Full Day Luxury Private Boat Rental To Rosario Islands

The Caribbean is your playground today. This private boat trip gives your group a fast, flexible day from Cartagena to the Rosario Islands, with time for photos at Boca Chica and swimming near Isla Grande, Cholon, or Playa Tranquila. I like the 29-foot speedboat and the fact that the price covers the whole group, not individual seats.

I also like the simple onboard supplies: ice, 12 beers, and 12 bottles of water. The main concern is that several costs sit outside the advertised price, including transport, towels, snorkeling equipment, and any food or restaurant charges. You need to ask questions before agreeing to extras.

Key points to know before booking

• Private 29-foot speedboat: You get the boat for your group rather than sharing the ride with a large crowd.
• Rosario Islands route: The day includes a photo stop at Boca Chica and one or two swimming stops around Isla Grande, Cholon, or Playa Tranquila.
• $880 per group: The listed price covers up to 10 people, making the per-person cost much better when your group is full.
• Drinks are limited but useful: Ice, 12 Aguila or Andina beers, and 12 bottles of water are included.
• Bring your own towel: Towels and snorkeling equipment are not included. Snorkeling equipment is listed at $35 per person.
• Clear cancellation window: You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before departure, and poor weather may lead to a new date or refund.

Leaving Cartagena at 9:00 am

The day begins at Sibarita del Mar on Avenida Blas de Lezo in El Centro, Cartagena de Indias. The listed start time is 9:00 am, and the trip returns to the same meeting point after about eight hours.

That central meeting point is useful if you are staying in Cartagena’s historic center. Private transportation is not included, though pickup can be arranged for an additional charge starting at $15 per trip, depending on your location. Check this before the morning of your outing, especially if you are staying outside the central area.

The boat is designed for a private group, with the information giving two different group references: up to 8 friends in the description and up to 10 people in the pricing. I would confirm the exact passenger limit when booking. The most important price question is simple: is your group of 10 permitted at the quoted $880, or is the practical limit lower?

A full boat makes the cost easier to justify. At 10 people, the price works out to $88 per person before extras. With only four people, it becomes $220 per person. This is not a budget island shuttle. It is a group hire, and its value improves sharply as more people join.

Boca Chica gives the route a useful first stop

The first notable point is Boca Chica, where you can stop for photos on the way to the Rosario Islands. This is not described as a long sightseeing visit, so think of it as a brief visual pause rather than a full shore excursion.

That distinction matters. You will have a scenic moment for photographs, but the day is mainly built around time on the water, swimming, and relaxing. Keep your camera ready and avoid filling the boat with bulky bags that you do not need.

Boca Chica also helps break up the ride toward the islands. On a private boat, your group can enjoy the route together instead of following the fixed rhythm of a large shared excursion. The experience is still an eight-hour boat day, so anyone prone to discomfort on fast-moving water should plan accordingly.

Rosario Islands by speedboat

The 29-foot boat is the heart of this experience. A speedboat lets you cover the route to the islands and move between stops during a single day. You are not booking a quiet sailing trip or a resort stay. You are hiring a boat for a lively Caribbean outing.

The private format suits friends who want to set the mood themselves. You can relax, listen to your own conversation, take photographs, and use the day as a party outing, within the normal limits of safe boating and local rules. The description specifically presents the boat as a place to relax or let loose with friends.

You should still set realistic expectations. The price includes a basic supply of drinks, not an unlimited bar. There are 12 Aguila or Andina beers and 12 bottles of water, along with ice. Alcohol is allowed only for people aged 18 and older. If your group wants more drinks, food, or a particular brand, ask what is permitted and what it costs before departure.

The water and ice are especially practical in the Caribbean heat. Twelve bottles may be enough for a small group if you bring additional water, but a larger party should confirm whether extra nonalcoholic drinks can be added. The supplied details do not promise unlimited water or a full meal.

Swimming around Isla Grande

The itinerary includes one or two swimming stops in the islands, with Isla Grande named as one possible location. This is where the trip shifts from transport to leisure.

You can expect time to get into the Caribbean, cool off, and enjoy the water away from Cartagena proper. The private boat gives your group a more personal setting than a packed public excursion, though the exact length of each stop is not specified.

Bring a towel. It is not included, and the instructions specifically tell you to bring your own. Pack it in a small waterproof bag along with dry clothing, sunscreen, and anything you need to protect from spray. These are practical precautions rather than promised tour features, but they will make an eight-hour boat day more comfortable.

Snorkeling equipment is also not included. The listed price for snorkeling equipment is $35 per person. Confirm what that fee covers and when you must request the equipment. If snorkeling is a major reason for booking, do not assume gear will be waiting onboard at no charge.

Cholon or Playa Tranquila for a second island stop

The second swimming or leisure stop may be Cholon or Playa Tranquila. The description allows one or two stops, so the final plan can depend on the day, conditions, and the crew’s arrangements.

Cholon is associated with a more social, party-focused island outing, which fits the boat’s appeal to groups looking for a lively day. Playa Tranquila suggests a calmer beach-oriented stop. The important point is that you should not book expecting one fixed beach sequence unless the operator confirms it.

Ask before departure:

• Which stops are planned that day?
• How long will the boat remain at each location?
• Is a restaurant stop part of the plan?
• Are food and beach charges separate?
• Can your group choose between Cholon and Playa Tranquila?

These questions matter because the route affects the character of your day. One plan may focus on swimming and drinks aboard the boat. Another may include time near a beach or a stop connected with food.

Food costs need careful attention

Food is not listed among the inclusions. That means you should budget separately for lunch and ask exactly where, if anywhere, the boat will stop to eat.

One serious complaint about the experience described a restaurant charge of 380,000 Colombian pesos for a fish that the complainant believed was listed at 170,000 pesos, along with additional charges for a beach table and other items. The provider responded that the menu had been read and approved, while also saying it would work on making prices clearer, especially for Spanish-speaking customers.

You do not need to decide in advance who was right to take a useful lesson from this. Read every menu and ask about every extra fee before ordering. Confirm the price of the food, table, beach access, service, and any other charge. If something is unclear, ask the guide to explain it in plain terms before you agree.

This is the most important caution attached to the outing. The boat rental price may be clear, but an island stop can involve separate local businesses and charges. Carry enough money for planned purchases, but do not feel pressured to approve an item you do not understand.

What the $880 price really buys

The quoted price is $880 per group, with the pricing information allowing up to 10 people. You are paying for privacy, the boat, and an eight-hour outing rather than a single transfer to the islands.

For a full group, this can be a sensible choice. Ten people paying $88 each share a private boat, and the included ice, beer, and water add some basic value. A group of friends can also avoid paying separate seat prices on a shared boat, though you should compare the full cost with other private charters before booking.

For a small group, the arithmetic changes. Four people would pay $220 each before transportation, snorkeling, food, or other purchases. If your party is small, ask whether the boat size and private format matter enough to justify the premium.

The price does not include:

• Towels
• Private transportation
• Snorkeling equipment
• Food and restaurant purchases
• Any extra drinks beyond the listed supply

Private transportation begins at $15 per trip, depending on where you are located. Snorkeling equipment is listed at $35 per person. These fees are not necessarily unreasonable, but they should be included in your real budget.

Who will like this boat day most

I would recommend this experience most to a group of friends who want privacy and a full day on the Caribbean rather than a short island transfer. The boat’s party-friendly description, included beers, and stops at Cholon or Playa Tranquila suit a social group.

It also works for a group that wants a more relaxed schedule than a large shared excursion. You have the boat to yourselves, and the route includes room for photos, swimming, and time together.

This is less suitable for someone looking for a quiet, fixed itinerary with every meal and activity included. It is also not the right pick if you dislike sorting out extra charges or if snorkeling equipment must be guaranteed in the base price.

Families should confirm the age and boating arrangements for everyone in the group. The supplied information says most people can participate and notes that alcohol is only for those aged 18 and older, but it does not give specific child pricing or child-focused facilities.

Practical packing advice for eight hours

Bring your own towel because none is supplied. I would also pack a dry change of clothes, sun protection, sunglasses with a secure strap, and a waterproof pouch for phones and cash.

Bring extra drinking water if your group is close to the maximum size. The listed 12 bottles may not go far during a long day in the sun, especially if several people are swimming and drinking beer.

Do not count on snorkeling gear being available at no charge. Budget $35 per person if you want to rent it, or ask whether you may bring your own equipment. The tour information does not promise that personal gear is permitted, so confirm this in advance.

Keep valuables to a minimum. A speedboat, saltwater, and swimming are a poor combination for passports, expensive cameras, and loose electronics. Take only what you can protect.

Weather and cancellation rules

The trip requires good weather. If poor weather cancels the outing, you can be offered another date or a full refund.

For your own plans, keep the day before departure flexible. You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted under the stated policy.

The cutoff follows local time in Cartagena. That detail is easy to miss, so use Cartagena’s local time when deciding whether you still have a free cancellation option.

A fair look at the overall experience

The strongest part of this outing is its private format. You get a full day on a 29-foot boat with your own group, rather than a basic ride between Cartagena and the islands. The Boca Chica photo stop and island swimming stops give the day some shape without turning it into a rigid schedule.

The included supplies are modest but helpful. Ice, beer, and water mean you are not starting with an entirely empty boat, although you should not mistake them for an all-inclusive package.

The weak point is the lack of detail around the final route and extra costs. Cholon, Playa Tranquila, and Isla Grande are named, but the number and duration of stops are not fixed. Food is not included, and the restaurant complaint shows why you should discuss prices before ordering.

The experience receives a 4.7 rating, with 93 percent recommending it, based on 14 ratings. That is a positive signal, but the sample is small. I would treat the rating as encouragement, not a substitute for checking the details that matter to your group.

Should you book the Rosario Islands private boat?

Book it if you have a sizeable group, want a private speedboat, and are happy to pay separately for food, towels, transport, and possible snorkeling gear. At close to 10 people, the $880 group price makes much better sense.

Think twice if your group is small or if you want a fully packaged day with guaranteed stops and no price decisions along the way. Before paying, confirm the passenger limit, planned island stops, transportation fee, snorkeling arrangements, and every likely restaurant charge.

My practical verdict: this is a strong private-party option for the right group, but it rewards organized booking. Ask clear questions, bring a towel, carry extra water, and read every menu before you approve a purchase.

FAQ

Where does the boat trip start?

It starts at Sibarita del Mar on Avenida Blas de Lezo in El Centro, Cartagena de Indias, Bolívar, Colombia.

What time does the experience start?

The listed start time is 9:00 am.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the original meeting point.

How long does the boat rental last?

The experience lasts approximately eight hours.

How many people can join?

The price is listed for a group of up to 10 people. The description also refers to up to 8 friends, so confirm the exact permitted group size when booking.

Is private transportation included?

No. Private transportation is not included. It is listed from $15 per trip, depending on your location.

Are drinks included?

Yes. The package includes ice, 12 Aguila or Andina beers, and 12 bottles of water.

Are towels provided?

No. You should bring your own towel.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

No. Snorkeling equipment is not included. The listed rental price is $35 per person.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Poor weather may result in a different date or a full refund.