Full day Isla del Encanto – Rosario Islands

The best part of this day trip is the change of scene: in about an hour by speedboat, you leave Cartagena’s port behind and reach Isla del Encanto, a sandy island base inside Corales del Rosario Natural Park. You get sea, pool, hammocks, kayaking, and a buffet lunch without having to arrange separate transport.

I like the generous stretch of sand and the fact that you can choose your pace. You can swim, rest under the Caribbean sun, or spend quiet time on a lounger. I also like the optional Oceanario visit, which adds dolphins, turtles, rays, and catsharks for travelers who want more than a beach day.

The main concern is value. At $158 per person, you still pay the boarding tax, and the Oceanario costs extra. The port can feel disorganized, and the ride home may be rough when the sea picks up, so this is not the right choice if you want a polished, low-cost outing.

Key points to know before booking

• A 60-minute speedboat ride gets you from Cartagena to Isla del Encanto, with departure from Gate 3 at the Bodeguita Pier.
• The island offers more than a beach: you have access to loungers, beach beds, hammocks, a pool, and kayaks.
• Lunch is a typical buffet, included in the tour price but described by one review as simple rather than special.
• The Oceanario is optional and costs extra, with an entrance fee of 30,000 COP plus a 20,000 COP boarding fee.
• The group may include up to 40 people, so the experience is best for couples and families who do not need a small private boat.
• Bring your own towel and extra cash, since towels and some island services may cost more once you arrive.

From Cartagena’s Bodeguita Pier to the Rosario Islands

Your day starts at 8:00 a.m. at the Bodeguita Pier, at Gate 3. The meeting point is in the El Centro area, but the port itself can be confusing when several boats and groups are preparing to leave. Give yourself time to find the correct gate and confirm where your group is gathering.

The boarding process is one of the less polished parts of the experience. The pier has gates, fees, and several departures, and it may not feel as orderly as the rest of the day. You should keep your booking confirmation handy and expect a wait while the operator organizes boarding.

The boat ride to the Rosario Islands takes about 60 minutes. This is a speedboat, not a slow sightseeing vessel, so you get to the island reasonably fast, but you also feel the motion of the sea. The crossing can be pleasant when the water is calm. On the return, choppy conditions may make the boat hit hard at the front, which is worth considering if you are prone to seasickness or dislike rough rides.

This transportation is both the tour’s strength and its tradeoff. You save the trouble of arranging your own boat, but you give up some control over comfort and timing. Bring sun protection, secure loose belongings, and consider motion-sickness medicine if boat travel usually bothers you.

Isla del Encanto’s 300 meters of sand

The main destination is Isla del Encanto, a hotel and beach base in Corales del Rosario Natural Park. The island has more than 300 meters of sand, giving you room to spread out even when the day is active.

I like that the setting gives you several ways to spend your time. You are not limited to sitting in one beach chair. You can swim in the sea, use the pool, rest on a beach bed, or stretch out in a hammock. The mix makes the stop a good fit for a family or couple with different ideas about what makes a good island day.

The beach has a quiet feel compared with a city beach, though you should not expect complete solitude. The island serves day visitors, and the group may reach 40 people. One of the strongest impressions from the available feedback is that the beach can feel quite private and peaceful, especially for those who want a calm break from Cartagena.

You can explore the island on your own or take a guided walk. The provided details do not name a guide, and the tour does not promise a particular guide for the island portion. If you want a more structured visit, ask staff when you arrive about the guided option and where it begins.

Pool, hammocks, and kayaking between swims

The included facilities are a big part of the price. You receive access to sun loungers, beach beds, the pool, and hammocks, along with kayaking. These are not minor extras if you plan to spend most of the day at the hotel base.

I would plan for a simple rhythm: swim in the sea, dry off in the sun, use the pool, then retreat to a hammock before lunch. Kayaking gives you an active option without turning the day into a demanding excursion. The available information does not specify how long you can kayak or whether equipment is assigned on a schedule, so check the local arrangements after arrival.

The setup works especially well for families. A child who tires of the sea can use the pool, while an adult can rest nearby. Couples can split the day between the water and the loungers without needing to join a full program every hour.

There is also a practical point here: bring your own towel. A review specifically warns that the island may charge for some items, and towels are not listed among the included services. Pack a towel, swimsuit, hat, sunscreen, and a dry bag or protected pouch for valuables.

What to expect from the buffet lunch

Lunch is included and served buffet-style, with typical local flavors. That makes the meal convenient. You do not need to search for a restaurant or pay separately for a midday meal while you are on the island.

I would keep expectations realistic. The food received strong praise in one account, while another described the buffet as cheap and basic. Those views are not necessarily contradictory: the meal may be satisfying and useful after a morning in the water, but it is not a destination meal worth building the whole tour around.

A buffet also suits a mixed group. You can choose what appeals to you, and families do not have to wait for made-to-order dishes. Still, if you have strict dietary needs, the supplied information does not confirm special menus, so ask the operator before booking.

The lunch stop helps make the day feel self-contained. With transport, beach facilities, activities, and food included, you are paying for a ready-made island day rather than just a boat transfer. The question is whether that convenience matters enough to justify the price.

The optional Oceanario visit

The Oceanario is an optional stop lasting about one hour. It is not included in the main price. Admission costs 30,000 COP per person, and the separate Oceanario boarding fee is listed as 20,000 COP per person.

The visit gives you a chance to see dolphins, turtles, rays, catsharks, and other marine life. For families, this may be the most memorable part of the day. It adds variety when someone in your group does not want to spend every hour swimming or sitting on the beach.

For a couple focused on a quiet island stay, the Oceanario may feel like an unnecessary add-on. You will need to pay more, leave the main beach setting, and fit the visit into a day that already includes boat travel and several hours at Isla del Encanto.

I would decide before boarding. The extra charges are modest compared with the total tour price, but they can catch you off guard if you assume every activity is included. Bring Colombian pesos for the 30,000 COP entrance and 20,000 COP boarding fee, as well as the required boarding tax for the main trip.

What the $158 price really covers

At $158 per person, this is a premium day trip from Cartagena. The price includes speedboat transportation, lunch, loungers, beach beds, pool access, and kayaking. You are also buying simplicity: one booking covers the main transport and the island facilities, rather than leaving you to coordinate each part.

The value is strongest if you want a comfortable resort-style day. You can arrive at a prepared beach base, use the pool and loungers, eat lunch, and return to Cartagena the same afternoon. For a couple or family that values ease and a predictable setting, this can be worth more than a bare-bones boat ticket.

The value is weaker if you are looking for a rugged island adventure or a low-cost outing. The experience is centered on one hotel island, not on a long visit to several islands or a remote beach. You also pay a boarding tax of 31,500 COP per person, which is not included.

Add the Oceanario costs and the total rises again. The admission is 30,000 COP, with an additional 20,000 COP boarding fee per person. The tour can still suit you, but you should calculate the full amount before deciding.

How the group size changes the experience

The maximum group size is 40 people. That is not a small private outing, and the group size matters most at the pier, during boarding, and when everyone is moving between the boat and the island.

Once you arrive, the island facilities may spread people out. The sand, pool, hammocks, and loungers give you different places to go, which can make the group feel less noticeable. Still, you should not expect personalized service or a flexible departure time.

This setup is a good match for families, couples, and first-time visitors who want a straightforward Rosario Islands day. It is less suited to you if you want a private boat, a quiet guide-led trip, or the freedom to change the itinerary at will.

The experience also has a social side. You may share the ride and parts of the day with other groups, but you can choose how much time you spend with them. The island portion is not described as a tightly scheduled series of activities, so you have some freedom once you arrive.

Practical drawbacks to plan around

The first issue is the port. Getting through the gate and onto the boat can be confusing, especially if several departures are taking place. Arrive prepared, keep your documents and booking details accessible, and follow instructions from the operator rather than assuming every sign is clear.

The second issue is extra spending. The boarding tax is separate, and the Oceanario has two separate charges. You may also encounter charges for items such as towels. Carry enough Colombian pesos and pack the basics yourself.

The third issue is the sea. A speedboat ride is efficient, but the return can be rough. If you want the smoothest possible outing, weather matters. The operator requires good weather, and if poor conditions cancel the experience, you are offered another date or a full refund.

The final issue is the level of adventure. This is a comfortable beach day with optional activities, not a demanding expedition. You get a prepared base with a pool and buffet, which some people will find relaxing and others may find too managed or too expensive.

Who will enjoy Isla del Encanto most

I would recommend this day to you if you want a clear, easy plan for seeing the Rosario Islands from Cartagena. It works well when your ideal day includes warm water, a broad sandy area, a pool, a hammock, and a meal without much decision-making.

Families should find the mix of sea, pool, kayaking, and optional marine-life viewing useful. A couple can also make good use of the island by treating the schedule as a relaxed beach day rather than trying to complete every available activity.

You may want another option if you are seeking a remote beach, a small private group, or a low price. You should also think twice if you are sensitive to boat motion, since the speedboat and choppy return can affect the comfort of the day.

The tour is also best for people who accept a little port confusion in exchange for a ready-arranged outing. Once you understand the extra fees and the group size, the decision becomes much clearer.

Booking, cancellation, and timing

The tour starts at 8:00 a.m. and ends back at the Bodeguita Pier. The full experience lasts about eight hours, with the main island portion taking about seven hours and the optional Oceanario visit taking about one hour.

Confirmation is provided when you book. Most people can participate, and the maximum group size is 40. The supplied information does not give a detailed accessibility description, so contact Colombia Travel before booking if you have mobility needs or require specific assistance.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not refunded or accepted. Weather can also cancel the trip, in which case you receive a choice of another date or a full refund.

Should you book this Rosario Islands day trip?

Book it if you want a full-service island day with beach, pool, lunch, and kayaking included. Isla del Encanto offers enough space and comfort to keep a couple or family happy for several hours, and the optional Oceanario gives you a useful extra choice.

Skip it if $158 feels high for a buffet lunch and a hotel beach, or if you want a more adventurous and private experience. The boarding tax, optional Oceanario charges, possible towel fees, and rough boat ride can reduce the value.

My practical call: this is a good choice for a first Rosario Islands visit when convenience matters more than independence. Arrive early at Gate 3, bring a towel and Colombian pesos, and decide in advance if the Oceanario is worth the added cost.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin?

The tour 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 scheduled start time is 8:00 a.m.

How long does the experience last?

The full experience lasts approximately eight hours. The main Isla del Encanto portion is listed at about seven hours, and the optional Oceanario visit takes about one hour.

How do I reach Isla del Encanto?

You travel by speedboat from the Bodeguita Pier. The trip 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 the pool, loungers, and kayaks included?

Yes. The tour includes sun loungers, beach beds, pool access, and kayaking.

Is the Oceanario included in the price?

No. Oceanario admission costs 30,000 COP per person, and an additional Oceanario boarding fee of 20,000 COP per person is listed.

Is the boarding tax included?

No. The boarding tax costs 31,500 COP per person and is not included in the tour price.