in the water, tell the crew and choose the activity that feels right for you.

Lunch, snacks, and drinks aboard

A fresh sandwich is served aboard the boat. Snacks and one drink are also included, giving you something to eat during the day without having to leave the bay to find lunch.

You can buy additional drinks on board, including beer, wine, and rum. Coolers are available if needed. That gives your group some flexibility, although the included meal is simple rather than a full restaurant-style lunch.

I would think of the food as convenient fuel for a day outdoors. It keeps the schedule intact and means you can continue swimming or relaxing instead of spending the best hours searching for a meal. If your group has particular dietary needs, the provided information does not specify what sandwich is served or how special requests are handled, so ask before booking.

The drinks policy is useful for a private group, but remember that the boat is still moving and the day includes swimming. Keep the water activities and alcohol separate enough to stay safe and comfortable.

The sail back at 3:30 p.m.

At about 3:30 p.m., the return to the marina begins. The afternoon light and calmer mood make this a fitting final part of the day. After several hours at the bay, you can settle in, talk with your group, and watch the coast pass from the boat.

The return is planned as a sailing trip, though wind and weather will determine how much sailing is possible. I like that the journey home is part of the experience rather than a rushed transfer after the main stop.

You should arrive back at the original meeting point after roughly seven and a half hours total. Since the tour has a defined return, keep that in mind when arranging dinner or evening plans in Santa Marta. Allow a little extra breathing room rather than booking something immediately after the scheduled end.

How the $790 price works for your group

The price is $790 for up to 12 people. That is a high total for a couple, but it works out to about $66 per person for a full group of 12. For six people, it is about $132 each. For four, it is about $198 each.

Those figures help explain who gets the best value. A full family group, birthday party, or two families sharing the boat can spread the cost across many people while keeping the private format. A couple can still enjoy a special day, but the cost per person is much harder to justify compared with a shared boat trip.

The price includes the private boat, the crew, snorkeling equipment, paddleboard access, snacks, one drink, the sandwich, and the seven-hour-plus time commitment. It does not appear to include extra drinks purchased aboard, so budget for those separately if you want them.

I would book this for the privacy and flexibility, not simply for transportation to a beach. If your priority is the cheapest way to reach Tayrona, another option may suit you better. If your priority is a relaxed day with your own people, the numbers become more reasonable.

Tayrona closure dates and alternate bays

Access to Tayrona Park is suspended during these periods:

• February 1 through February 15
• June 1 through June 15
• October 19 through November 2

During those dates, the boat offers another destination, such as Playa Blanca, Inca Inca, or Taganga. This is important when planning a trip around Tayrona. You can still have a day on the water, but you should not book expecting Bahia Concha or another Tayrona bay during a closure.

Weather can also change the route. The captain may select a different bay if conditions make the planned destination unsuitable. That flexibility protects the day from becoming unsafe, but it also means you should think of the trip as a private coastal sailing experience rather than a guaranteed visit to one exact beach.

Who will enjoy this boat trip most

I would recommend this experience to:

• Families who want swimming, snacks, and several activity choices
• Friends sharing the cost of a private boat
• Couples looking for a quiet day and who do not mind the higher price
• People who prefer a flexible schedule over a fixed group program
• Anyone who wants snorkeling and paddleboarding without arranging separate equipment

It may be less suitable if you want a packed sightseeing schedule, a formal snorkeling lesson, or a guaranteed destination regardless of weather. It is also not the strongest value for a very small group unless the private setting matters greatly to you.

The activity is near public transportation, and most people can participate. The supplied details do not give specific accessibility information for the boat, so ask the provider about boarding and movement aboard if anyone in your group has mobility needs.

Booking advice and cancellation terms

This experience is often booked about three weeks ahead, with an average lead time of 21 days. I would reserve early if you need a certain date, particularly for a full group of 10 to 12 people.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not refunded or accepted. The cut-off follows local time.

Because good weather is required, the provider may cancel the trip in poor conditions. In that case, you are offered another date or a full refund. That is another reason not to build an inflexible schedule around the boat.

Should you book the Santa Marta sailing day?

Book it if you want a private, unhurried day on the sea and have enough people to share the $790 cost. The strongest reasons are the personal hosting from Thierry and Amy-Esther, the choice of water activities, the easy rear swim platform, and the chance to find a quieter bay instead of following a crowded program.

For a couple, I would pause over the price. For a family group or two families, I see much better value. Check the Tayrona closure dates, keep your route flexible because of weather, and allow extra time around the 10:30 a.m. departure and afternoon return.

If that tradeoff suits you, this is one of Santa Marta’s more relaxed ways to spend a full day outdoors, with enough structure to make things easy and enough freedom to make the day feel like your own.

FAQ

Where does the sailing trip begin and end?

It begins at Alquiler de Yates Santa Marta, Cra. 1 #22-93, Comuna 2, Santa Marta, Magdalena, Colombia. The activity returns to the same meeting point.

What time does the boat leave?

The scheduled start time is 10:30 a.m.

How long does the experience last?

The sailing day lasts approximately seven hours and 30 minutes.

How many people can join the private boat?

The price covers one private group of up to 12 people.

What is included during the water activities?

Snorkeling equipment is provided, and the boat also has a paddleboard and a large rear swim platform for easier access to the sea.

Is food included?

Yes. A fresh sandwich, snacks, and one drink are included.

Can I buy extra drinks on the boat?

Yes. Beer, wine, rum, and other drinks can be purchased aboard. Coolers are available if needed.

What happens if the weather is poor or Tayrona Park is closed?

The captain may choose another bay if weather prevents access to the planned destination. Tayrona access is suspended from February 1 to 15, June 1 to 15, and October 19 to November 2. Alternative destinations can include Playa Blanca, Inca Inca, or Taganga. If poor weather causes the experience to be canceled, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.