3 Private Islands Experience in Cartagena

Three stops, one sunny Cartagena day. This experience combines coral-reef snorkeling at Encantada Beach, a meal and beach-club break at Mambo Beach Club, and pool time with a city view at Vista Mare Beach House. I like the three-part format, which gives you more variety than a single beach outing, and I like that lunch, fruit salad, water, transportation, and entrance fees are included. The main point to weigh is the pace: seven hours sounds generous, but each stop has a fixed window, so you will not have unlimited time in any one place.

You meet at Todomar CHL Marina Bocagrande2nda and return there at the end. The experience is offered in English, uses private transportation, and accepts up to 30 people. It is a good fit if you want an organized island day with several settings, but less so if you prefer a quiet, unplanned beach day with no schedule.

Key points at a glance

• Encantada Beach gets three hours: This is the longest stop and the only one specifically built around snorkeling and coral reefs.
• Mambo Beach Club includes lunch: You can use the club facilities while taking a proper break for food.
• Vista Mare Beach House ends the day with a pool: The final two hours focus on relaxation and views toward Cartagena.
• The $120 price covers the main costs: Private transportation, lunch, fruit salad, bottled water, taxes, and entrance fees are included.
• A towel is not provided: Bring your own, since it is the one clearly listed personal item you need to supply.
• The day depends on conditions: Poor weather can lead to a new date or a full refund, and the experience also requires a minimum number of bookings.

Starting at Todomar Marina in Bocagrande

Your day begins at Todomar CHL Marina Bocagrande2nda, in Cartagena de Indias. Since the tour starts and ends at the same marina, the arrangement is simple: get yourself to the stated meeting point, enjoy the outing, and return there after the final stop.

The private transportation is an important part of the price. Island outings can become awkward when you have to arrange separate transfers, pay several entrance fees, and work out how to move between beach facilities. Here, those major pieces are handled together.

The experience lasts about seven hours. That makes it a full half-day outing rather than a quick add-on between city sightseeing. I would keep the rest of your schedule light, especially if you want time to change clothes, rest, or enjoy dinner after returning to Bocagrande.

The group can reach a maximum of 30 people. That is not a tiny private party, despite the use of private transportation, so you should clarify the exact group setup if you want a highly personal outing. The supplied details do not name the guide, but the guide service received especially warm praise, with an emphasis on a friendly attitude and a good overall mood.

Three hours of snorkeling at Encantada Beach

Encantada Beach is the anchor of the day. You get three hours here, the longest block in the schedule, with clear water, coral reefs, snorkeling, and access to the beach facilities.

That three-hour window matters. Snorkeling often works better when you are not rushed into the water, hurried through the activity, and pushed straight back into transport. You have time to enjoy the water and then settle into the beach atmosphere before moving on.

The coral reefs are the main reason to choose this experience over a simple beach-club visit. If you like seeing marine life and want an active first stop, Encantada provides the clearest activity focus of the three locations. The description does not specify whether snorkeling gear is included, so ask before departure if you need equipment supplied. It also does not promise a particular type or quantity of marine life, so keep your expectations sensible.

The phrase crystal clear water sets the scene, but water conditions can change. Visibility depends on weather and the sea that day. Since the outing requires good weather, poor conditions can affect the schedule or lead to cancellation.

You should also note the moderate fitness requirement. Snorkeling is not presented as a demanding athletic activity, but you should be comfortable with the physical demands of getting into the water and taking part in an active beach stop. The exact entry conditions are not provided, so anyone with mobility or swimming concerns should ask the operator for more detail before booking.

After snorkeling, the beach facilities give you space to slow down. I like this balance: Encantada is not only a quick photo stop, and it is not only a place to sit. You get an activity followed by downtime, which helps make the first three hours feel worthwhile.

Lunch and a slower break at Mambo Beach Club

The second stop lasts two hours at Mambo Beach Club. This is the middle section of the day, where the focus shifts from snorkeling to food, facilities, and a more relaxed beach-club setting.

Lunch is included, which makes the $120 price easier to judge. You do not have to treat the cost as transportation plus several separate purchases. A fruit salad and bottled water are included as well, giving you a light refreshment beyond the main meal.

The available information does not describe the lunch menu. That is worth keeping in mind if you have dietary restrictions or want to know whether the meal suits your preferences. Contact New Coast Travel before booking if food matters greatly to you, since the supplied details only confirm that lunch is included.

Two hours is enough for a meal and some time at the club, but it is not an open-ended beach day. You are following a schedule, and the next stop still needs to fit into the afternoon. I see this as a benefit for anyone who wants structure, while independent beach hoppers may find the timing restrictive.

The club setting also gives the day a different feel from Encantada Beach. Instead of repeating the same beach routine, you move into a place designed for facilities and social time. The tone may suit families and groups who want a comfortable place to share a meal. One of the strongest impressions from the available feedback is the attention from the island staff, especially for people spending the day with family.

Pool time and Cartagena views at Vista Mare

The final stop is Vista Mare Beach House, with two hours set aside for the pool and the view of Cartagena. It is a smart way to finish the schedule because you can shift into a less active mode after snorkeling and lunch.

The city view is the feature here. You are not simply spending another hour beside the water. The setting gives you a chance to look back toward Cartagena and take in the contrast between the island stops and the city you left earlier in the day.

The pool also matters for anyone who prefers not to spend every part of the outing in the sea. You can relax in a different setting, enjoy the facilities, and let the day wind down before private transportation takes you back to the marina.

The description calls for the best view of the city, which is promotional wording rather than a measurable claim. Still, the stop clearly has a viewing role in the itinerary. If taking in Cartagena from the water or a beach-house setting appeals to you, this final location adds something distinct.

Two hours is a reasonable amount of time for a pool stop. It is long enough to settle in without turning the final part of the day into a drawn-out wait. On the other hand, if you want more snorkeling time, you may wish the schedule gave additional minutes to Encantada instead.

What the $120 price really covers

At $120 per person, this is not the cheapest possible way to spend time near Cartagena’s islands. The value depends on how much you would otherwise pay for transport, food, facilities, and separate activities.

The price includes:

• Private transportation
• Lunch
• Bottled water
• Fruit salad
• All fees and taxes
• Admission to the included stops

That package removes several common extras. You do not have to budget separately for the listed entrance costs or lunch, and the transportation arrangement is already part of the day.

The value is strongest if you want a ready-made outing with three locations. You are paying for convenience and variety, not just for access to one beach. The price is also easier to justify if you expect to use the snorkeling opportunity, eat the included meal, and spend real time at both the club and pool.

The value is weaker if you want to sit at one beach all day or if you already have transportation arranged. In that case, the three-stop structure may feel like more organization than you need. You should also budget for any personal purchases not covered by the listed inclusions, though the available information does not specify what extra services might cost.

Bring a towel. It is not included, and that small omission can make a pool and beach day less comfortable. The tour does include bottled water, so you do not need to plan around that basic need.

Who will get the most from this day

I would recommend this experience to you if you want a simple way to combine water, food, a pool, and city views without building the day yourself. The schedule suits couples, families, and groups who enjoy a social outing with a clear plan.

Families may especially like the variety. A child or adult who tires of snorkeling can look forward to lunch and pool time, while the group still gets several different settings in one day. The available feedback also points to good attention from the island staff for family outings.

It can also work well for first-time visitors who want to see more than one island venue without managing each transfer. The English-language option is useful if you prefer to receive the tour information in English.

This is not the best match for you if you want long, uninterrupted snorkeling or a remote, quiet beach with no club atmosphere. The day includes three stops, so you need to accept movement and scheduled time blocks. The maximum group size of 30 also means the experience may feel more like a shared excursion than a private day for just your own party.

A moderate fitness level is advised. Since the details do not explain the exact access arrangements at each stop, ask the operator directly if you have mobility concerns, medical limitations, or questions about snorkeling.

Weather, cancellation, and planning details

Good weather is required. If poor weather cancels the experience, you are offered another date or a full refund. The same basic choice applies if the minimum number of participants is not reached and the operator cancels.

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the experience begin are not refunded, and changes inside that window are not accepted. The cut-off follows Cartagena local time.

Confirmation arrives when you book, and the activity ends back at the marina. The mobile ticket makes it easier to keep your booking available on your phone, though you should still arrive at the stated meeting point with enough time to get organized.

The operator is New Coast Travel. The experience is offered in English and has a maximum listed capacity of 30 people. Those details make it practical for an organized day, but they do not tell you the exact departure time, boat specifications, snorkeling equipment arrangements, or lunch menu. Ask about those points before paying if they affect your decision.

Should you book the 3 Private Islands Experience?

Book this outing if you want one organized day with three distinct settings: active snorkeling at Encantada Beach, lunch and facilities at Mambo Beach Club, then pool time and a Cartagena view at Vista Mare Beach House.

The strongest reasons to choose it are the three-hour snorkeling stop, the number of included costs, and the friendly service highlighted in the available feedback. The main cautions are the fixed schedule, the possible group size of 30, the missing towel, and the lack of detail about snorkeling equipment and lunch.

At $120, I think the experience makes the most sense for you when convenience matters and you want variety more than independence. Bring a towel, confirm the practical details before departure, and leave the day free enough to enjoy the full seven-hour plan.

FAQ

Where does the experience start?

It starts at Todomar CHL Marina Bocagrande2nda, Cartagena de Indias, Provincia de Cartagena, Bolívar, Colombia.

Where does the experience end?

The activity ends back at the original meeting point at Todomar CHL Marina Bocagrande2nda.

How long does the experience last?

The experience lasts approximately seven hours.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included, along with a fruit salad and bottled water.

Is snorkeling included in the schedule?

Yes. Snorkeling takes place at Encantada Beach, where the scheduled stop lasts three hours. The available details do not state whether snorkeling equipment is included.

Is transportation included?

Yes. Private transportation is included in the price.

What happens if bad weather cancels the experience?

You will be offered a different date or a full refund. The experience also requires a minimum number of participants, and a full refund or another option is offered if that minimum is not reached.