Private Marine Tour: Discover the 7 Colors of the San Andreas Sea

San Andrés shows its best colors from the water, and this private pontoon tour gives you a full day of swimming, snorkeling, floating sandbars, and island scenery without sharing the boat with strangers. The route mixes the quiet mangroves of Old Point with the social energy of Tiki Bar and White Wata.

I like the private boat setting, which lets your group control the mood, music, and pace within the planned route. I also like the practical extras: bottled water, beer, ice, floating mats, and snorkeling masks are supplied. The main consideration is that lunch costs extra, the snorkel itself is not included, and the optional drone photos may not be possible in windy weather.

Key Points to Know Before You Book

• A private pontoon for up to five people: The $300 group price works out to $60 each when five people share it.
• Old Point mangroves begin the day: Look for crabs, mussels, iguanas, lizards, and local or migratory birds.
• Aquarium and Rose Cay provide the clearest water: You can swim, snorkel, walk across shallow sandbanks, and take photographs.
• The route does not include Johnny Cay or La Piscinita: Confirm the stops before booking so your expectations match the actual plan.
• Lunch is your responsibility: Bring food or buy it at Aquarium, and carry Colombian pesos for dock and food payments.
• The tour ends with floating mats and bars: White Wata is a relaxed final stop, not a sightseeing landmark.

Why This Private San Andrés Boat Trip Works

This is a water day rather than a guided history tour. You come for the changing shades of the Caribbean, easy swimming, and the freedom of having your own boat. The route covers several of San Andrés’ familiar marine stops, but each has a different feel.

The group limit matters. Five people can spread out on the pontoon, use the Bluetooth speakers, share the floating mat, and avoid the crowded feeling of a large excursion boat. A smaller group also makes it easier to ask the captain to help with food, drinks, music, and snorkeling arrangements.

The advertised price is $300 for the entire group, not per person. With five people, that is a fair $60 each for about six and a half hours on the water. For two people, the value is weaker, since you pay the same boat fee without filling all five spaces.

The package includes 12 bottles of water, 12 beers, a cooler with ice, snorkeling masks, and a floating mat. The mask is included, but the snorkel is not, due to health rules. You can bring your own snorkel or ask locally about buying one.

The crew has included Carlos, Jorge, and Sebastián, and communication may vary by crew and day. One particularly useful detail is that Carlos has helped groups arrange food, handle money questions, connect music to the boat’s Bluetooth system, and make sure children were comfortable at the stops. Still, if clear English service is essential to you, confirm the language arrangements before departure.

Starting Through Old Point’s Mangroves

The morning begins at 10:30 a.m. at the Police Pier on Carrera 1. The first route passes through Mangrove Old Point Regional Park on San Andrés’ eastern side.

This is a useful change of pace from the bright open water that follows. The mangroves form a sheltered habitat for mussels, crabs, iguanas, lizards, and both endemic and migratory birds. Keep your eyes open rather than expecting a formal wildlife presentation. The appeal is seeing a quieter, more natural side of the island before the swimming stops begin.

The mangrove section also helps you understand how San Andrés’ coastal ecosystem works. These trees protect shallow water and create shelter for small creatures. It is not the main reason most people book the boat, but it gives the day some variety.

Exact timing for this portion is not specified. If you want an extended nature walk, ask the operator what the current route includes. The tour description calls it a walk through the mangroves, while the rest of the excursion is clearly boat-based.

Palito and the Tiki Bar

The first major water stop is the Palito area, where you have about an hour to swim, snorkel, or relax on white sand. The water here is suited to an easy opening swim because you can settle into the sea before the longer stops at Aquarium and Rose Cay.

Palito is also home to the Tiki Bar, one of San Andrés’ floating bars. The floating mat, called Mat Watter in the tour description, is the star accessory here. You can lie back on it, cool off in the water, or let the children enjoy a simple floating platform while adults sit nearby.

This stop is less about checking off a landmark and more about setting the tone for the day. You have cold drinks, a mat, music, and time in the water. Bring beach shoes if your feet are sensitive. They are recommended but not rented as part of the tour, and you can buy them at the pier.

The Rocky Cay Shipwreck

The boat then passes Rocky Cay and the old ship commonly called Nicodemus. The wreck sits near Rocky Cay and has become a familiar local marker as well as a home for marine life.

The ship was once used for freight transport. Its story is tied to Greek shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis, who brought part of its structure to the island after it ran aground in the Caribbean. Today, the wreck gives the route a little more character than a simple cruise between beaches.

This is described as a boat sighting, so do not assume you will climb onto the ship or spend a long period snorkeling there. The main value is seeing the wreck from the water and learning how an old piece of transport became part of the island’s scenery and marine habitat.

Two Hours at Aquarium and Haynes Cay

Aquarium, also known as Haynes Cay, receives the longest scheduled stop, about two hours. That extra time is welcome because this is where lunch, snorkeling, swimming, and rest all compete for your attention.

The small islet is surrounded by coral sand, stone, clear water, and several shades of blue. Fish gather around the shallow marine areas, making this one of the better places on the route to use your mask. You can swim, sit in the water, snorkel, or simply take a break from the boat.

Lunch is not included. You can buy food on the cay or bring your own. I would bring cash in Colombian pesos, since one family group needed help arranging payment and had not brought local currency. You should also carry snacks if you have children or prefer not to depend on the available food options.

The long stop makes the tour family-friendly, but the water and rocky areas mean you should pack carefully. Beach shoes are useful, especially for anyone who finds coral sand and stone uncomfortable. The boat can remain nearby for anyone who wants a break from the water.

Rose Cay, the Sandbank Photo Stop

Rose Cay is next to Haynes Cay and is part of the Aquarium area. Its shallow white sandbanks create the famous walking on water effect. This is the place for photographs, but it is not only a photo stop.

The sandbanks also provide another snorkeling area, with fish visible in the clear shallows. Water levels and conditions affect how much of the sand is exposed, so the look may change during the day. You can walk, swim, take pictures, or stay close to the boat.

The word Instagram in the stop name tells you what to expect: this is a scenic, highly photographed place. It can feel less peaceful than the mangroves, but the pale sand and blue water are exactly what many people want from a San Andrés boat day.

Sea World Snorkeling

At Sea World, the pontoon anchors in a snorkeling area with fish, marine plants, and other sea life. You receive snorkeling masks, but not the snorkel tube itself. Bring your own if you have one, or plan to obtain one before the trip.

This stop lasts about an hour. You can enter the water with the guide’s help, watch the marine life, or remain aboard if you do not want to snorkel. That flexibility is important in a mixed group. Strong swimmers can spend more time in the water, while anyone feeling tired or uneasy can stay dry.

The sea may be calm and relaxing, but this is still an open-water outing. If you are prone to motion sickness, the operator suggests taking a dizziness pill before the trip. That is a sensible precaution, especially since the pontoon spends much of the day moving between exposed cays.

White Wata at the End of the Day

The final stop is White Wata, an area of clear water where boats gather late in the afternoon near floating bars. You have roughly an hour to swim, use the floating mat, visit a bar, or stay aboard with a drink.

This is a social finish rather than a quiet nature stop. If you want a cold beer, music, and a final swim before returning to the pier, White Wata fits the bill. If you have had enough sun and salt water, the boat gives you a place to rest.

Floating bars are not included as a meal or drink package beyond the supplies on your boat. You should treat them as optional stops and bring extra money if you want to buy anything there.

Drinks, Music, and What to Pack

The boat provides 12 waters and 12 beers for the group, along with ice in a cooler. Clarify this at boarding so the full drink allotment is loaded from the start. An earlier mix-up involved only part of the promised drinks being placed in the cooler at first, so a quick check can prevent needless confusion.

You can also bring additional drinks and snacks. A Bluetooth speaker is available on the pontoon, and you may be allowed to connect your own music. Keep the volume considerate, especially during the mangrove section and around other boats.

Pack these basics:

• Beach shoes
• Swimsuit and towel
• Sunscreen and a hat
• Colombian pesos for the dock, food, and optional purchases
• Snacks if you do not want to buy lunch
• Your own snorkel tube if you prefer not to share or purchase one
• A dry bag for phones and identification

The boarding dock fee is $1.30 per person. You must also present valid physical identification when arriving for the experience. Reservations are non-transferable and must be confirmed by the person who booked.

Drone Photos and Language Expectations

The package sometimes includes a drone photo or video, but this is not guaranteed. Strong Caribbean wind can make flying unsafe or impossible, so you should book for the boat day itself, not for an aerial photograph.

The information about language has been mixed. The company says its crew is trained to communicate in English and identifies host Riccardo as fluent. Individual crew members may have different comfort levels, so if you do not speak Spanish, confirm who will be guiding your departure.

A simple plan helps: save the stop list on your phone, make sure you know where to meet, and ask the captain to confirm the day’s route before leaving the pier.

Timing, Weather, and the Actual Value

The listed duration is about six hours and 30 minutes, with a 10:30 a.m. start and a return to the Police Pier. The scheduled water stops total about six hours, while the mangroves, boat transfers, and boarding fill out the rest.

This is not a good choice if you want to visit Johnny Cay or La Piscinita. Those places are not part of this route or available on this type of boat. The core route is Palito, Aquarium, Rose Cay, Sea World, White Wata, the mangroves, and the Rocky Cay shipwreck.

The tour requires good weather. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you can select another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted.

The strongest value comes when you have four or five people. At full capacity, the private setup, drinks, ice, floating mat, masks, and long water stops make the price reasonable. With only two people, a shared boat may cost less, although it will not offer the same privacy.

Who Should Book This San Andrés Tour?

I would choose this trip for a small family, a group of friends, or a couple who wants a private boat and does not mind paying for the space. It suits people who want swimming and snorkeling more than detailed commentary.

Families benefit from the choice of activities. Children can use the mats, swim in shallow areas, listen to music, and take breaks aboard the boat. Adults can snorkel, buy lunch, or visit a floating bar.

You should look elsewhere if your main goals are Johnny Cay, La Piscinita, a guaranteed drone shoot, or an included restaurant meal. You should also think twice if you dislike open-water boat rides or do not want to organize lunch and extra cash.

Should You Book It?

Book this private San Andrés boat tour if you want a relaxed, full-day water outing with your own group, several swimming areas, the Aquarium sandbanks, and practical extras already on board. The best reasons are the private pontoon, the broad route, and the freedom to mix snorkeling with floating and social stops.

Before paying, confirm the exact itinerary, English support, drink quantity, lunch plan, and drone expectations. Fill the boat with five people if you can. That is where the $300 price makes the most sense.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

It starts at Muelle de la Policía on Carrera 1 in San Andrés.

What time does the tour begin?

The stated start time is 10:30 a.m.

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts approximately six hours and 30 minutes.

Where does the tour finish?

It returns to the same meeting point at the Police Pier.

How many people can join the private tour?

The private booking is for up to five people.

Is lunch included?

No. You can buy lunch at Aquarium or bring your own food.

Are drinks included?

Yes. The package includes 12 bottles of water, 12 beers, and a cooler with ice.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Snorkeling masks are included, but snorkel tubes are not included due to health regulations.

Is the drone photo guaranteed?

No. A drone photo or video may be provided on some occasions, but wind and weather can prevent the drone from flying.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Poor weather cancellations may also result in a new date or full refund.