Excursion to the Rosario Islands with Lunch and Snorkeling

A calm day on Caribbean water. Bona Vida’s Rosario Islands catamaran trip offers a roomy boat, two swimming stops, lunch, soft drinks, and a full day away from Cartagena’s heat. I like the stable catamaran and the relaxed pace, especially for families and couples who want scenery rather than a floating nightclub. I also like that lunch, snorkeling equipment, and non-alcoholic drinks are included.

The main caution is simple: this is more of a sailing and swimming day than an island-hopping tour. You anchor near Isla Grande and Barú, but you may not actually set foot on either island. Snorkeling can also be underwhelming, with limited coral, few fish, cloudy water, or rough conditions depending on the day.

Key points to know before booking

• Two long anchorages: Spend about two hours near Isla Grande and two hours near Barú, with much of the day spent sailing or relaxing aboard.
• Large, steady catamaran: The spacious boat handles choppy water more comfortably than a small speedboat, with shaded seating, sunny areas, nets, and clean restrooms.
• Swimming matters more than snorkeling: Gear is provided, but fins are not, and marine life and water clarity can be hit or miss.
• Lunch is included: Choose seafood rice, chicken with rice, or vegetable rice, with salad and non-alcoholic drinks available.
• Not a hard-party boat: Music plays, but the mood is usually peaceful, social, and family-friendly rather than loud and alcohol-fueled.
• No hotel pickup: You must reach Muelle de la Bodeguita, Puerta 1, for the 8:30 a.m. departure.

What the $106 price really buys you

At $106 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach the Rosario Islands. Small speedboats and beach clubs can sometimes cost less, while private charters cost much more. The value here comes from what is bundled together and from the comfort of the boat.

Your fare includes the catamaran ride, snorkeling equipment, lunch, all fees and taxes, and soft drinks. That removes several small expenses that can quietly add up during a full day on the water. You can choose seafood rice, chicken and rice, or vegetable rice, and the meal is described as plentiful enough to satisfy hungry swimmers.

The drinks included are non-alcoholic. Watermelon juice, soft drinks, and other available refreshments have been praised, while cocktails and alcoholic drinks cost extra. Coffee and tea are not included either. If you expect an open bar because of lively music and a catamaran setting, this tour may feel less generous than expected.

I see the price as fair if you want a comfortable shared boat, a meal, and a slow day with two water stops. It is weaker value if your main goal is serious reef snorkeling or walking around several islands. The experience is not built around beach time, souvenir shopping, or a long list of stops.

Starting at Muelle de la Bodeguita

The tour begins at Muelle de la Bodeguita, Puerta 1, in central Cartagena. The stated start time is 8:30 a.m., and the activity returns to the same meeting point after about seven and a half hours.

There is no hotel pickup, so you need to arrange your own way to the pier. The meeting point is near public transportation, but the supplied information does not specify a particular bus route or taxi arrangement. Give yourself enough time to locate Puerta 1 and complete the boarding process without rushing.

You must provide the document number for every person boarding. Have those details ready when booking and at departure. One useful point from the boat experience is that snorkeling equipment may involve leaving identification with the crew as a guarantee. Keep track of your belongings and return the equipment promptly after use.

The boat can hold up to 100 people. That is a sizable group, but the catamaran is described as spacious, with enough room for seating in both sun and shade. If you want a particular spot, arriving early is sensible. On a full boat, the best shaded seats and the forward netting may go quickly.

The catamaran ride sets the tone

The vessel is one of the strongest reasons to choose this excursion. It is described as modern, clean, and large, with comfortable seating, shaded areas, sunny places, nets at the front, and clean restrooms. A catamaran has two hulls, which generally gives it more stability than a narrow speedboat, an important advantage on the return ride when the sea can become choppier.

The trip out is part of the attraction. You get open-water views, music, space to sit or move around, and time to enjoy the breeze. Some people will find the long stretches aboard peaceful. Others may find the downtime too long, especially if they expect constant activities.

The mood sits between a sightseeing cruise and a casual boat party. Music may include salsa, reggaeton, pop, and hip-hop, but this is not usually presented as an all-day drinking event. That balance works well for couples, families, and anyone who wants a social atmosphere without being packed onto a crowded beach or pushed into nonstop entertainment.

Service appears generally professional and helpful, including assistance for a passenger with mobility problems. Still, service can vary. A few accounts describe crew members becoming less warm later in the day or seeming annoyed when asked for included drinks. I would treat the crew as capable rather than expect highly personal service at every moment.

First stop: Isla Grande and the Luis Guerra reef

The first anchorage is in front of Isla Grande, near the Luis Guerra reef. You have about two hours here, although weather and the captain’s judgment can change the schedule.

This stop is primarily about getting into the water. You can use the supplied mask and snorkel, swim, float with a noodle, or simply enjoy the calm from the boat. Life vests are available, which helps less confident swimmers and children take part without pressure.

The name Rosario Islands can create high expectations. You may picture bright coral gardens and clouds of tropical fish. The actual snorkeling here can be modest. Some outings have produced a few fish and things to see, while others have encountered damaged coral, limited marine life, rough water, or masks that did not seal well.

That does not make the stop pointless. The water is still a welcome break from Cartagena’s heat, and swimming is often the better activity. If you approach this as a chance to cool off and look around underwater for a while, you are more likely to enjoy it. If you are choosing the tour mainly for reef quality, bring realistic expectations.

The supplied equipment includes a mask, snorkel, and life vest. Fins are not provided. Some masks may fit better than others, so check your gear before leaving the boat. If you have a well-fitting mask or snorkel of your own, bringing it would make sense, though the tour does provide equipment.

Second stop: Punta Gigante in Barú

The second anchorage is in front of Punta Gigante in Barú, where lunch is served. The scheduled stop lasts about two hours, again subject to weather and the captain’s decision.

This is another boat-based stop, not necessarily an island visit. You may swim off the catamaran, sunbathe on the nets, or relax in the shade. Some accounts describe a small remote beach nearby, but the core plan is to remain aboard and enjoy the water. Do not book this expecting a guided walk on Barú or a day at a beach club.

Water conditions can differ from the first stop. The second anchorage may have more current, cloudier water, or weaker snorkeling visibility. For many people, the best use of this stop is swimming, floating, and enjoying lunch rather than searching for coral.

The food is practical rather than gourmet. You choose seafood rice, rice with chicken, or rice with vegetables, and a salad selection is available. Several experiences describe the meal as good, plentiful, or better than expected. Other descriptions call it merely all right. I would expect a filling boat lunch, not a culinary reason to book the trip.

Non-alcoholic refreshments are included, and watermelon juice has been a popular touch. Alcoholic drinks can be purchased separately. If you want a beer, wine, or cocktail, budget for it and do not assume the tour price includes an open bar.

Snorkeling, swimming, and the water conditions

The snorkeling is the most uneven part of the day. The Rosario area is known for marine life, but the exact anchorage, weather, current, visibility, and condition of the reef matter more than the destination name alone.

You might see fish and enjoy a pleasant swim. You might also find limited coral, few fish, cloudy water, or choppy conditions. The tour can change its route because of weather, and the captain has authority to adjust the schedule. That flexibility is sensible for safety, but it means you cannot count on one exact underwater experience.

I would pack swimwear, sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, and a dry change of clothes. A waterproof phone pouch is useful, but avoid wearing valuable jewelry in the water. One reported incident involved an outside operator offering a banana boat ride near the second stop. The service was not part of Bona Vida, and a passenger lost a gold chain during that activity.

That is a good general rule: do not hire unapproved water activities from people who approach the boat. Bona Vida cannot control those operators, their equipment, or their handling of personal belongings. You can have a full day without adding an extra ride, and the included swimming is enough for most people.

Who will enjoy the long stretches aboard

This excursion suits you if you enjoy the journey as much as the destination. The catamaran gives you room to sit in the shade, stretch out on the nets, listen to music, take photos, and watch the sea. The sailing time also provides a useful break from Cartagena’s hot streets and busy historic center.

Families have several advantages here. The boat is large, life vests are available, lunch is included, and children can swim or try snorkeling without needing to spend the day on a crowded beach. A parent should still watch children closely around the water and the boat’s edges.

Couples may appreciate the calmer pace. The catamaran is comfortable enough for a leisurely day, and it is possible to enjoy the views without being surrounded by a constant party. The boat’s size also helps if one person in your group is prone to seasickness, although no boat can remove that risk entirely.

You may not enjoy it if you need a packed schedule. There is considerable time spent sailing, waiting, eating, and relaxing aboard. That is a feature for someone who wants a slow sea day, but a drawback for anyone expecting several island landings, guided activities, or continuous snorkeling.

Comfort, crowding, and practical drawbacks

A maximum of 100 people means this is not an intimate sailing trip. Even a roomy catamaran can feel busy when everyone is eating, changing, collecting gear, or getting into the water. The boat’s size helps, but it does not turn a shared excursion into a private charter.

The vessel has restrooms, which is important during a seven-and-a-half-hour outing. Changing areas are available, although one account noted that the changing space can become dirty during the day. Bring a small bag for wet clothing and keep your valuables organized.

The catamaran has both shaded and sunny seating. Shade is valuable in the Caribbean, especially during the middle of the day, so use sunscreen even when sitting under cover. The front nets are appealing for photos and a gentle sense of motion, but they may not suit anyone who dislikes spray or movement.

Weather is the great variable. The itinerary can change because of meteorological conditions, and the sea may become rougher on the way back. The catamaran generally handles that better than a small speedboat, but you should still consider motion sickness medication if you are sensitive.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. If poor weather cancels the trip, you are offered another date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of participants is not reached. Changes or cancellations inside the 24-hour window are not accepted.

My booking advice for the Rosario Islands

I would book Bona Vida if I wanted a well-equipped catamaran, swimming, a filling lunch, and a relaxed day at sea. The strongest features are the roomy vessel, stability in rougher water, included meal, soft drinks, and family-friendly pace.

I would not book it primarily for snorkeling or for visiting islands on foot. The stops are anchorages near Isla Grande and Barú, and several parts of the experience may happen without leaving the boat. Marine life and visibility can be limited, and fins are not included.

The tour earns its positive reputation through comfort and organization more than through exceptional reefs. At $106, that makes sense for someone who values an easy package with few surprise costs. Arrive early at Muelle de la Bodeguita, bring sun protection, keep valuables secure, expect extra charges for alcohol, and think of the day as a scenic Caribbean cruise with swimming rather than a strict island tour.

FAQ

Where does the Rosario Islands catamaran tour begin?

It begins at Muelle de la Bodeguita, Puerta 1, in central Cartagena, Bolívar, Colombia.

What time does the tour start?

The stated start time is 8:30 a.m. The experience lasts approximately seven hours and 30 minutes and returns to the original meeting point.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup is not included. You must make your own way to the meeting point.

What food is included with lunch?

You can choose seafood rice, rice with vegetables, or rice with chicken. Lunch is included in the tour price.

Are alcoholic drinks included?

No. Non-alcoholic drinks are included, but alcoholic beverages, coffee, and tea are not.

Can the schedule change because of weather?

Yes. The captain may change the itinerary or schedule because of weather conditions. If the whole experience is canceled because of poor weather, you can receive a different date or a full refund.