Full Day Encantada beach Rosario Island Nature is the new Luxury

Cartagena’s best escape may be offshore. The Full Day Encantada Beach experience takes you from the city to Isla Encantada in the Rosario Islands, where private beaches, clear Caribbean water, mangroves, and marine life replace Cartagena’s busy streets. I like the round-trip boat ride and the chance to spend time in a quieter natural setting rather than at a crowded beach club. I also like that lunch, a welcome cocktail, island facilities, and basic accident insurance are included.

The main caution is reliability. One customer reported that the tour was canceled because of maintenance and that the refund took too long, with no updates. The experience has a 3.7 rating from three reviews, so I would book with some flexibility and confirm the operating details before setting out.

• 50-minute boat ride each way connects Cartagena with Isla Encantada in the Rosario Islands.
• A private island setting gives your group a quieter day away from the city.
• Lunch is included, with fried mojarra, chicken, or a vegetarian option.
• Mangroves, coral, marine life, paddleboarding, and jungle walks provide several ways to enjoy the island.
• The $85 price covers core transport, food, a cocktail, facilities, and minimum accident insurance.
• Weather and maintenance can affect departures, so keep the free cancellation terms in mind.

From Cartagena’s Muelle de la Bodeguita to Isla Encantada

Your day begins at 9:00 a.m. at Muelle de la Bodeguita, Puerta 1, in central Cartagena. This is the departure point for the boat, and the activity ends at the same place after roughly seven hours.

The boat crossing takes about 50 minutes each way. That is a meaningful part of the outing, not just a transfer. You leave the colonial core, the harbor, and the city’s everyday noise behind before reaching the Rosario Islands. I like this timing because the trip feels like a proper day away rather than a quick ride to an urban beach.

Still, the boat ride also shapes the day. You spend close to 100 minutes on the water in total, leaving roughly five hours on the island if the schedule runs as planned. That is enough time for lunch, swimming, rest, and some nature activities, but it is not an open-ended island stay.

The tour uses boat transportation both ways, and the ticket is mobile. Keep your departure information easy to access on your phone. Since the meeting point is at a working waterfront, allow enough time to reach Puerta 1 and get oriented before the 9:00 a.m. start.

What makes Isla Encantada different

Isla Encantada is presented as a private sanctuary within the Rosario Islands. The appeal is not a long list of formal attractions. It is the chance to enjoy a single island base with beaches, water, plant life, and facilities included in one organized outing.

The island’s setting gives you several choices. You can rest near the beach, explore the mangrove forests, snorkel around coral and marine life, use a paddleboard, or take a jungle hike. The supplied details do not promise a fixed schedule for each activity, so you should treat these as available ways to spend your time rather than guaranteed guided sessions.

That distinction matters. If you want a tightly scheduled tour with a guide explaining every reef and plant, this may feel too loose. If you prefer a simple day where you can choose between water time and quiet relaxation, the format makes more sense.

I especially like the combination of beach and mangrove areas. Many island excursions focus only on sun and swimming. Here, the setting offers a little more variety, even if the exact access and timing for each activity are not spelled out.

Snorkeling, paddleboarding, and the island’s natural side

The water around Isla Encantada is described as clear, with coral and marine life beneath the surface. Snorkeling gives you the most direct way to see that underwater setting. Bring your expectations down to earth, though. The information does not specify whether snorkeling equipment, instruction, or a guided reef outing is included.

The same caution applies to paddleboarding and the jungle hike. These are named as activities available on the island, but additional activities are specifically excluded from the price. That means you should be prepared for possible extra charges if you want to use certain equipment or take part in organized activities.

The mangroves are worth noting because they show another side of the Rosario Islands. Mangrove forests provide sheltered coastal habitat and help explain why island ecosystems are more than just beaches and clear water. You may find the mangrove area more interesting if you enjoy nature in a quiet, close-up way rather than spending the whole afternoon in the sea.

The phrase pristine natural haven should not lead you to expect a completely untouched wilderness. The island has facilities for visitors and receives organized groups. The real benefit is a more peaceful setting and a mix of natural features, not total isolation.

A seven-hour rhythm: arrival, beach time, and lunch

The advertised duration is about seven hours, including the boat journey. Because the schedule begins at 9:00 a.m. and ends back at the dock, your island time will be limited by the return boat.

A sensible way to approach the day is to start by getting familiar with the facilities and beach area. Then choose one or two activities instead of trying to do everything. You might spend part of the morning near the water, walk through the island’s natural areas, and leave enough time for lunch and a relaxed final hour.

The experience is not described as a stop-by-stop island-hopping cruise. You go to Isla Encantada and use it as your base for the day. That makes the day easier than moving between several islands, but it also means you should choose this tour for the quality of one island setting rather than for variety between multiple destinations.

The private format is important. Only your group participates, which can make the day feel more personal and less crowded than a large shared excursion. The supplied details do not state the maximum group size, so private does not necessarily mean a tiny group. It means your booking is limited to your own party rather than mixed with unrelated customers.

Lunch includes three practical choices

Lunch is included, which makes the $85 price easier to judge. The meal options are fried mojarra, chicken, or a vegetarian dish. Mojarra is a common fish choice in Colombia and fits the coastal setting, while chicken gives you a familiar alternative.

If you eat vegetarian, the available option is a useful detail to have in advance. The information does not describe the ingredients, preparation, or whether other dietary needs can be accommodated. If you have allergies or follow a strict diet, contact the provider before booking rather than assuming the vegetarian meal covers every requirement.

The meal is part of the value here because island food and drinks can add up quickly. You are not paying only for access to a beach. The package also includes transport, food, a welcome cocktail, use of facilities, and minimum accident insurance.

Alcoholic drinks are not included beyond the welcome cocktail. Budget for those separately if you want more during the day. Other expenses and additional activities are also outside the stated price, so the $85 should be viewed as the starting cost for the core experience.

Is $85 a fair price?

At $85 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see the Rosario Islands. It can still be fair value if you want a private island setting and prefer a package that combines boat transport and lunch without making you arrange each part yourself.

The round-trip boat crossing is a major part of the cost and convenience. You do not need to organize separate transport to and from the islands, and you have a set meeting point in Cartagena. Lunch and the welcome cocktail add practical value, while access to facilities means you are not paying for transport alone.

The value is weaker if you only want a basic beach day and plan to avoid paid activities. Since extra activities are not included, your final bill can rise if paddleboarding, equipment, or other options carry a fee. Ask what is included on the day before committing to activities.

The private group arrangement may justify the price for couples, families, or friends who value their own space. Solo visitors or budget-minded visitors may find the cost harder to defend, especially if they do not plan to use the nature activities.

What to know about service reliability

The experience has only three recorded ratings and an overall score of 3.7, so there is not enough evidence to make a broad judgment about day-to-day service. The one detailed complaint is serious: the tour was reportedly impossible because of maintenance, and the customer said the refund was delayed without communication.

That does not prove every departure has a problem. It does tell you to pay attention to confirmation messages and keep your plans flexible. A maintenance cancellation can disrupt a beach day, especially if you have built your schedule around it.

The provider is Backpackers Travels S. A. S. Confirmation is sent at booking, and the activity offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start time. If poor weather causes a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not refundable, and changes inside that window are not accepted.

I would avoid placing this tour on the final free day of a short Cartagena trip. Give yourself another beach option, especially during unsettled weather or when a fixed island day matters greatly to your plans.

Who should book this Rosario Islands day trip?

I would consider it a good fit for you if you want:

• A full-day outing from Cartagena without arranging your own boat.
• A private experience for your own group.
• A quieter island base rather than a city beach.
• A choice between resting, snorkeling, paddleboarding, mangrove exploration, and a jungle walk.
• A package with lunch and a welcome drink already included.
• A nature-focused setting with no need to move between several islands.

I would be more cautious if you need a highly structured schedule, detailed guiding, or a guarantee that every listed activity is included. The available information does not name a guide, promise guided snorkeling, or explain the exact schedule on the island.

This is also not the right pick if you want unlimited drinks or a fully all-inclusive beach club day. Alcoholic beverages and additional activities cost extra, and other unspecified expenses are not covered.

Most travelers can participate, according to the supplied practical information. The details do not provide specific accessibility information, boat features, or swimming requirements, so ask the provider directly if you have mobility, medical, or access concerns.

Booking advice for a smoother day

Book early if your Cartagena dates are fixed. The experience is booked an average of 26 days ahead, which suggests that advance planning can matter, especially for private groups.

Before departure, confirm three things: the exact meeting instructions at Muelle de la Bodeguita, which activities are included at no extra cost, and the current operating status. The maintenance complaint makes that last check especially sensible.

Wear clothing suited to a beach and nature day, and protect your phone since the ticket is mobile and you will be traveling by boat. The supplied information does not state that towels, snorkeling gear, sunscreen, or other personal items are provided, so do not assume they are part of the package.

Keep your timing realistic. The island portion is not a full 7 hours once both boat crossings are counted. Arrive ready to choose your priorities instead of expecting to complete every possible activity.

Should you book Isla Encantada?

Book this tour if you value a private group outing, a single attractive island base, and a package that includes boat transport, lunch, facilities, and a welcome cocktail. The Rosario Islands setting, mangroves, clear water, and choice of beach or nature activities give the day more substance than a simple transfer to a strip of sand.

I would hold off if your budget is tight, you require firm activity details, or your schedule cannot absorb a last-minute change. The maintenance complaint and modest 3.7 rating call for sensible caution, not automatic rejection.

My practical verdict: this is a promising mid-range island day for visitors who want convenience and a quieter setting, provided you confirm the departure and understand that extra activities and alcohol are not included.

FAQ

Where does the experience begin?

It begins at Muelle de la Bodeguita, Puerta 1, Centro, Cartagena, Cartagena Province, Bolivar, Colombia.

What time does the tour start?

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

Where does the experience end?

It ends back at the same meeting point at Muelle de la Bodeguita.

How long does the experience last?

The experience lasts approximately seven hours.

How long is the boat ride?

The round-trip boat transportation takes about 50 minutes each way.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes fried mojarra, chicken, or a vegetarian option.

Are alcoholic beverages included?

No. Alcoholic beverages are not included, apart from the included welcome cocktail.

Is this a private activity?

Yes. Only your group participates in the activity.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. If poor weather causes the tour to be canceled, you are offered a different date or a full refund.