Cartagena is a vibrant Caribbean city with an incredibly well-preserved 16th-century walled Old Town and stunning beaches. Explore the crystal-blue waters and powdery white sands on a day trip to paradise.
Prices vary based on low/high season, number of people, whether you want to visit the islands or not and how long you’d like the rental for.
Explore the Rosario Islands
The Rosario Islands are an archipelago about an hour from Cartagena. You can reach them on day trips that leave from the city’s La Muralla port and include snorkeling, as well as meals, hotel facilities, and activities. Hotels and hostels also often offer their own excursions to the island chain.
The beaches on Isla Baru and the island’s popular resorts, like Playa Blanca, attract many tourists. But there’s also a more natural side to the Rosario Islands, thanks to the Corales del Rosario National Park. Here, you can swim and snorkel in azure waters and relax on soft sand.
Renting a speed boat is a good option if you’re bringing a big group to the city and want to go on island hopping adventures. It leaves the navigating to the skipper and gives you more room to relax with friends. You can also choose a boat that includes meals and drinks.
Visit Cholon
If you want to see a side of Cartagena most tourists don’t, head out on the water and take in all that this stunning city has to offer. The best way to do this is by boat, whether a private rental or joining one of the many group tours available.
A visit to Isla Cholon is a must for those looking for an island party, as well as to admire the natural beauty of this National Park. Located on the island of Baru, this paradisiacal beach is only accessible by water and is characterized by its turquoise waters, pristine white sand and tropical vegetation.
Once there you can grab lunch on the island at restaurants like Gente del Mar or Bendita. Then it’s time to get your party on, with music ranging from electronic dance to reggaeton. This is an experience that you won’t forget! You can even do this tour on a day trip from Cartagena, but it’s more fun to do the whole thing by boat.
Snorkel
When you’re ready to explore the waters of Cartagena, you can go on a snorkeling tour or diving excursion. There are plenty of operators who provide safety equipment, flotation vests, and a full lunch aboard the boat. Just make sure you lather on your reef-safe sunscreen before jumping in the water!
If you’re a certified diver, you can book a two tank dive tour that includes transport to and from the resort, lunch, and high-quality gear. There are also a variety of courses available for beginners or advanced divers.
There are so many ways to explore the islands and beaches around Cartagena with a private charter! You can find the perfect option for your group on Sailo, where you can filter by your party size, preferred dates, and other preferences. Then just message the captain directly to discuss all of the details! And remember, you can always add Cartagena to one of our longer Colombia itineraries like our One Week in Colombia Itinerary or 10 Day Colombia Itinerary.
Party
The city offers plenty of options for boat tours and a few great beaches. One of the best is 1 hour away on Rosario Islands where you will find beautiful beaches with a pink colour that comes from microalgae producing beta carotene. This place is popular and can get crowded so it is best to avoid going here on Colombian holidays or weekends.
The people at Diving Planet offer a very nice and affordable package where you will visit 4 of the islands and swim in the unique waters of the Pink Sea, also called Salinas Galirazambas. This package is recommended only for those who have the time to do it as the excursion is long and takes almost 2 days on the open sea.
If you want to party at sea with a group of your friends, reserve the Party Package on an impressive Azimut yacht that can hold up to 150 guests in its interior and exterior areas. This boat is highly spacious and has enough room for entertainment crews, caterers, and DJs.Boat Charter Cartagena Colombia
