Boat rental for the Rosario Islands up to 15 people.

The best part of this Rosario Islands outing is simple: the boat is private, so your group can shape the day instead of following a fixed public-tour schedule. From 9 A.M. to 5 P.M., you can visit Isla Grande, Caño Ratón, La Piscina, Cholón, and Aguazul, choosing how long to stay at each stop.

I like the flexible route and the practical setup. You get a captain, skipper, fuel, life vests, snorkel equipment, a cooler, ice, bottled water, and a restroom on board. The Bluetooth sound system is another nice touch for a group that wants music between swims. One thing to consider: once the boat has moved past a stop, you cannot return to it, so your choices during the day matter.

• Private boat for up to 15 people: The $815 group price becomes much better value when shared by a full group.
• A full eight hours at sea: The 9 A.M. to 5 P.M. schedule gives you time for several stops rather than one rushed visit.
• Flexible island order: You can decide how long to stay, but you cannot backtrack after leaving a stop.
• Bring your own supplies: Pack food, snacks, and drinks, or arrange lunch and alcoholic drinks at an extra cost.
• Useful onboard equipment: Expect life vests, snorkel gear, a cooler, 13 kilos of ice, bottled water, and a restroom.
• A social setting: Bluetooth music and space for 15 make this a natural choice for birthdays, reunions, and friend groups.

Why a private boat changes the Rosario Islands day

A public boat outing can get you to the Rosario Islands, but it usually asks you to accept someone else’s timetable. This private charter gives you a different kind of day. You can spend more time at a place your group likes, move on when the mood changes, and keep the boat to people you already know.

That matters in a group of up to 15. One person may want to snorkel, another may want photographs, and someone else may be happiest sitting with a cold drink and music. A private boat lets the group negotiate those choices without adding strangers to the mix.

The price is $815 per group, not per person. Split among 15 people, that is about $54 per person. With 10 people, it is about $82 each. With only four people, the cost rises to roughly $204 per person, so the value depends heavily on group size.

I would call this a strong buy for a nearly full group that wants privacy and control. For a couple or a small party, a shared excursion may cost less, though it will not offer the same control over stops and music.

Starting at Todomar CHL Marina in Bocagrande

The boat leaves from Todomar CHL Marina Bocagrande in Cartagena. The meeting point is in Bocagrande, a useful detail to confirm before you set out because the day begins at the dock, not from your hotel.

The stated schedule runs from 9 A.M. until about 5 P.M., with the boat returning to the same meeting point. Treat the morning start as part of the experience. You will want your food, drinks, swimwear, sunscreen, and other personal items ready before boarding so the boat can leave on time.

The service includes private transportation as listed in the inclusions, but the supplied details identify the marina as both the start and end point. Confirm the exact pickup arrangement when booking if you need transportation from another part of Cartagena.

Five stops, one-way decisions

The route can include Isla Grande, Caño Ratón, La Piscina, Cholón, and Aguazul. The exact pace is yours, but the route has an important rule: after the boat passes a point, it cannot return there.

That makes your early decisions worth discussing with the captain and skipper. If one stop matters most to your group, say so before the boat moves on. Do not assume you can come back later for a second swim or more photographs.

Isla Grande

Isla Grande is one of the named island stops and may be a good early anchor for the day. You can use the time for swimming, photographs, or simply getting settled into the rhythm of the boat.

The advantage of a private charter is that your group can decide how long this stop deserves. The limitation is that no detailed activity schedule is promised for the island, so your experience depends on the choices you make with the crew and the interests of your party.

Caño Ratón

Caño Ratón is another possible stop along the route. It adds variety to a day that is otherwise easy to reduce to one beach visit and a quick lunch.

You may find that some people in your group prefer a short look while others want more time in the water. Talk through that balance before leaving. Since the boat does not return to passed points, a casual decision to move on is final for that day.

La Piscina

The name La Piscina suggests a water-focused stop, and the supplied tour details place it among the possible island visits. This is a natural place to make use of the included snorkel equipment, though the exact conditions and available marine life are not guaranteed.

The boat carries life vests, and the crew provides snorkel gear. You should still follow the captain’s instructions and use the equipment only in the areas the crew considers suitable.

Cholón

Cholón is the liveliest stop named in the tour plan and the one most closely tied to food and local purchases in the available account of the experience. Luis and Moisés, identified as crew members on one booking, helped arrange orders at Cholón and offered advice on where and when to buy from local sellers.

That kind of help can save time, particularly if your group wants lunch without turning the day into a long negotiation. Lunch is not included in the base price, so you can bring your own food, buy a typical meal on the islands, or arrange an added lunch service if offered.

Cholón may suit a social group that enjoys music, food, and a more active stop. If your ideal day is quiet, tell the crew that before spending too long there. The point of a private boat is not to follow a fixed idea of fun. It is to make the day fit your group.

Aguazul

Aguazul completes the list of named stops. The information provided does not promise a specific activity there, so think of it as another chance to choose between water time, photographs, and a slower pause on the route.

If your group wants to visit all five places, the day could feel well filled. If you want long stays at only two or three locations, tell the crew early. Eight hours sounds generous, but travel between islands and time for lunch will reduce the hours available at each stop.

What is included on the boat

The useful inclusions are not flashy, but they make a difference over a full day at sea. You receive a captain, skipper, fuel, life vests, a cooler, 13 kilos of ice, a restroom, snorkel equipment, and two 330cc bottles of water per person.

The cooler and ice are particularly helpful if you bring your own supplies. The ice allowance is shared across the group, so pack drinks with some restraint and consider how much space food will take. The boat also has professional sound equipment with Bluetooth, allowing you to connect your own music.

The water allowance is clear: two 330cc bottles per person. That is useful, but it is not a full day’s drinking supply for everyone. Bring additional nonalcoholic drinks if you want more than the included bottles.

The restroom is another practical advantage. Boat days can be less comfortable when every stop depends on finding facilities, so having one onboard gives your group more freedom.

Food, alcohol, and the smart way to pack

Lunch is not included. You may bring your own food, buy a typical lunch on the islands, or pay an additional amount if you want lunch arranged. Alcohol is also not included, but you may bring your own drinks or pay an added cost to include them.

I like this policy because it gives you control over both budget and taste. A group celebrating a birthday may want to bring a cooler of preferred drinks and snacks. A group that wants less preparation may prefer to buy lunch during the day.

Pack food that travels well and does not require complicated serving. Keep drinks cold with the supplied ice, and remember that the group shares the cooler. Bring enough water beyond the two small bottles per person, especially if you plan to spend much of the day in the sun.

Because this is a private outing, you can also agree on a food plan before boarding. That avoids losing valuable island time while 15 people make separate choices.

Music, photos, and the social side

The Bluetooth sound system gives the day a party-boat feel without requiring you to accept someone else’s playlist. This will appeal to birthdays, bachelor or bachelorette groups, family reunions, and friends who want music between stops.

It is not the best fit for every group. If you want a quiet nature outing, the sound system may be less important than the water and views. The good news is that the equipment is an option, not the whole point of the charter.

The private setting also helps with photographs. One birthday booking included a stop at a private island for relaxed time and pictures. Do not assume that exact stop is part of every route, but the example shows how the crew may adapt the outing when conditions and timing allow.

The crew pairing of Luis and Moisés was praised for punctuality, courtesy, island advice, and help with orders at Cholón. Crew assignments can vary, so I would not book on the assumption that the same two people will always operate your boat. Still, it is worth asking who will be with you and explaining the kind of day you want.

What can go wrong, and how to protect your day

The overall rating is 4.9 from 68 reviews, and 99 percent of customers recommend the experience. That points to a strong record, but it is not a guarantee of a perfect outing.

One serious complaint described a captain who did not show, saying there was not enough time. The complaint involved a delayed start at 12 P.M. rather than the advertised 9 A.M. departure. This is a sharp reminder to confirm the meeting time and contact instructions before the day begins.

A smooth day also depends on clear decisions. Tell the crew your priority stops, food plans, preferred pace, and music expectations at the start. Keep an eye on the clock, since the route is one-way and a late departure can cut into time at the islands.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not refunded, and changes within that window are not accepted. The cutoff uses local time in Cartagena.

Who should book this charter?

I would choose this boat for a group that values privacy more than the lowest possible price. It suits people who want to play their own music, bring their own food, set the pace, and make several island stops without sharing the boat with strangers.

It is especially practical for a full group of friends or family. At 15 people, the per-person cost is reasonable for an eight-hour private outing with fuel, crew, ice, equipment, and a restroom included.

I would think twice if you have only two or three people, dislike making group decisions, or want every meal and activity included in one price. I would also avoid assuming that every named island can receive equal time. The route offers choice, but the clock still wins.

Should you book it?

Book this private Rosario Islands boat if you can fill most of the 15 seats and want a flexible day with your own people. The combination of several possible stops, onboard equipment, Bluetooth music, and permission to bring your own supplies gives you more control than a standard shared outing.

Before booking, agree on your must-see stop, lunch plan, drink plan, and departure time. Ask for clear meeting instructions and confirm the crew arrangement. If your group is ready to make those choices, this is a practical and good-value way to spend a full day beyond Cartagena.

FAQ

How much does the private boat cost?

The boat costs $815 per group for up to 15 people. The per-person price depends on how many people share the charter.

How long does the experience last?

The outing lasts approximately eight hours, from 9 A.M. until 5 P.M., including the return to Cartagena.

Where does the boat depart and return?

The boat departs from Todomar CHL Marina Bocagrande in Cartagena and returns to the same meeting point.

Which islands can the boat visit?

The listed stops are Isla Grande, Caño Ratón, La Piscina, Cholón, and Aguazul.

Can I choose how long to stay at each island?

Yes. Your group can determine how long to stay at each island, but the boat cannot return to a point after it has passed it.

Is lunch included?

No. You can bring your own food, buy a typical lunch on the islands, or pay an additional cost if lunch is arranged.

Are alcoholic drinks included?

No. You may bring your own alcoholic drinks or pay an additional cost to include them.

What equipment and supplies are included?

The boat includes a captain, skipper, fuel, life vests, a cooler, 13 kilos of ice, a restroom, snorkel equipment, professional Bluetooth sound, and two 330cc bottles of water per person.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.