Boat rental for the Rosario Islands up to 15 people.

The best Caribbean day may be your own. This private Rosario Islands boat trip gives you eight hours on the water, a flexible route, and room for up to 15 people. I like the private format, which lets your group decide how long to stay at each stop, and I like the onboard Bluetooth sound system for adding your own music. The main drawback is that the boat follows a one-way route, so you cannot return to an island once you have passed it.

You meet at Todomar CHL Marina Bocagrande at about 9 A.M. and return around 5 P.M. The boat includes a captain, skipper, fuel, ice, cooler, life vests, snorkeling gear, bottled water, and a restroom. I would confirm the exact departure time before setting out, since one unhappy booking involved confusion over a delayed start.

Key points

• Private boat for up to 15 people: The $815 group price works out to about $54 per person when the boat is full.
• Flexible island route: You can choose your stop lengths, but the route does not loop back.
• Five possible stops: The stated route includes Isla Grande, Caño Ratón, La Piscina, Cholón, and Aguazul.
• Bring your own food and drinks: You can pack snacks, meals, and nonalcoholic or alcoholic drinks, or buy lunch on the islands.
• Music and practical equipment included: Bluetooth audio, 13 kilos of ice, snorkeling equipment, a cooler, life vests, and a restroom are provided.
• Strong overall satisfaction: The experience has a 4.9 rating from 68 reviews, with 99 percent recommending it.

Eight Hours Around the Rosario Islands

This is not a fixed sightseeing cruise where everyone follows the same clock. It is a private day on the water built around your group, your playlist, and your preferred mix of swimming, photos, food, and island stops.

The schedule runs from roughly 9 A.M. until 5 P.M., with departure and return at Todomar CHL Marina Bocagrande in Cartagena. That gives you a full day, but remember that travel between stops uses part of those eight hours. You are paying for the boat and crew for the day, not eight uninterrupted hours at one beach.

The route can include Isla Grande, Caño Ratón, La Piscina, Cholón, and Aguazul. The crew can help shape the order and timing, but the route has a practical limit: once you pass a place, you cannot ask to return to it. I would discuss your priorities before leaving the dock. If your group cares most about swimming, say so early. If photos and a long lunch matter more, make that clear before the boat gets underway.

Why a Private Boat Changes the Day

A shared island boat can be cheaper, but it often means accepting someone else’s timing. Here, your group of up to 15 people travels together, and the crew can adjust the length of each stop to suit the day.

That flexibility matters most for mixed groups. One person may want to snorkel, another may prefer to sit with a drink, and someone else may want a long lunch. A private boat gives you a better chance of keeping the group together without forcing everyone into the same short stop.

The boat is also a good fit for birthdays, family outings, and friend groups. One birthday group praised the crew for offering island choices, arranging a stop at a private island for quiet time and photographs, and helping with local orders at Cholón. That kind of help can save you from trying to organize food and timing while standing on a busy beach.

There is one tradeoff. Flexibility works best when your group can make decisions quickly. With 15 people, opinions may multiply. Choose one or two people to speak for the group, or you may spend too much of the day debating the next stop.

Isla Grande and the First Taste of Island Time

Isla Grande is one of the named stops on the route and may be an early choice for your day. It is a useful place to settle into the boat rhythm, get into the water, use the snorkeling equipment, or start taking photos.

The supplied details do not promise a particular reef, beach club, or restaurant at Isla Grande, so I would treat it as a flexible island stop rather than a guaranteed attraction with a fixed program. Ask the crew what conditions and timing make sense on the day.

Your boat includes life vests and snorkeling equipment, which makes a swim stop easier to arrange. Bottled water is also included, with two 330cc bottles per person. That is helpful, but it is not a full day’s hydration for most people in the sun. Bring extra water if you need it, and use the cooler and included ice for drinks.

Caño Ratón and La Piscina

Caño Ratón and La Piscina are also listed as possible stops. Their value here is the choice they give you. You can use the route for several shorter swims, or spend more time at the places your group likes best.

The name La Piscina suggests a calm swimming stop, but the available information does not guarantee a particular water condition or activity. Sea conditions, crowd levels, and local operating details can affect the feel of any stop. Let the crew advise you, then keep your plan loose.

For a group that wants photos, these stops can add variety to the day. You are not tied to one beach for the entire outing. For a group that wants peace and quiet, the more stops you add, the more time you may spend getting in and out of the boat. That is the central choice: more places, or more time at each place.

Cholón, Lunch, and Local Buying Tips

Cholón is one of the best-known stops named in the route, and it is also where the practical side of the outing matters most. Lunch is not included, but you can buy a typical island meal or bring your own food.

Alcohol is also excluded. You may bring your own drinks, or request them as an extra-cost addition. The boat has a cooler and 13 kilos of ice, so your group can keep its supplies cold. Clarify any extra drink or food arrangements before departure.

The crew can help with local orders at Cholón. Luis and Moisés were specifically praised for sharing advice about where and when to buy from local sellers, then helping place orders. That is useful because island buying can be less straightforward than ordering lunch in a city restaurant. Prices, waiting times, and available items may vary, so ask about the cost before confirming an order.

Cholón may appeal to groups looking for a lively stop, food, and drinks. It may not suit a group hoping for a quiet beach afternoon. If your ideal day is peaceful, you can ask to keep this stop shorter or prioritize another location.

Aguazul and the Value of Route Choice

Aguazul completes the set of named stops. As with the other locations, the available details do not specify a fixed activity package, entry ticket, or guaranteed length of stay. Its value is part of the private route rather than a promise of a particular attraction.

I like this approach because the day can match your group instead of a printed timetable. You can ask for more time at the places that suit you and move on when a stop has done its job. The limitation is worth repeating: you cannot go back to an earlier point after passing it.

If your group has a must-see location, name it before the boat leaves. A simple plan such as one main island, two swim stops, Cholón for food, and time for photographs can help you avoid using the day on too many small stops.

What Comes on the Boat

The package includes several items that make a private day easier:

• Captain and skipper
• Fuel
• Private transportation by boat
• Cooler
• Thirteen kilos of ice
• Life vests
• Snorkeling equipment
• Restroom on board
• Two 330cc bottles of water per person
• Professional sound system with Bluetooth connection

The restroom is a useful feature on an eight-hour outing. It means you do not have to plan every stop around finding facilities on land. The cooler and ice also matter more than they might seem, especially if you bring food for a large group.

The Bluetooth sound system lets you play your own music. Bring a playlist everyone can tolerate, or at least agree on who controls the connection. A private boat with 15 people and one phone can produce more drama than a missed island stop.

Food and alcohol require planning. Neither is included in the base price. You can bring your own snacks, drinks, and meals, or buy lunch on the islands. If you want the operator to arrange alcoholic beverages or food, that costs extra.

Is $815 a Fair Price for 15 People?

The price is $815 per group, not per person, for up to 15 people. At full capacity, that comes to about $54.33 per person. For a smaller group, the per-person cost rises quickly: eight people would pay about $101.88 each, while four people would pay $203.75 each.

That makes the tour strongest for a full or nearly full group. Fifteen friends, a large family, or a birthday party can spread the cost across the boat while keeping the privacy and schedule control. For two or three people, a shared excursion may offer better financial value, though it will not provide the same control over stops and music.

The price includes fuel, crew, safety equipment, snorkeling gear, ice, water, and the boat itself. You still need to budget for lunch and alcohol if you do not bring them. You should also confirm any extra-cost food or drink arrangements before the day begins.

The high rating of 4.9 from 68 reviews and the 99 percent recommendation rate point to strong value when the private format is what you want. The one serious complaint involved a captain who did not appear after a late start time, with the booking described as beginning at noon. Since the main details for this experience list a 9 A.M. start, I would confirm the meeting time and expected departure directly before the trip.

The Crew Makes a Big Difference

The best feedback focuses on the crew. Luis and Moisés were praised for being punctual, courteous, fun, and willing to shape the route around the group. They also helped with island food orders and offered timing advice for buying from local sellers.

That tells you what to look for from the crew: clear communication, practical guidance, and attention to your group’s priorities. A private boat is only as good as the people running it. A skilled crew can make route decisions easier and help you avoid poor timing at a crowded stop.

At the same time, I would not assume every outing will feel identical. Crew assignments can vary, and sea conditions can affect the schedule. Confirm who will be operating the boat and repeat your main requests at the dock.

Who Should Book This Rosario Islands Boat?

I would choose this for:

• A group of friends who wants its own music and timetable
• Families who need a private space and an onboard restroom
• Birthday groups and other celebrations
• People who want to bring their own food and drinks
• Groups of 10 to 15 people that can split the cost
• Swimmers and snorkelers who want equipment included

I would think twice if you are traveling alone, as a couple, or in a very small group. The $815 price is harder to justify when divided among only a few people.

I would also reconsider if you want a fully planned cultural program, a guaranteed restaurant meal, or a fixed list of attractions with set visit times. This is mainly a private sea outing with island stops, not a guided history tour.

Practical Tips for a Smoother Day

Arrive ready for a long day on the water. Bring any food and drinks you want, especially if your group has dietary needs or a specific lunch plan. Alcohol is allowed if you bring your own, but it is not included in the price.

Use the cooler and ice wisely. With 13 kilos of ice, you have a useful start, but a large group can go through drinks quickly. The included water is limited to two small 330cc bottles per person, so plan accordingly.

Agree on your route before boarding. Ask the crew which stop should come first, how much time you need for swimming, and when Cholón makes the most sense for lunch. Since you cannot return to a passed location, a little planning has real value.

Keep your music group-friendly and have the phone ready for Bluetooth connection. Bring a way to protect personal items from splashes, although the supplied details do not specify waterproof storage.

The booking can be canceled for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund. The activity ends back at the same marina where it begins.

Should You Book It?

Book this boat if you have a medium or large group and value privacy more than the lowest possible price. The flexible route, onboard restroom, included snorkeling equipment, cooler, ice, and Bluetooth sound system make it a practical eight-hour outing.

I would especially recommend it for a birthday or group celebration, where shared timing and private space can make the day much easier. Before paying, confirm the exact departure time, decide which island matters most, and settle how you will handle lunch and drinks.

For a small group, compare the total price with a shared boat. For up to 15 people, though, this is a strong choice for a relaxed Rosario Islands day where you control the pace.

FAQ

Where does the boat tour begin?

It begins at Todomar CHL Marina Bocagrande, 2nda, in Cartagena de Indias, Bolívar, Colombia.

Where does the activity end?

The boat returns to the same meeting point at Todomar CHL Marina Bocagrande.

How long is the experience?

The experience lasts approximately eight hours, from about 9 A.M. until 5 P.M.

How many people can join the private boat?

The boat can accommodate a group of up to 15 people.

Which islands and stops can the boat visit?

The route can include Isla Grande, Caño Ratón, La Piscina, Cholón, and Aguazul.

Is lunch included?

No. You can bring your own food or buy a typical lunch on the islands. Lunch can also be added for an extra cost.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time to receive a full refund. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.