Private Boat Rental To The Rosario Islands Up To 17

The most interesting part of this Cartagena day trip is its mix of Caribbean swimming spots and odd local landmarks. You can snorkel at La Piscinita, relax on a white-sand beach, see Pablo Escobar’s old mansion, and pass the abandoned plane, all from your own boat.

I like the private format, especially for families or friends who want control over the pace. I also like the simple group price, since a full boat can make $1,049 reasonable when divided among several people. The main concern is that the advertised capacity is not perfectly clear: the title says up to 17, while the price is listed for up to 15.

Key points at a glance

• Private boat for your group: You do not share the activity with strangers.
• La Piscinita snorkeling: Equipment, bottled water, ice, fuel, insurance, a captain, and a bilingual host are included.
• Isla Grande stops: Expect swimming, sun, beaches, and time on or near the island.
• Unusual sightseeing: The route includes Pablo Escobar’s mansion and an abandoned plane.
• Lunch is on you: A beachfront meal is part of the day, but food, taxes, and alcoholic drinks are not included.
• Confirm the details: Ask about boat size, maximum group count, English support, and the exact route before paying.

A private boat day from Cartagena

This is an eight-hour escape from Cartagena’s busy streets to the Rosario Islands, a chain of Caribbean islands known for clear water and beach stops. The boat leaves from Sibarita del Mar on Avenida Blas de Lezo in the historic center, so you begin close to the heart of Cartagena rather than at a distant marina.

The private setup changes the feel of the day. You are not following a large group from one stop to the next, and only your own party takes part. That matters if your group includes swimmers, sunbathers, children, or people who would rather spend longer at one stop than another.

The price is $1,049 per group, with the supplied booking information listing the fee for up to 15 people. Split between 10 people, that is about $105 per person. Split between 15, it is about $70 each. For two people, though, the price is steep, and a smaller shared excursion may offer better value.

The tour is often booked well ahead, with an average lead time of about 64 days. That is useful to know if your Cartagena visit falls during a popular travel period. The boat also depends on good weather, so leave some flexibility in your plans if possible.

Setting out from Sibarita del Mar

Your meeting point is Sibarita del Mar, Av. Blas de Lezo, El Centro, Cartagena de Indias. The activity ends at the same point, which keeps the day simple and avoids arranging a separate return from the islands.

The package includes fuel, ice, bottled water, insurance, snorkeling equipment, a captain, and a bilingual host. You should still bring a towel, since one previous customer specifically found that towels were not supplied. Pack any drinks you want beyond the included water, too. Alcoholic drinks are not included, and food is also outside the listed price.

One important detail deserves attention before you book. The service is described as having a bilingual host, but one booking ended up with crew members who did not speak English after a boat change. The company explained that partner boats can be used during busy periods. If clear English communication matters to you, confirm it in writing before departure rather than assuming it will happen automatically.

There was also confusion over the exact boat and route on one smaller booking. The party had expected a Botegena boat and a particular beach stop, but received a different vessel and went to Paue, a private beach club. The crew was described as pleasant, and the boat itself was fine, but the experience did not match what had been expected. This is a good reason to confirm the vessel, route, and stops when your party is small.

Isla Grande and the Rosario Islands

The main setting is Isla Grande, part of the Rosario Islands. The appeal is straightforward: clear Caribbean water, pale sand, warm sun, and a welcome break from Cartagena’s heat and traffic.

You will spend much of the day around the water. You can swim, sit on the beach, or simply stay aboard and enjoy the ride between stops. The private boat gives you more say in how active the day feels, although the supplied details do not promise a fully flexible, custom route. Think of it as a private version of a planned island outing, not necessarily a boat charter with unlimited changes.

The island setting is attractive, but comfort can vary by stop. A beach club may require a minimum purchase, as happened at Paue. That arrangement was acceptable to the group involved, but you should ask about minimum spending before ordering lunch or drinks. The tour fee does not cover all fees and taxes, so budget for extra charges at the island stops.

Snorkeling at La Piscinita

La Piscinita is the clearest activity point on the route. It is known for marine life, and snorkeling equipment is included, so you do not need to rent a mask and fins separately.

The practical value here is that you can make the stop as active as you like. Strong swimmers can spend more time in the water, while others can watch from the boat or stay near the beach. The description does not promise a guided marine-life talk or a particular set of fish, so treat this as a snorkeling stop rather than a formal wildlife tour.

Water, ice, and insurance are included, which helps keep the day easy. Still, bring sun protection and a towel. Those are basic items, but a full day on open water can feel long without them. The exact snorkeling conditions depend on the weather and sea, which is another reason to keep your schedule flexible.

Pablo Escobar’s mansion and the abandoned plane

The day is not only about swimming. You also pass or visit two unusual sights connected with the region’s recent past: Pablo Escobar’s mansion and an abandoned plane.

Escobar’s mansion adds a darker historical layer to an otherwise relaxed beach day. The supplied information does not promise an indoor tour, a museum, or a detailed historical presentation. You should expect a sightseeing stop connected with the building itself, with the boat and guide providing the context available on the day.

The abandoned plane is another memorable visual landmark. It gives the outing a slightly strange edge and breaks up the rhythm of beach, water, and lunch. Neither sight is likely to replace a dedicated Cartagena history tour, but both make this more distinctive than a simple boat ride to a beach.

The route can also be a point of uncertainty. One booking did not reach the beach that had been expected, and the party felt the final stop was different from the promised Playa Tranquila. If a particular island or beach is important to you, ask for the planned sequence of stops before you set out.

Lunch beside the water

A beachfront restaurant is included in the day’s plan, but lunch itself is not included in the price. That is common for private island outings, since it lets you choose what you want to order, but it means the advertised boat fee is not the final cost of the day.

You may also encounter a minimum purchase at a beach club. One group found this manageable, but it is still worth knowing in advance. Ask whether the lunch stop is a restaurant, a club, or another private venue, and ask about minimum spending, payment methods, and extra taxes.

There is one cultural detail to handle with care. A crew member may expect the party to cover lunch for the boat staff, which was requested during one outing and came as a surprise. The crew’s meal is not listed among the formal inclusions. If you want to avoid an awkward moment, ask before departure if the captain and crew’s lunch is covered or if your group is expected to pay.

Bring extra drinks if you want them. Bottled water and ice are supplied, but alcoholic drinks are not. You can buy beverages at some stops, though relying on island shops may give you fewer choices and higher prices.

How much value do you get for $1,049?

The fee makes the most sense for a full group. At 15 people, the cost works out to roughly $70 per person before lunch, taxes, drinks, or other purchases. At 10 people, it is about $105 per person. For a couple, the same private boat becomes a major splurge.

You are paying for privacy, a captain, fuel, insurance, a bilingual host, snorkeling gear, water, and a full day on the islands. The price also removes the need to coordinate several separate activities. For a birthday, family outing, or group of friends, that convenience may be worth more than finding the cheapest island transfer.

The capacity needs clarification. The experience title refers to groups up to 17, while the stated group price covers up to 15. Do not assume that 16 or 17 people are included at the same rate. Ask the operator to confirm the maximum number, the price for your exact party, and the boat’s seating capacity.

For a smaller group, value depends on how much you care about privacy and control. If you want a quiet private day and can divide the fee among several people, this can work well. If you mainly want transportation to a beach and a quick swim, the price may feel high.

The private format, with a few cautions

The strongest feature is the ability to keep your own group together. You can enjoy the water without joining a large shared excursion, and you have a captain and host focused on your party.

A high rating is shown for the experience, with 99 percent of customers recommending it and a 5 out of 5 score from 79 ratings. The praise centers on the boat, the friendly guide and drivers, and the feeling that the day was the best part of a wider Colombia trip. Those are meaningful strengths, especially when the boat crew is attentive and the weather cooperates.

The weak point is consistency when the booked boat or crew changes. A partner vessel may be used, and that can affect the language support, the route, or the precise feel of the day. This does not mean a substitute boat will be unsafe or unpleasant, but it does mean you should confirm the details instead of treating the advertised vessel and stops as fixed.

The crew may also speak languages other than English if the promised bilingual host is not available. If you need clear instructions for snorkeling, food arrangements, or timing, make that requirement explicit when booking and again at the meeting point.

Who will enjoy this boat trip most?

I would choose this for a group that wants a full day outside Cartagena and values privacy more than the lowest possible price. Families, couples traveling with friends, and groups celebrating an occasion are the natural fit.

It also suits people who want several types of sights in one outing. You get water time, a beach, snorkeling, lunch, unusual landmarks, and a boat ride, rather than a single stop with little else to do.

I would be more cautious for a group of two or three. The fixed fee can be hard to justify unless the private boat itself is the main point. I would also hesitate if your plans depend on one exact beach, one exact boat, or a guaranteed English-speaking guide. Those details should be confirmed directly before you commit.

Most travelers can participate, and service animals are allowed. The meeting point is near public transportation. The tour requires good weather, and a cancellation caused by poor conditions should result in a new date or a full refund.

Cancellation and planning advice

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund, and the cut-off uses Cartagena’s local time.

That policy is reasonable for a boat charter, but weather deserves special attention. Since the trip requires good conditions, avoid booking it on your only possible day if the rest of your schedule is tight. A weather cancellation offers a different date or a full refund, but a new date is only useful if you have room in your itinerary.

Before booking, I would ask four direct questions:

• Is the boat operated by Botegena or a partner?
• Is an English-speaking host guaranteed?
• Is the price for my exact group size, especially if we have 16 or 17 people?
• Which beach and lunch stop are planned, and are there minimum purchases?

Those questions address the main areas where expectations can differ from the actual day.

Should you book this Rosario Islands boat trip?

Book it if you have a fairly large group, want a private boat, and like the idea of combining snorkeling, beaches, lunch, and unusual sights in one eight-hour outing. At full capacity, the cost becomes much more sensible, and the private format gives you a calmer day than a large shared boat.

Think twice if you are traveling as a couple, need a fixed route, or would be upset by a partner vessel or a change in English support. The experience has real strengths, but the practical details matter. Get the boat, group limit, guide language, lunch costs, and route confirmed in writing, then this can be a memorable way to trade Cartagena’s city heat for a day on the Rosario Islands.

FAQ

Where does the boat tour start?

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

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point in Cartagena.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts about eight hours.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your own group participates in the activity.

How many people can join?

The title describes capacity of up to 17 people, while the stated group price is for up to 15. Confirm the exact limit and price for your party before booking.

What is included?

Snorkeling equipment, bottled water, ice, insurance, fuel, a bilingual host, and a captain are included.

Are lunch and alcoholic drinks included?

No. Food, alcoholic drinks, and all fees and taxes are not included.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel for a full refund at least 24 hours before the experience starts. Poor weather may lead to a different date or a full refund.