Marmows Full Day Private Boat Tour in San Andreas Islands

A private boat changes the whole day. Marmows’ six-hour outing gives your group room to spread out, carry food and drinks, and spend more time at the places you enjoy most. I especially like the personal service from Mario, Juliana, and their crew, plus the clean, comfortable boat and included snorkeling gear. The main catch is the fierce Caribbean sun, along with lunch and pier admission costing extra.

You pay $390 per group of up to 12, not per person. That makes this a strong value for a family or group of friends, but less so for a couple unless you place a high value on privacy. The weather also matters. Wind and rough water can shorten the trip, so keep your plans flexible.

Key points at a glance

• Private boat for up to 12 people: You get the boat, captain, and assistant for your own group rather than sharing space with a packed public excursion.
• Six hours around San Andrés: The route combines mangroves, sandbars, snorkeling sites, cays, and a natural sea pool.
• Snorkeling gear and water included: A cooler with ice and a floating water mat are also provided.
• Flexible stops: The crew can adjust time and stop choices, with snorkeling and swimming available at several points.
• Lunch is separate: You can buy island food at Cayo Acuario or another cay, but it is not part of the $390 price.
• Plan for sun and weather: Bring strong sunscreen, a long-sleeved shirt, and patience if wind or rain affects the route.

Why a private boat works well here

San Andrés is surrounded by shallow Caribbean water, coral reefs, sandbars, and small cays. Many boat outings follow a fixed route with everyone packed into the same schedule. Marmows offers a different rhythm: your group has the boat to itself, and the crew can respond to what you want to do.

That matters most at snorkeling stops. If your children need time to feel comfortable in choppy water, or you want to stay in one area after spotting fish, a private boat gives you more breathing room. The crew has also helped families find quieter spots near the cays instead of simply stopping at the busiest area.

The boat is described as clean, comfortable, and better maintained than the basic pontoons commonly used around the island. It comes with a refrigerator filled with ice, bottled water, snorkeling equipment, and a water mat. You can bring your own food and drinks aboard, which helps keep costs under control.

Marmows has earned a 5.0 rating from 183 reviews, with 99 percent of customers recommending it. The repeated praise centers on the boat, the crew’s care, good English from Mario, and the ability to choose how long to swim or snorkel. Those are meaningful strengths for a full day on the water.

Leaving from the Police Pier

The meeting point is Muelle de la Policía on Carrera 1 in San Andrés. The stated operating hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and the tour ends back at the same pier.

Allow some patience at the start. The maximum waiting time for boarding is listed as one hour, so do not schedule a tight appointment immediately afterward. You also pay COP 5,000 per person to enter the pier. That is a small fee, but it is easy to forget when calculating the total cost.

The boat carries a captain and assistant. Names mentioned for the crew include Mario, Juliana, Wilson, and Branford, although the exact team can vary. Mario is frequently praised for his English, so communication should be fairly easy for English-speaking groups. The crew also gets credit for taking photos, helping people into the water, and explaining parts of island life.

Mangroves at Old Point National Park

The first stop is Manglares de Old Point National Park, where the boat enters a different side of San Andrés. Instead of open sea and white sand, you see mangrove roots, sheltered water, tropical birds, and the dense plant life that protects this coastal habitat.

The scheduled stop is only about 15 minutes, so treat it as a brief nature introduction rather than a long wildlife outing. You may spot birds and other animals, but sightings are never guaranteed. The short visit works well as a calm start before the faster boat ride and swimming stops.

This portion also gives you useful contrast. San Andrés is famous for its seven-colored sea, but the mangroves show why the island is more than a postcard beach. Keep your camera ready, though the boat may not linger long.

El Palito and the sandbar at Chamey’s Náutica

Next comes El Palito, a white sandbar associated with Chamey’s Náutica, Kayak and Windsurf. The water here is shallow and clear, and the setting is made for wading, floating, photographs, and a little unhurried time in the sun.

The planned stop lasts about an hour. That is enough time to enjoy the sandbar without using up the entire day. The setting can look especially striking in photographs because the white sand sits against clear water in several shades of blue.

The tradeoff is exposure. A sandbar offers almost no natural shade, and the Caribbean sun can be punishing even when a breeze makes the temperature feel pleasant. One person on this tour reported getting badly sunburned despite using SPF 50. I would bring high-SPF sunscreen, a long-sleeved sun shirt, and a hat that will not blow away.

Cayo Acuario, fish, rays, and lunch

Cayo Acuario is the main two-hour stop and likely the centerpiece for many groups. The area is known for snorkeling among tropical fish, including doctor fish, puffer fish, and butterfly fish. You may also see rays, sea urchins, small sharks, and coral formations.

The water mat is useful here. You can rest on it between swims, stay near the boat, or simply enjoy the water without constantly treading. The crew can help point out marine life, which makes a difference when fish blend into the reef and sandy bottom.

Conditions can be choppy, and the water may feel busy around popular spots. That is where the private setup earns its keep. The crew can look for a less crowded area or help nervous swimmers ease into the water. Families have appreciated that kind of hands-on support, especially with children.

Lunch is not included. Local restaurants on the cay serve island food, and one outing included a rustic lunch on Haynes Cay with drinks called cocolocos. You should confirm current restaurant choices and prices with the crew, since the tour information does not specify a set meal or menu.

Plan your lunch timing carefully. A leisurely restaurant stop can use a large part of the two-hour window, while a quick meal leaves more time for snorkeling. If you have dietary needs, bring backup food rather than assuming the small island restaurants will have every option.

A second snorkeling stop near San Andrés

One listed stop is a 20-minute snorkeling visit around San Andrés. The description promises clear water, tropical fish, and coral, but it does not name a specific reef or cove. Think of this as a shorter swim stop, not a separate major attraction.

The crew has taken groups to reef areas and old wrecks, where fish gather around structure. Exact visibility and marine life depend on weather and water conditions. You may see plenty of fish, but no wildlife sighting can be guaranteed.

This shorter stop helps break up the day. You can get back in the water without committing to another long session, or use it for photographs and a quick swim. If your group is especially keen on snorkeling, ask the crew how they plan to divide the time among the reef stops.

White Wata and the floating bars

The next stop is described as White Wata, a natural crystalline pool in the sea of seven colors. Two floating bars, Ibiza and Raizal, provide a place to stop for drinks and enjoy the setting.

This is less about wildlife and more about the easygoing side of a San Andrés boat day. You can float, sit on the mat, take photographs, and watch the water change color around you. A floating bar also gives the group a social pause after several swims.

Drinks at the bars are not listed as included, so budget separately. You can bring your own beverages aboard, but check with the crew before counting on taking everything into a particular bar area. As with the sandbar, shade may be limited.

The word sunset appears in the description, but the operating hours listed are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Do not assume you will receive a true sunset cruise. Confirm the actual departure time and route if sunset views are important to you.

The final reef and ride back

The last scheduled section returns to coral reef water for another 30-minute snorkeling session. The plan is simple: swim among fish and coral, return to the boat, rest, and head back toward San Andrés.

Thirty minutes is short, but it can be just right after a full day in the sun. You may prefer one final swim, while someone else in your group may want to dry off and enjoy the ride. The return trip also offers time for photographs of the sea and nearby cays.

The listed stop times add up to a little over five hours, while the tour is advertised as approximately six hours. That difference likely allows for boarding, movement between stops, and adjustments on the water. Still, ask at the pier how much time you can expect at each location.

What $390 gets you

At $390 per group of up to 12, the price is easiest to justify with six to 12 people. A full group pays about $32.50 each before lunch and the COP 5,000 pier fee. With six people, the boat works out to $65 each, and with only two people, it becomes a costly private outing.

The value comes from privacy and control. You are not paying only for transportation between sights. You are reserving the boat for your group, with a captain and assistant, cooler space, snorkeling equipment, water, and the chance to adjust the pace.

For a couple, I would compare this with a shared boat before booking. For a family reunion, birthday, bachelorette outing, or group of friends, the private rate becomes much more attractive. The boat also gives you space to carry snacks, drinks, towels, and dry clothes without fighting for room.

Lunch, bar drinks, and pier admission add to the bill. Since lunch is bought locally, you can choose how much or how little to spend. That flexibility is useful, but you should not treat the tour price as all-inclusive.

Comfort, safety, and the small practical details

The boat is repeatedly described as clean, comfortable, and well cared for. That is important on a six-hour excursion, especially when you are moving between swimming, sitting, eating, and riding.

Snorkeling equipment is included, as is bottled water and a floating mat. The information does not specify sizes, prescription masks, flotation vests, or the exact boat model, so ask ahead if anyone in your group needs specialized gear.

Most people can participate, and the tour is near public transportation. Still, swimming ability varies. Tell the crew early if someone is anxious in open water or needs extra support. The crew has helped children get comfortable, but water conditions can change.

The best preparation is basic:

• Bring sunscreen and reapply often.
• Pack a long-sleeved shirt or fishing shirt.
• Carry a hat, sunglasses, and a dry change of clothes.
• Bring food if you prefer not to buy lunch on a cay.
• Keep valuables protected from spray.
• Leave room for the pier fee and drinks.

Weather deserves special attention. The tour requires good conditions, and poor weather can lead to a new date or a full refund. One outing ended early because of bad weather, even though the boat and crew were praised. That is the sensible choice at sea, but it means you should avoid placing your most important evening plans too close to the return time.

Who will enjoy this boat day most?

I would choose Marmows if you care about personal attention, good snorkeling, and avoiding an overcrowded boat. It suits families, groups of friends, couples celebrating something special, and anyone who wants to set the pace instead of following a rigid public tour.

It is also a good choice for mixed groups. Strong swimmers can spend longer in the water, while others can relax on the boat or use the mat. The crew’s willingness to take photos and help with children adds practical value.

I would hesitate if you are traveling alone or as a pair on a tight budget. The flat group rate makes the most sense when several people share it. I would also think twice if your main goal is a long mangrove visit, a guaranteed wildlife encounter, or a true sunset cruise. Those details are either brief, dependent on conditions, or not fully clear from the schedule.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund, except when poor weather causes the operator to cancel.

Should you book Marmows?

Book it if your group can share the $390 cost and you want a comfortable, private day built around snorkeling, sandbars, and clear Caribbean water. The strongest reasons are the attentive crew, clean boat, flexible stops, and included gear and cooler.

Before paying, confirm the departure time, expected route, lunch plan, and the crew assigned to your date. Pack serious sun protection and keep your afternoon flexible in case the sea turns rough. For a group of friends or a family, this is one of the more practical ways to enjoy San Andrés from the water without being packed onto a basic shared boat.

FAQ

How much does the Marmows private boat tour cost?

The tour costs $390 per group of up to 12 people. Lunch, drinks, and the pier entrance fee are separate.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately six hours. The listed route includes several stops for mangroves, sandbars, snorkeling, swimming, and the return ride.

Where does the tour begin and end?

It begins at Muelle de la Policía, Carrera 1, in San Andrés. It ends back at the same meeting point.

What is included in the price?

The price includes a refrigerator with ice, an assistant captain, snorkeling equipment, bottled water, and a water mat.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included. You can buy food at local restaurants on or near the cays, or bring your own food aboard.

Is there an extra pier fee?

Yes. You must pay COP 5,000 per person to enter the pier.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The experience requires good weather. If poor conditions cause cancellation, you can receive a different date or a full refund.