Sport Boat : Rosario Island,lunch on private island

The main draw here is the full-day boat ride through the Rosario Islands, a chain of 27 islands just off Cartagena. You get a quick look at San Fernando de Bocachica, a short snorkeling stop near Isla Grande, and time at Isla del Encanto for a buffet lunch, pool, and private beach.

I like the mix of history and sea time, rather than a day spent at only one beach. I also like the small maximum group of 22 and the fact that lunch is included. The catch is that this is a busy, tightly timed outing, and the snorkeling and beach stops may feel crowded or less polished than the price suggests.

• A 9-hour boat day from Cartagena: Leave at 8:30 am from Todomar CHL Marina in Bocagrande and return there.
• San Fernando de Bocachica: Spend about 15 minutes hearing about this important fort at the entrance to Cartagena Bay.
• Rosario Islands by boat: Sail among 27 islands, with about two hours devoted to seeing the chain from the water.
• Short snorkeling stop: Snorkel for about 25 minutes near Isla Grande, including an area with a sunken plane.
• Private-island lunch: Use the beach and pool at Isla del Encanto Resort and eat an included buffet lunch.
• Views of Cholon and Playa Blanca: These are panoramic sights rather than clearly defined long stops.

What the Cartagena boat day is really like

This is not a quiet island escape from the moment you leave the marina. It is a sightseeing day by boat, with several short experiences packed into roughly nine hours.

You start at 8:30 am at Todomar CHL Marina Bocagrande2nda. The meeting point matters. One of the hardest parts of the day can be finding the correct marina entrance and matching the exact name used for the departure point. Give yourself time to get there, and do not assume the marina will be obvious from a picture alone.

The group limit is 22 people, which is smaller than many Cartagena boat outings. That should make boarding and moving between stops easier, but it does not guarantee an uncrowded beach or snorkeling area. Those places are shared with other boats and resorts.

The schedule includes boat sightseeing, a fort, snorkeling, a resort stop, and two panoramic views. That variety is the reason to choose this excursion. If you want long stretches of stillness, an empty beach, or a slow island lunch, this schedule may feel rushed.

San Fernando de Bocachica in 15 minutes

The first stop is Fuerte de San Fernando de Bocachica, where you spend about 15 minutes learning about the fort. Admission is included, so there is no separate ticket to arrange.

A quarter hour is enough for a quick historical introduction and a look at the setting, but not enough for an extended fort visit. Think of this as context for Cartagena’s defensive past, not a full museum tour.

I like having this stop at the beginning because it gives the day some substance before the island scenery takes over. You can see how the approach to Cartagena was protected, then move on to the water and the islands beyond the bay.

If you care most about colonial history, you will want to spend extra time visiting Cartagena’s fortifications separately. This stop is brief by design.

Sailing among all 27 Rosario Islands

The boat spends about two hours passing through the Rosario Islands, a group made up of 27 islands. The appeal here is the view from the water. You get a sense of how scattered the islands are and how different the day feels from Cartagena’s urban waterfront.

This part of the trip is also where the boat itself becomes the experience. You are not simply being transported to one beach. You are watching the islands pass by and seeing several areas that you would not reach on foot.

The tradeoff is exposure to weather and motion. Bring protection from the sun, and expect the ride to be an active part of the day rather than a short transfer. The supplied details do not specify the boat type, seating arrangement, or engine time between each stop, so you should be comfortable with a day organized around boat travel.

The Rosario Islands are popular, and popularity affects the mood. Some parts of the route may feel scenic and open, while the better-known stops can be busy. That contrast is normal for a Cartagena island day and is worth keeping in mind when you compare this with a private charter.

Isla Grande snorkeling and the sunken plane

At Isla Grande del Rosario, the snorkeling portion lasts about 25 minutes. You snorkel over coral reef and in an area where there is a sunken plane.

The plane gives this short water stop a clear point of interest. It is more distinctive than simply being dropped in the sea with no feature to look for. Still, 25 minutes is a quick session. You will not have the time or freedom of a dedicated snorkeling trip.

Water quality and reef condition can vary. One reported experience found the reef disappointing and described it as largely dead. That does not mean every departure will look the same, but it is a useful warning: do not book this solely for outstanding marine life.

The snorkeling stop can also feel crowded if several boats use the same area. If you are a strong snorkeler seeking a healthy reef, this may not meet your hopes. If you want a brief look at the island waters and the unusual plane site, it can still be worthwhile.

The supplied information does not say whether snorkeling gear is included, so confirm that before booking. It also does not list a towel among the inclusions. Bring your own towel and ask about equipment rather than assuming everything is provided.

Lunch, pool, and beach at Isla del Encanto

The longest land-based stop is at Hotel Isla del Encanto. You have about two hours to use the private beach and pool, with a buffet lunch included in the price.

This is the clearest value feature of the day. You get a proper resort setting rather than relying on a short public beach stop, and lunch is already part of the booking. Two hours gives you time to eat and spend some time by the water, though it is not a full afternoon at the resort.

Food quality may be uneven. One particularly unhappy account described a poor meal, including seafood pieces served with ketchup, so I would keep expectations at the level of a group buffet rather than a special island dining experience. The tour price includes lunch, but not alcohol, bottled water, or a towel. Budget for drinks separately and bring water unless you plan to buy it.

Extra charges are another reason to pay attention. A complaint described expensive drinks, high service charges, and an added fee for credit-card payment. Those practices may not occur on every departure, but you should check prices before ordering and review the bill carefully.

The private beach and pool are useful if you want a comfortable break after the boat and snorkeling. They are less useful if you hoped for a wild, undeveloped island setting. This stop is about convenience and facilities, not isolation.

Cholon and Playa Blanca from the boat

The day includes a panoramic view of Cholon and an observation of Playa Blanca Baru, one of the most visited public beaches in the area.

The wording matters. These are listed as views, not guaranteed long beach stays. You should expect to see them from the boat or during a brief pass, not necessarily to step ashore and settle in.

Cholon is known for its party reputation, but the supplied schedule only promises a panoramic view. A separate report described a party-island stop being closed on one particular day, which changed the plan for that group. The operator apologized and explained that a major event had altered the day’s logistics.

That incident points to a practical concern. Special events in Cartagena can affect boat routes, start times, and access to particular stops. If Cholon or a party stop is the main reason you are booking, confirm the plan close to departure. Do not treat a panoramic view as a guaranteed party experience.

Playa Blanca is also a popular public beach, so a view of it gives you a sense of the area without committing to its crowds. If you want several hours on a public beach, this is not the right schedule.

Is $134 a fair price?

At $134 per person, this sits above a basic shared boat transfer but includes much more: a full-day route, the fort visit, Rosario Islands sightseeing, snorkeling, access to the Isla del Encanto beach and pool, and buffet lunch.

The price makes the most sense if you value having several elements arranged in one day. You do not need to negotiate a boat, find a lunch stop, or arrange separate transport between the marina and island resort.

The value is weaker if you mainly want snorkeling. The water session lasts only about 25 minutes, and one report found the reef underwhelming. It is also weaker if you expect a luxury day, since the group is shared and extra costs may appear for drinks, service, or card payment.

I would compare the cost against your priorities:

• For a first island day with several sights, the package is reasonably broad.
• For a serious snorkeling outing, look for a trip that gives you more water time.
• For a private beach day, make sure you understand that Isla del Encanto is the resort stop and that other beaches are mainly viewed.
• For a party-focused day, confirm Cholon arrangements before paying.

The operator is Vip Tour Cartagena. The published satisfaction figure is 95 percent, with a 4.8 rating from 41 reviews, but the individual experiences show a wide range. That tells me the basic concept works well for many people, while timing, service, crowding, and changing conditions can decide whether you feel the price was worthwhile.

What to bring and what to watch for

This is a water-based day, so practical preparation matters more than dressing for Cartagena’s old town.

Bring a towel, since one is not included. Pack or budget for bottled water, and remember that alcohol is not included. Sun protection is important during the boat ride and at the resort.

Keep the following points in mind:

• Arrive early at Todomar CHL Marina in Bocagrande. The meeting point can be difficult to identify.
• Confirm the exact departure details if a large city event is taking place.
• Ask whether snorkeling equipment is supplied.
• Check drink and service prices before ordering.
• Expect the schedule to change if a beach or party area closes.
• Treat Playa Blanca and Cholon as viewing stops unless the operator confirms otherwise.

Service can also be uneven. A booking-system problem once caused a difficult start, although the transfer situation improved later in the day. That kind of issue is not a reason to reject the trip outright, but it is a reason to keep your morning flexible and save confirmation details on your phone.

The experience is suitable for most people, and service animals are allowed. The group maximum is 22. The supplied information does not provide a detailed accessibility description, so contact the operator if you need specific boarding or mobility arrangements.

Who should book this Rosario Islands outing?

I would recommend it to you if you want a broad introduction to Cartagena’s nearby islands without arranging each piece yourself. It suits people who enjoy a full schedule, short sightseeing stops, a resort lunch, and a mix of swimming, snorkeling, and boat views.

It is also a good fit if you prefer a private-island resort stop to a full day on a crowded public beach. The pool and included buffet give the middle of the day a fixed base.

I would be cautious if you want quiet, excellent reef snorkeling, or a polished luxury service. The reef stop is short, the popular areas can be crowded, and reports of confusing meeting arrangements and extra charges are worth taking seriously.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the 8:30 am start. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

Should you book it?

Book this outing if your ideal island day includes variety over depth: a fort, a long boat route, a short snorkeling session, a resort beach, a buffet lunch, and views of Cholon and Playa Blanca.

Skip it if one specific promise matters most. Choose another trip for serious reef time, a guaranteed party stop, or a truly private beach day. If you do book, confirm the marina meeting details, ask what is included for snorkeling, bring a towel and water money, and check whether local events have changed the route.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and finish?

It starts at 8:30 am at Todomar CHL Marina Bocagrande2nda in Cartagena and ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the experience last?

The activity lasts approximately nine hours.

How many people can join the boat?

The maximum group size is 22 people.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A private-island buffet lunch at Hotel Isla del Encanto is included.

Are drinks included?

No. Alcoholic beverages and bottled water are not included.

How long is the snorkeling stop?

The snorkeling activity at Isla Grande lasts about 25 minutes and includes a coral-reef area and a location with a sunken plane.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund.