A calm sea day beats Cartagena heat. This Rosario Islands excursion is a catamaran sail with two anchored swim stops, snorkeling gear, lunch, and free non-alcoholic drinks served on board.

What I like most is the relaxed, spacious feel of the boat, plus the fact that lunch and soft drinks are included so you can budget for the day without hunting for food and shade.

One thing to plan for: snorkeling can be hit or miss because the coral and fish life are often limited, and conditions can affect what you see.

Key highlights and practical takeaways

• Spacious catamaran feel with lots of room to sit, sunbathe, and take photos from open deck space
• Two main water stops for swimming off the boat, with time built in for snorkeling and floating
• Included lunch and soda with lunch options like chicken, seafood rice, or rice with vegetables
• Snorkeling gear is provided, but you may find the in-water visibility and coral health vary a lot
• Not a party boat vibe, more chill music and family-friendly energy than loud club-style chaos
• Weather and captain decisions can shift timing, so keep a flexible mindset

Rosario Islands on a Catamaran: what this day feels like

If you want an easy win day out of Cartagena, this is the kind of trip that gives you exactly what most people actually want: time on the water, a little snorkeling, and a break from the city heat. The core experience is sailing out to the Rosario Islands region on a large catamaran, then spending chunked time at two anchored stops to swim and cool off.

The tone is relaxed. People consistently describe it as peaceful and family-friendly, not a rowdy, everyone-shouting party. You do get music on board, but it is not the loud, chaotic club scene you might dread on some boat tours. Expect a more social, comfortable pace, especially because the vessel is roomy and built to handle choppier water better than smaller boats.

Price and value: what $106 actually covers

At about $106 per person, this tour is competitive for a half-day-to-day excursion that includes real “day at sea” basics: round-trip transport by boat, two swim stops, snorkeling equipment, and a proper included lunch.

Here is what is covered in the price:

• Use of snorkeling equipment (mask, snorkel, and a life vest)
• Lunch with choices such as seafood rice, rice with vegetables, or rice with chicken
• All fees and taxes
• Soda and other non-alcoholic beverages

What is not included:

• Alcoholic beverages
• Coffee or tea
• Hotel pick-up service

This pricing makes sense if you compare it to the cost of buying your own snorkel gear, paying for lunch, and then paying separately for a boat ride. Also, since alcohol is not included, you can keep spending under control if you skip cocktails. If you do want a bar option, plan on paying extra.

Meeting point and start time: getting on board without stress

The tour runs about 7.5 hours and starts at 8:30 am. It departs from Muelle de la Bodeguita, Puerta 1, Centro, Cartagena and returns to the same meeting point.

Two logistics details matter:

1. No hotel pick-up is included. You will need to get yourself to the dock.
2. They ask for the number of documents for each passenger who embarks. Have that information ready when booking, since it is part of the check-in flow.

The good news: the meeting point is near public transportation, so you should be able to reach it without a complicated plan.

Stop 1 near Isla Grande: calm water first, snorkeling expectations later

The first stop is Isla Grande, anchored in the Luis Guerra reef area. The on-water window here is about 2 hours, and the tour notes that the itinerary can change because of weather or the captain.

What that means for you in real life:

• You are likely to start with an easier water rhythm. Many people feel the first anchorage can be calmer than later stops.
• This is a “drop the anchor, swim, snorkel, float” type of stop. It is not marketed as a long island tour where you hop around beaches and viewpoints.

Snorkeling at this stage can be enjoyable, but do not treat it like a coral aquarium. Multiple accounts describe limited coral health and not much fish life in the spots where the boat anchors. Still, you may see enough to make the water time worth it, and swimming off the catamaran can be the main event even if snorkeling is just okay.

Stop 2 at Barú near Punta Gigante: lunch lands here

The second stop is Barú, near Punta Gigante, again anchored, and again for about 2 hours. Lunch is served during this portion.

If you like structure, this helps: you get the sailing and first water time, then you settle into the second stop where the food arrives. Lunch is part of the package, with options like:

• seafood rice
• rice with vegetables
• rice with chicken

Practical expectation: this stop is also very water-focused. Even when people call it an islands trip, the time on land is not the headline. Many experiences center around being in the water, not exploring a beach town.

Snorkeling reality check: gear is provided, fins are not, and conditions matter

This is where I think you should calibrate your expectations before you go. The tour provides snorkeling gear, but the snorkeling itself is not always a “wow” moment.

Based on the details you get from the experience:

• You receive snorkel and mask, plus a life vest
• Fins are not provided (some accounts specifically note that only basic snorkel gear is included)
• Some masks may not fit or perform perfectly for every swimmer, so consider how you handle gear adjustments
• Coral and fish life can be limited, especially if the water is rough or visibility drops

So what is the best way to enjoy this part?

• Treat snorkeling as a bonus, not the whole reason for the trip.
• Use it as a way to get comfortable in the water, then switch to swimming and floating if visibility is poor.
• If you are picky about snorkeling, focus more on the overall boat day, including the swim time, rather than expecting top-tier reef life.

Also note a useful review-based caution: one person points out that people have to leave their ID as a guarantee for the snorkeling equipment. And you should not leave the gear unattended, since there can be a charge if equipment disappears.

Boat comfort and the net-and-deck style of fun

A big reason people rate this trip well is the boat itself. A large catamaran gives you options. You can find shade, move around, and get comfortable without feeling squeezed. Reviews mention:

• lots of space to sit in sun and shade
• clean restrooms
• a modern, roomy vessel
• the ability to relax on deck and swim off from the boat

One of the most repeat-loved details is the experience of hanging out on the boat’s nets. That is a simple, effective way to cool off without constantly swimming. It is also where the “relaxed day” vibe becomes real, because you are not trapped in one tight area of a crowded beach.

If the sea gets choppy later in the day, that net-and-deck setup still tends to work better than being stuck on a smaller speedboat. Several accounts specifically say the catamaran handled rougher water more smoothly, and even someone prone to seasickness reported no major issues.

Timing, downtime, and why the schedule can feel different than you expect

This is not a nonstop action cruise. The pacing is more like: sail, anchor, water time, sail again, repeat, with lunch slotted into the second stop.

Some people want more island time, like actual beach walks and wandering. But the structure here leans toward water time and sailing, not land exploration. There is also the reality of “captain call” changes. Weather can modify schedules, and the tour explicitly warns that the itinerary can shift.

So plan your mindset like this:

• You are paying for a day on the water, not a strict island-hopping checklist.
• If you want a packed itinerary with lots of walking stops, this may feel lighter than you hoped.
• If you want swimming time and a calm boat day, the structure fits nicely.

One more practical heads-up from experience: on the return trip, the sea can get choppier. Nothing here suggests you will be tossed around all day, but you should be ready for some wobble on the way back.

Food and drinks: included lunch is solid, alcohol is pay extra

The lunch is included, and multiple accounts describe it as plentiful. You usually have a few choices, including chicken, seafood rice, or rice with vegetables, plus a salad option being mentioned in one write-up.

For drinks, the included part is non-alcoholic beverages like soda, and also soft drink service such as watermelon juice being served early. People do say drinks are tasty, and there is no need to budget for water or soda once you’re on board.

Alcohol is not included. Some people mention that service quality can feel different if you order alcohol or do not order it. I would not build your day around expecting staff warmth to be identical in every moment, but it is worth knowing that included drinks are part of the deal, and you should be fine if you only plan for those.

If you want cocktails, you will be paying extra, so decide that early and keep expectations clear.

Safety and practical advice from the water

The biggest safety lesson I’d carry from the experience is about outside activity vendors. One account describes people offering banana boat rides from the water, but that interaction led to a serious incident involving jewelry. The takeaway is straightforward: keep valuables packed away and avoid hiring add-on water activities from individuals who are not part of the boat crew.

Also, snorkeling equipment handling matters. Since you may need to leave an ID as a guarantee and you should not leave gear unattended, treat the snorkeling gear like you would an airport camera. Watch it, use it, and return it properly.

If you are bringing jewelry, consider leaving it behind. Even on a chill, family-friendly boat day, water activities and boarding can be surprisingly physical.

Who should book this Rosario Islands catamaran, and who might want another option

This is a great match if you want:

• a comfortable boat day with shade and space
• a relaxed, not-too-rowdy atmosphere
• included lunch and soft drinks
• decent swimming time, even if snorkeling is not the main show

It also fits families with kids, especially because the overall pace is calmer and the boat is easy to move around on while still keeping everyone safely grouped.

This may not be your best choice if:

• you want serious reef snorkeling with lots of coral and fish
• you expect to spend long hours on shore exploring islands
• you are looking for an all-day party scene with nonstop entertainment

For snorkeling-first travelers, you may still enjoy the water time, but you should treat the reef viewing as variable rather than guaranteed.

Should you book Bona Vida’s Rosario Islands tour?

I’d book it if your goal is a straightforward, value-priced day on the water with lunch and soft drinks included, and you want a spacious catamaran that keeps things comfortable. The trip makes the most sense when you care about swimming, relaxing on deck, and enjoying the sea breeze more than you care about perfect snorkeling conditions.

I would think twice if your main priority is top-tier coral snorkeling or island hopping with lots of land stops. In those cases, you might end up wishing you had chosen a different style of itinerary or location.

If you go with the right expectations, this is a solid way to take a break from Cartagena and spend your day exactly where most people hope they will, on the water.

FAQ

What is the tour price?

The price is $106.00 per person.

How long is the excursion?

The duration is approximately 7 hours 30 minutes.

What time does the tour start?

The start time is 8:30 am.

Where does the tour depart from?

It departs from Muelle de la Bodeguita, Puerta 1, Centro, Cartagena, Bolivar, Colombia.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included, with options like seafood rice, rice with vegetables, or rice with chicken.

Are snorkeling items included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included.

Are soft drinks included?

Yes. Soda and other non-alcoholic beverages are included.

Are alcoholic beverages included?

No. Alcoholic beverages are not included.

Is there hotel pick-up?

No. Pick-up service or hotel pick-up is not included.

What can cause the schedule to change?

The itinerary or schedules can be modified due to meteorological causes or by decision of the captain.

Can I get a full refund if I cancel?

Yes. Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.