Full day Isla del Encanto – Rosario Islands

Clear water and a soft strip of sand make Isla del Encanto an easy day trip from Cartagena. I like the fast 60-minute speedboat ride to the Rosario Islands, and I like that your day includes lunch, loungers, pool access, and kayaking rather than charging for every basic comfort. The main drawback is the extra cost at the pier and oceanarium, plus a few rough edges during boarding.

This is best for couples and families who want a pretty, low-effort beach day instead of an active island adventure. I also like the quiet feel of the hotel beach and the choice between free time and a guided walk. If you want a truly local, independent island experience, the organized setup and sales pitches on the island may feel less appealing.

What Makes This Island Day Worth Considering

• A 60-minute speedboat ride gets you from Cartagena to the Rosario Islands and back within an eight-hour outing.
• More than 300 meters of sand give you room to rest, swim, use a hammock, or settle into a lounger.
• Lunch is included, served as a typical buffet-style meal with local flavors.
• Kayaking, pool access, loungers, and beach beds are part of the package.
• The Oceanario is optional, with a separate entrance fee of 30,000 Colombian pesos per person.
• A maximum of 40 people keeps the outing from becoming a huge boat excursion, though boarding may still feel busy.

Leaving Cartagena From the Bodeguita Pier

Your day begins at 8:00 a.m. at Gate 3 of the Bodeguita Pier, near Cartagena’s historic center. The exact meeting point is listed as Muelle de la Bodeguita, in the El Centro area. Give yourself enough time to find the correct gate and sort out the boarding payment before the boat leaves.

The pier requires a boarding tax of 31,500 Colombian pesos per person. That charge is not included in the advertised $158 price, so add it to your budget. The extra fee is easy to miss when comparing day trips, and it changes the real cost of the outing.

The early part of the trip can be the least polished. Getting through the pier gate and onto the boat may feel crowded or confusing, especially if several boats are loading at once. This is where a little patience helps. Keep your booking confirmation handy, listen for instructions, and do not assume the first boat or line you see is yours.

The speedboat ride itself takes about an hour. That is a useful balance: long enough to feel that you have left the city, but not so long that the boat journey eats up the whole day. Conditions can change on the water, and the ride back may be choppy. If you are sensitive to motion, sit where you feel most stable and keep your belongings secure.

Isla del Encanto’s Sand, Water, and Pool

The main stop is Isla del Encanto, located in the Corales del Rosario Natural Park. The island offers more than 300 meters of sand and a Caribbean setting designed for a full day of rest rather than constant sightseeing.

You can begin with a walk around the island, either on your own or with guidance. The guided option may help you get oriented, while free time gives you more control over your pace. Neither choice turns this into a demanding excursion. The central pleasure is simple: reach the beach, find a comfortable spot, and let the hours pass.

I like the fact that the package includes loungers, beach beds, and hammocks. These small comforts matter on a hot island day. You do not have to spend the whole afternoon sitting directly on the sand, and you can move between the beach and pool when you want a change.

The clear water is the main attraction. You can swim, cool off, or use the included kayak. Kayaking adds a little activity without changing the relaxed character of the day. It is a good option when you want more than sunbathing but do not want a full water-sports program.

The beach is connected to the Isla del Encanto hotel, so this is not a remote castaway beach with no facilities. That makes the experience easier for families and couples who want access to a pool, seating, food, and restrooms. It also means the setting has a resort feel. If your ideal island day involves rough edges, local boats, and complete independence, this may feel packaged.

A Buffet Lunch With Local Flavors

Lunch comes as a typical buffet-style meal and is included in the price. That is helpful because you do not need to arrange a separate meal on the island, and the timing fits naturally into a full beach day.

The food has received strong praise, although one account found the buffet cheap in quality. That difference is worth keeping in mind. You should expect a practical group meal, not a carefully prepared restaurant tasting menu. The buffet is convenient and gives you a chance to sample local flavors, but food standards can be personal.

The included lunch adds real value to the package. A beach restaurant meal, chairs, pool use, and water transport could otherwise turn into a string of separate charges. Still, bring realistic expectations. The strongest part of this experience is the island setting and the easy day structure, not gourmet dining.

The Optional Oceanario Visit

The Oceanario is a separate stop and is optional. The visit lasts about one hour, and the facility features dolphins, turtles, rays, cat sharks, and other marine life.

Admission costs 30,000 Colombian pesos per person. There is also a separate 20,000 Colombian peso boarding fee for the Oceanario. Those charges are not part of the tour price, so check the total before deciding to go.

The Oceanario makes sense if you enjoy seeing marine animals and want a structured activity beyond beach time. It may also suit families who need a break from swimming and sitting in the sun. If you would rather spend every minute on Isla del Encanto, skip it and keep your day at the beach.

Because the Oceanario takes about an hour, the choice affects your available free time. This is not a flaw, but it is a tradeoff. You are choosing marine exhibits over another hour at the pool, beach, or kayak.

What the $158 Price Really Covers

At $158 per person, this is not a bargain beach transfer. You are paying for a complete day package that includes speedboat transportation, lunch, access to loungers and beach beds, pool use, and kayaking.

The price makes better sense if you use the included features. Spend time in the water, take a kayak, use the hammock or lounger, and enjoy the lunch rather than treating the trip as nothing more than a boat ride to a beach. If you only want transport and a few hours of sand, a cheaper option may suit you better.

Remember the 31,500 Colombian peso boarding tax. If you add the Oceanario, the 30,000 peso entrance fee and 20,000 peso boarding fee also apply. These charges can make the final total noticeably higher.

The value is strongest for a couple or family that wants convenience. You avoid arranging separate transport, food, beach seating, and pool access. The value is weaker for an independent traveler who prefers to choose a less structured beach, eat on their own, or spend the day exploring several places.

Service, Organization, and Group Size

The maximum group size is 40 people. That is large enough to create some movement at the pier, but small enough to avoid the feeling of a massive excursion fleet. On the island, the space and included seating help spread people out.

The staff on the boat and island have earned praise for being helpful and friendly. That matters when the day includes a busy departure, boat transfers, a buffet, and several optional activities. Good staff can make a packaged day feel calm.

Organization is the weak point. The pier process may be confusing, and boarding can feel disordered. The experience improves if you arrive prepared rather than expecting a polished airport-style check-in. Keep your ticket details accessible, allow time for the boarding tax, and ask directly where you should wait.

There can also be sales pressure on the island. You may encounter people trying to sell souvenirs or other items. A polite no and a clear decision about what you want to buy will save time. You should not expect the island to be free from commercial activity simply because the beach feels peaceful.

The Ride Back to Cartagena

The return boat goes directly to the Bodeguita Pier in the afternoon, and the activity ends back at the original meeting point. That direct return is useful because you do not have to find a second transfer in Cartagena.

The water can be rougher later in the day. A choppy ride may cause the boat to hit hard at the front, so this is not the best choice if you need a perfectly smooth journey. Weather and sea conditions are outside the operator’s control, but they can shape your comfort.

The full outing lasts about eight hours. That gives you a substantial island day while leaving the evening open in Cartagena. You should still expect much of the day to be taken up by transport, boarding, lunch, and organized timing. The attraction is the complete escape, not maximum time alone on the beach.

Practical Tips Before You Go

Bring your own towel. Towels are not listed among the included items, and you may be charged for extras on the island. A swimsuit, sun protection, and a way to protect your phone are sensible choices for a day around the pool, beach, and kayak.

Plan for the extra pier costs in Colombian pesos. The required boarding tax is 31,500 pesos per person. The Oceanario adds 30,000 pesos for admission and 20,000 pesos for its boarding fee, each per person.

Keep the morning start in mind. You must reach Gate 3 at the Bodeguita Pier by the 8:00 a.m. start time. The activity is confirmed when booked, and most people can participate, but the data provided does not promise a specific accessibility setup.

Weather matters. The tour requires good conditions, and a cancellation caused by poor weather gives you the choice of another date or a full refund. For your own plans, avoid placing an important evening flight too close to the return, since sea conditions can affect the boat journey.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience begins. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted.

Who Will Enjoy Isla del Encanto Most?

I would choose this outing for a couple or family that wants a beautiful and quiet island day with the practical parts handled. You get transport, food, seating, a pool, and a kayak without having to build the day yourself.

It also works for visitors who have limited time in Cartagena. An eight-hour trip lets you see the Rosario Islands without arranging an overnight stay or a complicated series of transfers.

I would think twice if you want serious adventure, a very local island culture, or a completely unstructured day. The organized hotel setting, extra fees, sales activity, and occasional boarding confusion may bother you. The buffet is useful, but it is not the reason to book.

Should You Book This Rosario Islands Tour?

Book it if you value convenience, calm beach time, and included comforts more than total independence. The private-feeling beach, clear water, pool, hammocks, lunch, and kayaking create a pleasant full-day escape, especially for families and couples.

Skip it if the $158 price feels high once you add the boarding tax and optional Oceanario costs. You may also want another option if rough boat rides, crowded boarding, or souvenir sellers would spoil your day.

My call: this is a solid, easy Rosario Islands outing with a few avoidable surprises. Budget for the extras, bring your own towel, arrive ready for a busy pier, and treat the buffet as practical rather than fancy. Do that, and Isla del Encanto offers a comfortable Caribbean break from Cartagena.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin?

It begins at Gate 3 of the Bodeguita Pier, also called Muelle de la Bodeguita, in the El Centro area of Cartagena.

What time does the tour start?

The listed start time is 8:00 a.m.

How long does the tour last?

The full activity lasts approximately eight hours.

How long is the boat ride to Isla del Encanto?

The speedboat journey from Cartagena to the Rosario Islands takes about 60 minutes.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included and is served as a typical buffet-style meal.

Are loungers and pool access included?

Yes. Sun loungers, beach beds, hammocks, and pool access are included.

Is kayaking included?

Yes. Kayaking is listed as an included activity.

Is the Oceanario visit included?

No. The Oceanario is optional and has a separate entrance fee of 30,000 Colombian pesos per person.

Are there other Oceanario charges?

Yes. The Oceanario also has a 20,000 Colombian peso boarding fee per person.

Is the pier boarding tax included?

No. The required boarding tax is 31,500 Colombian pesos per person.

Where does the tour end?

The tour returns to the Bodeguita Pier, the same meeting point where it begins.

How many people can join the tour?

The activity has a maximum of 40 participants.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start are not refunded.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

You will be offered a different date or a full refund.