One amazing day in a private recent sailing boat in the Tayrona Park. The best sail trip from Santa Marta!

Leave the marina, and let the coast set the pace. This private sailing trip gives you a full day on a recent sailboat bound for Tayrona National Natural Park, with swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, snacks, and time to enjoy the sea without a fixed group schedule. I especially like the quiet, personal feel and the chance to reach a less crowded bay rather than spend the day at a packed beach.

The price is $790 per group of up to 12 people, which can be good value for a family or two groups of friends sharing the boat. The main consideration is weather and access to Tayrona Park. The captain may change bays if conditions are poor, and the park closes during several dates each year, so you need to check your plans before booking.

What makes this sailing day special

• A private boat for up to 12 people, so your group controls the mood and pace.
• Bahia Concha around noon, with time for swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, sunbathing, and jumping from the boat.
• A large rear bathing platform, making it easy to get into and out of the water.
• A fresh sandwich, snacks, and one drink included, with extra drinks available to buy onboard.
• A return under sail at 3:30 p.m., usually the calmest and most scenic part of the day.
• A personable captain and first mate, Thierry and Amy-Esther, who are praised for thoughtful service and for finding quieter places.

Leaving Santa Marta at 10:30 a.m.

You meet at Alquiler de Yates Santa Marta, at Cra. 1 #22-93 in Comuna 2. The boat leaves at 10:30 a.m., giving you a useful morning start without forcing you out of bed before sunrise.

The opening part of the trip is about the ride itself. You’ll see Santa Marta from the water, then watch the coast shift as the boat heads toward Tayrona. The plan is to sail when conditions allow, though the exact sailing time depends on wind and weather.

The crew may try some fishing along the way. You might also get lucky with dolphins following or playing near the boat. A group on one trip had that kind of encounter, but it is best treated as a happy bonus rather than a promise.

That point matters because this is not a fast transfer to a beach. The sailing is part of the experience. If you want to reach the water as quickly as possible, a simple boat ride may suit you better. If you enjoy the open sea, changing views, and a slower morning with friends or family, the pace works well.

Bahia Concha around noon

The planned stop is Bahia Concha, one of the bays within Tayrona National Natural Park. The boat is expected to arrive at about 12 p.m., leaving roughly three and a half hours before the return begins.

This is the heart of the day. You can swim directly from the boat, go ashore toward the beach, lie in the sun, or stay onboard with a drink. You can also use the provided snorkeling equipment and paddleboard.

I like the flexibility here. You are not being hurried from one photo stop to another. One person can snorkel while someone else rests on deck. Children can enjoy the water, while adults take a quieter break. The rear bathing platform is especially practical because it gives you a broad, simple entry point instead of making everyone climb awkwardly over the side.

You can also jump from the sailboat into the sea. That sounds like a small detail, but it often becomes one of the most memorable parts of a private boat day. The important caution is that swimming and jumping depend on sea conditions and the captain’s judgment. Follow the crew’s directions, even if the water looks inviting.

Snorkeling, paddleboarding, and time on the beach

The snorkeling gear is included, which saves you from arranging equipment before departure. The quality and amount of marine life can vary with visibility and conditions, so I would not book this as a guaranteed wildlife trip. Still, the chance to snorkel from a quiet bay adds real value, especially for families and groups who want more than a scenic cruise.

Paddleboarding gives you another way to enjoy the water. You can move around the cove, stay active, or simply take turns while others swim. Since this is a private outing, you do not need to match the pace of a large mixed group.

The beach at Bahia Concha adds variety. You can swim from the boat, then go ashore for a different view, or spend the entire stop near the vessel. Several detailed accounts describe the beach and cove as peaceful and beautiful, with the crew making an effort to avoid crowded places when possible.

Do keep your expectations sensible. This is a boat-based day, not a guided walk through Tayrona. You will see the park from the water and spend time at a bay, but the plan does not include a long land excursion, nature walk, or visit to several beaches.

Lunch, snacks, and drinks onboard

A fresh sandwich is served onboard, along with complimentary snacks and one included drink for each person. That is enough to keep the day simple, but you should not mistake it for a full restaurant-style lunch.

Additional drinks can be purchased on the boat, including beer, wine, and rum. Coolers are available if needed. This is useful for a private group, since you can settle into a casual picnic-style afternoon rather than leave the bay to find food.

I would confirm the exact food and drink arrangements when booking if anyone in your group has dietary needs. The information provided confirms a fresh sandwich, snacks, and a drink, but it does not specify sandwich fillings, vegetarian choices, or special diets.

The food service also fits the schedule. With arrival around noon, lunch comes during the main stop, when you can eat between swims or relax on deck. That keeps the day moving without turning it into a formal meal break.

The people make a difference

The hosts, Thierry and Amy-Esther, are repeatedly praised for being warm, attentive, and easy to spend a day with. They work as captain and first mate, and their role goes beyond steering the boat. They adjust the day to the group, help with activities, and look for quieter places when conditions permit.

That personal attention is one of the strongest reasons to choose a private trip. A boat can be clean and attractive, but the crew determines whether the day feels relaxed or awkward. Here, the available accounts describe a well-kept boat, generous hosting, and a sincere effort to make the outing feel personal.

The couple also speaks multiple languages, which may help international groups. The information does not specify every language spoken, so you should ask if language support is important for your party.

Families seem particularly well suited to this trip. One group said the children enjoyed it so much they wished they had booked a second day. Two families also found the mix of sailing, swimming, food, and beach time easy to manage.

What the $790 price really buys

At first glance, $790 is a serious price. The calculation changes when you fill the boat. For 12 people, the cost works out to about $65.83 per person. For six people, it is about $131.67 each. For only two people, the price becomes much harder to justify unless privacy and sailing matter more to you than keeping costs low.

The fee covers a private seven-and-a-half-hour experience, the boat, the crew, snorkeling equipment, snacks, one drink per person, and the freedom to shape the afternoon. You are also paying for space, privacy, and the ability to spend time with your own group rather than share a fixed boat with strangers.

For a birthday, family gathering, or two families traveling together, this can be a sensible splurge. You get a full day rather than a short sunset sail, and the boat can accommodate up to 12 people.

For a couple on a tight budget, I would compare it with shared boat trips and simpler beach excursions. The sailing, private setting, and attentive hosts are the selling points. If those are not important to you, the price may feel high.

The return begins at 3:30 p.m.

At about 3:30 p.m., the boat starts back toward Santa Marta. The return is planned as a sailing leg, giving you a quieter end to the day after swimming and beach time.

This is when the trip should feel most unhurried. You can sit back, watch the coast pass, and enjoy the change from active water time to a calm ride toward the marina. The boat returns to the original meeting point, so you do not need to arrange a separate pickup at the end.

The total duration is approximately seven hours and 30 minutes. That is long enough to make the trip feel like a proper day out, though the schedule is fairly clear: leave at 10:30, reach the bay around noon, begin the return at 3:30, and arrive back later in the afternoon.

Weather and Tayrona closure dates

The captain can change the planned bay if weather or sea conditions make Bahia Concha unsuitable. This is a sensible safety rule, but it means you should book with some flexibility. A different bay may be offered rather than a cancellation.

Tayrona access is suspended during these periods:

• February 1 through February 15
• June 1 through June 15
• October 19 through November 2

During those closures, the alternative destination may be Playa Blanca, Inca Inca, or Taganga. These changes are important if seeing Tayrona is the main reason you are booking. You can still have a pleasant boat day, but it will not be the same park experience.

The tour requires good weather. If poor conditions cause cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not refunded.

Who should book this private sailboat day?

I would recommend it most strongly to:

• Families who want swimming, beach time, and simple activities in one outing
• Two groups of friends willing to share the $790 cost
• Couples seeking a private, slower day on the water
• Visitors who prefer a quiet cove to a packed beach
• People who enjoy sailing as much as the destination

I would be more cautious if you want a full Tayrona hiking day, a guaranteed dolphin sighting, extensive snorkeling, or a low-cost excursion. This is not a nature trek and not a budget beach transfer.

You should also think about the sea. Even on a fine day, a sailing boat moves differently from a large motorboat. If anyone in your group is prone to seasickness, ask about conditions and consider bringing suitable medication, although the available information does not specify onboard medical supplies.

Booking advice for Santa Marta

This experience is booked, on average, 21 days ahead. That suggests you should reserve early if your dates are fixed, especially for a larger group or a holiday period.

Bring swimwear, sun protection, and a change of clothes. The boat has coolers, snacks, and water activities, but the supplied information does not confirm towels, sunscreen, or hotel pickup. Ask before departure if those items matter to you.

The meeting point is near public transportation, and the activity ends back there. Most people can participate, but the information does not provide detailed accessibility specifications for the boat or bathing platform. If anyone in your party has mobility needs, contact Vela del Mar before paying.

Should you book the Tayrona sailing trip?

Book it if you want a private day built around sailing, swimming, and easy company. The strongest features are the kind hosts, the clean recent boat, the large bathing platform, and the freedom to enjoy Bahia Concha at your own speed.

The value is best with six to 12 people. Before booking, check the Tayrona closure dates, confirm the food arrangements, and accept that weather may change the bay. If your group can share the cost and prefers a relaxed day at sea over a packed schedule, this is one of Santa Marta’s more appealing private outings.

FAQ

How long does the sailing trip last?

The experience lasts approximately seven hours and 30 minutes.

What time does the tour start?

Departure is at 10:30 a.m. from Alquiler de Yates Santa Marta at Cra. 1 #22-93, Comuna 2, Santa Marta.

Where does the boat go?

The planned stop is Bahia Concha in Tayrona National Natural Park.

What activities are included?

You can swim, snorkel with provided equipment, use a paddleboard, sunbathe, go ashore, and jump from the sailboat when conditions allow.

Is food included?

A fresh sandwich, snacks, and one drink per person are included. Beer, wine, rum, and other drinks can be purchased onboard, and coolers are available if needed.

What happens if the weather is poor or Tayrona is closed?

The captain may select another bay if weather prevents access to the planned destination. During Tayrona closure periods, alternatives may include Playa Blanca, Inca Inca, or Taganga. If poor weather cancels the experience, you can receive a full refund or choose another date.