Deluxe Speedboat To the Rosario Islands 12 Passengers

Island time starts at the dock. This private speedboat trip gives your group a full day on the water, with stops around Rosario Island, Cholon, and Barú, plus cold drinks packed aboard. I like the 12-person capacity, which keeps the outing private without requiring a huge party, and I like the freedom to request places around Isla Grande. The main caution is cost: the lunch stop in Barú can become expensive if you do not confirm the exchange rate and menu total first.

The trip lasts about six to eight hours, leaving Cartagena at 9:00 a.m. from Muelle de la Bodeguita in the historic center. You receive six Club Colombia beers, 12 bottles of water, and 20 kilos of ice, but towels, Wi-Fi, and private transportation to the dock are not included.

The staff have earned strong praise for being helpful, kind, and reassuring on the boat ride. The practical weak spot is not the boat itself, but the open-ended spending at Cholon. Ask for the price in the currency you will pay before ordering lunch, especially if your group is using a card or converting from another currency.

Key Points Before You Book

• Private boat for up to 12 people: Your group has the boat to itself, rather than sharing space with strangers.
• Two Rosario Island spots by default: The usual stops are La Piscina and Caño Raton, with the option to request other places around Isla Grande.
• Cholon is the main Barú stop: You can stop for lunch at this party-oriented island area, with about two hours scheduled there.
• Drinks and ice are included: The package supplies six Club Colombia beers, 12 bottles of water, and 20 kilos of ice.
• The day depends on weather and timing: A final stop may be added depending on when you leave Barú, and poor weather can force a rescheduled date or refund.
• Lunch is not included: A seven-person lunch reportedly cost $300, so confirm prices and currency before placing an order.

Leaving Cartagena From Muelle de la Bodeguita

Your morning begins at Muelle de la Bodeguita, on Avenida Blas de Lezo in El Centro. The stated departure time is 9:00 a.m., and the boat returns to this same meeting point at the end of the day.

That location is useful if you are staying in or near Cartagena’s historic center. You will need to arrange your own way to the dock because private transportation is not included. The experience is also listed near public transportation, which gives you another option for reaching the meeting point.

The first part of the ride passes through Cartagena Bay on the way toward the islands. This is more than a simple transfer. It gives you a look back at the city from the water and helps mark the change from urban Cartagena to a day of open sea and small island stops.

The exact ride time is not provided, so you should not treat the six to eight-hour duration as six to eight hours at the islands. Some of your day will be spent moving between stops. That is part of the appeal of a speedboat, but it also means the schedule can change with departure time, sea conditions, and how long your group stays at each place.

What the Private 12-Passenger Boat Changes

The biggest difference here is control. The boat is private, and only your group participates, so you are not adjusting your day around a large mixed party. That matters if you are traveling with family, friends, or a small celebration group that wants time together.

The boat accommodates up to 12 people. At the full capacity, the listed $980 group price works out to about $81.67 per person before any separate food costs. A smaller group pays more per person, so this package makes the most financial sense when you can fill most of the seats.

I also like that the package includes basic supplies that can otherwise add up quickly at sea. Six Club Colombia beers, 12 bottles of water, and 20 kilos of ice give the group a simple onboard stock. The beer allowance is modest for 12 people, while the water supply provides one bottle per person, so you may want to clarify if additional drinks can be purchased or brought along.

There is no Wi-Fi aboard. That is not a serious drawback for a day built around the sea, but it matters if anyone in your group needs reliable internet. Towels are also not included, so pack your own rather than expecting a hotel-style setup.

Rosario Island: La Piscina and Caño Raton

The first main stop is Rosario Island, where the default plan includes La Piscina and Caño Raton. You have about one hour here, and there is no admission ticket listed for the stop.

One hour is enough for a focused island pause, but it is not a long beach day. You will need to keep an eye on the clock if you want time to look around, get in the water, take photos, and return to the boat without cutting into the next stop.

The useful feature is flexibility. You are free to request other places within Isla Grande instead of automatically following only the default plan. Ask about your preferred stop early in the day, since the crew will need to judge what fits the weather, route, and remaining time.

The supplied information does not describe the water conditions, beach facilities, or exact activities at La Piscina and Caño Raton. I would treat this stop as a chance to enjoy the island setting rather than assume a particular beach service or organized activity. Your crew can explain what is practical when you arrive.

Rosario Island is a good match for people who want a private ride and a quick taste of several places. If your main goal is to stay in one spot for hours, the schedule may feel too active. The appeal comes from moving between island areas instead of spending the whole day at a single beach.

Cholon and the Barú Lunch Stop

The second planned stop is Barú, with Cholon as the party-island area. The boat plans to spend about two hours here, and you can order lunch during the stop.

Cholon is a very different setting from the Rosario Island portion of the day. It is included for its social, party-oriented atmosphere, so you should expect a livelier pause rather than a quiet meal beside an empty stretch of coast. The schedule gives you time to eat and enjoy the stop, but it does not include the cost of your lunch.

This is where careful budgeting matters most. One group of seven paid $300 for lunch, with one course per person and no alcohol. That price may reflect currency confusion, menu pricing, or both. Before ordering, ask for the total in clear terms and confirm which exchange rate will be used.

Do not assume a friendly setting means a low bill. Check whether the menu price is in Colombian pesos or another currency, ask if service charges are added, and repeat the final total before agreeing. This simple step can save your group from turning a pleasant afternoon into a costly surprise.

The two-hour stop gives you more breathing room than the one-hour Rosario Island visit. Still, lunch can take up much of that time, so decide before arrival whether your priority is eating, socializing, or spending more time in the water. The crew can help with the day’s timing, but the choices remain yours because this is a private trip.

The Flexible Final Stop

There is an additional final stop, but it depends on what time you leave Barú. That wording matters. It is not a guaranteed attraction with a fixed duration, so you should view it as a possible bonus rather than a central part of the itinerary.

If your group spends the full two hours at Cholon, the final stop may be shorter or may not fit comfortably into the day. If you depart earlier, the crew may be able to add another pause. Departure time from Barú, sea conditions, and the original 9:00 a.m. start all affect what is possible.

This flexibility is one of the benefits of a private boat, but it also means you should not book the trip expecting a rigid list of three equally long stops. Tell the crew what matters most to your group early on. If you want more time at Rosario Island, a longer lunch, or a particular place around Isla Grande, raise it before the schedule fills up.

What the Price Includes, and What It Does Not

The listed price is $980 per group of up to 12 people. For a full group, that is a reasonable way to compare a private boat with individual excursions, since the cost is shared among everyone and the boat is not shared with another party.

For eight people, the price comes to $122.50 per person. For six people, it is about $163.33 per person. Those figures do not include lunch, and the per-person cost rises quickly when your group is small.

The included supplies add some value:

• Six Club Colombia beers
• Twelve bottles of water
• Twenty kilograms of ice
• A private boat for your group
• Stops at Rosario Island and Barú
• Return to the Cartagena meeting point

Lunch at Cholon is separate. Towels and Wi-Fi are separate as well, and the package does not provide private transportation to Muelle de la Bodeguita. Check your hotel location and plan your ride to the dock before departure morning.

The best value comes when you have a group close to 12 and care about privacy. If only two or three people are going, a shared boat may cost less, though this package gives you more control over the schedule. The price is not simply buying transport. You are paying for a private day on the water, flexible stops, and a group setting that does not require compromise with strangers.

Staff, Safety, and Communication

The available feedback gives the crew one of its strongest marks. The guide and staff were described as helpful, kind, and well informed, and the boat ride felt safe to the person writing about it. Another booking was praised for making the whole experience easy.

Those details matter on a boat trip. A pleasant crew can make the difference when the route changes, lunch prices are unclear, or someone in the group needs help getting organized. The experience is offered in English, which should make basic planning and communication easier for English-speaking groups.

No individual guide names are provided, so you should not expect to request a specific person. The provider is Jandtcolombia. Service animals are allowed, and the activity states that most people can participate.

The information does not describe the boat’s exact model, seating arrangement, restroom facilities, or accessibility design. If anyone in your group has a mobility need, contact the provider before booking rather than relying only on the general participation statement.

Weather, Timing, and the No-Change Rule

This is a weather-dependent activity. If poor weather forces cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund. That protection is useful for a sea trip, where conditions can affect comfort and safety.

The standard cancellation policy is strict in other cases. The experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason, including a cancellation request or amendment. You should only book once your group is confident about the date and meeting arrangements.

The six to eight-hour estimate also deserves attention. The day starts at 9:00 a.m. and returns to the original meeting point, but the end time can vary. Leave room in your evening plans, especially if you have dinner reservations, an airport transfer, or another scheduled activity.

Who Will Enjoy This Speedboat Day?

I would choose this for a group that values privacy more than the lowest possible price. It works well for families, friends, and small groups who want to decide how much time to spend at Rosario Island and how much energy to give Cholon.

It also suits people who want several island stops in one day. The route offers a mix of Cartagena Bay views, Rosario Island, Isla Grande flexibility, Barú, and Cholon. You will not be tied to one beach for the entire outing.

I would be more cautious if your group wants a quiet, predictable beach day. Cholon is described as a party island, and the final stop is uncertain. The lunch cost is another reason to choose this only if everyone is comfortable asking questions and managing expenses carefully.

A full group gets the strongest value. A small group may still love the privacy, but the $980 price becomes harder to justify once lunch and transport to the dock are added.

Should You Book It?

Book this private speedboat if you can fill most of the 12 seats, want a flexible day, and like the idea of combining Rosario Island with Cholon and Barú. The included water, beer, and ice are useful, while the kind and reassuring staff add confidence to a long boat outing.

Before paying, make three checks: confirm how your preferred Isla Grande stops fit the route, ask how lunch prices and currency conversion work at Cholon, and plan your own ride to Muelle de la Bodeguita. If your group handles those details well, this can be a fun and relaxed way to get beyond Cartagena for a day.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

It starts at Muelle de la Bodeguita, Av. Blas de Lezo, El Centro, Cartagena de Indias, Bolívar, Colombia.

What time does the boat leave?

The stated start time is 9:00 a.m.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the original meeting point at Muelle de la Bodeguita.

How many people can join the private boat?

The price covers a private group of up to 12 people. Only your group participates.

How long does the experience last?

The approximate duration is six to eight hours.

Which places are visited at Rosario Island?

The default Rosario Island stops are La Piscina and Caño Raton. You may request other places within Isla Grande.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, but you can order lunch during the approximately two-hour stop at Cholon in Barú.

What drinks and supplies are included?

The package includes six Club Colombia beers, 12 bottles of water, and 20 kilos of ice. Towels and Wi-Fi are not included.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund. For other cancellations or amendments, the experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed.