Tour 5 islands in Cartagena with snorkeling, lunch Charm Island

Catch Cartagena from the water. This 10-hour boat trip links Rosario views, beach clubs, snorkeling, and lunch on Isla del Encanto, giving you a full Caribbean day without arranging each stop yourself. I especially like the sports boat ride with music and the chance to snorkel around a sunken plane, two features that make this more than a simple beach transfer.

I also like that pickup is offered throughout Cartagena and that lunch, drinks for part of the route, photos, taxes, and a bilingual guide are included. The main concern is communication and timing. One recent experience involved long waits and confusion about pickup, so you should confirm the meeting details before departure and expect a busy, tightly packed day.

Key points to know before booking

• Snorkeling around a sunken plane: This is the tour’s most unusual activity, with an oceanarium visit available instead for an extra fee.
• A full 10-hour schedule: You leave around 7:00 a.m. and return to Cartagena at about 4:00 p.m., making this a major day trip.
• Lunch at Isla del Encanto: The buffet includes fish, chicken, or meat, plus patacón, salad, coconut rice, and a drink.
• Drinks are limited by time: Beer, rum, soda, and water are offered on board only until the boat reaches Isla Mulata.
• Several beach and island stops: The route includes San Fernando in Bocachica, panoramic island views, Isla Mulata, and Playa Tranquila.
• Communication can be uneven: English is available through the bilingual guide, but pickup instructions and waiting times may not always be clear.

A fast start from Cartagena to Bocachica

The day begins at about 7:00 a.m., with pickup available from accommodations anywhere in Cartagena. The boat then heads out toward the Rosario area, beginning with a stop at the fort of San Fernando in Bocachica.

The fort stop lasts about 30 minutes and admission is included. It gives you a short change of pace before the beach activities begin. You can walk around the islet while the guide explains the area and points out the main arrival spots.

This is not a long historical visit. Think of it as a brief stop within a water-based sightseeing day, not a full fort tour. If you prefer a relaxed schedule with plenty of time at each location, this route may feel rushed. If you want to see a lot in one day, the quick format works better.

The company uses a sports boat or a newer boat, with music during the ride. That adds energy, but the ride itself is an important part of the experience. You will spend much of the day moving between islands, and conditions on the water can affect comfort. The tour calls for a moderate level of physical fitness, so you should be ready for boat boarding, swimming, and moving around several stops.

Seeing 27 Rosario Islands from the boat

A panoramic pass covers the 27 islands of the Rosario archipelago, along with views toward Barú, Cholón Island, Agua Azul Island, and Playa Blanca. This portion helps you understand the shape of the area. You are not visiting every island, but you get a broad look at the island groups and popular coastal stops.

I like this part because it gives the day some context. Without it, the tour could feel like a string of unrelated beach clubs. The guide points out the attractions and arrival areas, while the boat provides a clear view of how spread out the islands are.

The tradeoff is that panoramic sightseeing from a moving boat is brief by nature. You will have time to look, take photos, and listen, but not to linger at each place. Bring a phone or camera that is easy to protect from spray, since photos are included as part of the tour but you may also want your own shots during the ride.

The route also passes the abandoned mansion linked with Pablo Escobar. The property is viewed from the water, so do not expect an interior visit or a long stop. It is one of those unusual details that adds local intrigue to the boat route, but it should be treated as a quick sight rather than a major attraction.

A raccoon sighting is also included in the advertised experience. The wording does not guarantee a particular number of animals or a long viewing session, so keep your expectations modest.

Snorkeling beside the sunken plane

The most distinctive stop comes near the sunken plane associated with Pablo Escobar. Here, you can snorkel in the water around the wreck.

This is a strong reason to choose this trip over a standard beach day. A sunken aircraft gives the snorkeling a clear focus, and it is an unusual underwater sight for a Cartagena excursion. The activity is included, so you do not pay a separate snorkeling charge.

You can also skip the snorkeling and visit the oceanarium instead, but the oceanarium entrance is not included. You will need to pay that admission yourself. Tell the guide if you want this option, since the itinerary says you can be transferred to the oceanarium rather than joining the snorkeling section.

The choice matters for families and mixed groups. Confident swimmers or visitors looking for the tour’s most memorable activity will likely prefer the plane site. Anyone who does not want to snorkel has another option, but should budget for the extra entrance fee.

The tour does not provide detailed information about snorkeling equipment, so confirm what is supplied before you leave. At a minimum, bring swimwear, sun protection, and a change of clothes. The sun is intense, and one positive account specifically warned that shade is limited. A hat, sunglasses, and waterproof protection for your phone will make the day easier.

Lunch and a break at Isla del Encanto

The main meal takes place at Hotel Isla del Encanto, also called Charm Island. The stop lasts about one hour, with a buffet lunch included in the tour price.

Your meal includes a choice of fish, chicken, or meat, along with patacón, salad, coconut rice, and a drink. That is useful value on a long excursion, since you are not left searching for food between boat departures and beach stops.

The buffet format also helps a group move through lunch without waiting for every plate to be cooked individually. The one-hour stop is practical rather than leisurely. You should have enough time to eat and enjoy the setting, but it is not designed as a long restaurant visit.

The included meal makes the $138.68 price easier to assess. You are paying for transportation, a guide, multiple stops, lunch, snorkeling, pickup, drinks for part of the route, taxes, and photos. Those inclusions can make the cost reasonable for someone who wants a packaged day and does not want to coordinate boats, food, and island access separately.

Still, value depends on how much of the schedule you use. If you mainly want two quiet hours on a beach, a shorter beach-club outing may suit you better. This tour earns its price through variety and inclusion, not through long periods of solitude.

Isla Mulata and the end of the drink service

After lunch, the boat visits Isla Mulata, described as a private hotel club with beach time. The scheduled visit lasts about 30 minutes.

That is enough time to step onto the beach, look around, and enjoy a quick swim if conditions allow. It is not enough for a slow afternoon by the water. The short stop also means you need to keep track of departure time and stay close to the group.

The on-board beverage service ends when you reach Isla Mulata. Until then, you can order beer, rum, Coke, or water. This is a useful inclusion during the first portion of the route, but it is not an all-day open bar. Bring that distinction into your budget and expectations.

The combination of music, drinks, and a sports boat gives the morning a party-boat feel. That will appeal to you if you want a social day with movement and sound. It may not suit you if you are hoping for a quiet nature outing.

Two hours at Playa Tranquila

The final major stop is Playa Tranquila, at Club South Beach. The schedule allows about two hours here, making it the longest beach stop of the day.

This is where you get the best chance to slow down. You can swim, sit by the beach, and enjoy the final stretch before returning to Cartagena. Compared with the short stops at Bocachica and Isla Mulata, Playa Tranquila gives you time to settle into the setting rather than simply arrive, take a few pictures, and leave.

The boat is scheduled to return to the Cartagena pier around 4:00 p.m. Since the full outing lasts about 10 hours, you should keep your evening plans flexible. Boat trips can involve waiting, loading, and changes in water conditions, and the published schedule should be treated as a guide rather than a minute-by-minute promise.

The beach-club format also means this is not a remote-island escape. You will be visiting organized stops, with other groups likely sharing the general area. That is part of the convenience, but it reduces the sense of being alone on a quiet Caribbean beach.

What communication and timing are really like

The biggest practical weakness is not the scenery. It is coordination.

One account describes receiving messages from several different people and not having clear pickup communication, despite being told that hotel pickup was available. Another account says the captain spoke English well, but there was still a lot of waiting without an explanation.

That does not mean every departure will be disorganized. The tour includes a certified bilingual guide, and Andres received specific praise as an excellent guide during one morning outing. Still, you should take simple precautions:

• Confirm your pickup location and time the day before.
• Ask for the name or phone number of the person handling your pickup.
• Keep your phone charged and available that morning.
• Arrive ready for a 7:00 a.m. start, even if the exact pickup time is not clearly stated.
• Ask the guide to explain the next stop whenever the boat is waiting.

The small sample of published experiences produced a middling overall score of 3.3 out of 5. That fits the pattern here: the actual island setting, guides, and activities can be very good, while the administration may feel less polished.

The group may reach 40 people. That is a sizeable boat group, and it affects how personal the guide’s attention can be. A larger group can also make boarding, lunch, snorkeling instructions, and departure times slower. If you value a private or quiet outing, this is not the right format.

Is $138.68 a fair price?

At $138.68 per person, this is not a cheap beach transfer. It is a full-day package with several moving parts.

The price includes pickup from your accommodation to the pier, boat transportation, a certified bilingual guide, the buffet, taxes and fees, snorkeling at the plane, music, photographs, the panoramic island route, and drinks during the early part of the day. You also get several organized stops without needing to negotiate separate boat rides or restaurant arrangements.

For you, the price is strongest if you want variety. You see historical remains at San Fernando, pass the Rosario islands, view the old mansion and sunken plane, snorkel, eat at Isla del Encanto, visit Isla Mulata, and spend time at Playa Tranquila.

The price is weaker if you do not plan to snorkel, do not care about the panoramic route, or prefer one beach for most of the day. The oceanarium is also extra, so the alternative to snorkeling adds to your total cost.

Free cancellation is available when you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Late cancellations and changes are not accepted for a refund. The trip also depends on good weather and a minimum number of participants. If the company cancels for either reason, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund.

Who will enjoy this Cartagena boat day?

I would recommend this trip to you if you want a busy, social day that covers many of Cartagena’s popular island sights. It works especially well for people who want snorkeling, beach time, a buffet meal, music, and drinks in one booking.

It is also a useful option for first-time visitors who have limited time. Instead of choosing between Rosario views, Barú-area beaches, snorkeling, and a beach club, you get a broad sample in one day.

Families or mixed-age groups may appreciate the ability to choose snorkeling or the oceanarium. Remember that the oceanarium requires a separate admission fee, and the day still involves boat travel and a moderate level of activity.

I would hesitate to recommend it if you need precise scheduling, quiet surroundings, or polished English-language coordination at every stage. The guides can be strong, with Andres receiving particular praise, but the communication process has not been equally dependable.

Should you book the five-island tour?

Book it if your ideal Cartagena day includes many sights, music, snorkeling, and organized beach time rather than one calm resort stop. The sunken plane, included lunch, and broad Rosario panorama give the outing more substance than a simple ride to Playa Blanca.

Before paying, confirm pickup details and ask exactly what boat will be used, what snorkeling equipment is supplied, and how the oceanarium transfer works. If you accept a full schedule and a group of up to 40 people, the $138.68 package can be fair value.

Skip it if poor communication would spoil your day or if you want long, quiet stretches on a single beach. The scenery is the sure part. The timing and coordination are the parts you need to manage with patience.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts approximately 10 hours. It starts at about 7:00 a.m. and the boat is scheduled to return to the pier in Cartagena around 4:00 p.m.

Where does the tour start?

The listed start point is Cartagena in Cartagena Province, Bolivar, Colombia. Pickup is offered from accommodations anywhere in Cartagena.

What is included with lunch?

Lunch is a typical buffet at Hotel Isla del Encanto. You can choose fish, chicken, or meat, served with patacón, salad, coconut rice, and a drink.

Is snorkeling included?

Yes. Snorkeling around the sunken plane is included in the tour price.

Can I skip snorkeling?

Yes. If you do not want to snorkel, you can tell the guide and visit the oceanarium instead. The oceanarium entrance fee is not included.

What drinks are included?

Beer, rum, Coke, and water are available on board until the boat reaches Isla Mulata. The information provided does not describe beverage service as lasting for the entire day.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 40 people.

Is the tour suitable for every fitness level?

The tour requires a moderate level of physical fitness. It includes boat transportation, island stops, beach time, and snorkeling for those who choose that activity.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not accepted for a refund. If bad weather or insufficient participation cancels the tour, you can receive another date or experience, or a full refund.