Excursion to the Rosario Islands with Lunch and Snorkeling

The best part is the boat itself. This 7.5-hour Bona Vida Catamaran trip gives you a roomy, steady ride from Cartagena to the Rosario Islands, with time for swimming, snorkeling, lunch, music, and sea views. I especially like the large catamaran, which feels more comfortable than a small speedboat when the water turns choppy.

I also like that the trip is relaxed rather than a nonstop party. You get snorkeling equipment, lunch, soft drinks, shaded seating, sun space, and clean restrooms, all for $106 per person. The main catch is that snorkeling may be modest: coral is often damaged, fish can be scarce, and the stops are anchorages rather than guaranteed walks on the islands.

Five Things to Know Before You Go

• The catamaran makes the long ride worthwhile: Its size, seating, shade, and netted lounging areas help soften the motion of the Caribbean.
• This is mainly a sailing and swimming day: You stop at two anchorages, but you may not set foot on Isla Grande or Barú.
• Snorkeling is included but not the star: Masks, snorkels, and life vests are provided, but fins are not, and visibility and marine life vary.
• Lunch is filling and simple: Choose seafood rice, chicken with rice, or vegetable rice, with salad and non-alcoholic drinks included.
• It suits families and couples better than party seekers: Music plays, but the atmosphere is generally peaceful and family-friendly.
• Protect your belongings: Leave jewelry behind and avoid booking water activities from outside operators who approach the boat.

Leaving Cartagena from Muelle de la Bodeguita

Your morning begins at 8:30 a.m. at Muelle de la Bodeguita, Puerta 1, in central Cartagena. There is no hotel pickup, so you need to make your own way to the pier and bring the document numbers for every passenger boarding.

That small paperwork detail matters. Have each passenger’s document information ready before departure, rather than trying to sort it out at the dock. Confirmation is provided at booking, and the tour is available to most people, including at least one person who said the crew helped with mobility needs.

The boat can carry up to 100 people. That is a sizable group, but the catamaran’s broad layout helps prevent the day from feeling like everyone is packed into one narrow deck. You can usually find a place in the shade, a sunny seat, or a spot to stretch out on the forward nets.

Why the Catamaran Matters on a Choppy Sea

The ride to the Rosario Islands is a major part of this excursion. You are not simply being transported to a beach for a quick swim. Much of the day is spent sailing, and the large catamaran is designed to make that time comfortable.

The twin-hull design appears to handle rougher water better than a small speedboat. Several passengers with concerns about seasickness found the ride manageable, even when conditions were less than perfect. That does not guarantee a smooth crossing every day, but it is a useful reason to choose this trip if you dislike being bounced around in a small boat.

The vessel has seating in both shaded and sunny areas, along with clean restrooms. The forward nets are a favorite place to sunbathe and watch the sea, though they are exposed to sun and spray. Bring sun protection, and do not assume the boat’s shade will protect you all day.

The atmosphere includes music ranging from salsa and reggaeton to pop and hip-hop. It has enough energy to keep the ride from feeling dull, but it is not usually a loud, alcohol-fueled party boat. That balance is one of the excursion’s strongest points.

Isla Grande and the Luis Guerra Reef Anchorage

The first stop is in front of Isla Grande, near the Luis Guerra reef. The boat anchors for about two hours, giving you time to get into the water, use the snorkeling gear, or simply swim and float beside the catamaran.

This is an important distinction: the stop is described as an anchorage in front of Isla Grande, not a shore visit. You should not book this expecting a guided walk, beach lunch, or island sightseeing on land. The main attraction is the water around the boat.

Snorkeling conditions can change with weather, current, and visibility. You may see some fish and underwater features, but the coral in these areas is not consistently healthy, and several people found the marine life limited. If your main goal is colorful coral and abundant fish, this trip may leave you wanting more.

For a casual swim, however, the stop works well. Life vests and foam noodles are available for people who prefer extra support. The first anchorage is often calmer than the second, so families and less confident swimmers may appreciate getting into the water here.

The supplied equipment includes a mask, snorkel, and life vest. Fins are not provided, and some masks may not fit or seal perfectly. Check your equipment before entering the water, and keep track of it once you are finished. One account says passengers may need to leave identification as a guarantee for borrowed gear, so ask the crew about the current procedure before taking anything.

Lunch at Punta Gigante in Barú

The second stop is in front of Punta Gigante in Barú, where lunch is served during another roughly two-hour anchorage. Again, the focus is the water and the boat, not a guaranteed visit to dry land.

Lunch is included in the fare and offers a choice of seafood rice, chicken with rice, or vegetable rice. There is also salad, and the portions are generally described as ample. This is practical food for a day on the water: simple, filling, and suited to a range of diets.

Do not expect a gourmet meal. Some people found the food very good, while others considered it ordinary. I would treat lunch as a solid benefit that saves you from arranging food separately, rather than the reason to book the excursion.

Non-alcoholic drinks are included. Watermelon juice and other soft drinks are served, and the fresh watermelon drink received especially warm praise. Coffee and tea are not included, and alcoholic drinks cost extra. If you want an open-bar experience, this is not the right boat.

The second anchorage may be less appealing for snorkeling. Current can be stronger, and the water may be cloudier, which reduces visibility. It can still be a pleasant place to swim, sunbathe on the nets, or make a few jumps from the boat, but you should not count on both stops being equally good underwater.

Swimming, Snorkeling, and the Real Water Experience

The strongest water activity here is swimming, not reef exploration. You get time to cool off in the Caribbean, float beside the boat, and enjoy the space around the catamaran without moving through a long series of rushed stops.

That slow pace is useful in Cartagena’s heat. After a few days of walking through the old city, a full day with sea air and open water can feel like a welcome change. The trade-off is downtime. If you need constant activity, you may find the long sailing stretches quiet or repetitive.

For children, the combination of a stable boat, life vests, swimming time, and a choice of shaded seating is appealing. One family even described the excursion as a good setting for a child’s first snorkeling experience. Still, parents need to supervise children closely around the rails, nets, and water.

If you are an experienced snorkeler, bring realistic expectations. The water may offer a few fish and interesting sights, but the sites are not reliably packed with marine life. The boat’s larger strengths are comfort, swimming, and the scenery between stops.

Do not wear expensive jewelry. An outside operator may approach with banana boat or jet ski rides near the second stop, but those people are not part of Bona Vida. If you choose to pay for an activity from someone outside the catamaran, you are dealing with a separate operator. The safest choice is to leave valuables at home and decline anything you cannot clearly verify.

Food, Drinks, Music, and Onboard Service

The onboard service is mostly practical and organized. Soft drinks are included, food is served during the Barú stop, and the crew handles snorkeling equipment and water safety.

Many people praised the staff as friendly and professional. Others found the service less warm, particularly when asking for included drinks or when choosing not to purchase alcohol. This suggests that the quality of interaction may vary during the day. I would book this for the boat and the setting, not for a highly personal service experience.

Music adds life to the long ride. You can expect a broad Latin and popular music mix rather than silence. The volume and mood may suit couples, families, and small groups who want a social day without a full party atmosphere.

The boat includes clean restrooms, though changing areas can get messy as the day progresses. Bring a small day bag, protect your phone, and keep wet items separate from dry clothes. The information provided does not specify changing facilities in detail, so it is wise to arrive in swimwear beneath easy-to-remove clothing.

Is $106 a Fair Price?

At $106, this is not the cheapest way to reach the Rosario Islands. The value depends on what you want from the day.

The fare includes the catamaran ride, use of snorkeling equipment, lunch, all fees and taxes, and non-alcoholic drinks. You are also paying for a larger vessel with space to sit, shade, restrooms, and a more stable ride than a small boat may offer. For a full day on the water, those comforts add real value.

The price is less attractive if you mainly want to visit beaches or spend the day snorkeling. You may not walk on either island, and the reef conditions can be underwhelming. Alcoholic drinks, coffee, tea, hotel transportation, and outside water activities are extra.

I would compare this with the cost of arranging separate transport, lunch, drinks, and snorkeling. The package is convenient, but its best value comes from the comfortable sailing experience and the generous amount of time spent swimming, not from island sightseeing.

Who Will Enjoy This Bona Vida Day?

I would recommend this excursion to:

• Couples wanting a scenic day away from Cartagena’s heat
• Families seeking a large boat and relaxed swimming stops
• First-time snorkelers who want equipment and life vests provided
• People who prefer a calm social atmosphere over a crowded party boat
• Anyone worried about seasickness on a small speedboat
• Visitors happy to spend long stretches sailing, sunbathing, and listening to music

I would think twice if you need a packed activity schedule, guaranteed beach time, abundant coral, or an open bar. You may also prefer another option if you want the crew to provide constant entertainment or highly attentive drink service.

The tour returns to the same meeting point after about 7 hours and 30 minutes. Weather can alter the route or schedule, and the captain has final say for safety. That flexibility is normal for a Caribbean boat trip, but it means you should keep plans loose for the afternoon.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. If bad weather or an insufficient number of bookings cancels the trip, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

Should You Book It?

Book this Bona Vida excursion if you want a comfortable catamaran day with swimming, lunch, music, and open-water views. The large boat is the main advantage, especially when the sea gets rough, and the two-stop plan avoids the frantic pace of a many-stop island tour.

Do not book it mainly for snorkeling or island walks. Those are possible parts of the day, but neither is guaranteed to be impressive. If you value a steady boat, room to move, included food and soft drinks, and a peaceful break from Cartagena, $106 is a reasonable price. If you want coral reefs full of fish or a lively party scene, choose a different style of boat trip.

FAQ

Where does the Rosario Islands catamaran tour depart?

It departs from Muelle de la Bodeguita, Puerta 1, in central Cartagena, Bolívar, Colombia.

What time does the tour start?

The scheduled start time is 8:30 a.m.

How long does the excursion last?

The experience lasts approximately 7 hours and 30 minutes.

Where does the tour finish?

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

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and transportation to the meeting point are not included.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included, with seafood rice, chicken with rice, or vegetable rice among the available choices.

Are drinks included?

Non-alcoholic drinks and soft drinks are included. Alcoholic beverages, coffee, and tea are not included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included. The equipment includes masks, snorkels, and life vests, but fins are not provided.

Does the tour visit the islands on land?

The scheduled stops are anchorages in front of Isla Grande and Barú. A shore visit is not guaranteed.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The captain may change the itinerary or schedule because of weather. If the experience is canceled due to poor weather, you can receive a full refund or choose another date.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 100 people.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund.