Private Boat and Yacht Charters to the Rosario Islands: The Complete Guide15 min read
The best way to see the Rosario Islands is on a boat that belongs to your group for the day. You leave from Cartagena when the boat is ready for you, stop where you want, and come back when you are done, not when a crowd is.
Our private boats start at about $653 for up to 6 guests and about $715 for up to 8, with hotel pickup, a bilingual guide, snorkel gear and a private beach included. For bigger groups there are larger boats, and for those who want cabins and air conditioning there are yachts.
This guide covers everything you need to choose: why private beats shared, how the day works, where you can go, which boat fits your group, and the questions guests ask us most. You can also browse every option on our Cartagena boat and yacht rental page.
The Rosario Islands in brief
The Rosario Islands lie southwest of Cartagena, off the Barú peninsula. They belong to the Corales del Rosario y San Bernardo National Natural Park, protected for its coral reefs, mangroves and clear, shallow water.
Most of the islands are small, and many hold a private house, a hotel or a beach club. That means where you land matters: some beaches charge a reservation, some waive it if you eat there, and a few are public. Knowing which is which, and getting between them, is exactly what a private boat and a local guide are for.
Why a private boat beats a shared tour
The Rosario Islands are an archipelago of small coral islands about 45 minutes by speedboat from Cartagena. Most visitors get there on a shared tour. It works, but it is built around the group, not around you. A private boat changes four things.
Your time. On a shared tour the day follows a fixed schedule: early check-in, a set departure and a set return. On a private boat the departure is arranged around your group, and you decide when to leave the beach.
More places in one day. A shared tour takes you to one island. With your own boat you can snorkel a reef, stop at Cholón, have lunch at a beach club and see the sunken plane on the way back.
Comfort and privacy. No lines at the dock, no 32 strangers on board, no fighting for a seat in the shade. It is your family, your friends and a crew that is there for you.
Value for groups. This surprises most people. For 6 to 8 travelers, a private boat often costs less than shared tickets for everyone. A group of 8 pays about $1,114 on a shared tour, counting tickets, port tax and transport, and about $715 on our 29 ft boat. We break down the numbers in private boat vs. shared tour to the Rosario Islands.
At a glance:
| Shared tour | Private boat | |
|---|---|---|
| Start of the day | Early check-in and lines at the dock | Pickup at your hotel or Airbnb |
| People on board | About 32 strangers | Only your group |
| Islands visited | One | As many as fit the day, along one route |
| Return time | Fixed by the group | You decide, leaving the islands by 4:00 PM |
| Guide | Shared with everyone | A bilingual guide for your group |
| Cost for a group of 8 | About $1,114 | About $715 |
How a private boat day works
Every charter follows the same simple rhythm, and your guide adjusts the details to your group.
- Pickup where you are staying. Private transport collects you at your hotel or Airbnb and takes you to the dock. We confirm the time by WhatsApp after you book.
- Boarding at 9:00 AM. You meet your captain, assistant and bilingual guide. The cooler is ready with ice.
- Heading out to the islands. The guide suggests a route based on what you want: beaches, snorkeling, a party or a quiet day.
- Snorkel and swim. Masks and snorkels are on board for stops over the coral.
- Beach time and lunch. You spend the middle of the day at a reserved private beach, or at a public beach if you prefer.
- Return to Cartagena. The boat leaves the islands by 4:00 PM at the latest, with stops on the way back, and transport takes you home.
Two rules keep everyone safe. First, the boat travels in one direction: out to the islands, one turn, and back. It stops at whatever is on the way, but it cannot zigzag between distant points. Second, departure and return depend on the weather and on the Port Authority, which decides every day whether boats can sail. If conditions change, the captain adjusts the route or the timing.
What is included, and what is not
One price covers the whole boat, the same for 1 guest or for the maximum. It includes:
- Private transport from your hotel or Airbnb to the dock and back
- The boat at your disposal from 9:00 AM until it leaves the islands by 4:00 PM
- Captain and assistant
- A bilingual guide for the whole day
- Port tax (zarpe)
- Snorkel gear: masks and snorkels, no fins
- A cooler with ice
- A reservation at a private beach
Food and drinks are not included, and that is on purpose. You can bring your own for the boat and for public beaches, add drinks and snacks as extras when you book, or eat at the beach club. What you eat and drink at the beach club is paid there.
Where you can go
A private boat opens up the whole map of the archipelago. Most of our guests combine three kinds of stops.
Partner beaches with no entry fee. At Isla Capri and Rosario de Mar, you do not pay to get in as long as you eat and drink there. You get a proper beach, sun loungers, lunch and a bar, and the boat waits for you.
Other beach clubs. If you have a favorite island, we reserve it for you and you pay the club directly. Our Rosario Islands page describes 18 islands and beach clubs, from quiet hideaways to clubs with a DJ.
Public spots that shared tours skip. These are where a private boat shines:
- Cholón, the party island, where boats anchor side by side in shallow, calm water and music plays all day. You can add a cabana in the water. See our Cholón tour for what to expect.
- The coral reefs, for a snorkel stop in clear water.
- The sunken plane that locals link to Pablo Escobar, one of the most requested snorkel stops.
- Playa Blanca, the long public beach on Barú, where you can bring your own food and drinks.
Your guide will tell you which stops fit the day's sea conditions and in which order, so you see as much as possible without rushing.
Visit responsibly
The reefs you will snorkel over are part of a national park, and they are fragile. A few simple habits keep them alive for the next visitors:
- Look, but do not touch or stand on the coral.
- Use reef-safe sunscreen, and put it on well before you get in the water.
- Take every bottle, can and wrapper back to the boat.
- Do not feed the fish or take shells, sand or coral home.
Your guide will point out the best spots to snorkel without damaging the reef.
Choosing the right boat for your group
The right boat depends on three things: how many you are, how much space you want, and whether you need a bathroom on board. All of our boats below include the same service: pickup, captain and assistant, bilingual guide, port tax, snorkel gear, cooler with ice and a private beach.
| Boat | Length | Guests | Engines | On board | Price per boat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nederucho | 28 ft | Up to 6 | 2 × 115 HP | Standard | About $653 |
| Ginger | 29 ft | Up to 8 | 2 × 115 HP | Standard | About $715 |
| Isabela | 29 ft | Up to 8 | 2 × 115 HP | Standard | About $715 |
| Botecito | 29 ft | Up to 8 | 2 × 100 HP | Standard | About $715 |
| Blue Angel | 29 ft | Up to 8 | 2 × 150 HP | Standard | About $715 |
| Ivana Sofía | 29 ft | Up to 8 | 2 × 150 HP | Standard | About $715 |
| Uchalex | 29 ft | Up to 8 | 2 × 150 HP | Bathroom | About $715 |
| Bellamare | 29 ft | Up to 8 | 2 × 115 HP | Bathroom and fresh-water shower | About $841 |
Prices are per boat, not per person, and the same for 1 guest or the maximum. They are set in Colombian pesos, so the dollar amount follows the official exchange rate of the day you book.
Up to 6 guests: Nederucho gives you the lowest price for a full private day.
7 or 8 guests: any 29 ft boat. The boats with 2 × 150 HP engines are a little faster on open water. If you travel with small children or older relatives, Uchalex or Bellamare add a bathroom on board, and Bellamare adds a fresh-water shower to rinse off the salt.
Capacity counts everyone, children and babies included, and it is a safety limit, not a suggestion.
Bigger boats for more space
If you want more room, our larger boats from 34 to 41 ft give everyone space to stretch out, more shade and a smoother ride when the sea picks up. They suit groups that would fit on a 29 ft boat but want to travel in more comfort, and bigger families or groups of friends. Write to us with your group size and date, and we will tell you which ones are available.
A private day for two
Private boats are not only for groups. If you are a couple on a honeymoon, an anniversary or simply a slow day at sea, we shape the day around you. That can mean a quiet beach with almost no one on it, a long snorkel stop, lunch at a beach club with a view, or a surprise set up on board. Tell us what you have in mind and we tailor the route.
Yachts: when comfort comes first
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. Yachts travel more slowly than speedboats, so the guide plans fewer, longer stops. See the yachts available on our boat and yacht rental page, or write to us and we will match one to your group and budget.
Made for celebrations
Because the boat is yours, it is easy to turn the day into an occasion. Our guests book private boats for birthdays, bachelor and bachelorette trips, family reunions and cruise ship days, when there is a fixed time to be back on board.
On request we add:
- Drinks and food on board
- Decorations for a celebration
- A jet ski
- A cabana in the water at Cholón
- Anything else you have in mind
The most common extras appear in the booking form, and there is a box to write special requests. We confirm the price of anything special before your trip.
Three ways to spend the day
These are the routes our guests choose most. Your guide adapts them to the sea and to your group.
Beach and relax. Snorkel stop at the reef on the way out, then the rest of the day at a partner beach such as Isla Capri, with lunch and sun loungers. Easy, calm and good for families.
Party day. A short swim stop, then Cholón for music, drinks and boats anchored side by side. Lunch at a beach club nearby, and back to Cartagena before sunset.
Explorer. Reef snorkel, the sunken plane, a beach club for lunch and a last swim at Playa Blanca on the way home. The most stops in a single day.
What to bring
- Swimsuit, towel and a change of clothes
- Reef-safe sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat
- Passport or a copy
- Cash in Colombian pesos for food and drinks on the islands
- Your own drinks and snacks for the boat, if you like
Seven questions to ask before you book any boat
Prices for boats to the Rosario Islands are hard to compare, because each operator includes different things. Before you pay anyone, ask these questions. Here are our answers.
- Is the price per boat or per person? Ours is per boat, the same for 1 guest or the maximum.
- Is the port tax included? Yes, the zarpe is included in our price.
- Is hotel pickup included? Yes, private transport from your hotel or Airbnb and back.
- Is there a guide, and does the guide speak English? Yes, a bilingual guide stays with you all day.
- What is the maximum capacity, and does it include children? It includes everyone, children and babies too. It is 6 on Nederucho and 8 on our 29 ft boats.
- Is there a bathroom on board? On Uchalex and Bellamare, yes. On the others, you use the facilities at the beach.
- Will we pay to enter the beaches? Not at our partner beaches if you eat and drink there. Other clubs charge their own reservation fee.
If an offer looks cheaper, check these seven points first. The difference is often a fee that appears on the day.
Tips from our team
After years of private days on the islands, these are the small things that make the biggest difference.
- Tell us your plan when you book. Relaxing, partying, snorkeling or celebrating: the more we know, the better your guide can prepare the route.
- Book your date early. Each boat takes only one group per day, and the date is blocked for you as soon as you pay, so popular dates go first.
- Use a partner beach. At Isla Capri or Rosario de Mar you skip the entry fee and still get a full beach club day.
- Fill the cooler. Bring your own drinks and snacks for the boat and for public beaches. The ice is already on board.
- Carry cash in pesos. Many places on the islands are easier to pay in cash.
- Coming off a cruise ship? Tell us your all-aboard time, and we will plan the day around it.
- Count everyone. Capacity includes children and babies, so tell us the exact number when you book.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a private boat to the Rosario Islands cost?
Our private boats start at about $653 for up to 6 guests and about $715 for up to 8, for the whole boat. The price includes pickup, a bilingual guide, port tax, snorkel gear and a private beach.
Is a private boat cheaper than a shared tour?
For 6 to 8 people, it usually is. A group of 8 pays about $1,114 on a shared tour and about $715 on a 29 ft private boat.
Is food included?
No. You can bring your own food and drinks, add them as extras when you book, or eat at the beach club.
Can we choose which islands to visit?
Yes. The guide suggests a route, but you decide. The boat travels in one direction for safety, so stops are planned along the way out and the way back.
Do we pay to enter the islands?
Not at our partner beaches, Isla Capri and Rosario de Mar, as long as you eat and drink there. Other beach clubs charge their own reservation fee, paid directly to them.
What happens if the weather is bad?
The Port Authority decides every day whether boats can sail. Sea conditions change through the year, and the captain may adjust the route or the timing for your safety.
How long is the trip to the islands?
The boat is yours from 9:00 AM and leaves the islands by 4:00 PM at the latest, so you have most of the day on the water and on the beach.
Can we bring our own drinks?
Yes. There is a cooler with ice on board, and you can enjoy your own drinks on the boat and at public beaches. Beach clubs ask you to eat and drink what they serve.
Can children come?
Yes, children of all ages are welcome. They count toward the boat's capacity, so include them in your number of guests.
How do I book and pay?
Choose your boat and date online. Only the lead traveler's details are needed, and you pay securely by card. We confirm your pickup time by WhatsApp after you book.
Book your private boat
A private boat gives your group the Rosario Islands on your own schedule, with more places in one day and, for most groups, a lower price than a shared tour. Choose your boat on our Cartagena boat rental page, pick your date, and the day is yours.
