The 12 Sailing Trips in Colombia Worth Your Morning

1.Rosario Islands Catamaran with Lunch and Snorkel

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,479 reviews · 7h 30m · from $107Our pick

You’ll leave Cartagena’s Bodeguita Dock on a spacious catamaran bound for the Rosario Islands. Expect a welcome fruit drink, a snack, free soft drinks, two open-water swim stops, snorkeling gear, and a filling lunch with seafood, chicken, or vegetables. The boat does not normally land on the islands, so this suits you best if you want swimming, sun, music, and sea views rather than a beach resort visit.

“Great tour and really good lunch. The only disappointing thing is that we didn’t see very much whilst snorkelling. No fault with the company though - if you’re looking for a nice day out on the boat, this tour is for you!”

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2.Sailboat day tour to Tayrona Park

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 352 reviews · 7h 30m · from $64

Meet the Sonata sailboat at Santa Marta’s International Marina for a 7.5-hour trip to Bahia Concha. You’ll pass Taganga Bay, Granate Bay, and Aguja Island, then swim, snorkel, paddle board, and eat grilled fish on the beach. Captain Carlos and the crew handle the sailing, with Spanish and English support available.

“I highly recommend this tour. The trip to the beach in Tayrona Park went smoothly both ways, the beach was absolutely wonderful, the water was clear, and everything was very clean. Transportation, and all details were very well organized. Sometimes on the boat it’s hard to stay out of the sun, so come prepared as it’s a little over an hour each way, and it’s easy to take a lot of sun before you even get to go out on the beach.”

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3.Tayrona Bay Sailboat trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 107 reviews · 6 to 7 hours (approx.) · from $60

Leave Santa Marta at 9:30 am aboard a sailboat bound for Tayrona’s Bahia Concha. Expect a 6 to 7 hour outing with swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, paddleboarding, fruit, drinks, and grilled fish, chicken, or vegetarian lunch. The boat often uses its motor outbound and may sail part of the return. Groups can reach 26 people.

“It was a nice day. Water was lovely for the sail and the swim. Not much time given to snorkeling and very little English spoken. So lovely day but if those two things are essential to you, I would look elsewhere.”

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4.Sunset Sailboat Tour with 2 Beverages

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 93 reviews · 2h 30m · from $47

Meet Tayrona Sailing at Santa Marta’s International Marina and board the classic Sonata sailboat for a 2.5-hour sunset trip toward Taganga Bay. You’ll receive marina entry, insurance, and two beverages, with English and Spanish support. Expect lovely sunset colors, social time on deck, and possible rolling motion when the wind picks up.

“O pôr-do-sol visto de dentro do mar é muito bonito e especial. Ficamos muito felizes por ter tido essa experiência. A equipe do veleiro é atenciosa e gentil, durante todo o passeio estiveram preocupados com as pessoas abordo e o bem-estar de todos. É uma experiência interessante, mas para quem tem medo de barco ou passa mal durante travessias eu não recomendo. Venta bastante e o veleiro fica instável, gerando movimentos contínuos para os lados, as vezes dando a impressão de que algo pode acontecer. Claro que a minha impressão é de alguém que não conhece/veleja, mas é uma impressão sincera sobre o passeio. Não dei nota máxima porque a…”

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5.Sailing Tour to Tayrona Park with Luis’ Team

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 76 reviews · 6h 30m · from $66

Meet Tutour Colombia’s bilingual crew at Artivela in Santa Marta Marina at 10:30 am. Sail toward Bahia Concha, pass Taganga and Granate Bays, fish near Aguja Island, then swim, snorkel, paddleboard, or relax on the boat. Lunch, snacks, soft drinks, park fees, and equipment are included.

“The crew was lovely and took good care of us. However, the tour didn't deliver and is quite expensive for what it is. Despite having booked an English tour with what was advertised as a bilingual crew, no one spoke any English and we did not understand any of the information given about the park or the day. So it was basically an expensive taxi to Concha beach. The beach is very full with boats who are blasting music despite it being a national park. We did some sailing back to Santa Marta, which was nice. In the end thay wanted to make us pay for some beers we hadn't…”

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6.Open Bar Sunset Cruise in Catamaran or Speedboat (Best Deal)

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 68 reviews · from $20Best value

At 4:30 pm, meet at Sibarita del Mar in Cartagena’s Centro Histórico for a two-hour sunset cruise. Choose a lively speedboat with rum, aguardiente, mixers, and music, or a steadier catamaran with alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks plus a light snack. The catamaran adds a 16,000 COP port tax.

“It is a small boat, lots of people, only spanish spoken. Guides and music are great, fun people on board. Skip the nightclub after though, too early so very dead”

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

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 63 reviews · 7 hours 30 minutes (approx.) Top rated

Join Thierry and Amy-Esther aboard a private sailing boat from Santa Marta for a relaxed day near Tayrona National Natural Park. Swim, snorkel, paddleboard, sunbathe, and jump from the boat in Bahia Concha. A sandwich, snacks, one drink, and a large rear swim platform are included.

“We had an amazing time! The hosts are wonderful and make the day simply perfect, highly recommend. Had a great time selling in the beautiful day and swimming. And they are very nice to spend the day with.”

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8.Full-Day Catamaran Tour through Tayrona

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 50 reviews · 8 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $90

Spend about 8.5 hours sailing from Santa Marta into Tayrona National Park, with Captain Luis and crew guiding you to Bahía Concha or Gayraca. Swim, snorkel, paddleboard, eat fresh fish ceviche, and return under sail for sunset. The crew may speak mainly Spanish, and the tour visits one main beach rather than several park stops.

“The crew were excellent! So attentive and keen to make sure everyone was happy, fed and watered. Lunch and a plentiful supply of drinks and snacks, were great. I personally didn’t love the beach itself … have been to dozens of much nicer ones. Please note if you want to sit down on the beach you’re expected to pay for a chair (not a sun Lounger, a basic chair) . I found this disappointing within the context of a tour, given that lunch was served and especially for the price paid.”

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9.Go Sailing Guatape

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 31 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $100

Meet Captain René at 9:30 am in Guatapé for a private, three-hour sail across the reservoir. You’ll see houseboats, upscale homes, old Pablo Escobar estates, mountains, and Peñol Rock while learning basic sailing. Coffee, water, snacks, Colombian fruit, and local beer may be included.

“Great experience in a sailboat with a master in sailing. Learn a lot about sailing techniques and how to manage a boat in the dock. Highly recomended.”

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10.4-course Culinary Experience aboard a catamaran

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 17 reviews · 2h 30m · from $132

Meet at Gate 4 of Muelle de la Bodeguita for a 150-minute evening catamaran cruise in Cartagena Bay. You will receive a four-course dinner, half a bottle of wine, music, and views of the illuminated walled city and skyline. Choose the Master menu or upgrade to Premium dishes such as lobster rice or baby beef with prawns.

“Great food, very attentive staff especially Jordan, fair prices on the boat, had a very good time”

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11.Buffet & party night,cocktails sailing in the bay

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 6 reviews · 3 hours · from $107

Set sail from Bodeguita Dock for a three-hour Cartagena Bay party cruise. You’ll receive a welcome cocktail, buffet dinner with a vegetarian option, national-liquor open bar, live entertainment, dancing, and views of Bocagrande, the skyscrapers, and the old center. Arrive by 7:15 pm for the 8 pm departure.

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12.Exotic Yacht – Tour through the bay of Cartagena

★★★★★★★★★★3.7 · 4 reviews · 3 hours · from $46

Meet at Puerta No. 4 at La Bodeguita pier for a three-hour Spanish-hosted yacht cruise through Cartagena’s Bay of Las Ánimas. You’ll get crossover music, air-conditioned rooms, a rooftop, table service, and drinks. The standard plan includes nonalcoholic drinks and two alcoholic drinks, while the Premium Plan adds an open liquor bar.

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