Cartagena: Rosario Islands Catamaran with Lunch and Snorkel

The most important thing to know is this: you do not generally go ashore on the Rosario Islands. The catamaran anchors at two beautiful spots, where you swim and snorkel straight from the boat. That makes this a relaxed day on the water, not an island sightseeing tour.

I like the large, comfortable boat and the fact that you can find both shade and sun. I also like the unusually generous food and drink package: a fruit welcome drink, a snack, lunch, and unlimited non-alcoholic drinks are included. The main drawback is the long ride, plus open-water swimming instead of a proper beach stop.

Key things to know before you book

• Two swim stops: You jump from the catamaran into clear water rather than walking onto a beach.
• Lunch is a real meal: Choose seafood, chicken, or vegetables with rice, then help yourself to salad and dessert.
• Free drinks all day: Soft drinks, juices, lemonade, and mineral water are included.
• A spacious catamaran: There are seats in both sun and shade, clean toilets, and room to move around.
• A relaxed party mood: Music and some dancing add energy, but this is not one of Cartagena’s wild party boats.
• Bring payment cards: Extra onboard purchases, including alcohol, can only be paid for by credit or debit card.

Leaving Cartagena from Bodeguita Dock

Your day begins at Bodeguita Dock, Door 1, directly in front of Cartagena’s walled city. The port can be confusing at first. Lines form outside, and several boats leave from the same general area, so arrive early and allow time to find the correct queue.

This is one of the few parts of the outing that can feel disorganized. Once you reach the private waiting area, the process becomes calmer. The boat leaves promptly, so do not cut the timing close. You will need to provide each passenger’s full name, birth date, passport or identity number, and address when booking.

The catamaran is large enough that the group does not usually feel cramped, even when close to 100 people are onboard. You can settle into a shaded seat, find a place in the sun, or move around to watch Cartagena recede behind you.

A fresh fruit welcome drink starts the trip. A mid-morning snack follows, which is useful because the ride to the swimming areas takes time. The boat travels by a mixture of sailing and motor power, though the wind and weather determine how much actual sailing you get. If you picture a quiet yacht gliding under sail for the entire day, adjust that expectation.

The ride toward Rosario and San Bernardo

The Rosario and San Bernardo Corals National Natural Park lies offshore from Cartagena. The journey is part of the experience, but it is also the least active part of the day. The crossing can take roughly two and a half hours, depending on the route and conditions, so this tour works best for you if you enjoy sitting outside, watching the sea, listening to music, and letting the day unfold slowly.

The boat provides soft drinks, juices, lemonade, and mineral water throughout the excursion. That is a useful inclusion in Cartagena’s heat. You do not have to keep buying bottled drinks every time you feel thirsty, and the lemonade has earned particular praise for being worth trying.

Alcohol is not included, but you can purchase it from the bar. Bring a credit or debit card because onboard payments for extras are card-only. Food and drinks from outside are not allowed, so do not plan to bring your own lunch or cooler.

The mood is usually easygoing. Music plays on the boat, and the return trip can become livelier, with some dancing and a festive atmosphere. Still, this is generally calmer than Cartagena’s dedicated party boats. Families and people who want a social day without nonstop noise should find the balance comfortable, though music volume can sometimes feel high if you prefer quiet.

Two open-water stops, not an island tour

The main activity is swimming off the back or side of the catamaran. The first stop usually places you in clear, warm water with time to swim, float, and use the provided snorkeling equipment. In some conditions, you may see tropical fish and coral. In others, the underwater scene is less impressive.

That variation matters. This is not a specialist snorkeling expedition, and the reefs are not guaranteed to look spectacular every day. Several accounts describe the snorkeling as pleasant but modest, with only a few fish visible. If your main goal is serious reef viewing, choose a dedicated snorkeling trip instead.

The water itself is the star. You get a refreshing break from Cartagena’s heat, and the wide sea gives you more room than many crowded beach clubs. The crew provides life jackets and masks, but fins are not included, so stronger swimmers may notice their absence.

The second stop may be near land, and some people can swim close to a sandy shore. However, the boat does not consistently take you onto a beach. This is why the wording of the trip can cause confusion. You may see white sand and turquoise water, but you should not expect to walk onto an idyllic beach, set up on the sand, or explore an island village.

Each stop can last around an hour, though exact timings may change. The captain can adjust the route for wind, waves, safety, or other conditions. Listen for the horn before departure, and keep an eye on the boat rather than wandering far from it.

Open-water swimming also requires a little self-awareness. If you are not a confident swimmer, use the life jacket and stay near the boat. One person reported a jellyfish sting, so watch the water and follow crew instructions. The crew is prepared to assist swimmers, but the sea is not a swimming pool.

Snorkeling expectations and equipment

Snorkeling gear is included, which saves you from renting a mask at the dock. You can look for small tropical fish and coral around the anchor points, but visibility and marine life depend on the day.

You may find the snorkeling fun and refreshing rather than dramatic. Some people see colorful fish, while others see very little. The short stops also limit how far you can explore. I would treat the mask as a pleasant extra, not the sole reason to book the trip.

The lack of fins is worth repeating. Without them, swimming against a current takes more effort, and you may not travel far from the catamaran. That is not a major issue for casual snorkeling, but it matters if you are hoping to cover a large reef area.

You should bring a towel, sunscreen, and a credit card. Reapply sunscreen often, especially on the boat, where wind can disguise how much sun you are getting. The combination of reflected light from the sea and a long day outdoors can catch you quickly.

Lunch prepared onboard

Lunch is one of the strongest parts of this outing. The crew serves a choice of seafood, chicken, or vegetables with rice, along with a salad buffet and dessert. Portions are generous, and the food is prepared onboard rather than handed out as a token snack.

The seafood rice receives especially strong praise, but the vegetarian and vegan options are also available. The salad buffet gives you something fresh alongside the main dish, and you can return for more salad even if the main plate is already filling.

The meal is served while the boat begins the return journey. That timing works well. After swimming, you can dry off, settle into a shaded seat, and eat as Cartagena gradually comes back into view.

This is a better food setup than you might expect from a boat excursion. It does not turn the trip into a culinary tour, but the meal adds real value to the $107 price. You are not paying only for transport and a swim stop. You are also receiving a substantial lunch, a snack, park fees, boarding fees, equipment, and a full supply of non-alcoholic drinks.

The return to Cartagena

The trip back is often the liveliest stretch. The catamaran may pick up speed, and wind can send spray over the front or sides of the boat. Some people love this part because it adds a little excitement after a calm morning. If you want to stay dry, choose a sheltered seat and keep a towel handy.

Music may become more prominent, and dancing can break out. The atmosphere is social but not usually excessive. If you want a peaceful return, move away from the main music area and sit in the shade.

The full outing lasts 450 minutes, or about seven and a half hours. Actual return time can shift with weather and the captain’s decisions, and one outing returned earlier than expected. Do not schedule an important evening activity too tightly against the boat’s arrival.

The onboard toilets are maintained and practical. They are still boat toilets, so you should use them with normal expectations, but having clean facilities matters during a full day away from shore.

Is $107 a good value?

At $107 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach the Rosario area. You can find simpler boat outings, beach club packages, and faster island transfers. The better question is what you want included.

Here, the price covers the catamaran cruise, park fees, boarding fees, snorkeling equipment, a welcome drink, a snack, lunch, and unlimited non-alcoholic drinks. You also get a spacious boat with shaded and sunny seating, toilets, and a bar for paid alcoholic drinks.

That package makes the cost reasonable if you value comfort and convenience. You do not need to arrange separate transport, find lunch on an island, or rent snorkeling gear. The boat also gives you a more relaxed base than a small speedboat, where the ride can feel rougher and seating more limited.

The value is weaker if you mainly want to spend time on a beach. Since the catamaran normally remains offshore, you are paying for the ride, the swimming, the meal, and the mood rather than an island visit.

I would compare it this way:

• Choose this catamaran for comfort, food, open-water swimming, and a full day at sea.
• Choose a beach club trip if you want loungers, dry land, and a shore-based lunch.
• Choose a specialist snorkeling trip if underwater sights matter more than the boat ride.
• Choose a smaller boat if you want a faster, more flexible route and do not mind a bumpier experience.

Who will enjoy this catamaran most?

This is a good match for you if you want to escape Cartagena’s heat and spend a day outdoors without planning every detail. Couples, families, groups of friends, and solo visitors who like a social setting should all find something to enjoy.

You should be comfortable with a long ride and open-water swimming. The boat is wheelchair accessible, but the swimming stops involve getting into the sea from the catamaran, so check your own mobility needs before booking.

The tour also suits people who want music and company but do not want a full party cruise. The atmosphere can become festive, especially on the way home, yet the main rhythm is still swim, eat, rest, and watch the sea.

It is less suitable if you need detailed guiding at every stop. Announcements are listed in Spanish, and one account noted that English was also used onboard. Still, the focus is on the boat experience rather than a running explanation of the islands, reefs, or local communities. Do not expect a named guide or a long interpretation of each place, as no guide names are provided and the tour is not presented as a history-focused excursion.

Practical tips for a smoother day

Arrive early at Bodeguita Dock and look for Door 1. The port entrance can be crowded and confusing, so give yourself time to find the correct line.

Wear a swimsuit under your clothes and pack a towel. Bring sunscreen and reapply it regularly. A hat and sunglasses are sensible, but secure them carefully because the wind can pick up on the return trip.

Do not bring outside food or drinks. The boat supplies non-alcoholic drinks, and extra purchases require a card. Keep your phone and valuables protected from splashing, especially if you sit near the bow.

If you want shade, find it early. The catamaran has plenty of seating, but the most comfortable spots can fill before departure. If you prefer sun and a clear view, the upper or outer areas may suit you better, depending on the boat setup that day.

Finally, listen for the departure horn after each swim. Open water can make it hard to judge distance, and the boat will not wait indefinitely.

Should you book it?

Book this trip if your idea of a good day is a comfortable catamaran, two swims, a generous lunch, free soft drinks, music, and a slow return to Cartagena. The crew, boat, food, and general organization are the strongest reasons to choose it.

Skip it if visiting the islands themselves is essential, or if you want a long beach stop. You will spend the day near the Rosario Islands, but not necessarily on them. For most people seeking a pleasant day away from the city, the combination of good food, clear water, and comfortable seating makes this a strong-value choice.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran depart from?

It departs from Bodeguita Dock, Door 1, in front of Cartagena’s walled city.

How long does the experience last?

The listed duration is 450 minutes, which is about seven and a half hours.

Does the tour visit the islands?

The catamaran stops near the islands for swimming and snorkeling, but it does not generally take you ashore onto the islands or their beaches.

Are there beach stops?

The boat stops near areas with white sand and clear water, but the swimming is normally from the catamaran. You should not book this expecting a standard beach visit.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and National Natural Park fees are included.

Are flippers provided?

No. Life jackets and snorkeling masks are provided, but flippers are not included.

What food and drinks are included?

You receive a fresh fruit welcome drink, a mid-morning snack, lunch, soft drinks, juices, lemonade, and mineral water. Lunch includes seafood, chicken, or vegetables with rice, a salad buffet, and dessert.

Can I buy alcohol onboard?

Yes. Alcoholic drinks are not included, but they can be purchased onboard. Extra payments must be made with a credit or debit card.

Is the catamaran wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the activity is listed as wheelchair accessible. The swimming stops involve entering the water from the catamaran, so check whether that part suits your needs before booking.