Family Friendly Rosario Islands Tour: Snorkeling, Beach Clubs & Ocean Life
Discover the Rosario Islands
An archipelago paradise just a short boat ride from Cartagena.
The Journey Begins
The day starts early, usually around 8:00 AM, at the main pier near the Old City. After check-in, you hop on a speedboat with a small group and your bilingual guides (huge plus if you don’t speak Spanish). The first stop is a quick photo op at Bocachica Fort on Tierra Bomba—one of Cartagena’s old colonial forts built to protect the bay. It’s a cool little intro to the area’s history before heading deeper into the islands. From there, you cruise past Escobar’s crumbling island mansion, which now looks more like a post-apocalyptic hideout than anything glamorous. Still, it’s a fascinating glimpse into a dark chapter of Colombia’s past.
Under the Sea & On the Beach
Then comes one of my favorite parts: snorkeling in the Rosario Islands. The boat anchors near a calm coral lagoon where you can float over colorful fish and reef formations. Snorkel gear is included, and even if you’re a beginner, the guides are great at walking you through it. The water is warm and clear, and there’s something about being surrounded by nature like that that makes the chaos of daily life disappear for a bit.
After the snorkel session, the tour heads to a private island beach club for lunch. You’ll get your own beach bed with shade, and lunch is a proper Caribbean meal—usually fresh fish with coconut rice and plantains, or chicken or veggie options if that’s more your style. It’s relaxed, it’s delicious, and there’s time to swim, grab a drink, or just do nothing at all.
The Floating Aquarium
One of the most unique parts of this tour is the visit to the Oceanario, a floating aquarium in the middle of the sea. It’s not your average tourist attraction—it’s actually a marine conservation center where you’ll see reef sharks, sea turtles, rays, and tropical fish up close. You can even pay a little extra to swim with dolphins. If that’s not your thing, you can opt to hang back and relax at Coralina Island instead. There’s usually one more swim stop on the way back, depending on the group’s pace and the sea conditions, and then you return to Cartagena by around 3:30 or 4:00 PM—just in time to shower and catch sunset with a cocktail in hand.
"What really sets this tour apart for me is how balanced it feels. You’re not stuck on a boat all day, and you’re not being herded from one place to the next without time to breathe."
It combines history, wildlife, adventure, and relaxation in a way that feels effortless. It’s also ideal for solo travelers, couples, or even small groups. Everything is included—transport, gear, entrance fees, lunch—and the guides are some of the best I’ve encountered in Colombia. After living here a while, I’ve learned that not all tours are created equal, and this one is consistently a hit.
Good to Know Before You Go
If you’re thinking of booking it, there are a few things to keep in mind.
- Bring sunscreen, a towel, your swimsuit, sunglasses, and a bit of extra cash—about 29,000 COP for the port fee, plus any optional extras like drinks or the dolphin swim.
- If you get motion sickness, I’d recommend taking something before the boat ride, especially on the way back, which can get a little choppy.
- If you want a less crowded experience, try going on a weekday instead of the weekend.
- The tour’s not ideal for very young children, pregnant travelers, or anyone with limited mobility, just because of the water activities and boat boarding.
Ready to Explore the Rosario Islands?
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