Large Boat Rental in Cartagena de Indias

Cartagena’s best day on the water may be the one you design yourself. This 13-meter Bravo 410 leaves Manga for a private outing toward the Rosario Islands, where you can swim, snorkel, stop for lunch, or spend time at a beach club rather than follow a fixed sightseeing script. I like the generous shaded space and the bow sunbed, and I like that the crew can adjust the day to suit your group.

The private price is $1,290 for up to 15 people, which works out to about $86 per person when full. That is fair for a nine-hour charter on a premium boat, especially for a larger family or group of friends. The main catch is preparation: only four snorkel sets are supplied, children’s equipment may not be available, and you should carry cash for port fees and purchases along the way.

Key points to know before you book

• A flexible Rosario Islands day: You can shape the outing around swimming, snorkeling, lunch, and a beach club rather than stick to a rigid route.
• A spacious Bravo 410: The 13-meter boat holds up to 20 people, though the listed group price covers up to 15.
• Strong onboard setup: Twin Yamaha 350 engines, JL Audio Bluetooth sound, premium cushions, a bow sunbed, a bow bath, freshwater shower, fridge, ice, fuel, and floaters are included.
• Experienced trip contacts: Fran handles booking communication, while Alejandra, Carlos, and the crew have helped groups adjust timing and plans on the day.
• Bring cash and extra snacks: A port fee and purchases from fruit and drink vendors are not covered by the charter price.
• Snorkel gear is limited: Four sets are available, so larger groups should arrange extra equipment ahead of time.

Why this private boat day works so well in Cartagena

A boat charter changes the pace of a Cartagena visit. Instead of spending another hot day among city streets, you get open water, shaded seating, swimming stops, and the freedom to linger when your group finds a spot it likes.

The appeal is strongest for families and friends who do not want to divide their day between a fixed excursion schedule and separate beach plans. You can ask to spend more time in the water, head to lunch, or settle near a beach club for food and drinks. The boat returns to the same point in Manga, so you do not need to arrange a second pickup at the end.

The day lasts about nine hours, from the 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM operating window. That gives you a full outing, not a quick harbor ride. At the same time, you should expect the route to be shaped by sea conditions, group preferences, and the timing of other boats heading out from Cartagena.

Meeting the boat in Manga

The departure point is Cl. 25 #24A-16 in Manga, Cartagena de Indias. This is also where the trip ends. The location is near public transportation, and confirmation is provided when you book.

One practical tip matters here: arrive early. Several boats may leave around the same time, and getting to the dock ahead of the crowd can give your boat a chance to get underway sooner. That can mean more useful time around the islands instead of waiting in a line of departing boats.

Bring what you need before boarding. The boat has a fridge with about 12 kilograms of ice, but that is not the same as a full catering service. Pack snacks and drinks, and carry cash for the port fee and for vendors selling fruit, drinks, and other items during the day.

The operator is Private Tours SAS. The booking contact Fran has handled detailed questions before departure, which is useful when you need to discuss a child’s equipment, extra snorkel sets, or a preferred plan. Alejandra has also helped groups arrange details in advance, including additional snorkeling equipment.

The Bravo 410: what the boat gives you

The Bravo 410 is 13 meters long and powered by twin Yamaha 350 engines. Those specifications matter less as bragging points than as clues to the feel of the day: this is a serious private boat with enough room for a large group and enough power for an island outing.

The vessel is rated for 20 people. The advertised private rate, however, is for a group of up to 15. That difference gives you useful context. A group of 15 can spread out more comfortably than it would on a small launch, while a group closer to the boat’s maximum capacity should expect a busier deck.

The seating uses premium sport-style cushions, and there is a double sunbed at the bow. A shaded area gives relief from the strong Caribbean sun, an important feature during a nine-hour trip. You can move between sun and shade instead of spending the entire day exposed.

A bow bath, freshwater shower, floaters, and the fridge are included. The freshwater shower is especially handy after swimming, while the floaters give you another way to relax in the water. The sound system is full JL Audio with Bluetooth, so your group can connect music from a phone.

I would still keep the volume sensible. A private charter gives your group room to enjoy its own music, but the Rosario Islands are not an empty stretch of sea. Other boats, beaches, and island businesses are part of the setting.

Fuel is included, which makes the advertised price easier to understand. You are not watching the meter rise as the boat moves between stops. Still, ask about food, drinks, beach club charges, and extra equipment before departure, since those costs are not clearly included in the charter rate.

Reaching the Rosario Islands

The main route used for this outing heads toward the Rosario Islands. The journey itself is part of the experience, with time on open water before the stops begin.

The islands offer the kind of day many people hope to add to a Cartagena visit: swimming, snorkeling, a beach setting, and lunch away from the city. The boat gives you a comfortable base between activities. You can return to the deck for shade, music, or a drink rather than packing up every time you leave the water.

Do not expect one single fixed island schedule based on the information available. The strength of this charter is flexibility. The crew has adjusted departure times and plans for different groups, and you can discuss the day you want with Fran before setting out.

That freedom also means you should communicate clearly. Tell the operator if your group cares most about snorkeling, quiet swimming time, a beach club, lunch, or a relaxed ride. A private boat is best when the plan reflects the people aboard.

Swimming and snorkeling stops

Swimming stops are a central reason to book. The boat can park so you can get into the water, use the floaters, and return aboard when you are ready.

Snorkeling is available, but the equipment supply needs careful attention. Four snorkel sets are on board. That works well for a small group, but not for a party of eight, 11, or 15 people who all want to snorkel at once.

One family arranged four additional sets ahead of time for a group with eight snorkelers. That is the smart approach. Contact the operator before the day and ask for extra gear rather than assuming enough equipment will be waiting.

Families with young children should ask specific questions about both masks and life jackets. A group with children found that suitable child-sized snorkeling gear was not included. The operator explained that approved life jackets were available and stored at the front of the boat, but they were not immediately visible.

That detail is worth handling before departure. Ask where the life jackets are stored, confirm the sizes you need, and make sure children know how to use them. The boat permits service animals, and most people can take part, but the supplied information does not give a full list of child equipment or mobility details.

Lunch and a beach club stop

A beach club stop can give the day some structure after time on the water. One recommended beach club offered a beach, food, and service suitable for families. The boat can also take your group to lunch and wait while you eat, swim, or relax.

The important point is that the boat is your private transport, not an all-inclusive beach package. The charter includes the vessel, fuel, ice, and listed equipment, but the supplied details do not state that meals, drinks, entrance charges, or beach club expenses are included.

Ask Fran or the operator to explain the costs before you choose a beach club. You may prefer a place with a proper meal and organized service, or you may want a simpler stop with more time in the water. The flexibility lets you choose, but choice works best when you know the price.

Bring snacks even if lunch is planned. Boat days run on their own clock, and a hungry child or a swimmer ready for a quick bite will appreciate having food on hand. Vendors may also come alongside or appear at stops with fruit and drinks, which is one reason cash is useful.

The crew and communication

The quality of a private charter depends heavily on communication. Fran has been praised for answering questions before the trip and giving groups confidence when booking. That support matters because the day can involve several decisions: departure timing, snorkel rentals, lunch, beach clubs, and the balance between swimming and cruising.

Alejandra has helped organize extra snorkel sets and recommend a beach club. Carlos and the rest of the crew have also adjusted plans, taken groups to the Rosario Islands, and waited while people swam or had drinks.

The names may vary by departure, so you should not assume a particular person will always be on board. What matters is asking who will serve as your guide and captain, then sharing your priorities in advance.

The crew’s flexibility is one of the strongest reasons to choose this rather than a standard group cruise. You get more control over the day. The tradeoff is that your group needs to make decisions, and a private charter will not hand you a perfectly fixed sequence of stops.

Price and value for a group of 15

At $1,290 per group, the math is favorable when you fill most of the available booking size. Fifteen people bring the cost to about $86 per person for approximately nine hours, a full day on a 13-meter boat with fuel, ice, floaters, sound system, seating, and crew support.

For 10 people, the cost is about $129 each. For six people, it is $215 each. That makes this a stronger value for a large family reunion, a group of friends, or two families traveling together than for a small couple’s outing.

The boat’s 20-person capacity does not change the listed price limit of 15. If you have more than 15 people, confirm the arrangement directly rather than assuming the standard rate applies.

I also like the fact that the price is per group rather than per seat. You are paying for privacy and control. You can decide how long to swim, where to eat, and how much time to spend at a beach club. That is valuable if your group has mixed interests.

The price does not automatically remove every extra expense. Set aside money for the port fee, food, drinks, vendors, and any additional snorkel rentals. The total cost will depend on how you plan the stops.

Weather, timing, and cancellation

This is a weather-dependent outing. If poor weather causes the trip to be canceled, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund.

You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours ahead are not refunded, and changes inside that period are not accepted. The cut-off follows local Cartagena time.

The experience is offered daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM during the listed operating periods, January 16 through December 24, 2026, and December 24, 2026 through January 15, 2027. Since the supplied schedule uses the same hours for both periods, confirm your exact start time when booking.

The outing is booked about 27 days ahead on average. That suggests you should plan early, especially if your group needs a particular date, extra snorkeling gear, or a specific beach club arrangement.

Who should book this boat day

I would choose this charter for a group that values space and control more than the lowest possible price. It fits families with older children, two families traveling together, birthday groups, and friends who want a full day around the Rosario Islands without sharing the boat with strangers.

It is also a good fit if your group has different ideas about the perfect day. Some people can swim, others can sit in the shade, and everyone can regroup on board. The Bluetooth sound system, sunbed, freshwater shower, and shaded seating make the boat a comfortable place to spend time between stops.

I would hesitate if your group is small and mainly wants a short swim. The per-person cost rises quickly with fewer than 10 people. I would also hesitate if every person expects a snorkel set, since only four are supplied.

Families with children should make equipment a booking question, not a last-minute discovery. Ask about child-sized snorkeling gear and the location of approved life jackets. Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed, but the information provided does not detail every accessibility need.

Should you book the Cartagena Bravo 410?

Book it if you can fill the boat with a large group and want a private, flexible day at the Rosario Islands. The combination of space, shade, swimming, snorkeling, beach club access, and an adjustable schedule gives you far more control than a standard shared boat trip.

Before paying, confirm your departure time, ask which guide and captain will be assigned, arrange extra snorkel sets, and clarify the cost of lunch or a beach club. Bring cash, snacks, drinks, and sun protection.

For a full group, the price is reasonable for nine hours on a well-equipped boat. For a small party, it is harder to justify. The equipment limits are real, but they are easy to manage if you prepare ahead.

FAQ

How much does the large boat rental cost?

The price is $1,290 per group for up to 15 people.

How long does the boat rental last?

The experience lasts approximately nine hours. The listed operating hours are 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Where does the boat leave from?

The meeting point is Cl. 25 #24A-16 in Manga, Cartagena de Indias, Bolívar, Colombia.

Where does the experience end?

The boat returns to the same meeting point in Manga.

How many people can the boat hold?

The boat has a capacity of 20 people. The listed group price covers up to 15 people.

What equipment is included?

The boat includes floaters, a fridge with 12 kilograms of ice, fuel, a Bluetooth JL Audio sound system, premium cushions, a double bow sunbed, a bow bath, and a freshwater shower.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Four snorkel sets are available on board. Extra sets can be arranged ahead of time, and you should ask about child-sized equipment if needed.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If the experience is canceled because of poor weather, you can select another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.