Top 3 Islands Tour Bora Bora, Pao Pao and Islabela With Lunch

Clear water, three island stops, one busy day. This Cartagena boat trip gives you a quick taste of the Rosario Islands, with time at Pao Pao, Islabela, and Bora Bora. I especially like the three included welcome cocktails and the choice of fish, chicken, or vegetarian lunch. The bilingual guides are another strong point, with Laura and Ralph praised for making English-speaking passengers feel included.

The trade-off is the speedboat ride. It can be sharply bumpy, especially on the return to Cartagena, and the boat leaves the dock later than the advertised arrival time suggests. If you have a bad back or dislike fast rides over open water, this is an important concern.

Key points to know before you book

• Three very different island stops: Pao Pao feels quiet and leafy, Islabela focuses on lunch and relaxation, and Bora Bora brings the music and party mood.
• Pao Pao is the calm favorite: Mangroves, clear water, a bird reserve, and a welcome cocktail make it a pleasant first stop.
• Bora Bora has the clearest water and liveliest setting: It is often the favorite stop, but loud music and VIP seating can change the feel.
• Lunch gives you three choices: Select traditional fish, chicken, or a vegetarian plate at Islabela.
• Budget extra cash: Dock taxes and insurance cost 34,500 COP per person. Towels and VIP access cost extra.
• The boat ride is part of the deal: The speedboat saves time, but the ride can be rough and uncomfortable.

What this Cartagena island tour is really like

This is a six-hour introduction to the Rosario Islands from Cartagena, built for people who want to see several island clubs in one day rather than settle on one beach. You meet at La Bodeguita Dock in the historic center, then travel by speedboat across the Caribbean with a bilingual guide aboard.

The group can include up to 28 people, so this is not a private boat outing. Still, the capped group size keeps it smaller than some large party boats leaving Cartagena. The guide gives information during the panoramic tour, and English support is available. Ralph and Laura received especially warm praise for translating clearly and checking that English-speaking passengers understood the instructions.

The schedule says to arrive around 8:00 am, while the boat is scheduled to leave at 8:45 am. That means you may spend close to an hour at the dock before departure. Bring patience, sun protection, and a little water for the wait, though be ready to follow the operator’s bag rules once you board.

Leaving La Bodeguita Dock at 8:45 am

La Bodeguita Dock sits on Avenida Blas de Lezo in Cartagena’s El Centro. The location is convenient if you are staying in the central part of the city, and the tour returns to the same dock at the end of the day.

The first stretch is a speedboat ride of about 45 minutes toward the Rosario Islands. The boat provides hydration, and a bilingual guide stays with the group. Before setting off, pay attention to the safety briefing. One English-speaking passenger had trouble getting the dock operator to repeat safety information in English, so it is sensible to ask your guide directly if anything is unclear.

The ride can be rough. The speed helps the group reach the islands in reasonable time, but it also means sharp jolts when the sea is choppy. The return ride tends to feel harder, since afternoon conditions can be less comfortable. Sit where instructed, hold on firmly, and avoid this outing if a bumpy boat ride would cause serious pain.

After reaching the archipelago, you get a panoramic look at the Rosario Islands. The guide points out notable places and explains what you are seeing. This part is brief, but useful because it gives context before the island stops begin.

Pao Pao, mangroves and a quiet first stop

Pao Pao Hotel & Restaurant is the first main island stop. You receive a welcome cocktail and about two hours to use the beach club and its shared areas.

Pao Pao is small, but that is part of its appeal. Mangroves surround the island, and a bird reserve adds a natural touch that you will not get at every beach club. The clear, turquoise water is suited to swimming and relaxing, while the setting feels calmer than Bora Bora later in the day.

I would use this stop to slow down. Take your drink, walk around the island, and enjoy the water before the louder part of the itinerary arrives. The beach area is not huge, so you should not expect a wide stretch of sand or a long shoreline walk.

A practical issue is the bag policy. Food and drinks may not be allowed onto the island, and bags can be checked. That rule was not clear to everyone before arrival, so do not assume you can bring your own bottle or snack. Hydration is provided on the boat, but you should still ask the crew how and when you can access it.

Some people prefer Pao Pao to the other stops because the staff and setting feel more relaxed. If this is the island that appeals to you most, keep in mind that the length of each stop can change with weather and seasonal conditions. You cannot count on every island receiving exactly two full hours.

Islabela, lunch and the most uneven stop

Islabela Eco Hotel gives you a different kind of island visit. Rather than focusing only on a beach club atmosphere, it offers outdoor hammocks, beach space, and areas designed for photographs and rest.

Lunch is included here, with three choices: traditional fish, chicken, or a fresh vegetarian option. That makes the tour easier for mixed groups, since you are not locked into one set meal. The food has been described as good, though it may not arrive as hot as you expect in a busy island setting.

The condition of Islabela can vary by area. Some parts are pleasant for a hammock break or a few photographs, while the beach and water may feel rougher. One useful warning is that the water can be rocky. Wear sturdy water shoes if you have them, and take care near the shoreline.

This is also the stop most likely to divide opinion. I would not book the tour expecting three equally polished beach clubs. Islabela may feel less tidy or less inviting than Pao Pao and Bora Bora, particularly if your main goal is soft sand and clear swimming water.

The two-hour stay works best if you treat lunch as the anchor. Eat first, then choose between a short beach visit, a hammock, and photographs. If you would rather spend more time in the water, Islabela may feel like the weakest use of the day.

Bora Bora Cartagena, clear water and loud music

The final stop is Bora Bora Cartagena, a Caribbean beach club with a more festive mood. The water here is often the clearest of the three stops, and the setting is designed for music, drinks, and social energy.

You receive the third welcome cocktail, and the tour has an exclusive area reserved for its group. That does not automatically mean VIP access. VIP seating costs an additional 100,000 COP, so ask about the seating arrangement before paying for an upgrade.

Bora Bora is frequently the highlight because of the water and atmosphere. If you want a lively finish, this is the stop that delivers it. The staff received strong praise, and many people would happily return to Bora Bora for a full day.

The party setup is not right for everyone. Music can be loud, especially near the DJ station, and you may be directed to sit behind it. Service may be less comfortable if you need English assistance at the beach club, since not all servers speak English. Your onboard guide can help, but this is worth knowing before you arrive.

Drink quality can also feel uneven. You receive three cocktails as part of the tour, but additional drinks and the general party setting may tempt you to spend more. If you want a quiet beach afternoon, Pao Pao is likely the better match. If you want music and a social crowd, Bora Bora is the natural finale.

How the three islands compare

The tour works because the stops offer three separate moods in one day. Pao Pao is the most peaceful, Islabela is the practical lunch stop, and Bora Bora is the most festive.

Here is how I would think about the choices:

• For calm and scenery: Choose Pao Pao.
• For lunch and a slower break: Use Islabela’s hammocks and meal service.
• For clear water and music: Save your energy for Bora Bora.
• For a single-island day: Bora Bora may deserve its own booking if you want more time in one place.

The downside of seeing three islands is that none of them receives a full day. You get variety, but you also spend time boarding, moving, and adjusting to each club’s rules. Some people would prefer more time at Pao Pao, while others feel Bora Bora deserves more than the scheduled stop.

What the $135 price includes

At $135 per person, this is not a simple ferry ride and beach transfer. The price covers speedboat transport for the whole tour, the bilingual guide, a panoramic Rosario Islands tour, boat hydration, three welcome cocktails, lunch, and an exclusive group area at each island.

That package has real value if you want a guided day with meals and several stops arranged for you. You do not need to organize separate boat tickets, find a beach club, or decide where to eat. The guide and crew handle the movement between Cartagena and the islands.

Still, budget beyond the advertised price. Dock taxes and insurance add 34,500 COP per person. Towels cost 15,000 COP for the day, and VIP access at Bora Bora costs 100,000 COP. Food and drinks brought from outside may not be accepted at the island clubs, so you should not rely on your own picnic to keep costs down.

The value depends on your style. I think the price is fair for a social, all-in-one island day, especially if you enjoy speedboat travel and want three different settings. It is less attractive if you want a quiet beach, a private boat, or control over how long you stay at each island.

Comfort, safety and timing tips

The sea conditions are the main practical issue. The speedboat ride can become very bumpy, with the return trip often causing the most discomfort. If you have back problems, motion sensitivity, or a strong dislike of fast boats, consider a slower alternative or a single-island outing.

Wear swimwear beneath light clothes, bring sun protection, and use footwear that can handle rocky water. A towel is not included, so bring one if permitted or rent one for 15,000 COP.

The tour is for people over 18 only. Most adults can participate, but the fast boat and uneven waterfronts still require basic physical comfort with boarding and moving around beach areas.

Keep your expectations realistic about timing. The activity is advertised at about six hours, yet the boat transfer and island stays make the day feel tightly packed. Stop lengths can change with weather and season, so the schedule is a guide rather than a promise of exactly two hours at every island.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

Who should book this tour

I would recommend this outing to an adult who wants a quick, social introduction to the Rosario Islands. It suits couples, friends, and solo visitors who enjoy moving between beach clubs, listening to music, and letting a guide handle the day.

It is also useful if you are short on time in Cartagena. In one outing, you see the archipelago from the water, visit three island properties, eat lunch, and sample each club’s mood.

I would hesitate if your priority is pristine sand, silence, or a long swim. The beaches are small, some shorelines are rocky, and the quality of the island spaces is not perfectly even. I would also skip it if a rough speedboat ride could ruin your day.

English-speaking passengers should ask for the bilingual guide at the start. Laura and Ralph have been especially helpful with translation, but service language at the individual beach clubs may be more limited.

Should you book the Top 3 Islands Tour?

Book it if you want variety, included lunch, three cocktails, and a lively island day without arranging the details yourself. Pao Pao is the strongest stop for a relaxed setting, while Bora Bora offers the clearest water and most memorable party atmosphere.

Do not book it expecting a quiet luxury retreat or a smooth boat ride. The best choice comes down to your tolerance for bumps and crowds. If you can handle both, the tour offers a useful taste of Cartagena’s island scene for a reasonable package price. If you already know Bora Bora is your main goal, spending a full day there may be a better use of your money and energy.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts at Muelle de la Bodeguita, on Avenida Blas de Lezo in El Centro, Cartagena de Indias.

What time should I arrive?

The meeting time is 8:00 am. The boat is scheduled to leave at 8:45 am.

How long does the tour last?

The activity lasts approximately six hours and returns to the original meeting point.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The tour visits Pao Pao, Islabela, and Bora Bora Cartagena, with a panoramic tour of the Rosario Islands.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes a choice of traditional fish, chicken, or vegetarian food.

Are drinks included?

Yes. The package includes hydration on the boat and one welcome cocktail at each island, for three cocktails total.

Are dock taxes included in the price?

No. Dock taxes and insurance cost 34,500 COP per person.

Can children join the tour?

No. The activity is only for people over 18 years old.

How many people can join the boat?

The tour allows a maximum of 28 participants.