San Andres: Private San Andres Bay Tour by Luxury Speedboat

San Andrés is at its best from the water, and this private speedboat tour gives you a full six hours to see why the island is known for its sea of seven colors. You’ll pass mangroves, shallow sandbars, reef areas, floating bars, and the wreck of the Nicodemus, with snorkeling stops built into the day.

I like the private format, which lets your group spend more time at a favorite spot instead of following a large boat’s fixed rhythm. I also like the useful setup: snorkeling gear, life vests, a cooler with ice, a water mat, and a professional sound system are provided. The main drawback is cost. At $450 for up to 10 people, it can be good value for a full group, but expensive for only two people once food, drinks, and the pier fee are added.

Key points before you book

• Private boat for up to 10 people: You get the vessel and crew for your own group, with more room to adjust the pace.
• Six stops around San Andrés: The route includes Old Point mangroves, Aquarium Key, Rocky Key, El Palito, and White Watta Beach.
• Strong snorkeling focus: Look for colorful fish, rays, sea urchins, sea cucumbers, starfish, and sharks in the listed marine areas.
• Helpful crew setup: A captain and assistant come along, with Mario often handling the welcome and coordination at the pier.
• Bring your own drinks if you like: A cooler with ice is included, but food and drinks are not.
• Sea conditions matter: The trip runs only when Dimar, Colombia’s maritime authority, approves conditions.

Six hours on San Andrés’ sea of seven colors

The tour begins at Muelle de la Policía, where Mario meets your group and takes you to the boat. Communication before the trip has included WhatsApp, with start details shared the night before. The usual arrangement is a captain and assistant on board, with Mario greeting the group when possible.

The boat is described as new, luxurious, and comfortable, with a sound system for music. That matters more than it may seem on a six-hour outing. You have somewhere to sit between stops, space for your group, and a cooler with ice for drinks you bring yourself.

The listed price is $450 per group of up to 10, not $450 per person. With 10 people, that works out to $45 each. With five people, it becomes $90 per person. For a couple, the price is much harder to justify unless having a private boat is a major part of your San Andrés plans.

The tour lasts six hours, but the time at each stop can be adjusted. That flexibility is one of the clearest reasons to choose a private excursion. If the fish are active at a snorkeling area, you can ask to stay longer. If your group has had enough sun, you can keep moving.

Old Point mangroves and the quieter side of the island

Old Point mangroves provide a change from open water and coral sand. Here, you can look for red mangroves, exotic birds, iguanas, and other species that live around this protected coastal setting.

This is not simply a photo stop with blue water in the background. The mangroves show you a different part of San Andrés, one shaped by shallow water and tangled roots rather than open reef. You’ll want to keep your eyes moving because wildlife sightings are part of the appeal, not a guaranteed performance.

The formal schedule includes a short photo stop and a guided visit with marine-life viewing. Since this is a private outing, ask the crew at the start how much time they expect to spend at each place. The full route includes several stops, so time management matters if you want both wildlife viewing and plenty of snorkeling.

Aquarium Key is the main snorkeling stop

Aquarium Key is the most important stop for anyone booking this tour mainly for marine life. The water is suited to snorkeling, and the listed species include doctor fish, puffer fish, butterfly fish, rays, sea urchins, and sharks.

The word aquarium fits the setting: you are looking into clear, shallow sea rather than visiting a built indoor attraction. The fun comes from seeing fish move around you in their natural environment. Snorkeling equipment is supplied, along with life vests, so you do not need to pack your own mask and fins unless you prefer your own gear.

The crew can help you get comfortable in the water and point out areas worth watching. Previous outings have included captains such as Luis and assistants such as Leider or Denner, though the crew may vary by departure. The important point is that two crew members are assigned to the boat, giving you help in the water while also keeping the boat operation covered.

If marine life is your priority, tell the crew early. One useful approach is to spend less time at a photo stop and more time where fish are concentrated. You can also ask about the best order for the stops on the day, since sea conditions can affect which areas are most pleasant.

Rocky Key and the Nicodemus wreck

Rocky Key is a small rocky cay beside the stranded ship Nicodemus. The merchant vessel has been wrecked there for more than 50 years, giving the stop a point of interest beyond swimming and photographs.

The wreck adds a little story to the route. It is not just another patch of sand and sea. You can photograph the rocky island and the ship from the water, while the crew explains what you are looking at.

Do not expect a land-based museum or a long historical visit. This is a boat stop, and the value is the combination of the old wreck, the open sea, and the chance to see another section of the island’s coast. If your group likes photography, this is one of the places where having your own boat helps. You can take the pictures you want without needing to keep pace with a large group.

El Palito’s shallow water and small sea life

El Palito is described as a shallow sand area where you can snorkel or simply enjoy the water. The creatures to look for include starfish, sea cucumbers, and sea urchins.

This stop should suit you if you prefer calm, shallow water to a more active snorkeling area. It also gives non-swimmers in your group a chance to enjoy the sea from the water mat or boat, although the activity is not suitable for people with mobility impairments.

The usual beach rule applies: look, do not handle. Starfish, sea cucumbers, and sea urchins are living animals, and sea urchins can hurt if stepped on. The crew provides equipment and guidance, but you remain responsible for moving carefully in shallow water.

Because El Palito is shallow, it may be one of the easiest spots for taking underwater pictures. Bring a waterproof phone case if you have one, but the supplied information does not list cameras as part of the equipment.

White Watta Beach and the floating bars

White Watta Beach is presented as the tour’s signature relaxation stop. It is described as a natural, clear pool within the sea of seven colors, with two floating bars, Ibiza and Raizal.

This is where the day shifts from wildlife and snorkeling to a more social atmosphere. You can swim in the clear pool, rest on the water mat, and have a drink at one of the floating bars. Drinks at the bars are not included, so budget separately.

The setting is also suited to photographs, especially when sunlight brings out the changing shades of the sea. The exact appearance depends on weather and water conditions, so do not expect the same color every hour. Still, this is the kind of stop that makes a private boat useful: your group can enjoy a swim, stop for a drink, and leave when the pace feels right.

Some outings finish with a pleasant sunset feel at White Watta Beach, but the tour is six hours and the precise timing depends on the start time and the route. Ask the crew if you want to plan around late afternoon light.

Lunch is local, but not included

The route allows time for lunch at a local island restaurant, and one recommended stop has been Coco Bay. Haynes Cay has also been used for a meal, with fresh fish available at a local restaurant.

Food and drinks are not included in the $450 price. That is easy to overlook when comparing this tour with other boat outings, so plan for the restaurant bill and any drinks at the floating bars. You may bring your own drinks for the boat because the cooler and ice are supplied.

A local lunch adds value because it breaks up the time on the water and gives you a taste of island cooking. It also lets you choose what fits your group rather than accepting a fixed meal package. At the same time, restaurant timing can reduce time available for snorkeling, so decide with the crew how much of the six-hour schedule you want to spend ashore.

What the crew adds to the day

Mario, the owner, may meet you personally at the dock and introduce you to the captain and assistant. The crew names reported for different departures include Luis as captain, with Leider or Denner assisting. Names can change, but the two-person crew arrangement remains useful.

The best part of a private boat is not simply having fewer people around you. It is being able to ask for help, change the pace, and get advice about where to look for fish. The crew can also help organize the snorkeling equipment, point out features along the route, and give you time alone when you want it.

English and Spanish are available. You should still discuss your priorities before leaving the pier. Say clearly if you want more snorkeling, more photography, a restaurant stop, or a relaxed afternoon with music and swimming.

The professional sound system makes the boat feel more like a private outing than a basic transfer. Use it for music, but keep the volume reasonable near wildlife areas and other boats.

How the price compares with the experience

For a full group of 10, $450 is a strong value for a six-hour private boat. You are splitting the cost across the group, while also getting the captain, assistant, snorkeling equipment, cooler with ice, life vests, and water mat.

For six people, the cost is $75 each. For four, it is $112.50 each. For two, it is $225 each before the pier fee, lunch, and drinks. A couple may prefer a shared boat if keeping costs down is more important than having control over the schedule.

The price also reflects the comfort of a luxury speedboat and the privacy of not sharing the day with strangers. If you are celebrating, traveling with family, or have a group that wants different amounts of time in the water, those features can make the cost worthwhile.

Remember the extra charges. The pier entry fee is not included, and neither are food or drinks. The cancellation policy allows a full refund when you cancel at least 24 hours ahead, and you can reserve now and pay later, which helps if your San Andrés schedule is still changing.

Practical details for a smoother outing

Wear beachwear and bring any personal sun protection you normally use. The supplied information specifically asks you to bring beachwear, while snorkeling equipment and life vests are provided.

The tour cannot simply run in any conditions. Dimar must approve the sea conditions, so the departure depends on maritime safety. That is a sensible restriction for a speedboat route with several open-water stops.

The tour is not suitable for people with mobility impairments or people over 70. That restriction matters because you will be moving between a pier, boat, water, and shallow snorkeling areas. Explosive substances are not allowed, which is an obvious safety rule but worth noting if you are carrying unusual equipment.

You should also expect a full day in the sun. The cooler is useful, but it does not replace bringing what you need for personal comfort. If you have a concern about swimming, snorkeling, or getting on and off the boat, raise it before departure.

Who should book this private San Andrés boat tour?

I would choose this tour for a group of friends, a family with confident swimmers, or a couple that places a high value on privacy. It is especially appealing if you want to combine marine life, wildlife, a shipwreck, sandbars, lunch, and floating bars in one day.

It suits people who like choice. You can ask to linger at Aquarium Key, take more photos at Rocky Key, or keep the pace relaxed at White Watta Beach. The route has variety, so the day does not depend on one single snorkeling site.

I would think twice if you are traveling alone or as a couple on a strict budget. The per-person cost rises quickly with a small group, and the additional pier fee, lunch, and drinks are not minor details.

Should you book it?

Book this private San Andrés speedboat tour if you can fill several seats and want a flexible day centered on the water. The strongest reasons are the private boat, the helpful two-person crew, the broad route, and the chance to spend real time snorkeling at Aquarium Key and El Palito.

Before booking, confirm the meeting details, ask who will captain your boat, and agree on your priorities for snorkeling, lunch, and White Watta Beach. If your group is large enough to share the $450 cost, this is one of the more sensible ways to see several sides of San Andrés in six hours. If you are a small group watching every peso, compare the total cost with a shared excursion first.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and finish?

The tour starts and returns at Muelle de la Policía in San Andrés.

How long does the boat tour last?

The experience lasts six hours. Starting times depend on availability.

What is included in the price?

The price includes a captain, assistant, boat with a professional sound system, cooler with ice, life vest, snorkeling equipment, and water mat.

Are food, drinks, and the pier fee included?

No. Food, drinks, and the pier entry fee are not included. You may bring your own drinks for the boat, and a cooler with ice is provided.

Is the tour private?

Yes. It is a private group experience for up to 10 people.

What happens if sea conditions are poor?

The tour operates only when sea conditions are approved by Dimar, Colombia’s maritime authority.