One amazing day in a private recent sailing boat in the Tayrona Park. The best sail trip from Santa Marta!

Leave the marina, leave the crowds. This private sailing trip pairs Tayrona scenery with a full day on the water, giving your group time to swim, snorkel, paddleboard, sunbathe, and simply enjoy the boat. I especially like the quiet, flexible format and the friendly couple who host the trip, Thierry and Amy-Esther. They have been praised for finding less-busy coves and shaping the day around each group.

I also like the practical details: snorkeling gear is provided, a fresh sandwich and one drink are included, and the boat has a large rear swim platform. The main point to consider is weather. The captain may change the bay if conditions are poor, and Tayrona access is suspended during several yearly closure periods.

Key Points To Know Before You Book

• Private boat for up to 12 people: You spend the day only with your own family or friends, rather than sharing the boat with a large mixed group.
• Bahia Concha around noon: The main swimming stop gives you several hours for snorkeling, paddleboarding, swimming, beach time, and relaxing aboard.
• A relaxed sailing schedule: Departure is at 10:30 a.m., the return begins around 3:30 p.m., and the full outing lasts about seven and a half hours.
• A large rear swim platform: You can enter the sea directly from the back of the boat, which is useful for swimmers who prefer easy access.
• Flexible food and drink setup: A fresh sandwich and one drink are included. Beer, wine, rum, and other drinks can be purchased onboard, with coolers available.
• Alternative bays during closures or poor weather: Playa Blanca, Inca Inca, or Taganga may replace Tayrona when access or sea conditions prevent the planned route.

Leaving Santa Marta At 10:30 a.m.

The day begins at the yacht rental office at Cra. 1 #22-93 in Santa Marta’s Comuna 2. The meeting point is near public transportation, and the activity ends at the same place, so you do not need to arrange a separate ride back after a long day at sea.

The late-morning departure works well. You have time to reach the marina without a dawn start, yet you still get a full day on the water. The sailing trip lasts about seven hours and 30 minutes, with the boat reaching the bay at roughly noon and beginning the return trip around 3:30 p.m.

This is a private activity for your group only. Up to 12 people can book together, making the $790 group price easier to understand. For two people, it is a major splurge. For a larger family or two families sharing the cost, the per-person price becomes much more reasonable, especially since you get a private boat, crew, equipment, snacks, and a full day out.

The boat is described as a recent sailing boat, and the strongest praise centers on its clean, well-kept condition. That matters on a seven-hour trip. You are not just using the boat to reach a beach. You will spend much of the day sitting, swimming, eating, and relaxing onboard.

Sailing Along Santa Marta’s Coast

The first part of the outing is about the pleasure of getting there. The boat heads from Santa Marta toward Tayrona National Natural Park, with the coast and sea providing the main show. On a lucky day, you might fish or spot dolphins alongside the boat.

Dolphin sightings are never guaranteed, of course, but the possibility adds a little fun to the crossing. Fishing is also described as something that may happen if conditions and luck cooperate, not as a promised activity. I would treat both as welcome extras rather than reasons to book the trip.

The sailing itself is meant to be calm and social. You can talk with your group, enjoy the scenery, and let the crew handle the route. Thierry and Amy-Esther have been praised for their warm hosting, easy conversation, and effort to make the day feel personal. Their ability to speak several languages can also make communication easier for mixed-language groups.

One especially useful detail is the crew’s willingness to choose a quieter cove when possible. The exact bay can change with conditions, but the goal is clear: less noise, more room to swim, and a more peaceful day than you might get at a busy public beach.

Bahia Concha Around Noon

The main scheduled stop is Bahia Concha, reached at about 12:00 p.m. This gives you roughly three and a half hours at the bay before the boat begins its return around 3:30 p.m.

Bahia Concha is valuable here because the stop is not rushed. You are not stepping off for a quick photo and immediately moving on. You can divide the time in the way that suits your group.

You might begin with a swim from the rear platform, then take the snorkeling equipment into the water. Later, you can use the paddleboard, sit on the beach, or return to the boat for a quiet break. If some members of your group want activity while others want to lie in the sun, the private format makes that easy.

The large bathing platform at the back of the boat is a practical feature. It gives you a direct, low step into the sea and makes getting back onboard simpler. You can also jump from the sailboat if that sounds appealing, though you should always follow the captain’s instructions and check that the water is safe before entering.

The swimming and snorkeling are among the biggest reasons to choose this trip. Equipment is supplied, so you do not need to bring your own mask and snorkel. Still, conditions can affect visibility and water comfort, so think of snorkeling as an included opportunity rather than a guaranteed underwater spectacle.

The beach adds another choice. You can split your time between the sand and the boat, which is useful for families and mixed-age groups. Children can enjoy the water and paddleboard, while adults can sit back with a drink or take in the view.

Lunch, Snacks, And Drinks Onboard

A fresh sandwich is served during the day, and a drink is included for each person. Snacks are also part of the experience. This is not a full restaurant meal, so I would not book it expecting an elaborate lunch, but the food helps keep the day simple.

You can buy additional drinks onboard, including beer, wine, and rum. Coolers are available if needed. The supplied information does not specify the extra-drink prices, so ask about those costs before ordering if you are watching your budget.

The food and drink arrangement suits a boat day because you do not need to interrupt your time in the bay to find lunch. It also keeps the mood informal. You can eat on the boat, continue swimming afterward, and avoid turning the middle of the day into a long shore-side meal.

For a private group, this flexibility is a real advantage. One group may want a relaxed lunch and a long swim. Another may prefer to spend more time paddleboarding and less time sitting down. The crew can help shape the pace, within the fixed sailing window and sea conditions.

The Return Sail At 3:30 p.m.

At about 3:30 p.m., the boat begins the journey back to the marina. The return is made under sail when possible, with a quieter feel than the active middle of the day.

This final stretch is a good reason to avoid packing the schedule too tightly afterward. The advertised duration is approximate, and wind or sea conditions can affect timing. Since you return to the original meeting point, you can collect your belongings and continue your evening in Santa Marta from there.

The return sail also gives the outing a proper finish. You have had the crossing, the bay, the water activities, lunch, and then a slower trip home. It feels more like a full day at sea than a simple transfer to a beach.

Weather, Bay Changes, And Tayrona Closures

The captain can change the planned bay if weather or sea conditions make the original destination unsuitable. This is an important safety decision, not a failure of the trip. You should book this experience for the sailing day as a whole, rather than for one exact beach at all costs.

When Tayrona access is suspended, an alternative destination is offered. The listed alternatives are Playa Blanca, Inca Inca, or Taganga. These places give you a different coastal outing, but you should not assume the same scenery or atmosphere as Bahia Concha.

Tayrona access is suspended during these periods:

• February 1 through February 15
• June 1 through June 15
• October 19 through November 2

If your dates fall within one of these windows, confirm the alternative plan before booking. The private boat, water time, and crew remain central parts of the day, but the destination will change.

The experience also requires good weather. If the operator cancels because of poor conditions, you are offered another date or a full refund. If you need to cancel for your own reasons, you must do so at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes made less than 24 hours ahead are not accepted.

What The Crew Adds To The Day

The strongest feature is not a single beach or piece of equipment. It is the way Thierry and Amy-Esther host the day.

The pair have been described as caring, gracious, experienced sailors who make a genuine effort to tailor the outing. That shows up in small choices: finding a quieter cove, adjusting the pace, helping a group make the most of snorkeling and paddleboarding, or simply keeping conversation pleasant during the crossing.

Several groups described the day as relaxing, memorable, and well organized. One family even wished they had booked two days after seeing how much the children enjoyed the boat. Another group was lucky enough to have dolphins play near the boat during the sail.

That does not mean the day is tightly programmed. In fact, the charm comes from having space to choose. You can be active for an hour, then do nothing for the next one. On a private sailing trip, doing nothing is not wasted time. It is often the point.

Who Will Enjoy This Sailing Trip Most

This is a strong choice for families, couples, and groups of friends who want a private day on the water. It works especially well for a group with different ideas about fun, since some people can swim and snorkel while others stay onboard or spend time on the beach.

It also suits people who prefer a personal outing over a fixed group excursion. The private booking means only your own group participates, and the crew can shape the day around your interests.

The trip may be less suitable if you need a guaranteed visit to one exact bay, want a large meal included, or dislike the possibility of changing plans because of weather. It is also not the cheapest way for two people to see the coast. The price makes more sense when shared among several people.

Most people can participate, and the meeting point is near public transportation. The supplied information does not give specific details about mobility equipment or boat access, so anyone with particular accessibility needs should ask the provider before booking.

Is $790 Good Value For A Private Boat?

The price is $790 per group, with up to 12 people included. At the maximum group size, that works out to about $66 per person before any extra drinks. For six people, it is about $132 each. For two people, it is $395 each.

That range tells you who gets the best value. A full group receives a private boat, a captain and host crew, snorkeling gear, paddleboard access, snacks, a sandwich, one drink per person, and around seven and a half hours of time. A small group pays much more for the same setup.

I would compare this with the cost of separate boat trips, beach transport, meals, and equipment rental. The private format also removes the usual compromise over where to stop or how long to stay. If privacy and flexibility matter to you, the price is easier to justify.

If you are a solo visitor or a couple on a tight budget, a shared boat trip may be a better fit. If you are celebrating with family or friends, splitting the group rate can turn this into a sensible premium day rather than an extravagant one.

Should You Book Vela del Mar?

I would book this sailing trip if you want a private, flexible day at sea and your group is large enough to share the cost. The combination of sailing, swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, beach time, and a quiet return gives the day variety without making it feel rushed.

I would also choose it for the hosts. Thierry and Amy-Esther receive repeated praise for their warmth, care, multilingual communication, and ability to make the day feel personal. Those qualities matter when you are spending most of a day on a boat.

Before paying, check your dates against the Tayrona closure periods, ask about the alternative bay if needed, and confirm what extra drinks cost. If you can accept weather-based changes and want the experience of having the boat to yourself, this is one of the stronger ways to see the coast from Santa Marta.

FAQ

How long does the sailing trip last?

The experience lasts approximately seven hours and 30 minutes.

What time does the boat leave?

The start time is 10:30 a.m. at the meeting point in Santa Marta.

Where does the tour meet?

The meeting point is Alquiler de Yates Santa Marta, Cra. 1 #22-93, Comuna 2, Santa Marta, Magdalena, Colombia.

Where does the trip end?

The activity ends back at the original meeting point.

Which bay is included in the itinerary?

The planned stop is Bahia Concha in Tayrona National Natural Park.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is provided for use during the trip.

What food and drinks are included?

A fresh sandwich, snacks, and one drink per person are included. Additional drinks such as beer, wine, and rum can be purchased onboard.

What happens if the weather is poor or Tayrona is closed?

The captain may choose another bay if weather conditions prevent reaching the planned destination. During Tayrona closure periods, alternatives such as Playa Blanca, Inca Inca, or Taganga may be offered. If the trip is canceled because of poor weather, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.