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Doing at least a day trip to the Rosario Islands to see the crystal clear waters surrounding these gorgeous coral islands is all but an obligatory inclusion on any trip to Cartagena and Colombia.
There are a ton of Rosario Islands tour and day trip options, ranging from shared Cartagena boat tours that make various stops at beaches and snorkeling spots, to relaxed day passes at beach clubs and hotels, to party oriented Rosario Islands boat tours.
With so many Cartagena island tours to choose from, navigating them can be difficult!
Luckily, I’m here to help you decide the best way to do a Rosario Island tour from Cartagena for your trip!
After more than a decade living in Cartagena, I got to know the islands well, and have done many day trips and tours to the Rosario Islands.
I’ve used that first hand knowledge of with you here with some curated picks for the best Rosario Islands day trips with some options for every type of traveler.
Should I Do I Rosario Island Day Trip or Spend the Night?
The question of whether it’s best to spend the night in the islands or do a boat tour from Cartagena to see them is one of the most common questions I see.
The best answer really comes down to time.
If you have 4 nights or fewer in Cartagena, I don’t recommend spending the night. The logistics of getting there and back require basically 2 full days to spend the night and make it very difficult to spend your first or last night there.
In that case, you really should stick to staying in town and doing only a day trip to the Rosario Islands from Cartagena.
If you have more than 5 nights, then I think you just have to balance all the things to do in Cartagena, other possible day trips from Cartagena that interest you, and spending the night.
You’re welcome to check out my picks for the best Rosario Islands hotels here if you do decide to spend the night.
Rosario Islands Tours and Day Trips Quick Tips
I’l go into more detail and share additional alternatives for each of my picks for the best Rosario Islands day trip options in the sections below, but here’s a quick and sandy rundown if you’re in a hurry:
- Coolest Way to Do the Islands: Private Boat Rental
- Best Relaxed Shared Boat Tour: Rosario Islands Catamaran Tour
- Best Relaxed Beach Day: Day Pass at IslaBela
- Best Party Beach Day: Bora Bora Beach Club
- Best Shared Party Boat: Party Boats to Cholón
- Best Way to Get a Little Bit of Everything: Multi-Island Tours
To be honest, I really, really encourage you to consider a private boat rental if it’s at all workable for your budget. For groups of 5 or more, it can even work out to be a better deal than separate tickets for shared Rosario Islands boat tours or day passes at hotels and beach clubs.
If you can’t make the private work, then you just have to decide if you’d rather spend all day on a boat, all day on a beach, if you want more of a relaxed day, if you want a party day, or if you want a little bit of everything.
Read the sections below for more details on each of these recommendations plus some alternatives to each, depending on the type of experience you’d like to have.
Oh, and I highly encourage you to take along a good dry bag, snorkeling gear, some water, and some sunscreen. Don’t forget to reapply. I’ve learned that lesson too many times!
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Detailed Look at the Best Rosario Islands Trips and Tours
Ok, let’s dig a little deeper into this list of the best Islas del Rosario day trips!
Please don’t see this list as a ranking. None of these Islas del Rosario tours are bad options. It just depends a bit on what you want.
There should be something for everyone on this list, and I’ve also included some alternatives that offer a similar experience for some of the options discussed below if you want to shop around.
Private Rosario Islands Boat Tour – Coolest Way to do the Islands
Doing a private boat rental is absolutely the best way to do a day trip to the Rosario Islands from Cartagena!
While it’s definitely the most expensive way to do a day trip to Cartagena’s islands, it’s still surprisingly affordable.
For solo travelers or couples on a tighter budget, it maybe isn’t the most cost effective, but if you have a group of 5 or more, the price starts to look pretty similar or even cheaper than what you’d spend in total on individual tickets for a shared tour to the Rosario Islands.
We’ve done private Cartagena boat tours to the islands many times.
In fact, doing this every now and then is one of the things I miss the most about living in Cartagena!
The reason I think this is the best way to tour the Cartagena islands is having a private boat will give you the most freedom to enjoy your Rosario Island day trip just the way you like.
You could have a boat dance party all day, spend lots of time snorkeling out by the reefs or the submerged airplane, or just chill out on lesser visited beaches.
Or, you can do how we usually do and do some combination of all of the above, which really allows you to effectively combine the best of all worlds of the shared tour day trip options discussed below.
Plus, you get to DJ your own tunes and decide just how long (or short) to stay at each stop.
Most boat rental agencies have some preset plans but will also allow you to customize your day however you like.
That’s the case with our local partner for boat rentals, who offers really good prices.
If you’ve got no budget limitations, you could splurge on something like a huge yacht. Big booking sites like GetYourGuide and Viator also offer boat rentals, but at much higher prices than our partner can offer.
Click here to learn about booking with our partner Alyssa.
Catamaran Tour – Best Relaxed Shared Boat Tour to the Rosario Islands
The Rosario Islands Catamaran is my top choice among the options for shared boat tours to the Rosario Islands. It’s one of the most highly rated tours in all of Cartagena.
We have done the sunset cruise on this catamaran (read about it here), and it would be perfect for a relaxed day trip to the Rosario Islands.
There’s a lot of space, so you won’t feel cramped, which can happen on some shared boat tours. It also has these neat nets you can lounge on. Not to mention, they make a great photo op.
Because it’s a large boat, you’ll also get smooth sailing without nearly as much bouncing as on smaller speed boats that other Rosario Islands boat tours or day passes to most of the resorts use.
That’s a big part of the reason I would consider this to be one of the best shared tours for families.
The Rosario Islands catamaran day trip includes snorkeling gear and also includes lunch.
The only downside is you don’t actually stop at any beaches. The logistics of being on a boat so large mean you can’t actually dock and get out anywhere.
So, if you can live without touching sand on your Rosario Islands day trip, it’s really a great option for a relaxed boat tour from Cartagena.
Click here to book the catamaran tour on GetYourGuide or click here to book it on Viator.
For alternative shared boat tours, see the multi-island tours discussed below, which do make stops at beaches where you can get out.
IslaBela – Best Choice for a Relaxed Beach Day
Islabela is our overall favorite hotel in the Rosario Islands.
So, doing a day trip to IslaBela is naturally my top pick for doing a hotel day trip to the Rosario Islands.
You can read my review of our stay at IslaBela to learn more about why we love it, but the short version is there’s a nice, large, not too rocky beach, a gorgeous view of the little bay where it’s located, and a nice, chill atmosphere, perfect for a relaxed day where you do get to actually touch some sand.
It’s also pretty family and kid friendly, although there are no pools or air conditioned facilities.
You can book a day pass at IslaBela through GetYourGuide or Viator or you can book via our partner travel agency. They charge bit more, but provide constant support and communication in English, possibly a good option if you don’t speak Spanish or just want some help navigating Cartagena. If you book here, you can get 20% off with the discount code ExploreColombia20!
More Relaxed Beach Day Options
If IslaBela is booked up or you want to shop around, here are a few other nice options for relaxed day trips to the Rosario Islands from Cartagena at beach clubs or hotels:
- Day Pass at Isla del Encanto – Located on the far end of Barú, this resort has a bit more of an upscale setting, and there is a pool available to day trippers. It’s also got a terrific, large, and sandy beach, better than any beach in the islands proper. It’s very family friendly, and they offer optional excursions to go snorkeling out in the islands or to go to the Oceanarium. Read our review here.
- Day Pass at San Pedro de Majagua – This spot on Isla Grande has a really large beach area and offers a similar relaxed and slightly more upscale experience compared to IslaBela.
- Day Pass at Coralina Island – Located around the corner from IslaBela, there’s a lovely deck here overlooking the water.
- Day Pass at Isla del Sol – There’s a pool here and a lovely view. We thought the beach was very rocky though, so it’s best if you prefer swimming in the pool and only lounging on the beach. Read our review here.
Bora Bora Beach Club – Best Party Beach Club in the Rosario Islands
I’ll discuss some options for party Cartagena boat tours to the Rosario Islands below, but for a party beach club in the Rosario Islands, a day pass at Bora Bora is the pick.
Probably the most popular Rosario Islands beach club, it’s known for offering a fun and hip vibe with a DJ, tasty drinks, and nice views.
Colombian celebrities like models and actors, and even a few international stars, have been known to make this their Cartagena island tour of choice, and you’ve likely seen photos of people enjoying Bora Bora on Instagram.
Honestly, it really does feel like one of those places that was just made for the gram.
There’s a nice, and fairly large, beach area here, and they have a cool set up with fancy beach beds.
I would recommend paying close attention to the details of your reservation, as the front row beach beds and the “VIP” area that is seen in some of those impressive Instagram photos have additional costs.
So, just be aware of that, as I have heard of people disappointed that they didn’t get what they expected. If you want those things, know you might need to pay a bit more and make sure you get that hammered out when you reserve.
Click here to book a day pass at Bora Bora on Viator or click here to book it on GetYourGuide.
There isn’t really a good alternative to Bora Bora for a full day at a party vibes beach since most of the other beach clubs and hotels are fairly laid back, but those looking for a livelier atmosphere could also consider the party boats discussed next or the mult-island tours discussed at the end of this list.
Cartagena Boat Tours to Cholón – Best Party Boat Option
If you’re looking to party all or most of the day on a boat rather than at a beach like at Bora Bora, doing one of the shared party boat tours to Cholón is a good option (keep in mind you could always rent a private boat and just spend all day here too if you’re a group).
We’ve been to Cholón a bunch of times.
Known as Cartagena’s party island, there’s a neat set of palm thatch huts in shallow water where boats pull up and park in a ring to create a fun atmosphere where people can alternate between swimming and having dance parties on their boat.
It is a lot of fun and a bit of unique experience.
While I wouldn’t characterize it as the most family friendly, I do think the MTV Spring Break vibes are a bit exaggerated on social media, including by some of the tour operators who are selling the party, aspect of it a tad distastefully in my opinion. In fairness, I guess booty shaking is what works on Instagram.
So, while it’s definitely more for those looking to have a booze cruise kind of vibe and drink and dance on their Rosario Island day trip, you should’t feel like you need to be willing to audition for the next edition of Cartagena Tourists Gone Wild either.
You can read more about what to expect at Cartagena’s party island in this in depth guide to Cholón. It’s probably worth pointing out as well that some of the multi-island tours discussed next do make stops here if you’d like to just check it out for a little while.
If you do want to spend all or most of the day at Cholón, you can book this all day tour to Cholón with lunch and 2 drinks included
Or you could book one of the tours usually sold under the name Cholón Forever that stops for snorkeling first and heads to Cholón midmorning for the remainder of the day. Click here to book it on Viator or click here to book it on GetYourGuide.
Multi-Island Boat Tours from Cartagena – Get a Little of Everything
Here’s the thing: the multi-island tours are the most polarizing option for a day trip to the Rosario Islands from Cartagena.
Some of them have earned, rightfully, a reputation for packing too many people on small boats, including upsells like beach chairs, umbrellas, and snorkeling gear, along the way.
However, I haven’t included them so far down this list because I think they are the worst, or even a bad option. Depending on what you want, they could even be the best option for you.
In fact, in many ways, they offer a similar experience to what you can get with a private rental, just shared with other people and at a fraction of the price.
However, because they can be hit or miss, I really discourage booking these on the street or booking the cheapest options. I would encourage you to read reviews and read the fine print on what is and isn’t included in the tour price and where it stops.
That will go a long way to making sure you have a good experience and not a bad one.
There are a number of variations of these shared Rosario Islands tours.
Most stop to snorkel, stop at a beach somewhere in the islands, go to Cholón, and then go to Playa Blanca, or the far end of Playa Blanca known as Playa Tranquila, to end the day. Generally they include lunch or an allowance of a certain amount you can spend on food and drinks.
Some include a stop at the Oceanarium where you can pay an additional fee to enter and see it. Some substitute another more relaxed stop for Cholón. Some make a stop by the fort at Bocachica, and I’m sure there are more variations.
I recommend this 4 island tour that can be easily booked online and is highly reviewed. What I really like about it as it offers a “party ticket” option that goes to Cholón for a while and a “leisure ticket” option that goes to a more relaxed beach club instead of Cholón.
Click here to book it on GetYourGuide or click here to book it on Viator.
Alternative Shared Multi-Stop Cartagena Boat Trips to the Rosario Islands
Here are a few other multi-stop island tours from Cartagena you could consider:
- A 5 Island Tour – The Rosario Islands day tours that make a stop at the San Fernando Fort in Bocachica are a neat way to see this hidden gem for history buffs.
- A Multi-Beach Club Tour – I like the concept of this tour that goes to IslaBela, Bora Bora, and Pao Pao beach clubs as a way to get a bit of party vibes, a bit of relaxed vibes, and spend your day hopping to 3 of the nicer beach clubs.
- Island Tour with Plankton Viewing at Night – If you want to see the bioluminescent plankton, combining it with a Cartagena island tour is the best way to pack the most into a day. There are a handful of options that take you out to do Cartagena island hopping by day on a boat then let you stay out in Barú after sunset and bring you back on a bus after viewing the plankton.
- A Tour that Includes the Oceanarium – If you want to do the oceanarium where you can swim with dolphins, picking a Rosario Islands tour that stops there is the most cost effective way to do it.
Tour to the Rosario Islands and Barú’s Mangroves – Most Unique Option
I’m going to close out this list with the most unique Rosario Islands day trip. In fact, I think it’s one of the more unique day trips you can do in Cartagena, period.
This private tour to the mangroves of Barú and the Rosario Islands is by far the most unique way to do a day trip to the Rosario Islands from Cartagena, and it provides a nice touch of culture in addition to fun and sun.
It is a private tour, so it’s a bit pricier than most of the other Rosario Islands day trips, but for those who want a slice of nature and culture without sacrificing their slice of beach, it’s a really good way to have an experience that is a tad more authentic than simply partying on a boat or sipping drinks on the beach.
While it allows for customization, the general itinerary for the tour includes a visit to the small town of Barú, near the tip of Barú Island, where you’ll have breakfast and do a walking tour of the town, which has been the home of Afro-Colombian fisherman for generations, many of them the descendants of former slaves.
You’ll then take a boat out to the islands, where you’ll be able to tour a mangrove swamp and do some snorkeling at the reef. Then you’ll get some time to relax on a beach before having lunch in a local’s home.
Finally, you’ll get to check out some of the villagers’ artisan handicrafts before heading back to Cartagena.
It’s a unique tour and by far the least “traditional” Rosario Islands tour on this list. I think it’s a really good option that packs a lot into one day and lets you get in touch with the culture in ways most island tours from Cartagena don’t.
Click here to book it on GetYourGuide
Ready to plan your Rosario Islands day trip from Cartagena?
Hopefully, now you know just about everything you need to plan your own Rosario Islands day trip from Cartagena, and plenty of options for tours to the Rosario Islands to choose from.
I hope this guide was useful to you for planning your own day tour to the Rosario Islands, and more importantly, that you have a blast no matter which one you choose!
Cheers and Happy Beachin’ It!
Want Some Help Planning Your Dream Colombia Trip?
Let my partner travel agency help you craft a custom trip package,
tailor made to your interests. Readers get a special discount!
Planning a trip to Cartagena?
Be sure to check out the rest of the site to help you plan!
In particular, you might want to check out my complete guide to planning a trip to Cartagena, my guide to the best areas to stay, my list of over 75 things to do, my picks for the best Cartagena tours, the best day trips from Cartagena, my suggested packing list, my guide to the Rosario Islands, and my guide to all the beaches of Cartagena.
Want to connect with me and fellow travelers to Cartagena and Colombia?
Click here to join the Cartagena, Colombia Travel Tips Facebook Group
It’s a great place to ask questions, share tips, and get inspiration!
Planning a trip to Cartagena?
Be sure to check out the rest of the site to help you plan!
In particular, you might want to check out my complete guide to planning a trip to Cartagena, my guide to the best areas to stay, my list of over 75 things to do, my picks for the best Cartagena tours, the best day trips from Cartagena, my suggested packing list, my guide to the Rosario Islands, and my guide to all the beaches of Cartagena.
