Boat rental for the Rosario Islands up to 15 people.

The best part of this Rosario Islands outing is control. You get a private boat for up to 15 people, then decide how long to stay at Isla Grande, Caño Ratón, La Piscina, Cholón, and Aguazul. I like the flexible island route and the fact that you can bring your own food, drinks, and music instead of following a fixed group schedule.

I also like the practical extras: 13 kilos of ice, a cooler, snorkeling gear, a restroom, life vests, and Bluetooth sound are included. The main caution is that the route moves forward, not backward. Once you leave a stop, you cannot return to it, so your group should agree on priorities before setting off.

Key points to know before booking

• Private boat for up to 15 people: The $815 price is per group, making the cost far more attractive when your party fills most of the boat.
• Eight hours on the water: Meet at Todomar CHL Marina in Bocagrande at 9 A.M. and return around 5 P.M.
• Flexible island sequence: You can choose how long to stay at each listed stop, but you cannot go back to a place already passed.
• Good onboard setup: Expect a cooler, 13 kilos of ice, a restroom, life vests, snorkeling equipment, Bluetooth music, and bottled water.
• Food and drinks are your choice: Bring your own supplies or buy a typical island lunch. Alcohol costs extra if arranged through the operator.
• Strong overall rating with one serious warning: The experience has a 4.9 rating and 99 percent recommendation rate, but one booking had a captain-related timing problem.

Why a private boat makes sense in Cartagena

A standard boat outing can be a fine way to reach the Rosario Islands, but a private charter changes the rhythm of the day. You are not locked into one timetable for every stop, and your group does not need to spend the afternoon adjusting to strangers.

That matters most when your party has mixed interests. Some people may want time in the water, while others may prefer music, photos, lunch, or a quiet break. Here, you can discuss the plan with the captain and skipper and set the pace within the limits of the route.

The boat carries up to 15 people, so this is best understood as a group purchase, not an individual ticket. At $815, the full-group price works out to about $54.33 per person if all 15 places are used. A group of 10 pays about $81.50 each, and a smaller party pays more per person.

That is a useful comparison point. If you have a birthday group, family party, wedding gathering, or a circle of friends, the private format can offer good value. If you are traveling alone or with only one other person, the total price is harder to justify.

The experience is booked about 19 days ahead on average, which suggests that planning early is sensible, especially if you want a particular date. Confirmation is provided when you book.

Leaving Todomar Marina at 9 A.M.

Your starting point is Todomar CHL Marina Bocagrande 2nda in Cartagena de Indias. The stated schedule runs from 9 A.M. to approximately 5 P.M., giving you a full day rather than a short afternoon ride.

A morning departure gives your group time to visit several places without rushing every stop. It also gives you a clear planning window for food. You can pack snacks and drinks before boarding, or arrange to buy a typical lunch on the islands.

The boat includes a cooler and 13 kilos of ice, which is particularly useful if you bring your own supplies. Alcoholic drinks are not included, but you may bring your own or arrange them for an additional charge. Bottled water is included at two 330cc bottles per person. That is a helpful start, though your group should think carefully about how much additional water and food to bring for eight hours at sea.

The professional sound system connects through Bluetooth. I see this as more than a small bonus on a private boat. Music lets your group set its own mood, but one person should handle the connection so the soundtrack does not become a constant negotiation.

Isla Grande and the first island stops

Isla Grande is one of the named stops on the route, along with Caño Ratón and La Piscina. The exact order and length of each visit can be shaped during the outing, so you should discuss the day with the crew early.

These stops give you room to divide the day among swimming, snorkeling, taking photos, and simply sitting on the boat. Snorkeling equipment is included, which saves you from arranging a separate rental. Life vests are also provided, and most people can participate.

Still, it helps to keep expectations practical. The description does not promise a specific reef, marine animal sighting, or underwater site. Snorkeling conditions can vary, and the value of the equipment is that you have the option to enter the water when your group finds a suitable moment.

La Piscina is a natural fit for a water stop, while Isla Grande and Caño Ratón help create the island-hopping feel of the day. Do not treat the route as a checklist. If one place is especially appealing to your group, make sure you agree on how long to stay before moving on.

The no-backtracking rule is important here. You cannot leave one point, visit another, and then ask the boat to return to the earlier stop. That restriction is not unusual on a timed boat day, but it makes planning more important than it might first appear.

Cholón and Aguazul on the route

Cholón is another named stop, and it can be a useful place to organize lunch or local purchases. The crew can offer practical help with ordering, as Luis and Moisés did for one birthday group, including advice about where and when to buy from local sellers.

That kind of assistance can make the day easier, especially if you do not speak much Spanish or are unsure how island purchases work. It does not mean every food order or purchase is included, so keep your spending separate from the charter price.

Aguazul completes the list of possible stops. The supplied details do not specify exactly what activity belongs to each stop, and the operator does not promise one fixed program at every island. Think of the route as a flexible set of places where your crew can choose to swim, snorkel, eat, take pictures, or pause on the water.

The ability to make those choices is the heart of the booking. The tradeoff is that the final day depends on communication. If your group wants a relaxed pace, say so. If you want to see more places, make that clear at the start. A private boat gives you options, but it does not remove the need to make decisions.

Food, ice, music, and the practical details

The included equipment is strong for a full day at sea. You get:

• Captain and skipper
• Fuel
• Private boat transportation
• Cooler
• 13 kilos of ice
• Life vests
• Snorkeling equipment
• Restroom on board
• Two 330cc bottles of water per person
• Bluetooth sound system

The restroom matters more than it may seem. An eight-hour boat day is much easier when you do not need to plan every stop around restroom access.

The ice and cooler are also valuable because food and drink are not included. You can bring your own snacks, drinks, and meals, or buy lunch on the islands. This flexibility keeps the charter from forcing one menu on your group, though it also means you need to organize provisions.

Alcohol is specifically excluded. You may bring your own drinks, or pay an additional cost if you want the operator to include them. Lunch works in a similar way: bring your own food or buy a typical island lunch for an added charge.

I would make a simple plan before boarding. Decide who is bringing food, who is bringing nonalcoholic drinks, and how the group will share the cooler. That small bit of organization can prevent a lot of fuss once the boat leaves the marina.

What the crew adds to the day

The service includes a captain and a skipper, and the crew can help shape the route. One particularly successful birthday outing was handled by Luis and Moisés, who were described as punctual, courteous, and fun. They offered island choices, helped the group find a private place for relaxing and pictures, and assisted with orders in Cholón.

You should still confirm the names of your assigned crew at booking or before departure, since Luis and Moisés are not stated as the guaranteed crew for every date. The useful point is the kind of help the service can provide: local timing advice, help with purchases, and route suggestions.

A private boat also makes communication easier. If you want more time at one stop, tell the crew before moving on. If your group has a firm lunch plan, mention it early. The crew can work with preferences, but the day still has a fixed return time of around 5 P.M.

There is one caution worth taking seriously. A separate booking had a major timing problem, with the captain reported as not appearing after the trip began later than expected. That account conflicts sharply with the otherwise strong rating, but it is still a reason to confirm the meeting time and arrival details carefully. The stated departure is 9 A.M., not noon.

The real value at $815 per group

The price looks high until you divide it among a full party. Fifteen people sharing the boat pay roughly $54 per person, while eight people pay about $102 each. Since fuel, crew, ice, equipment, and transportation are included, the price covers more than simply a boat seat.

The private format is the main value. You are paying for space, control, and the ability to bring your own supplies. You are not paying for lunch, alcohol, or a fixed meal package, so your final cost depends on what your group brings or buys.

For a birthday or celebration, the calculation becomes easier. A private boat can keep the entire group together and give you a shared sound system, a cooler, snorkeling gear, and a full day for photos and island stops. One birthday group was especially pleased with the flexible route and the chance to spend time at a private island location for photos and rest.

The value is weaker for a small party. Two or three people would shoulder most of the $815 price themselves, and the included water supply is modest for a full day. In that case, compare the total cost with a shared outing before booking.

Who should choose this Rosario Islands charter

I would point this boat toward groups that care about privacy and control more than the lowest possible price. It suits:

• Families who want their own schedule
• Friends celebrating a birthday
• Groups of up to 15 people
• People who want to bring their own food and drinks
• Anyone who wants Bluetooth music on the boat
• Groups that want snorkeling equipment included
• People who prefer several island stops over one fixed location

It is less suitable if you want every detail planned for you. Lunch is not included, alcohol is extra, and the route requires decisions. It is also a poor fit if your group is too small to spread the cost comfortably.

Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The meeting point is near public transportation, and the activity ends back at the same marina. Those details make the outing fairly simple to fit into a Cartagena stay.

The cancellation policy is generous if you plan ahead. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the local start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund.

Should you book the private Rosario Islands boat?

Book it if you have a sizable group and want the Rosario Islands on your own terms. The combination of a private boat, flexible stop times, onboard restroom, ice, snorkeling equipment, and Bluetooth music gives you a useful package for a long day at sea.

I would be especially comfortable recommending it for a group of 10 to 15 people, where the price becomes reasonable. Confirm the 9 A.M. meeting details, agree on the route before leaving, and organize food and drinks in advance.

Skip it if you are traveling alone, with only one companion, or if you want lunch and drinks bundled into one simple fee. Also take the isolated captain timing complaint seriously enough to reconfirm the departure details. With that precaution, this is a strong choice for a private island day, backed by a 4.9 rating and a 99 percent recommendation rate.

FAQ

How much does the private boat cost?

The boat costs $815 per group for up to 15 people. The price is not listed per person.

How long does the activity last?

The outing lasts approximately eight hours. It begins at 9 A.M. and returns to Cartagena around 5 P.M.

Where does the boat depart?

The meeting point is Todomar CHL Marina Bocagrande 2nda in Cartagena de Indias, Bolívar, Colombia.

Where does the activity end?

The boat returns to the same meeting point at the marina.

Which islands can the boat visit?

The listed stops are Isla Grande, Caño Ratón, La Piscina, Cholón, and Aguazul.

Can I choose how long to stay at each island?

Yes. Your group can determine how long to stay at each island, but the boat cannot return to a point it has already passed.

Is lunch included?

No. You can bring your own food or buy a typical lunch on the islands. Lunch can also be arranged for an additional cost.

Are alcoholic drinks included?

No. You may bring your own alcoholic drinks, or arrange them for an additional cost.

What equipment and supplies are included?

The service includes a captain, skipper, fuel, cooler, 13 kilos of ice, life vests, snorkeling equipment, an onboard restroom, Bluetooth sound, and two 330cc bottles of water per person.