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Private boat vs. shared tour: why groups of 6 to 8 pay less
If you are 6 to 8 people, a private boat to the Rosario Islands usually costs less than buying shared-tour tickets for everyone. A group of 8 pays about $1,114 for a shared tour and about $715 for a private boat. You save close to $400 and get the whole day on your own terms.
The math for a group of 8
| Shared tour | Private 29 ft boat | |
|---|---|---|
| Ticket | $125 per person ($1,000) | One price for the whole boat |
| Port tax (zarpe) | $11 per person ($88) | Included |
| Transport to the dock and back | About $25 | Included, from your hotel or Airbnb |
| Total for the group | About $1,114 | About $715 |
| Per person | About $139 | About $89 |
For a group of 6 the gap is smaller but still there. Six shared tickets with tax and transport come to about $842. Our 28 ft boat for up to 6 guests costs about $653, so you keep around $189.
Prices are approximate. Our boats are priced in Colombian pesos, and the dollar amount follows the official exchange rate of the day you book.
What a shared tour day looks like
A shared tour starts early. You wake up before dawn, line up to register at the dock, then line up again to board a boat with about 32 people you have never met.
The tour goes to one island, and that island is the only one you see. When the group's departure time comes, you leave, whether your kids are still in the water or you just ordered another round. Nothing about the day is wrong, but none of it is yours to decide.
What a private boat day looks like
With a private charter the boat waits for you, not the other way around.
- Pickup where you are staying. Private transport takes your group to the dock and brings you back.
- The boat is yours from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. You choose when to leave the beach and where to stop on the way.
- A bilingual guide for the whole day, plus a captain and an assistant on board.
- Snorkel gear and a cooler with ice, so you can bring your own drinks.
- A private beach with no entry fee. At our partner beaches, such as Isla Capri and Rosario de Mar, you do not pay to get in as long as you eat and drink there.
One thing to know: for safety, the boat travels in one direction. It heads out to the islands, turns once and comes back, stopping wherever you want along the way. Departure and return also depend on the weather and on the Port Authority, which has the last word every day.
What to do with the money you save
The roughly $400 your group of 8 saves goes a long way on the islands. Lunch at the beach costs about $19 per person, so feeding everyone is around $150. That still leaves about $249 for cocktails, cold beers or an extra treat.
And because the route is yours, you can add stops a shared tour would never make:
- Snorkel over the coral reefs with the gear already on board.
- See the sunken plane that locals link to Pablo Escobar, a favorite snorkel stop.
- Spend time at Cholón, the party spot where boats anchor side by side in shallow water. See our Cholón tour.
- Swim at public beaches such as Playa Blanca, where you can bring your own food and drinks.
Smaller group, bigger boat
If you want more space, our larger boats from 34 to 41 ft give everyone room to stretch out. If you are a couple, the same private day works for two and can be shaped around you, from a quiet beach to a celebration on board.
Yacht rental in Cartagena
A yacht is a different experience from a speedboat. It is for those who want the day to feel like a private villa on the water.
- Cabins where you can rest, change or get out of the sun.
- A kitchen on board, so food and drinks can be served without leaving the boat.
- Air conditioning inside, a real luxury in the Caribbean heat.
- Wide decks and sun pads for lounging between swims.
- A smoother, quieter ride than a speedboat.
Yachts are a great fit for celebrations, corporate guests, families who travel with grandparents and anyone who values comfort over speed. They travel more slowly than speedboats, so the guide plans fewer, longer stops. Write to us on WhatsApp with your date and group size, and we will match a yacht to your group and budget.
Choose your boat
For most groups of 6 to 8, the private boat is the better deal on price and on how the day feels. Compare the boats above, or go straight to Ginger for up to 8 guests or Nederucho for up to 6. Want every detail first? Read our complete guide to private boats and yachts in the Rosario Islands.