Boat Tour to Johnny Cay & Aquarium in San Andres Island

The main attraction here is the water. At Cayo Acuario, also called Rose Cay, the sea is shallow enough in places to walk through, with fish visible in the clear water. You get about three hours there, plus roughly two hours at Rocky Cay, making this a full half-day of beaches, swimming, and sun.

I like the simple plan and the chance to visit two of San Andrés’ best-known cays without arranging separate boats. I also like the attentive help some visitors received from Cecilia Forbes, especially when wind or rain forced a change. The main caution is that this is not a fully guided tour, and boats can be basic, wet, and uncomfortable.

Key points to know before booking

• Cayo Acuario gets the longest stop: Plan on about three hours in shallow, clear water with excellent conditions for casual snorkeling.
• Rocky Cay is a beach stop: You get about two hours to relax, swim, eat, or sit by the sea rather than follow a detailed guided program.
• Johnny Cay may not be available: Authorities can close it, and weather can prevent the boat from reaching it.
• Bring water shoes: The Aquarium area is rocky, and walking barefoot can be uncomfortable or unsafe.
• The boat ride is basic: Some people have reported spray, wet bags, and a rough ride when the sea is choppy.
• Budget for extra costs: The price is $39.50 per person, but dock taxes of 15,000 COP per person are not included, and food, drinks, and snorkeling equipment may cost extra.

What this San Andrés boat tour really offers

This is best understood as a half-day island transfer with beach time, not a narrated sightseeing cruise. The boat takes you from Portofino Pier to the cays, staff help with the schedule and practical arrangements, and you spend most of the day enjoying the water at your own pace.

That distinction matters. If you want a guide beside you explaining marine life, leading a formal snorkeling session, or giving a detailed history talk, this may feel too bare-bones. If you want an easy way to reach two beautiful swimming spots, the format is more appealing.

The listed price is $39.50 per person, which can be reasonable for boat transportation to two locations and roughly five hours out on the water. You need to add a 15,000 COP dock tax per person, along with anything you buy for lunch, drinks, or snorkeling. The price makes the most sense if you value convenience and a scheduled outing. It makes less sense if you only want a quick boat ride, since one dissatisfied customer felt a basic transfer elsewhere cost much less.

The group limit is 10 people, which is smaller than a large excursion boat and should make meeting the guide and handling schedule changes easier. Still, the exact boat may vary, and a small group does not necessarily mean a luxurious boat. Reports describe a simple vessel, sometimes with considerable spray when the sea is rough.

Starting at Portofino Pier at 8:30 in the morning

You meet at Muelle Portofino, Cra. 1 #2304, in San Andrés, at 8:30 am. The tour returns to this same point after the island stops.

Arrive ready for sun, wind, and water from the start. Put your phone, wallet, and spare clothes in a genuinely waterproof bag. One person reported a backpack becoming soaked, while another described salt spray hitting the face and causing eye discomfort. That is a small detail that can shape your whole morning, so pack accordingly.

The boat ride is part of the outing, but transportation quality appears to be the weak spot. Some people found the boat simple and uncomfortable, particularly in rougher conditions. One account described a difficult landing when the tide was high, with passengers stepping or jumping into the water. Conditions vary, but you should wear clothing and footwear that can get wet.

The schedule can also shift. One account describes leaving around 30 minutes late, yet still having a pleasant day because the staff organized the stops well. If you have a flight, dinner reservation, or another fixed plan later, leave plenty of room after the stated return time.

Rocky Cay: two hours for swimming and a slow start

The first planned stop is Cayo Rocoso, or Rocky Cay, for about two hours. It is a small rocky cay whose appeal is simple: blue water, beach time, and a break from the main island.

Do not expect a packed sightseeing program here. You can use the time to swim, sit in the sand, eat or drink if you have purchased something, and enjoy the setting. This stop works well as a relaxed first pause, especially if you prefer not to rush from one activity to another.

The two-hour stay is long enough to settle in without taking up the whole morning. It also gives you time to enjoy the place at your own pace, which is useful because the tour is not built around constant guide commentary. You are not being hurried from one photo stop to the next.

The drawback is that Rocky Cay can feel like a beach stop rather than a tour stop. If you need historical facts, structured activities, or a guide leading you around, there may not be enough here. The appeal is the setting, not a long list of things to do.

There is also a second dock charge listed for Rocky Key at 15,000 COP per person. Since the information gives both a general dock tax and a Rocky Key dock tax, confirm at booking exactly which charges apply to your departure and stops. That is better than treating the advertised base price as the full cost.

Cayo Acuario: shallow water, fish, and rocky footing

The second stop is Cayo Acuario, also called Rose Cay, and it receives about three hours. This is the star of the outing for many people because the water is very shallow in places, close to one meter deep, and clear enough to see fish from near shore.

The name Aquarium makes sense as a description of the setting. You may be able to walk through the water while watching fish around you, and one account described the snorkeling as among the best they had experienced because visibility was so good. You do not need to spend the entire stop in the water. The area also works for sitting, sunbathing, and taking in the sea.

Bring water shoes. The Aquarium area is described as very rocky, and walking barefoot can be painful. Water shoes also give you better footing when getting off the boat or moving through shallow water.

Snorkeling equipment is the biggest practical question. Equipment may be offered for an extra charge, but one person paid for gear and could not use it because the mouthpiece was not available. The safest approach is to bring your own mask and snorkel if you have them, or confirm before departure exactly what equipment is supplied and what it costs.

You may see stingrays and small, non-biting sharks in the water. The presence of wildlife is part of the appeal, but keep your distance and follow the guide’s instructions. The information does not promise a formal wildlife presentation, so think of this as a natural swimming area rather than a managed aquarium attraction.

The water is not always easy to cross. On a day with stronger tides, one person could not walk across to another small island and instead used a glass-bottom boat option. That detail is useful: the shallow-water setting can change with tide and weather. Do not assume you will be able to walk everywhere shown in photos.

Johnny Cay, Rocky Cay, and changing island plans

The tour is described as a trip to Johnny Cay and the Aquarium, while the detailed stop information names Rocky Cay and Cayo Acuario. In practice, this means you should confirm the exact route and island names before departure.

Johnny Cay can be closed by authorities. When that happens, the boat may not visit it, even if it is part of the expected plan. Weather can also stop the boat from reaching one or both islands. One couple had Johnny Cay closed but still considered the day worthwhile, while another outing substituted the Aquarium and a mangrove area when wind and rain made the original route unsafe.

This is not a minor point. San Andrés is surrounded by open water, and operators cannot control closures, high winds, rain, or rough seas. The provider may offer a different date, an alternative stop, or a refund when poor weather cancels the activity. If Johnny Cay is your main reason for booking, ask about its current status before you leave the pier.

The strongest response to weather changes seems to come when staff communicate clearly. Cecilia Forbes is specifically noted as helping with timing, route changes, and practical advice. She has also been described as able to assist in English. That can make a difference when plans change quickly.

The guide’s role and the level of independence

The tour includes qualified personnel and an internal tour of the bay, but it is not presented as a continuous guided walk. You should expect staff to help organize boarding, transportation, and the schedule, then give you free time on the cays.

Cecilia Forbes has been singled out for being attentive, organized, and helpful with suggestions for other places to visit in San Andrés. Her role appears particularly useful when conditions force a change. Still, the quality of a day on the water depends partly on the boat crew, the sea, and the number of other boats at each stop.

I like this arrangement if you want independence. You can decide how much time to spend swimming or sitting without following a guide’s flag around the beach. I would choose a different product if you want a formal lesson in snorkeling or a detailed commentary at every stop.

What to pack for a more comfortable day

A few items can turn this from an awkward boat outing into a pleasant one:

• Water shoes: The Aquarium area is rocky, and bare feet are not ideal.
• Your own snorkeling mask and snorkel: Supplied equipment may not be complete or usable.
• A waterproof bag: Boat spray can soak backpacks and clothing.
• Sunscreen and a hat: You will spend much of the day exposed to sun near or in the water.
• A towel and dry change of clothes: The boat and sea may leave you wet.
• Cash for dock fees and purchases: The 15,000 COP dock tax per person is extra, and food and drinks are not included.
• A flexible attitude: Weather and authorities can change the route.

I would also keep valuables to a minimum. The supplied information does not promise dry storage or secure lockers, and a wet boat ride is not the time to carry unnecessary electronics.

Who gets the best value from this outing

This tour suits couples, friends, solo visitors, and families who want a straightforward day by the sea. Most people can participate, and the group is limited to 10, but the boat transfer and water entry may feel awkward for anyone who has difficulty boarding, stepping into shallow water, or handling a moving boat.

It is a good match for you if your priority is clear water, beach time, and snorkeling rather than cultural explanation. It also helps if you prefer a prearranged route instead of negotiating with boats at the pier.

You may want another option if comfort is your top concern. The boat has been described as basic, with spray and hard landings possible. You may also want another plan if you need a guaranteed visit to Johnny Cay, since closures are outside the operator’s control.

The booking pattern suggests people often arrange this about 20 days ahead. That is useful for planning, but it does not protect you from weather changes or island closures. Check the forecast and confirm the meeting details before the day of departure.

Should you book the Rocky Cay and Aquarium boat tour?

Book it if you want a convenient half-day on San Andrés’ clearest water, especially at Cayo Acuario. The combination of a small group, two island stops, and several hours of unstructured beach time can be good value at $39.50, provided you add the dock tax and bring the right gear.

Book with realistic expectations. This is mainly a boat ride and island visit, not a full guided tour. Bring water shoes, your own snorkeling equipment if possible, a waterproof bag, and enough flexibility to accept a substitute route. If you need a polished boat, guaranteed Johnny Cay access, or formal guiding, choose carefully. If you want simple sea time and can handle a basic boat, this outing offers a practical way to see San Andrés from the water.

FAQ

How long does the boat tour last?

The activity lasts approximately five hours, including the boat transportation and time at the island stops.

Where does the tour begin?

It begins at Muelle Portofino, Cra. 1 #2304, in San Andrés, San Andrés and Providencia, Colombia.

What time does the tour start?

The scheduled start time is 8:30 am.

Where does the tour finish?

The tour ends back at the Portofino meeting point.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $39.50 per person.

Are dock taxes included?

No. A dock tax of 15,000 COP per person is listed, and a separate 15,000 COP per-person charge for Rocky Key is also shown. Confirm the applicable charges before departure.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included in the tour price.

How much time is spent at each stop?

The planned schedule gives about two hours at Rocky Cay and about three hours at Cayo Acuario, also called Rose Cay.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund. The activity requires good weather.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours in advance are not accepted for a refund.