Rosario Islands from Cartagena: which tour to choose
5 min read
Short answer: the Rosario Islands are the usual day out from Cartagena, and they belong to a national park, so the day you choose matters. Take the three beach clubs tour (adults only) for a day of beaches and lunch without organising anything; take the private boat day (up to 12 guests) for privacy and a snorkelling stop; take the sunset cruise if you only want an evening on Cartagena Bay. This guide compares them, explains the park rules published by Colombia’s national parks authority and lists the fees you pay separately, in cash.
Quick answers
- Shared beach clubs tour: about 7 hours 30 minutes, by speedboat; adults only (18+); non-refundable.
- Private boat day: about 6 hours 30 minutes on a private 34 ft boat for up to 12 guests; non-refundable.
- Sunset catamaran cruise: about 2 hours across Cartagena Bay.
- Paid separately, in cash: a port fee on the shared tour, the national park entrance fee on the private boat day and a dock tax on the sunset cruise.
- Departures: the day tours start in the morning, at 8:00 or 9:00.
The protected area
The islands belong to the Corales del Rosario y de San Bernardo National Natural Park, managed by Parques Nacionales Naturales de Colombia. According to the authority’s page, the park was declared on 6 June 1977, covers about 123,394 hectares and starts about 23 km south of Cartagena, at Punta Gigante on Barú. Its ecosystems are coral reefs, seagrass meadows and mangroves, and it holds, according to the page, the largest coral platform of Colombia’s continental Caribbean, about 420 km². The park is also home to endangered sea turtles and coastal birds that depend on the mangroves.
Rules for visitors, from the park’s own page
The authority publishes recommendations and rules that apply to everyone, whichever trip you take:
- Do not anchor on, step on or touch corals; do not collect shells, starfish or coral fragments.
- Do not bring single-use plastics, pets or plant material; take out all the waste you produce and do not litter.
- Do not light fires, cut trees or capture wildlife; do not dump fuel or oil into the water.
- Dive or snorkel only at sites authorised for those activities.
- Keep music low; alcohol, psychoactive substances and weapons are restricted.
- Do not eat endangered species such as the mero guasa, turtle or the caracol pala.
- Registration and induction: entry requires a registration and a short induction talk; the page recommends carrying ID and valid health insurance. Boat departures to the park run between 8:00 and 10:00, and the return time depends on port authorities and sea conditions.
Three trips, compared
| Trip | Format | Time | What it is |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rosario Islands tour with 3 beach clubs | Shared, adults only (18+) | About 7 hours 30 minutes | Round-trip speedboat to the beach clubs Pao Pao, Islabela and Bora Bora, with a bilingual guide, a welcome drink at each and lunch at Islabela |
| Private boat day to the Rosario Islands | Private (up to 12) | About 6 hours 30 minutes | A private 34 ft boat with captain, co-pilot and bilingual guide; snorkelling at a reef near Isla Grande (weather permitting) and an afternoon at a beach club |
| Sunset catamaran cruise | Shared | About 2 hours | Sunset across Cartagena Bay with an open bar, snacks and music, with views of the Walled City and the Bocagrande skyline |
What you pay separately
According to the listings:
- on the shared Rosario tour, a port fee of about USD 11 per person, in cash;
- on the private boat day, the national park entrance fee, about USD 7 per person, paid in cash at the checkpoint;
- on the sunset cruise, a dock tax of about USD 5 per person, in cash.
The park’s official page gives a Colombian-peso fee for the San Bernardo sector and says fees may change, so treat all amounts as indicative and confirm them when you book. Gratuities are optional.
How to choose
- A day of beaches and lunch without organising anything: the three beach clubs tour (adults only, non-refundable).
- Privacy, a family or a snorkelling stop: the private boat day (gear provided, weather permitting).
- Only an evening: the sunset cruise.
Because the park asks you to snorkel only at authorised sites, follow your guide: do not swim off on your own. Plan the rest of your stay with the Cartagena guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is the entrance fee to the park included?
Not on the private boat day; it is paid in cash at the checkpoint. Check each listing.
Can children go on the beach clubs tour?
No. It is an adults-only (18+) tour.
Which trip includes snorkelling?
The private boat day: gear provided, weather permitting.
How far are the islands?
The park starts about 23 km south of Cartagena, according to the authority; the sea access from Cartagena takes about 1 to 2 hours from La Bodeguita, according to the same page.
Can I cancel?
The beach clubs tour and the private boat day are non-refundable according to their listings; check the sunset cruise.
What should I bring?
ID, swimwear, sun protection, cash for the fees and a bag to take your waste out.
Sources
- Parques Nacionales Naturales de Colombia · PNN Corales del Rosario y de San Bernardo (Spanish): declaration, area, ecosystems, visitor information and rules.
- Our trip descriptions: 3 beach clubs tour, private boat day, sunset catamaran cruise.
Last checked: 27 October 2026. Fees and rules change; confirm them when you book.
