Cartagena: Rosario Islands Catamaran with Lunch and Snorkel

The best part of this Rosario Islands outing is the easygoing day on the water. You leave Cartagena’s heat behind, settle into a roomy catamaran, swim in clear Caribbean water, and eat a proper lunch without having to organize a thing. I especially like the generous food and the free soft drinks, plus the clean onboard toilets and ample seating.

I also like that this is more relaxed than a full-throttle party boat. Music and some dancing add life on the return, but there is still room to read, sunbathe, or sit in the shade. The main drawback is important: you do not go ashore on the islands. The stops are from the boat, so book this for swimming and cruising, not for beach time or island sightseeing.

Key details before you book

• Two open-water swim stops: Plan to enter the sea from the catamaran, with life jackets and snorkeling equipment available.
• A substantial onboard lunch: Choose seafood, chicken, or a vegetable option with rice, salad buffet, and dessert.
• Free non-alcoholic drinks: Water, juices, lemonade, and soft drinks are served throughout the trip.
• A roomy catamaran: You can find seats in both sun and shade, and the boat has maintained toilets.
• A 7.5-hour escape from Cartagena: The day begins and ends at Bodeguita Dock, beside the walled city.
• No island landing: The boat stops near the Rosario Islands but does not take you onto their beaches.

Leaving Cartagena from Bodeguita Dock

The trip begins at Muelle de la Bodeguita, Door 1, directly in front of Cartagena’s walled city. The port can be confusing at first, with queues and several boats preparing to leave, so arrive early and allow time to find the correct entrance. The catamaran leaves promptly, and arriving at the last minute is a poor plan.

Once you are through the port area, the wait is more orderly. The boat provides a welcome drink made with fresh fruit, which gives you a pleasant start before the engines pull away from the city.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You need to reach the dock yourself, and you should bring a towel, sunscreen, and a credit or debit card. Food and drinks from outside are not allowed onboard, and smoking is not permitted.

The official language for the activity is Spanish. Some onboard announcements have been made in both Spanish and English, and some English-speaking visitors have managed comfortably, but you should not assume that every explanation will be in English. The focus is more on enjoying the boat than on receiving a detailed naturalist talk.

The catamaran ride toward Rosario

The crossing takes a good part of the morning. One account puts the trip to the snorkeling area at about two and a half hours, though the exact timing can shift with sea conditions and the captain’s decisions. That sounds long if you are expecting a quick transfer, but the boat itself is a major part of the experience.

You can sit in the sun or find shade, with plenty of space to stretch out. The catamaran is large enough that it generally does not feel cramped, even when carrying a substantial group. Some departures have held around 100 people, yet the layout and open seating keep the day from feeling like a packed ferry.

This is described as sailing and motor sailing, but you should set your expectations around a motorized cruise. The engines do much of the work. You may get wind, spray, and the pleasant motion of a sailing boat, but this is not a silent, sail-powered expedition.

The ride gives you time to settle into the Caribbean pace. Music plays onboard, and the mood may become livelier on the way back. One return crossing was especially wet and fun, with wind pushing spray across the boat as the catamaran dipped into the sea. That kind of ride is part of the appeal, though anyone who wants a completely quiet or dry voyage may prefer a smaller excursion.

Two swim stops instead of an island visit

The stops are the heart of the day. Expect two places to swim and use the provided snorkeling gear, often with roughly an hour at each location, although the exact length is not always announced clearly. The captain can change the route because of weather or sea conditions.

At the first stop, you enter directly from the catamaran into warm, clear water. Life jackets are available, which is helpful for less confident swimmers, and the crew keeps an eye on people in the water. Snorkel masks are provided, but fins are not included, so bring your own if you prefer to swim with them.

The water can be beautiful, with tropical fish and coral visible in some areas. Still, you should keep your expectations sensible. This is not a specialist reef expedition, and underwater visibility can vary. Some people see colorful fish and coral, while others find the snorkeling fairly limited. The strongest reason to get in is the refreshing swim itself.

The second stop may be close enough to swim toward land, but the boat does not necessarily bring you onto a sandy beach. This distinction matters. Promotional language about an idyllic white-sand beach can give the impression of a beach club or shore visit, while the practical experience is generally an open-water stop beside the islands.

If your perfect day includes a towel on a beach, a walk among palms, or lunch at an island resort, choose another Rosario excursion. If you want to jump from a catamaran into clear water, float, snorkel a little, and climb back aboard without dealing with a crowded beach club, this format makes good sense.

Take care around the water. Jellyfish have been encountered, and open-water swimming requires more attention than a calm hotel pool. Use the life jacket if you need it, listen for the departure signal, and keep track of your belongings.

A lunch that earns its place

Lunch is one of the strongest features of the trip. The crew serves a choice such as seafood rice, chicken with rice, or a vegetable option. A salad buffet, fruit, and dessert complete the meal, and portions are generous enough that you are unlikely to need extra food later.

The seafood rice receives especially strong praise, but the vegetarian and vegan options have also been handled well. That gives this boat an advantage over excursions where the main meal is a small, fixed plate with little choice.

You eat onboard, either during the return or at a scheduled point in the day. The setting is simple but pleasant: sea around you, a plate of warm food in front of you, and no need to leave the boat carrying wet towels and snorkeling gear.

Non-alcoholic drinks are included throughout the trip. Expect mineral water, juices, lemonade, and soft drinks rather than one small serving handed out at lunch. The lemonade is worth trying. Alcoholic drinks cost extra and can be purchased onboard by credit or debit card only.

The ability to pay by card is useful, but do not arrive without a payment card if you hope to buy cocktails or beer. Cash is not the method specified for extra onboard services.

Music, seating, and the mood onboard

This is a social boat, but it is not presented as an all-out party cruise. Music plays during the ride, and the return may include dancing or a more festive atmosphere. At the same time, there are enough seats and quieter corners for a relaxed day.

That balance makes the trip work for couples, families, and groups with different ideas of fun. One person can sit in the shade and watch the sea while another enjoys the music and spends time on deck. The boat also has clean, maintained toilets, a small detail that matters greatly on a long day away from shore.

The main thing to consider is volume. Music has occasionally been too loud for some people. If you are sensitive to noise, choose a seat away from the speakers when you board, and take advantage of the boat’s multiple seating areas.

The crew is generally described as friendly, efficient, and safety-minded. Communication can be brief, with automated messages handling much of the information rather than a guide offering long explanations at each stop. That keeps the day moving, but it also means you should not expect a detailed lesson about coral, marine life, or the history of each island.

What the $107 price covers

At $107 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach the Rosario area, but it bundles together many costs that can add up separately. Your price includes the catamaran cruise, boarding fees, national park fees, welcome drink, mid-morning snack, lunch, snorkeling equipment, and non-alcoholic drinks.

The value is strongest if you want a full-service day. You are paying for a large boat, food, drinks, park access, and a crew that handles the timing. The lunch alone is more substantial than the basic sandwiches served on many boat trips, and unlimited soft drinks make the total cost easier to predict.

The value is weaker if your main goal is seeing the islands from land. Since you do not generally visit island beaches or resorts, part of the price pays for a comfortable cruise and swimming service rather than shore access.

Extra alcoholic drinks are not included. Still, prices have been considered reasonable, and card payments make it easy to avoid carrying much cash. I would compare the total cost with beach-club trips before booking, but remember that beach-club excursions often add charges for chairs, food, drinks, or transfers.

Who will enjoy this day most

I would choose this catamaran for you if you want a low-effort break from Cartagena. It suits people who enjoy swimming, sun, sea views, a good lunch, and a little music without needing a packed schedule.

It is also a good choice for mixed groups. Strong swimmers can use the snorkeling gear and explore around the boat, while less confident swimmers can stay close with a life jacket. The shaded seating helps if you need a break from the Caribbean sun.

Families should note that children need to be comfortable around open water, and everyone should take the safety instructions seriously. The boat is wheelchair accessible, but the practical details of getting into the water are different from the accessibility of the catamaran itself.

I would not pick this trip for serious snorkelers, beach collectors, or anyone who wants a small, quiet sailing boat. The underwater stops can be enjoyable, but they are not guaranteed to offer a large amount of marine life. And despite the name Rosario Islands, you may spend the day looking at them from offshore.

Practical ways to make the day better

Arrive early at Bodeguita Dock and look for Door 1. Port queues can be disorganized, and the boat does not wait indefinitely for late arrivals.

Bring sunscreen and reapply it every one to two hours. You spend much of the day on open water, where wind can make the sun feel less intense than it is. A towel is essential after the swim stops.

Wear a swimsuit under your clothes and keep valuables in a secure, waterproof pouch. The supplied equipment includes snorkeling gear, but not fins, so bring fins only if you already have them and want to use them.

Do not bring your own food or drinks. Outside items are not allowed, and the included soft drinks, juices, lemonade, and water are available throughout the excursion.

Finally, leave room in your schedule for weather changes. The captain may adjust the route or stops, and return times can vary. A full day means roughly 450 minutes, though one departure returned about an hour earlier than expected.

Should you book the Rosario catamaran?

Book it if you want a comfortable, social day at sea with two swim stops, a filling lunch, free soft drinks, and enough room to sit in either sun or shade. The strongest reasons to choose it are the excellent food, clean facilities, friendly service, and relaxed boat atmosphere.

Think twice if the words Rosario Islands mean an actual island visit to you. This is mainly a catamaran cruise with open-water swimming, not a beach-hopping trip. For a pleasant escape from Cartagena’s heat, the $107 price is fair. For shore exploration or serious snorkeling, choose a different outing.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran depart from?

It departs from Bodeguita Dock, Door 1, at Muelle de la Bodeguita in front of Cartagena’s walled city.

How long does the tour last?

The activity lasts about 450 minutes, or roughly 7.5 hours. Starting times depend on availability, and the return can vary because of weather and the captain’s decisions.

Does the tour visit the islands and beaches?

The catamaran travels toward the Rosario Islands but generally stops offshore for swimming and snorkeling. You should not book it expecting to walk onto an island beach.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes a seafood, chicken, or vegetable rice dish, a salad buffet, and dessert. A mid-morning snack is also included.

Are drinks included?

Non-alcoholic drinks are included, including soft drinks, juices, lemonade, and mineral water. Alcoholic drinks cost extra and can be paid for onboard by credit or debit card.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included. Fins are not included, so bring your own if you want to use them.

What should I bring?

Bring a towel, sunscreen, and a credit or debit card. Outside food and drinks are not allowed, and smoking is prohibited.

Is the catamaran wheelchair accessible?

The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible. The boat’s accessibility does not necessarily mean that entering the sea at the swim stops will be suitable for every wheelchair user.