Sailing to Tayrona with Luis and his team: Unique!

A beach day with a boat-shaped bonus. This Santa Marta outing combines a cruise aboard the sailboat Artivela with a few relaxed hours at Bahía Concha in Tayrona National Park. I like the fresh fish lunch grilled on board and the chance to swim, snorkel, paddleboard, or simply stretch out in the sun. The crew also earns frequent praise for being kind, attentive, and helpful.

The main catch is simple: this may not be a full sailing trip. Wind, waves, safety, and the boat’s schedule can mean using the motor for much or all of the route. English guidance can also vary if Luis is not on board, so this is best viewed as a scenic boat trip to a beach, with sailing when conditions allow.

Key points before you book

• Bahía Concha is the main destination: You spend your beach time at one bay rather than touring several Tayrona beaches.
• Fresh fish is cooked on board: Lunch includes grilled fish with salad, or a ham, cheese, and salad pita sandwich.
• Sailing depends on conditions: The crew may raise a jib or sail on the return, but the motor can do most of the work.
• Snacks and soft drinks are included: Water, ice, fruit, snacks, and soft drinks are served during the day.
• The crew is the strongest part: Luis and team members such as Noemí are often praised for warm, careful service.
• Bring cash for the beach: Chairs under shade cost about 10,000 Colombian pesos, and independent vendors sell drinks and fruit.

From Santa Marta Marina to the Tayrona coast

The day begins at Marina Santa Marta, at Carrera 1 #22-93. The advertised departure is around 11:00 am, with arrival back at the marina near 5:00 pm. The exact meeting point can be confusing, since the location marker has been reported on the wrong side of the marina. I would check the operator’s latest message carefully and arrive early enough to find the correct boarding spot.

The group can reach up to 25 people. That is large enough to give the boat a social feel, but small enough that the crew can usually keep an eye on people in the water. With 22 people on board, the boat has felt full without being uncomfortably crowded. Smaller departures are possible, and one outing had only eight people, which made the day feel especially open and easygoing.

The first stretch takes roughly 1.5 hours. You pass the bays of Taganga and Garnet, then approach Isla Aguja, the only island inside Tayrona National Park. This is the most scenic part of the outward route, with the Santa Marta coast opening into rocky headlands and sheltered bays.

A bilingual guide is part of the plan, and the crew shares stories about Tayrona, Santa Marta, the park, and its people. Still, English explanations are not guaranteed on every departure. Luis appears to be the strongest English-speaking presence, and when he is away, some English-speaking passengers have missed much of the commentary. If learning about the area matters to you, confirm the language support before you go.

Fishing rods may be set up during the crossing. This is a pleasant extra rather than a major fishing excursion. You might get a chance to try your luck, but the main point is the ride and the beach stop.

What sailing really means on this trip

The boat is a sailboat, but you should set your expectations carefully. The crew may use the sails on the way back, and several departures have enjoyed a smooth sail for part of the return. On other days, the motor has powered nearly the entire route.

That choice can be sensible. A strong headwind on the way to Bahía Concha can make sailing slow and uncomfortable, especially with a full boat and a fixed beach schedule. Winds above 20 knots, with stronger gusts, have led the crew to use a storm jib and motor for safety. On calmer days with little wind, the motor may still be needed.

This matters if you are booking for the beach, views, and a day on the water. It is a good fit if you want those things with the possibility of sailing. It is not the best fit if your main goal is several hours of hands-on sailing or a pure wind-powered passage.

The crew may invite you to help with the sailing when conditions permit. Some departures have raised the front sail briefly, while others have motor-sailed most of the return. Treat the sailing element as weather-dependent, not guaranteed.

The ride can also be wet. At the front of the boat, large waves have soaked people completely on the outward crossing. That can be funny and refreshing in hot weather, but it is not ideal if you want to stay dry. I would choose a more sheltered place on board if the sea looks rough, and keep phones in a waterproof pouch.

If you are prone to seasickness, take preventive medicine before departure. The route is on open water, and conditions can change. Several outings have had calm seas, while others have been rough enough to make the crossing a major part of the experience.

Bahía Concha, the day’s main reward

Bahía Concha is where the trip settles into beach time. The boat tries to anchor as close to shore as possible, although one account described anchoring around 200 meters from the beach near a coral reef. Conditions and boat traffic can affect the exact position.

The bay has warm water and, on good days, gentle waves that work well for children. The sand is attractive, and the long beach gives you room to walk. It may not have the dramatic look of Tayrona’s more famous beaches, but its easy access by boat and broad shoreline make it a comfortable choice for a day trip.

You should not expect a private or untouched beach. Bahía Concha can be busy, particularly on weekends, holidays, or peak dates. Vendors may sell chairs, drinks, alcohol, fruit, and other items along the shore. Some people enjoy the convenience and social atmosphere. If you are hoping for silence and total isolation, this stop may disappoint.

Shade is another practical issue. The boat does not offer much shade, and beach shade may come with a rented chair. A chair has cost about 10,000 COP, or roughly $3 in the experiences described. Bring Colombian cash if you want a shaded place to sit. Beach prices are set by independent vendors, so they are not covered by the tour fee.

The beach is also a place to manage your own expectations. One outing found brown water and floating debris after a storm, while other days produced clear blue water and pleasant swimming. Sea conditions, weather, and recent storms can change the character of the bay. The crew cannot control those factors, but you can ask about current conditions before departure.

Lunch, drinks, and time in the water

Lunch is one of the tour’s best features. The crew grills fresh fish on board and serves it with salad. The fish has been described as fresh, tasty, and good enough to be a highlight of the day. If you do not eat fish, the alternative is a pita bread sandwich with ham, cheese, and salad.

During the crossing and beach stop, you receive water, ice, soft drinks, fruit, and snacks. Beer and other alcoholic drinks are sold separately on board. Independent beach vendors may also sell drinks at considerably higher prices, with beer reported at up to 45,000 COP. I would buy drinks on the boat or bring enough cash to avoid surprises.

Lunch may be served in batches rather than to everyone at one exact moment. That is normal on a boat with a sizeable group, but it means your meal might not arrive at the same time as your companions. The food is prepared with care, and several families found it tasty and filling.

The included equipment can include snorkeling gear and a paddleboard. A kayak has also been available on some departures, but equipment numbers are limited. With 25 people, one double kayak or a single paddleboard cannot provide long, uninterrupted use for everyone. The availability of a paddleboard has also varied, so ask the crew what is actually on board that day.

Snorkeling is usually arranged near the boat or a nearby reef, sometimes after lunch. You may see sea urchins, puffer fish, and schools of smaller fish. Visibility is not guaranteed. Waves, currents, and storms can make the water cloudy, and one outing had only a short snorkeling window because of timing.

If snorkeling is your main reason for booking, you may want a dedicated snorkeling trip instead. Here, it is a welcome activity within a broader beach-and-boat day. Children can take part when conditions are suitable, and life jackets are available, including for young children. One family traveling with a three-year-old felt well supported by the crew.

The return to Santa Marta

The boat generally leaves Bahía Concha around 3:45 pm, with some departures leaving closer to 3:15. The return takes about 1.5 hours, and arrival is usually around 5:00 pm, though one group reached the marina at 5:30.

This is often when the crew tries to sail. If the wind is favorable, you may get a smooth run with the front sail raised. If the wind is too strong, too weak, or directly ahead, the motor remains necessary. You can participate when the captain allows it, but the crew’s first duty is to keep the boat stable and the schedule manageable.

The return is a good time to enjoy the coast without rushing. You have already swum, eaten, and explored the beach, so the boat becomes a comfortable place to sit back with a soft drink. Keep a light layer or sun cover handy, since the boat provides plenty of exposure and the afternoon sun can remain strong.

Is $70 good value?

At $70 per person, this is a strong value if you want several services bundled into one day. The price includes the boat ride, marina entrance, passenger insurance, lunch, snacks, water, soft drinks, fruit, snorkeling equipment, and access to paddleboards when available. You also avoid arranging separate transport to Tayrona’s coast.

The price is less compelling if you only want a quiet beach and plan to skip the water activities. You will still pay for a boat, crew, food, and equipment, but you may spend much of the day at one beach that can be commercial and busy.

Compared with an overland beach outing, the boat gives you a different view of Tayrona and removes much of the walking and road travel. Compared with a dedicated sailing charter, it is far cheaper, but it does not promise private space or guaranteed sail time. For a full eight-hour outing with lunch and drinks included, I consider the cost fair, especially for families and couples who value convenience.

The 4.6 rating from 448 ratings, with 91 percent recommending the experience, fits the pattern: strong marks for the crew, food, scenery, and relaxed format, with recurring concerns about language, beach crowds, and motor use.

Who will enjoy this boat day?

I would recommend it to you if you want:

• A simple way to reach Bahía Concha from Santa Marta
• A relaxed day with swimming, lunch, and coastal views
• Friendly crew support rather than a formal, lecture-heavy tour
• An outing suitable for families when the sea is calm
• A social boat atmosphere with drinks available
• The chance to sail, without needing sailing experience

I would think twice if you want:

• A guaranteed sail under wind power
• Several Tayrona beaches in one day
• A quiet, private shoreline
• A full-length snorkeling session
• Reliable English commentary on every departure
• Lots of shade without paying for a beach chair

The operator offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure. Poor weather or failure to meet the minimum group size can lead to a new date, another experience, or a full refund. Service animals are allowed, and the operator states that most people can participate.

Should you book Sailing to Tayrona with Luis and his team?

Book it if you see the outing as a Tayrona beach day by boat, not as a serious sailing lesson. The best parts are the attentive crew, the fresh grilled fish, the warm water, and the pleasure of reaching Bahía Concha without a long land journey.

Before paying, confirm the meeting point, departure time, language support, and which water equipment is available that day. Bring cash for a chair and beach purchases, protect your phone from spray, and take seasickness medicine if you need it. If you can accept changing sea conditions and motor use, $70 buys a generous, easygoing day on the Colombian coast.

FAQ

How long does the experience last?

The outing lasts about eight hours. Departure is scheduled around 11:00 am, with return to the Santa Marta marina near 5:00 pm.

Where does the boat depart?

The meeting point is Marina Santa Marta, Carrera 1 #22-93, Santa Marta, Magdalena, Colombia.

What is the main beach destination?

The main beach stop is Bahía Concha in Tayrona National Park.

Is sailing guaranteed?

No. The boat may use its sails when wind and sea conditions are suitable, but the motor may power part or all of the route for safety, comfort, or scheduling.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is grilled fish with salad, or a pita bread sandwich with ham, cheese, and salad.

What drinks and snacks are included?

Water, ice, soft drinks, fruit, and snacks are included. Alcoholic drinks, including beer, are sold separately on board.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included. A paddleboard is also listed for use, though equipment availability can vary.

Are beach chairs included?

No. Beach chairs are rented separately from beach vendors. They have cost about 10,000 Colombian pesos per chair.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 25 people.

Can children join the experience?

Most people can participate, and families with young children have taken part. Life jackets are available, including for small children, but sea conditions can be rough and parents should use their judgment.

What happens if the tour is canceled because of weather?

You can choose a different date or receive a full refund if poor weather causes the cancellation.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience starts. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund.