Cholón + 4 Rosario Islands Tour from Cartagena

The Cholón + 4 Rosario Islands tour is the easiest way to see the famous party cove of Cholón without renting a private boat or yacht. In one shared day out of Cartagena you cruise past the colonial forts of Bocachica, snorkel on the coral reef of the Rosario Islands, join the music and the floating crowd at Cholón, have lunch on the islands and finish with a beach chair facing the sea at Playa Blanca, on Barú.

It suits friends, couples and solo travelers who want a lively day on the water with everything arranged, from the hotel pickup in the morning to the boat ride back in the afternoon. A bilingual guide (English and Spanish) stays with the group all day.

What you see on the Cholón island-hopping tour

Bocachica and the forts of Cartagena Bay

The boat leaves the bay through the Bocachica channel, the old sea entrance to Cartagena. On the way out you get a panoramic look at the Spanish forts that guarded the city, and the guide tells the story of the sieges and naval battles that shaped Cartagena.

Snorkeling in the Rosario Islands National Park

The first swim is on the reef of the Corales del Rosario National Natural Park. Snorkel gear and a bottle of water are included, and the crew takes photos you can keep. If you do not swim, you can wear a life jacket, stay on the boat, or wait on Isla Grande while the others snorkel.

Cholón, the party island

Cholón is a shallow lagoon where boats, yachts and catamarans anchor side by side. People stand in waist-deep water, music plays from every deck and small boats sell drinks and snacks. It is the most social stop in the Rosario Islands and the reason most guests book this tour.

Lunch on the islands and Playa Blanca

Lunch is served on Cocotera Island. In the afternoon the boat stops at Playa Blanca on Barú, where a chair facing the sea is waiting for you before the ride back to Cartagena, around 3:30 PM depending on sea conditions.

Good to know before you book

This is a shared tour with up to 20 travelers, so you will meet other visitors on board. Food and drinks bought at Cholón or on the beaches are paid separately, in cash. If you would rather have the boat to yourself, see our private boat rentals in Cartagena. For a quieter beach club day, compare the other Rosario Islands tours.