Colombia · SNORKELING

The 15 Best Snorkelling Trips in Colombia

25 tours  ·  from $56

The reef sits off the Rosario islands and San Andrés, and the water clears from December. These 15 are compared on how many stops you get, whether gear and lunch are included, and the size of the boat.

Cartagena: Rosario Islands Catamaran with Lunch and Snorkel - The ride toward Rosario and San Bernardo
Boat Tours in Cartagena, Cartagena Tours, Cruises & Boat Tours, Rosario Islands Tours, Sailing, Snorkeling, Tour Reviews

Cartagena: Rosario Islands Catamaran with Lunch and Snorkel

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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Excursion to the Rosario Islands with Lunch and Snorkeling - Isla Grande and the Luis Guerra reef stop
Cartagena Tours, Rosario Islands Tours, Snorkeling, Tour Reviews, Tours

Excursion to the Rosario Islands with Lunch and Snorkeling

2.Excursion to the Rosario Islands with Lunch and Snorkeling

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 569 reviews · 7 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $106

Sail from Cartagena to the Rosario Islands aboard Bona Vida’s spacious catamaran. You’ll stop near Isla Grande and Barú for swimming and snorkeling, enjoy lunch with chicken, seafood, or vegetable rice, and receive soft drinks. This is a relaxed boat day, not a beach-hopping or heavy party tour.

“Cartagena is very warm. So a day out on the water is a perfect way to take a break from the heat. Very large boat, plenty of room for everyone.”

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Cartagena: Rosario Islands Day Tour with Snorkel & Lunch - Isla Grande: Snorkeling, White Sand, and Clear Water
Cartagena Tours, Day Trips, Day Trips in Cartagena, Rosario Islands Tours, Snorkeling, Tour Reviews, Tours

Cartagena: Rosario Islands Day Tour with Snorkel & Lunch

3.Rosario Islands Day Tour with Snorkel & Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 402 reviews · 8 hours · from $95

Spend eight hours island-hopping from Cartagena with English or Spanish guide support. Snorkel near Isla Grande, eat fish, chicken, or vegetarian lunch at Baru, then relax at Tierra Bomba’s private beach and pool. Guides such as Franklin, Jesús, David, and John Wayne have been praised for attentive service, but the pace is brisk and the sea can be rough.

“My family and I had an amazing experience, this tour definitely felt different for the others. Our guide David Santiago was excellent, he was very informative, charismatic and friendly all the qualities a guide needs, he even warned us about prices and help us with our jetski rental at the beach. Worth every penny.”

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Full Day 5 Best Rosario Islands Spots Make Friends & do Snorkel - Bocachica and the San Fernando fortress
Cartagena Tours, Full-Day Tours, Full-Day Tours in Cartagena, Rosario Islands Tours, Snorkeling, Tour Reviews

Full Day 5 Best Rosario Islands Spots Make Friends & do Snorkel

4.Full Day 5 Best Rosario Islands Spots Make Friends & do Snorkel

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 240 reviews · 9 hours (approx.) · from $79

Spend about nine hours boating from Cartagena to Bocachica, the Rosario Islands, Isla Grande, Cholón, Barú, and possibly Tierra Bomba. You get snorkeling gear, instruction, lunch credit, bottled water, a bilingual coordinator, and live commentary. Guides such as Franklin, Niche, José, and Alex have earned praise for helping guests feel safe and included.

“We enjoyed our tour of the 3 islands from our friendly and knowledgeable tour guide, John Wayne. The snorkel session would have been better if we had not been required to wear lifejackets. Fins were also not provided. Nice fish and coral though! Loved the private island relaxing time at stop #2, but Cholon (the party island), not so much. The boat ride back to Playa Blanca (starting point) into the waves and wind was exhilarating and fun! Sit in the front of the boat for a roller coaster thriller or in the back to tame it down as much as possible. The traditional Colombian lunch back at Playa Blanca…”

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Full Day Barú island: Mangrove +Snorkel + Sunset + Plankton - Getting from Cartagena to Freedom Beach Club
Barú & Playa Blanca Tours, Bioluminescent Plankton Tours, Cartagena Tours, Evening Experiences, Evening Tours in Cartagena, Full-Day Tours, Full-Day Tours in Cartagena, Mangrove Tours, Snorkeling, Tour Reviews

Full Day Barú island: Mangrove +Snorkel + Sunset + Plankton

5.Full Day Barú island: Mangrove +Snorkel + Sunset + Plankton

★★★★★★★★★★3.7 · 139 reviews · 11 hours · from $69

Spend 11 hours from Cartagena at Freedom Beach Club in Barú, with a cocktail, lunch, mangrove boat ride, raccoon visit, snorkeling, sunset, and nighttime plankton swim. Spanish-speaking guides lead the day. Staff members Angie and Dequer have received particular praise, though transport and activity timing can vary.

“snorkel di 10 minuti senza boccaglio in una zona dove c'erano davvero pochi pesci, situazione molto confusa, barca per trasferimento al beach club scomoda. chiedono il 15% per pagamenti con carta, cibo non male ma nemmeno ottimo. un po' diverso dalla descrizione del tour. non consigliato”

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Cartagena: Snorkel, Mangroves and Playa Blanca Tour - Boarding the Boat at Barú
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Cartagena: Snorkel, Mangroves and Playa Blanca Tour

6.Snorkel, Mangroves and Playa Blanca Tour

★★★★★★★★★★3.8 · 132 reviews

Spend eight hours traveling from Cartagena to Barú for a boat trip through mangroves, a snorkeling stop, and time at Playa Blanca. Spanish-speaking guides such as Ruben, Wilber, Diana, and Daker have earned strong praise for clear help and friendly service. Expect lunch, beach time, boat transfers, and a relaxed but sometimes loosely organized day.

“I highly recommend this tour . Ruben is my tour guy . He pick me up on time . We had a great time at the beach . After that we went snorkeling and mangrove tour. The food also delicious. Well worth the money . My tour guy Ruben offer above and beyond service”

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Adventure full day Isla Barú + Mangroves + Snorkel + bioluminescent plankton - Mambo Beach and the crowded Barú shoreline
Barú & Playa Blanca Tours, Bioluminescent Plankton Tours, Cartagena Tours, Full-Day Tours, Full-Day Tours in Cartagena, Mangrove Tours, Snorkeling, Tour Reviews

Adventure full day Isla Barú + Mangroves + Snorkel + bioluminescent plankton

7.Adventure full day Isla Barú + Mangroves + Snorkel + bioluminescent plankton

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 95 reviews · 15 hours (approx.) · from $65

Spend a long day from Cartagena at Barú’s Mambo Beach, with lunch, a short mangrove boat ride, fish viewing with a mask, and a nighttime trip to see bioluminescent plankton. Expect shared transport, changing schedules, local boats, persistent beach vendors, and a return that may come late.

“Great overall except they were late and didn’t make it up. I informed that I had my car. I could have been there at least 2 hours more and it was closer from where I was as well. So I had to pay for parking (a crazy amount with a very rude guy)”

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5 Island Tour with Lunch Snorkel in Cartagena Rosario Island - Rosario snorkeling includes clear water and a sunken airplane
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5 Island Tour with Lunch Snorkel in Cartagena Rosario Island

8.5 Island Tour with Lunch Snorkel in Cartagena Rosario Island

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 94 reviews · 7 hours (approx.) · from $110

Spend about seven hours boating from Cartagena through Bocachica, Isla Grande, Rosario’s reefs, Cholón, Agua Azul, and Playa Tranquila Barú. You get lunch, beach chairs, bilingual guiding, and a mask for viewing marine life. Guides may include David, Teke, or Miranda. Bring cash, sun protection, and realistic expectations about a fast, bumpy boat ride.

“Horrible, only lies, no snorkels only mask, the places where we stop, too bad, and the man that drives, was as if he has a racing with other boat. Iven with people in bad conditions x the speed and jumps, they didn’t stop. The worst trip that I did Don’t promote trips that don’t give smithing, only view people sobering and now body take care”

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Cartagena: 5-Island Trip by Boat with Lunch and Snorkeling - Meeting the boat near Cartagena’s Clock Tower
Boat Tours in Cartagena, Cartagena Tours, Cruises & Boat Tours, Snorkeling, Tour Reviews

Cartagena: 5-Island Trip by Boat with Lunch and Snorkeling

9.5-Island Trip by Boat with Lunch and Snorkeling

★★★★★★★★★★3.6 · 82 reviews · from $89

You’ll travel by sports boat from Cartagena to Bocachica, the Rosario Islands, Cholón, and Playa Tranquila. Expect snorkeling, water activities, seafood tasting, a choice of fish, chicken, or vegetarian lunch, and a nighttime look at glowing plankton. Guides speak English and Spanish, and David has earned praise for leading the water activities.

“Excellent crew and captain! The boat was so modern and powerful! The lunch was really good, at a great little island hang-out, and the party scene in the water, was a hoot! We would recommend this company!”

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5 Islands Tour from Cartagena Including Snorkeling and Lunch - Tierra Bomba and the forts from the water
Cartagena Tours, Snorkeling, Tour Reviews, Tours

5 Islands Tour from Cartagena Including Snorkeling and Lunch

10.5 Islands Tour from Cartagena Including Snorkeling and Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 62 reviews · 8 to 11 hours (approx.) · from $100

Spend 8 to 11 hours on a shared boat from Cartagena, visiting Tierra Bomba, the Rosario Islands, Cholón, Agua Azul, and Playa Tranquila Barú. You get lunch, chairs, a bilingual guide, and basic snorkeling masks. Expect music, beach time, busy stops, possible pickup confusion, and an optional Oceanarium visit.

“One of the reasons we chose this tour was because it would go to 5 islands and then spend 3 hours in the last one after lunch (Playa Tranquila Baru Island). Unfortunately we only got 35 minutes. Other issues we faced were regarding how the boat crew behaved, they invited their girlfriends so their attention to the guests was minimal and the other thing was seeing the Captain drinking in the Cholon Island. The tour guide did a job though.”

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5 Islands VIP Escape : Snorkeling, Private Lunch & Open Bar - Snorkeling above a plane at Isla Grande
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5 Islands VIP Escape : Snorkeling, Private Lunch & Open Bar

11.5 Islands VIP Escape : Snorkeling, Private Lunch & Open Bar

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 48 reviews · 5 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $120

Spend about five and a half hours on a speedboat from Cartagena, seeing Bocachica and Rosario’s islands, snorkeling over a sunken plane, stopping at Cholón, eating lunch on a private island, and relaxing at Playa Tranquila Barú. A mask, lunch, air-conditioned transport, and medical assistance are included. Hotel return is not.

“There was no hotel drop off. They leave you on the dock, their are no snacks or water offered while on the boat. You do not eat until the very end!”

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Cartagena: 5 Islands Boat Tour with Lunch, Snorkeling, & Bar - Bocachica and the first fortification
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Cartagena: 5 Islands Boat Tour with Lunch, Snorkeling, & Bar

12.5 Islands Boat Tour with Lunch, Snorkeling, & Bar

★★★★★★★★★★3.7 · 39 reviews · 11h 30m · from $159

Leave Cartagena around 7:30 am for a full-day boat trip through the Rosario Islands. You’ll see Bocachica, Isla Grande, San Martín de Pajarales, Cholón, and Agua Azul, with snorkeling, a shrimp cocktail, lunch, swimming, and a nighttime plankton display. English and Spanish guiding is offered, though English commentary may vary.

“A little confusing with the added plankton activity; I should’ve known better that the bus would make me arrive late back to Cartagena for my flight. I would’ve liked a little more explanation in English but the guide mostly spoke Spanish once the rest of the English speakers left”

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Magdalena: Tayrona Park Cruise with Snorkeling & Beaches - Remanso gives you a gentle first snorkel
Boat Tours in Santa Marta, Cruises & Boat Tours, Santa Marta Tours, Snorkeling, Tayrona National Park Tours, Tour Reviews

Magdalena: Tayrona Park Cruise with Snorkeling & Beaches

13.Magdalena: Tayrona Park Cruise with Snorkeling & Beaches

★★★★★★★★★★3.9 · 39 reviews · 7 hours · from $70

Meet Felipe and the crew at Santa Marta International Marina for a seven-hour cruise aboard Tranquila. Snorkel at Remanso and Granate, look for turtles, relax at Concha Bay, and eat fresh fish for lunch. During Tayrona closures, the route changes to local beaches such as Taganga and Inca Inca.

“Great tour, really enjoyed. It was the difficulties in the beginning (the Tayrona park was closed for visitors from 9 to 12), but the owner got the solution and extended the tour to compensate the “lost time”. Problem solving “great””

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5 islands tour to rosario Islands with snorkeling activity! - Isla Grande is the main snorkeling stop
Cartagena Tours, Rosario Islands Tours, Snorkeling, Tour Reviews, Tours

5 islands tour to rosario Islands with snorkeling activity!

14.5 islands tour to rosario Islands with snorkeling activity!

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 36 reviews · 7 to 8 hours (approx.) · from $90

Spend 7 to 8 hours touring Cartagena’s Rosario Islands by boat, with stops for swimming, snorkeling, music at Cholon, and beach time at Baru. The tour includes equipment, a bilingual guide, park fees, fruit salad, lemonade, hotel pickup and drop-off, plus a 30,000 COP lunch credit. Guides Alex and Milton have earned special praise.

“Milton and crew were AWESOME host. We went on the tour on September 21, 2024. He guided us throughout tour, provided us with insights of the culture and history. We visited all 5 islands and I recommend if you go ask for Milton as tour guide... the tour will take up the entire day...”

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Rosario Islands Trip visiting Cholon, Playa Blanca and Snorkel - Isla Grande offers a short beach-club pause
Barú & Playa Blanca Tours, Cartagena Tours, Party Boat Tours, Rosario Islands Tours, Snorkeling, Tour Reviews

Rosario Islands Trip visiting Cholon, Playa Blanca and Snorkel

15.Rosario Islands Trip visiting Cholon, Playa Blanca and Snorkel

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 33 reviews · from $108

Spend about eight hours on a music-filled boat from Cartagena, visiting San Fernando de Bocachica, Rosario Islands snorkeling, Isla Grande, Cholon, and Playa Blanca. Cesar may lead your group, and the tour includes equipment, lunch, snacks, water, and beach facilities. Expect about 45 minutes at most stops.

“Cesar was INCREDIBLE! I will say that I’ve heard that the snorkeling is not-so-good in this region, but I found this to be false! This was one of the BEST snorkel adventures I’ve done in my life (I’ve done about 10)! So many different fish, just breathtaking!! Every one of the staff made everyone’s stay comfortable and MEMORABLE!”

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New in Snorkeling

★ 3.5SANTAMARTA: TOUR Remanso, Taganga, Playa Grande Lunch and Snorkeling IncludedFrom $564 reviews
★ 3.0Tour to Playa Tranquila with Snorkeling + Luminous Plankton and ParasolFrom $764 reviews
★ 4.3BARÚ Playa blanca with SNORKELING INCLUDEDFrom $613 reviews
★ 4.05 Rosario Islands, Full party with drinks, Snorkeling and lunchFrom $1324 reviews

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