Cartagena: Makani Luxury Beach Club Day Pass

A polished island escape awaits. Makani Luxury Beach Club gives you a full day on Tierra Bomba Island, just a short boat ride from Cartagena, with pool time, a welcome drink, Wi-Fi, and access to the Kai Zone. I like the easy boat connection from Bocagrande and the choice of departure times, which lets you shape the day around your Cartagena plans. I also like that the experience works for couples, families, birthdays, anniversaries, and simple poolside relaxation.

The main thing to understand is that Makani is more of a pool and beach-club hangout than a classic beach day. One visitor enjoyed the pool, food, and drinks but noted that there was not much opportunity to swim in the sea. The ride back can also be bumpy, so bring a steady stomach and keep your camera protected.

Key Things to Know Before You Go

• Three boat schedules: Leave Bocagrande at 9, 10, or 11 a.m., with return boats at 3, 4, or 5 p.m.
• Kai Zone access included: Your basic pass covers the pool, welcome drink, Wi-Fi, and maritime transport.
• Food and drinks cost extra: Outside food and beverages are not permitted, so plan to buy what you need at the club.
• Big-ticket upgrades: Private-style areas range from COP 280,000 for the Mahalo Pool to COP 850,000 for the Makai Viewpoint.
• Best for pool relaxation: Choose Makani for a styled day beside the water, not for a long stretch of open-sea swimming.
• Pack for island conditions: Comfortable shoes, beachwear, biodegradable sunscreen, insect repellent, a change of clothes, and a camera all make sense.

From Bocagrande to Tierra Bomba by Boat

Your day begins at a meeting point behind Bocagrande Hospital, where a representative will wait for you. From there, the maritime transfer carries you from Cartagena to Makani on Tierra Bomba Island.

The boat ride is part of the appeal. Cartagena can feel busy and built-up, while the crossing gives you a quick change of scene. You are not spending hours in transit, either. The club is only a short distance from the city, making this a practical choice when you want an island setting without committing to a remote day trip.

You have three schedules:

• 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The wording of the schedule can be confusing, because the first time is the Cartagena departure and the second is the return to Cartagena. In plain terms, the first option gives you the earliest start and a 3 p.m. return. The last option gives you a later morning and the longest afternoon at the club.

I would choose the 9 a.m. departure if you want the fullest possible day and do not mind getting started early. The 10 a.m. option is a good middle ground. The 11 a.m. departure suits you if you prefer a slower morning, though the return at 5 p.m. means you should not expect much flexibility later that evening.

The transfer is included in the pass both ways. Still, prepare for motion on the water. A direct note from the experience warns that the boat ride back can be bumpy. Keep phones and cameras in a secure bag, and if you are prone to motion sickness, plan ahead.

What the COP 272,000 Pass Actually Covers

The listed adult price is COP 272,000 per person, described in the summary as about $69. Children from ages 4 to 11 pay COP 189,000. The pass is valid for one day and includes access to the Kai Zone.

The basic package includes:

• Round-trip maritime transportation from Bocagrande
• Kai Zone access
• Pool use
• One nonalcoholic welcome drink
• Free Wi-Fi

That is a reasonable package if you want transportation and a reserved beach-club setting in one purchase. You are paying for more than a boat ride and a swim. The price also covers access to the club’s core area, so you can settle in without arranging separate transport to Tierra Bomba.

The value depends on how you use the day. If you spend several hours by the pool, buy lunch and drinks on-site, and enjoy the setting without adding premium seating, the pass can feel worthwhile. If you mainly want to swim in the sea or sit on a broad public beach, the cost may feel high for what you receive.

Food and drinks are not included in the base price. Outside food and beverages are not allowed, so you should expect to purchase anything additional at Makani. Alcohol and drugs are prohibited, and alcoholic drinks are not permitted in the vehicle. The welcome drink is specifically nonalcoholic.

That makes the pass easier to understand: it is an access and transport package, not an all-inclusive day. Set your spending limit before you go, especially if you are considering one of the private seating upgrades.

The Kai Zone Pool Day

The Kai Zone is the heart of the standard pass. You get pool access and a place to spend the day near the shore, with Wi-Fi available if you need to check messages or post a few photos.

I like this setup for a relaxed couple’s day or a family outing. You can leave the city behind, settle near the water, and enjoy the club without planning a long list of activities. The pool gives you a dependable place to cool off, which matters because the sea itself may not be the main swimming area here.

The experience also offers a nonalcoholic welcome drink. It is a small inclusion, but a useful one when you arrive after the boat ride. After that, drinks and food are separate purchases.

A practical point: this is not an adults-only venue. Children of all ages may be present, and the experience specifically prices admission for children from 4 to 11. If you want a quiet, grown-up retreat with no family activity around you, Makani may not match that hope.

On the other hand, the family-friendly policy gives parents a stylish island option without arranging a separate child-friendly plan. The pool, short crossing, and full-day format are easier for many families than a long excursion with several stops.

Food, Drinks, and the Shape of the Day

The experience is praised for its food and drinks, but the supplied details do not specify a menu or meal plan. Think of the pass as giving you access to the club, while meals and beverages are handled separately on-site.

That distinction matters. You will not be carrying a picnic from Cartagena, because outside food and drinks are not permitted. If you have dietary needs, it is sensible to contact Makani after booking and ask what options are available rather than assuming.

A good rhythm is to arrive, accept the welcome drink, get settled in the Kai Zone, and then arrange lunch before the busiest part of your afternoon. The exact timing is yours, since the pass is valid for the day within your chosen transfer schedule.

The club advertises options for romantic dinners, birthdays, anniversaries, and barbecues. Those are useful occasions to keep in mind, but they are not automatically included in the standard pass. If you are marking a special event, confirm the arrangements and additional charges after booking.

Premium Spaces and Their Extra Costs

Makani offers several upgrades for visitors who want more than the standard Kai Zone. These spaces can change the feel of the day, but their prices are substantial compared with the basic pass.

The available upgrades are:

• Mahalo Pool: COP 280,000 per person, maximum two people
• Ohana Daybeds: COP 650,000 per person, maximum four people
• Luau Lounge: COP 550,000 per person, maximum 10 people
• Makai Viewpoint: COP 850,000 per person, maximum 12 people
• Maha Jacuzzi: COP 750,000 per person, maximum eight people

The Mahalo Pool is the least expensive upgrade, but it still costs slightly more than the basic adult pass. It may make sense for a couple who wants a more private pool setting and plans to spend most of the day at the club.

The Ohana Daybeds, Luau Lounge, Makai Viewpoint, and Maha Jacuzzi are better suited to groups or special occasions. Their maximum capacities suggest that the price may be designed around a shared area, but the wording gives a per-person cost, so do not assume the listed amount covers the entire group.

I would not add an upgrade automatically. First decide what you want from the day. If your priority is food, pool access, and a change of scene, the Kai Zone should be enough. If you are celebrating an anniversary, birthday, or romantic occasion, one of the upgraded areas may make the extra cost easier to justify.

Contact Makani after booking to confirm the upgrade details. The available information clearly says that every upgrade costs extra, but it does not explain precisely what food, service, or reserved amenities each one includes.

Activities Beyond the Pool

Makani promotes several activities and event ideas, including yoga, dance, fitness classes, and tantra. These give the club a broader program than simple pool lounging, but the details provided do not give fixed class times or confirm that every activity runs each day.

For that reason, I would treat these as possible extras rather than guaranteed parts of your pass. If yoga or a fitness class is important to your plans, ask Makani for the schedule before you arrive.

The same advice applies to romantic dinners, barbecues, birthdays, and anniversaries. The club appears set up for celebrations, but the standard day pass only lists the Kai Zone, transport, pool, welcome drink, and Wi-Fi as included.

This flexibility is useful. You can make the day as simple or as event-focused as you like. A couple may choose pool time and lunch. A larger group may prefer a lounge upgrade and a barbecue. Just make sure the arrangements are confirmed in advance.

Is It a Beach Day or a Pool Day?

The name suggests a traditional beach escape, but you should set your expectations carefully. Makani sits on a privileged shore of Tierra Bomba, and you will be close to the coast, yet the main experience is built around the club and its pool.

One important detail is that the sea may not offer the kind of swimming you want. A direct account of the day described it as a pool hangout, with no real beach swimming. That does not make the visit a failure, but it changes the reason to book.

I would choose Makani if you want:

• A polished place to relax beside the water
• A pool as your main swimming area
• A short boat trip from Cartagena
• Food and drinks available at the club
• A setting for a couple’s day or celebration

I would look elsewhere if your main goal is:

• Long swims in open water
• A quiet adults-only setting
• A low-cost public beach day
• Bringing your own snacks and drinks
• A completely calm boat crossing

This distinction is the most important practical advice in the whole experience. Book a beach club with a pool, not a sea-swimming excursion.

What to Pack for Makani

The recommended packing list is sensible for a Caribbean island day:

• Beachwear
• Comfortable shoes
• A change of clothes
• Biodegradable sunscreen
• Biodegradable insect repellent
• A camera

Comfortable shoes help with the transfer and getting around the club. A change of clothes is useful after swimming or before the return boat. Biodegradable sunscreen and insect repellent are specifically requested, so do not wait until the last minute to buy them.

Since the return crossing can be bumpy, protect your camera and phone in a waterproof pouch or sealed bag. The experience does not list towels, so confirm whether you need to bring one before departure.

Makani is smoke-free, and pets are not allowed. Outside food and beverages are also prohibited. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed, and alcoholic drinks cannot be carried in the vehicle.

The activity is not suitable for people over 70 years old. That age restriction is part of the stated conditions, so older members of your group should check before booking.

Who Will Enjoy This Most?

I see Makani working best for couples, small groups, families, and anyone who wants a comfortable pool day close to Cartagena.

Couples can use the short transfer and possible romantic dinner or upgraded seating to mark an anniversary or birthday. Families may appreciate the manageable boat ride, pool, and child pricing. Groups can look at the Luau Lounge or other larger-capacity upgrades, though the extra cost needs careful checking.

The day also suits you if you want a break from Cartagena’s streets and hotel pools. You get a change of setting without giving up basic comforts such as Wi-Fi, a pool, and food and drink service.

It is less suited to you if you dislike organized club settings or want complete freedom over what you eat and drink. The no-outside-food rule limits flexibility. It may also disappoint if you picture a broad, open beach with easy sea swimming.

Booking, Timing, and Cancellation Advice

Choose your departure time carefully, since your return is tied to the same schedule. After booking, contact Makani as requested so the club can confirm your arrangements and any upgrades.

The activity is available with English- or Spanish-speaking hosts or greeters. Free cancellation is offered up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Cartagena schedule is still changing.

For questions or urgent contact, the listed emergency number is +57 318 335 6186. Keep it available on the day, especially since your meeting point is behind Bocagrande Hospital and the boat transfer runs on set times.

Should You Book Makani Luxury Beach Club?

Book it if you want an easy Cartagena escape with a boat ride, pool access, food and drinks at the club, and the option to add a more private setting. The basic pass offers a clear plan for a half-day or full afternoon, and the short trip to Tierra Bomba makes it more convenient than a distant island excursion.

Skip it if sea swimming is your main goal, you want an adults-only venue, or you need to bring your own refreshments. The best value comes from using the included Kai Zone and treating the upgrades as optional extras, not necessities.

For a couple celebrating something special, I would first compare the basic pass with one carefully chosen upgrade. For a family, I would stick with the standard access and budget separately for food and drinks. Choose the 9 a.m. departure when you want the most time, and prepare for a bumpy ride home.

FAQ

What is included in the Makani Luxury Beach Club day pass?

The pass includes Kai Zone access, round-trip maritime transportation between Bocagrande and Tierra Bomba, pool access, one nonalcoholic welcome drink, and free Wi-Fi.

How much does the Makani day pass cost?

The listed adult price is COP 272,000 per person, described as about $69. Children ages 4 to 11 pay COP 189,000 per person.

What time does the boat leave Cartagena?

There are three departure options from Cartagena: 9 a.m., 10 a.m., and 11 a.m. The matching return times are 3 p.m., 4 p.m., and 5 p.m.

Are food and drinks included?

Food and drinks are not listed as included in the day pass. Outside food and beverages are not allowed, and alcoholic drinks are not permitted in the vehicle.

Can I upgrade my seating or pool area?

Yes. Available upgrades include the Mahalo Pool, Ohana Daybeds, Luau Lounge, Makai Viewpoint, and Maha Jacuzzi. Each has an additional cost and a stated maximum capacity.

Is cancellation available?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The experience also allows you to reserve now and pay later.