5 Islands VIP Escape : Snorkeling, Private Lunch & Open Bar

Cartagena’s best-known island day trips pack a lot into one boat ride, and this one covers the main names: Rosario Islands, Isla Grande, Cholón, and Playa Tranquila Barú. You’ll see Bocachica’s forts from the water, snorkel over a sunken plane, eat lunch on a private island, and finish with beach time.

I like the variety and the speedboat ride, which gives you several different sides of the Colombian Caribbean in half a day. I also like that lunch and snorkeling equipment are included, keeping the $120 price easier to understand. The catch is that this is not a quiet luxury outing. Crowds, loud music, basic snorkeling equipment, and a return to a city pier instead of your hotel may disappoint you.

Key points to know before you book

• The sunken plane at Isla Grande sits about 7 meters underwater and is the main snorkeling attraction.
• Cholón is a party stop, with loud crossover music, boats, and a social beach scene rather than peace and quiet.
• Lunch is served on a private island, with several food choices and time to rest.
• Playa Tranquila Barú can be crowded, but it offers white sand and warm water for a final swim.
• The tour ends at Pegasus Pier, so you must arrange and pay for your own ride back to your hotel.
• The boat ride is one of the strongest parts, but the total schedule can feel rushed at roughly 45 minutes per stop.

What this $120 island trip really offers

At $120 per person, this experience sits above a basic shared boat excursion but below a true private charter. You are paying for a full route, a guide, lunch, snorkeling equipment, medical assistance, and transport to the departure point. The word VIP should not lead you to expect a small, polished yacht or personal service throughout the day.

The group limit is listed as 100 people, which is a large possible group. At some stops, you may share beach space and facilities with many other boat parties. The boat itself has received strong praise for being clean, comfortable, and quick, with one description placing its comfortable capacity at roughly 12 to 15 people. That suggests the ride may feel more pleasant than the beach stops, though the overall operation can involve larger groups and shared partners.

The biggest value here is coverage. In one morning and early afternoon, you get fort views, an island panorama, snorkeling, a party beach, lunch, and another swim. If you want one easy package that checks off several Cartagena day-trip sights, that range is useful.

The weak point is time. With about 45 minutes allocated to most stops, you will not have long at any one place. Add the early pickup, check-in, boat transfers, and return to Cartagena, and the day becomes a brisk circuit rather than a slow island escape.

Starting in Cartagena and reaching the water

The official meeting point is the Monumento Torre del Reloj, also called Boca del Puente, in Cartagena’s historic center. The stated start time is 8:00 a.m., and the operator says passengers are picked up about an hour early from their locations and taken to the meeting point for check-in.

That wording needs careful attention. The tour does not include a return to your hotel. The morning pickup may help you reach the departure area, but you should confirm exactly where and when you will be collected. One reported experience involved a pickup running 30 minutes late, so build in patience and avoid scheduling a tight afternoon commitment.

The route begins from the city’s dock area. The air-conditioned vehicle is useful in Cartagena’s heat, especially before boarding, but the transportation arrangements are not the polished private-transfer service implied by the VIP label. One account described an older, dirty return bus, so I would treat the vehicle portion as functional rather than a highlight.

Bring a small bag that you can keep close. You will move between vehicle, dock, boat, beach, and restaurant, sometimes through crowded areas. A dry bag or waterproof pouch is sensible for cash, phones, and cards.

Bocachica’s forts from the boat

One of the first scenic moments is a panoramic view of the forts at Bocachica. Your guide provides a historical overview while you look from the water.

This is a good use of a boat route because Bocachica’s defenses make more sense when seen from the channel they once protected. The stop is not a land visit, so you will not explore the fort interiors or walk through the walls. Think of it as a short orientation to Cartagena’s coastal defenses, with the boat view doing most of the work.

The quality of this part depends heavily on the guide’s explanation. No guide names are provided, so you cannot request a particular person in advance. If you care about the historical side, stay near the guide and listen during the panorama rather than treating this as background scenery.

Rosario Islands: pretty views, limited time

The boat continues through the Rosario archipelago for a panoramic tour and a guide-led introduction to its history and culture. This is the broadest scenic part of the route, with island views and open water rather than a single attraction.

I like this section because it gives you context before the activity stops. You get a sense of how spread out the islands are and why boat access is central to the region. It also helps you decide which kind of island experience suits you, even though the schedule does not allow long exploration.

Do not expect a full island tour on foot. The listed time is about 45 minutes, and the stop is described as panoramic. You will see the archipelago from the boat, not visit every island or spend an afternoon at one resort.

The speedboat ride itself may be your favorite part. It offers fresh air, wide views, and a faster way to cover the distance than a slow public boat. The tradeoff is motion and exposure to sun and spray, so secure hats and loose belongings.

Isla Grande and the sunken plane

At Isla Grande, the group stops for roughly 30 minutes of snorkeling. The main feature is a plane on the seabed at about 7 meters deep, along with coral reefs and fish.

This is a memorable idea for a short excursion. A submerged aircraft gives the swim a clear focus, and the coral and fish add more to see once you are in the water. Snorkeling masks are included, and use of a life jacket with the guide is mandatory.

Pay attention to what is not included in the equipment description. The mask is supplied, but accounts of the activity describe a mask without a breathing tube or fins. That means you should not assume a full snorkel set. It may be closer to a guided surface swim using a mask, and the lack of fins or a floating support can make the 30 minutes more tiring.

If you are not a confident swimmer, the life jacket and guide are helpful, but the outing still involves getting into open water from a boat. Ask the crew for clear instructions before entering. The stop is short, so the group may need to move quickly once everyone is ready.

Cholón: music, boats, and a loud beach scene

Cholón is known as the party island, and the tour gives you about 45 minutes there. Expect crossover music and a social atmosphere rather than a calm beach break.

This stop can be a lot of fun if you want music, drinks, and a busy floating-party setting. It is also the part most likely to clash with your expectations. Cholón can become cramped, noisy, and messy when many boats arrive at once. The setting is aimed more at people looking for an energetic social scene than anyone seeking quiet water or a clean, empty shoreline.

Alcoholic drinks are not included in the package. You may buy drinks at stops, but prices can be high, and card payments are not always reliable on the islands. Carry Colombian pesos in small amounts and keep them in a secure waterproof pouch.

The tour’s open-bar title also needs a second look. The included-items list specifically excludes alcoholic beverages, and the general description does not clearly confirm an open bar during the trip. I would not book on the assumption that unlimited alcohol is covered. Confirm this directly with Costeña Travel before paying.

Lunch on a private island

After the party stop, you arrive at a private island for lunch. Several meal options are offered, and the plan allows about 45 minutes to eat and relax.

This is a useful pause in a fast-moving day. You can sit down, eat, and recover before the final beach stop. The private-island setting may feel calmer than Cholón, though it is not necessarily a private beach reserved only for your group.

Lunch is included, but standards can vary. A past account described the food as acceptable but small, while another found lunch delicious. That difference is a reminder that meal expectations should stay practical. This is an included group lunch, not a long restaurant meal with generous portions and polished service.

Facilities may also be basic. One account described limited hand-washing arrangements at a beach restaurant, using a shared bucket rather than running water. Carry hand sanitizer, even though it is not listed as part of the tour supplies.

Water and snacks require special care. Bottled water is listed as not included, and one response from the operator said a bottle of water, fruit tasting, and shrimp cocktail should have been provided, though this is not clear in the main inclusions. Bring your own water and confirm any food extras before departure.

Playa Tranquila Barú and the final swim

The final stop is Playa Tranquila Barú, described as a quiet beach with white sand and warm Caribbean water. You get about 45 minutes to swim and relax.

The beach can be attractive, but the word quiet is not guaranteed. Barú is a major day-trip destination, and crowded access roads, packed beach areas, and many nearby visitors can change the mood. One account described a rough road approaching the beach, with a slow, crater-filled ride over a short distance and a crowded walk from the parking area.

That matters because your beach time is already brief. If getting from the vehicle to the sand takes longer than expected, your 45 minutes can shrink. Some beach areas also belong to restaurants, so you may need to use the space connected with the tour’s lunch or partner facility rather than choosing any stretch of sand.

Card payments may be unreliable. The operator specifically recommends cash for drinks and meals sold on the island. I would carry pesos for optional purchases and avoid bringing valuables you do not need.

Returning to Cartagena without hotel drop-off

The stated return is between 3:00 and 3:30 p.m. at Muelle La Bodeguita, with the tour ending at the Pegasus Pier area. From there, you take a taxi back to your hotel.

This is an important cost and planning detail. Your $120 does not cover the final hotel transfer, and the day may end in a crowded dock area where you are hot, wet, and carrying beach gear. Keep some cash aside for the taxi instead of spending everything on island drinks.

The listed duration is approximately 5 hours and 30 minutes, but the pickup and return descriptions suggest the full door-to-door day may feel longer. If you have a flight, dinner reservation, or another timed activity, leave a generous buffer.

What to pack for this particular route

Pack lightly, but pack for several different settings.

• A swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, and hat
• Waterproof protection for your phone and cash
• Colombian pesos for drinks, food, and the taxi back
• Hand sanitizer and a refillable water bottle
• A dry change of clothes for the ride home
• Motion-sickness medication if speedboats bother you

Snorkeling masks are included, but fins and a breathing tube may not be. If you own comfortable personal equipment, ask if you can bring it. Wear secure sandals or water shoes because docks, boat ladders, and beach access can be awkward.

Medical assistance is included, but that does not remove the need to follow the guide’s safety instructions. The life jacket is mandatory during the snorkeling activity.

Who will enjoy this trip most

I would recommend this tour to you if you want an active sampler of Cartagena’s island circuit and do not mind moving often. It fits people who want a boat ride, a short snorkeling session, music at Cholón, lunch, and a beach swim without arranging several bookings themselves.

It is also a reasonable choice if you value convenience more than solitude. The package bundles the main stops, lunch, equipment, and a guide, which can be worthwhile at $120 when compared with arranging transport and boat access separately.

I would be cautious if you want a quiet beach day, generous personal space, high-end service, or a long snorkeling session. Families with young children should consider the boat transfers, crowded stops, and short timetable carefully. Confident swimmers may find the snorkeling too basic, while less confident swimmers should ask detailed questions about entry, supervision, and equipment.

Should you book the 5 Islands VIP Escape?

Book it if your ideal day is a fast-moving introduction to Cartagena’s coastal islands, with several recognizable stops and a lively finish. The boat ride, sunken plane, included lunch, and range of locations give the experience real value.

Skip it if the words VIP, private lunch, or open bar make you expect a small luxury cruise. The operational details point to a shared excursion with possible crowds, basic facilities, optional paid drinks, and no hotel drop-off. Before booking, confirm the pickup time, exact boat size, water and snack provisions, and what open bar means in practice.

The free-cancellation rule allows you to cancel up to 24 hours before the 8:00 a.m. start for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made inside that window are not accepted for a refund, so decide early.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts at the Monumento Torre del Reloj, also known as Boca del Puente, in Cartagena’s historic center. The listed start time is 8:00 a.m.

Does the tour pick me up at my hotel?

The operator says passengers are picked up about an hour early from their locations and taken to the meeting point for check-in. Return transportation to your hotel is not included.

Where does the tour end?

The tour ends at the Pegasus Pier area, listed as Muelle La Bodeguita. You arrange your own taxi back to your hotel.

How long is the experience?

The stated duration is approximately 5 hours and 30 minutes. The return is scheduled between 3:00 and 3:30 p.m.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

A mask for snorkeling is included. A life jacket must be used during the activity, and a guide supervises the snorkeling.

What will I see while snorkeling?

At Isla Grande, you can see a plane on the seabed at about 7 meters deep, along with coral reefs and fish. The snorkeling time is approximately 30 minutes.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is served on a private island, with several options available. Bottled water is not listed as included.

Are alcoholic drinks included?

The included-items information specifically lists alcoholic beverages as not included. Carry cash for drinks and food purchases on the islands, since card payments may be unreliable.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not accepted for a refund.