Private Boat Rental To The Rosario Islands Up To 17

The main appeal here is simple: you get a private boat for your own group and a full day on the Caribbean, rather than a fixed group excursion. You can snorkel at La Piscinita, stretch out on white sand, and pause at unusual sights such as Pablo Escobar’s old mansion and an abandoned plane.

I like the flat group price and the freedom that comes with a private boat. I also like that snorkeling equipment, water, ice, fuel, insurance, a captain, and a bilingual host are included. The catch is important: the advertised capacity is not perfectly clear, since the price is listed for up to 15 people while the tour title says up to 17. One booking also involved a substitute boat and no English-speaking crew, so confirm those details before paying.

Key points to know before booking

• A private Caribbean day: Your group has the boat to itself for roughly eight hours.
• Isla Grande is the main stop: Expect swimming, beach time, snorkeling, and a beachfront lunch.
• La Piscinita adds the best water activity: Snorkeling gear is included, though the quality of marine life and water conditions can vary.
• The route includes unusual sights: You may see Pablo Escobar’s mansion and an abandoned plane.
• The price works best for groups: At $1,049 per group, the value improves sharply when 10 to 15 people share it.
• Clarify the details: Ask about the exact boat, maximum capacity, English-speaking host, lunch arrangements, and final stops.

Leaving Cartagena for the Rosario Islands

The boat leaves from Sibarita del Mar on Avenida Blas de Lezo in Cartagena’s El Centro. That central meeting point is useful if you are staying in the old city, and the tour returns to the same place after about eight hours.

The Rosario Islands sit offshore from Cartagena, so the day gives you a clean break from the city. Instead of spending another morning among stone streets, traffic, and heat, you move out onto open Caribbean water. The attraction is not just getting from Cartagena to an island. It is having the time and privacy to stop, swim, rest, and change the pace to suit your group.

Your captain handles the boat, while a bilingual host is meant to help with the day. That setup should make the trip feel easy, but I would not assume that every crew member speaks English. One booking had two friendly crew members who did not speak English, despite an English-speaking guide being requested. If language matters to you, get written confirmation that an English-speaking host will be on board.

The experience is private, but that does not mean every detail is fully customized. The stated plan centers on Isla Grande and nearby sights, while the exact order and length of stops can depend on conditions and the boat operator. Ask what route is planned before departure if you have one particular beach or site in mind.

Isla Grande and La Piscinita

Isla Grande is the heart of the day. The island offers the classic Caribbean combination: clear water, pale sand, warm sun, and a slower rhythm than Cartagena. You can use the stop for swimming and snorkeling, or simply sit by the water and do very little.

That flexibility is one of the strongest reasons to book a private boat. A group of friends may want more time in the water, while a family group may prefer shade and a quiet lunch. On a fixed group boat, you usually follow the clock. Here, your captain and host can help shape the day around your group, within the limits of the route and weather.

La Piscinita is the key snorkeling stop. Snorkeling equipment is included, which saves you from renting a mask and fins separately. Bottled water and ice are also provided, useful in the hot Caribbean sun.

Keep your expectations sensible. The tour promises access to a well-known snorkeling spot and clear water, but it does not promise particular fish, coral conditions, or visibility on your date. Sea conditions can change the experience. If snorkeling is your main reason for booking, ask how much time is normally allowed at La Piscinita and what happens if water conditions are poor.

The beach time matters just as much as the snorkeling. You can swim, sunbathe, or cool off in the water without having to fill every minute with an activity. Bring a towel, since one booking specifically noted that towels were not provided. You should also pack any drinks you want beyond the included bottled water, especially if your group has particular preferences.

Pablo Escobar’s mansion and the abandoned plane

The route adds two unusual points of interest: a mansion associated with Pablo Escobar and an abandoned plane. These stops give the day more character than a basic beach transfer.

The mansion brings a dose of Colombia’s recent history and the aura of a place surrounded by stories. It is not presented as a formal museum visit, so think of it as a striking sight viewed during the boat route rather than a structured cultural tour. The same applies to the abandoned plane, which functions as an unusual regional landmark and a memorable photo opportunity.

These sights will appeal to you if you want more than sand and water. They also break up the day. Eight hours of sun and swimming can feel long, especially for anyone who is not a strong swimmer. A few visual landmarks give the route variety.

At the same time, the tour is not a dedicated history excursion. The description does not promise detailed background, interior access, or a long stop at either location. If you want serious historical context, treat these as brief sightseeing moments and not the main reason to book.

Lunch beside the water

Lunch is planned at a beachfront restaurant, where you can eat with the sea nearby. That setting is a real part of the appeal. After swimming and sitting in the sun, a meal by the water feels far more fitting than returning to Cartagena for lunch.

The price does not include all fees and taxes, and alcoholic drinks are not included. The lunch itself is also not clearly described as included, so ask exactly what you will pay at the restaurant. One booking stopped at Paue, a private beach club, where a minimum spend applied. That arrangement worked for the group, but it was an extra condition that should have been explained before the trip.

There is another practical point: the crew may expect lunch to be purchased for them. This was described as customary in Colombia, but it can still surprise visitors who have not budgeted for it. Ask the operator about crew meals, restaurant minimums, and payment methods before the boat leaves.

I would also confirm the final beach stop. One booking expected Playa Tranquila but felt that the boat did not go there. Routes can change, but the name of a promised stop should be clear. If a certain beach is essential, ask whether it is guaranteed or simply part of the usual plan.

What $1,049 means for your group

The price is $1,049 per group, listed for up to 15 people. That works out to about $70 per person for 15 people, before any extra fees, lunch, drinks, or crew meal costs. For 10 people, it is about $105 each. For two people, the same price becomes more than $500 each, which is a very different value.

This is a group tour in the financial sense, not a cheap private excursion for a couple. The best value comes when you can fill most of the boat with friends or family. You are paying for privacy, a captain, fuel, insurance, equipment, and the ability to spend the day together without sharing the boat with strangers.

The cost also buys convenience. You do not need to organize a separate boat, locate snorkeling gear, or arrange fuel and insurance. Bottled water and ice are included, too. Those details matter on a long day in the sun.

But you should budget beyond the headline price. Alcohol is excluded. Lunch and other restaurant charges may be extra, and the tour price does not include all fees and taxes. The capacity needs clarification as well: the name refers to up to 17 people, while the price details say up to 15. Ask whether 16 or 17 people can actually board and whether the fee changes.

Boat quality, crew, and communication

The boat is meant to be the center of your private day, and the strongest booking described it as great, with an excellent guide and drivers. The captain and crew were also described as very pleasant. That points to the best-case experience: a comfortable boat, friendly service, and a relaxed day on the water.

Still, the operator may use a partner boat during busy periods. One booking expected a Botegena boat but was moved to another smaller company after the group size changed. The replacement boat was considered fine, but the guest felt the service did not match what had been purchased.

This is the most important caution in the whole review. Before booking, ask:

• What exact boat will be used?
• What is the confirmed passenger limit?
• Will the boat be operated by Botegena or a partner?
• Is an English-speaking host guaranteed?
• Which beach and lunch stops are planned?
• Are crew meals or restaurant minimums expected?

The operator responded that partner vessels are sometimes used during high demand and that they should have explained this more clearly. That is a reasonable explanation, but clear communication before departure is still essential.

The boat includes insurance and fuel, which removes two common concerns. A captain is provided, so you do not need boating experience. Service animals are allowed, and most people can participate, but the information does not describe special facilities for mobility limitations.

Who will enjoy this Rosario Islands day

This trip is a strong match for a group of friends, a family celebration, or several couples traveling together. You get privacy, a full day on the water, and enough room in the schedule for both activity and rest. It also suits people who dislike rigid group itineraries.

It is especially good for a group that can share the $1,049 cost. With 12 to 15 people, the per-person price becomes much more reasonable. If only two or three people are going, compare the total with smaller shared trips or shorter private outings.

You should also like a flexible beach day more than a formal tour. The historical sights are brief, the lunch details are loose, and the main pleasure comes from the boat, water, island setting, and time with your own group.

I would be more cautious if you need a guaranteed English-speaking guide, a specific boat, or a precise beach route. Those requests may be possible, but you need confirmation before booking. I would also choose another type of excursion if your main goal is detailed history or a carefully narrated cultural tour.

The experience requires good weather. If conditions force cancellation, you can receive a different date or a full refund. For a normal cancellation, you need to cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes made within 24 hours are not accepted, and the cut-off uses Cartagena local time.

Should you book this private boat?

Book it if your group wants a private Caribbean day and can fill much of the boat. The combination of Isla Grande, La Piscinita, beach time, lunch, and unusual sights gives you more variety than a simple beach transfer. The included gear, water, ice, fuel, insurance, captain, and host also make the arrangement straightforward.

Before you commit, get clear answers about the capacity, exact vessel, English-speaking host, lunch costs, crew meals, and planned beach stops. Those questions are not fussy. They are the difference between receiving the private day you expect and accepting a substitute plan after you arrive.

For a full group, this is a practical way to trade Cartagena’s city heat for a day of swimming, sun, and open water. For a small party, the price is hard to justify. My call: book with a large group and written confirmations, but compare options carefully if you have fewer than 10 people.

FAQ

Where does the boat tour start?

The meeting point is Sibarita del Mar on Avenida Blas de Lezo in El Centro, Cartagena de Indias, Bolívar, Colombia.

Where does the tour finish?

The activity ends back at the meeting point in Cartagena.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts about eight hours.

Is the tour private?

Yes. Only your group participates in this activity.

How many people can join?

The price information states up to 15 people, while the tour title refers to up to 17. Confirm the permitted capacity with the provider before booking.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included.

Is bottled water provided?

Yes. Bottled water and ice are included.

Are alcoholic drinks included?

No. Alcoholic beverages are not included in the tour price.

Is lunch included?

The tour includes lunch at a beachfront restaurant in the plan, but the provided information does not clearly state that the meal is included in the price. Ask about the lunch cost and any restaurant minimum spend.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you will be offered another date or a full refund.