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

The best part of this Santa Marta sailing trip is the freedom to make the day your own. You sail with only your group, usually toward Bahia Concha, then spend several hours swimming, snorkeling, paddling, sunbathing, or simply sitting on deck while Thierry and Amy-Esther handle the boat. The private format makes a real difference for families and friends.

I like the easy access to the water from the boat’s large rear platform, and I like the chance to find a quieter cove instead of joining a crowded beach outing. The hosts, Thierry and Amy-Esther, are also praised for their warm service and ability to speak several languages. The main consideration is the price: $790 per group is fair for up to 12 people, but it is a serious cost for a couple or small party.

Key points to know before you book

• Private boat for up to 12 people: You share the sailing boat only with your own family or friends.
• Bahia Concha around noon: The main swimming and beach time begins after the morning sail.
• Water time is the focus: Snorkeling equipment is provided, and you can also swim, paddle, sunbathe, or jump from the boat.
• Thierry and Amy-Esther host the day: Their friendly, personal service is one of the strongest parts of the experience.
• Food is simple and useful: A fresh sandwich, snacks, and one drink are included. Beer, wine, and rum can be bought onboard.
• Weather and park closures matter: The captain may change bays, and Tayrona access is suspended during three periods each year.

Setting sail from Santa Marta at 10:30

You meet at Alquiler de Yates Santa Marta, at Cra. 1 #22-93 in Santa Marta, and the boat leaves at 10:30 a.m. The location is near public transportation, which helps if you are staying in town and do not have a car.

The morning portion is the sailing heart of the trip. You leave Santa Marta behind and head toward Tayrona Park, with the coast and open water providing the main show. The route is not only a way to reach the bay. It gives you time to settle into the day, talk with your group, and enjoy the boat without rushing from one activity to another.

You might be lucky enough to see dolphins near the boat. Fishing is also possible, though neither is guaranteed. I would treat both as pleasant extras rather than reasons to book. The sure thing is the chance to sail along the coast and see Santa Marta and Tayrona from the water.

The exact sailing conditions can shape the mood. On a good day, you may get a calm, gentle ride that feels almost meditative. On another day, wind and waves may make the trip more active. Since the tour requires good weather, the captain’s decisions matter. The planned bay can be changed if conditions make it unsafe or impractical to reach.

Bahia Concha around noon

The main stop is Bahia Concha, where you arrive at about noon. This gives you roughly three and a half hours for water activities and rest before the return begins at 3:30 p.m.

Bahia Concha works well as a day stop because you are not limited to sitting on the sand. You can swim from the boat, go ashore, take in the coastal views, or stay onboard and enjoy the water from the rear bathing platform. That platform is a useful detail, especially if someone in your group would rather not climb over the side of the boat to get into the sea.

The beach and bay scenery are a major part of the appeal. Several guests describe the chosen cove as quiet and especially attractive, and the hosts make an effort to find less busy places when conditions allow. Still, you should understand that seclusion is not promised. The captain may choose a different bay based on weather, sea conditions, or access.

Your time here is flexible. You can use the provided snorkeling equipment to explore near the boat or shore. Snorkeling conditions can change with visibility and water movement, so the experience is not a formal guided marine-life tour. It is better suited to casual swimming and exploration than to a highly structured snorkeling program.

You can also paddle, soak up the sun, and jump from the sailboat. The reviews describe snorkeling as a favorite, while families especially appreciated having several ways to enjoy the stop. If your group has mixed interests, that flexibility is valuable. One person can swim while another relaxes on deck, and children can move between the beach and boat, subject to normal parental supervision.

A simple lunch and a relaxed onboard rhythm

A fresh sandwich is served during the day, along with complimentary snacks and one drink for each person. This is not a full restaurant meal, so I would set your expectations accordingly. It is a practical lunch that keeps the schedule moving and fits the casual nature of a boat outing.

You can buy additional drinks onboard, including beer, wine, and rum. Coolers are available if needed. The supplied information does not state that you may bring your own food or drinks, so check that point directly before packing a larger supply.

The food and drink arrangement suits a day built around swimming. You are not leaving the bay to find lunch, and you do not lose much of your short stop to a formal meal. You can eat when it fits your group’s pace.

I like that this setup leaves room for conversation and rest. The strongest feedback about the trip is not about a fancy menu. It is about the hosts taking care of the details, keeping food and drinks available, and making the day feel personal. Thierry and Amy-Esther are described as warm, attentive, and easy to spend time with, which matters on a private boat where you are together for seven and a half hours.

The 3:30 sailing return

At 3:30 p.m., you begin the return to the marina. The trip back is by sail, with a calmer feel after your time in the water.

This schedule gives you a clear shape for the day. The first hour and a half or so takes you toward the park, midday is reserved for Bahia Concha, and the final leg brings you back to Santa Marta. You return to the original meeting point, with the activity ending there.

The timing is worth noting if you are planning other activities that evening. The listed duration is about 7 hours and 30 minutes, so you should not count on being free much before 6 p.m. Actual conditions can affect the timing, but the planned return begins at 3:30.

The return sail is also a good reason to avoid overloading the afternoon. You may be tired after swimming and snorkeling, and the last stretch gives you a chance to dry off, talk about the day, and watch the coast pass by. If you want nonstop action from start to finish, the slower return may feel long. If you want a full day on the water, it is part of the value.

What the $790 group price really means

The price is $790 for a private group of up to 12 people. At full capacity, that works out to about $66 per person, which is a reasonable figure for a private boat, captain, crew, equipment, food, and a full day on the water.

The calculation changes quickly with a small group. For two people, the same price is a much bigger expense. For four to six people, it becomes easier to justify if you value privacy and want a boat that follows your group’s rhythm instead of a fixed shared schedule.

I would compare this with the kind of day you want, not just with the price of a standard beach transfer. You are paying for the boat itself, the sailing time, the flexible stop, the hosts, and the fact that only your group participates. That makes the trip particularly useful for two families, a birthday group, or friends who want to spend the day together without strangers onboard.

The included items also add practical value: snorkeling gear, snacks, a drink, and a sandwich. Extra alcoholic drinks cost more, so the final total can rise if your group plans to order several beverages. The price is easiest to defend when you can fill most of the 12 available places.

The experience is booked, on average, 21 days ahead. That is a useful signal if your dates are fixed. I would reserve early during popular holiday periods, especially if you need a particular day for a family schedule.

When the captain changes the plan

The captain can change the bay if weather conditions make the planned destination unsuitable. That is not a flaw in the service. It is an important safety condition for a coastal sailing trip.

Tayrona Park access is also suspended during these periods:

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

During those dates, an alternative destination may be offered, such as Playa Blanca, Inca Inca, or Taganga. You should not book this trip during a Tayrona closure expecting Bahia Concha. The alternative may still provide a pleasant day on the water, but it is not the same itinerary.

Weather can also lead to a cancellation. If the operator cancels because of poor conditions, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. If you cancel, you need to do so at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted, and the payment is not refunded.

Who will enjoy this private sailing day

I would recommend this trip most strongly to groups that care about time together. Two families, a group of friends, or a family with children can make good use of the private boat and the variety of activities.

It also suits you if you want a beach day with more movement and scenery than a simple land excursion. You get the coast from the water, a full sailing route, a bay stop, and the option to swim from the boat. The rear bathing platform is especially handy for easy water access.

The experience may be less suitable if you dislike being on the sea for several hours, need a tightly scheduled sightseeing program, or want a gourmet lunch. It is also expensive for a small group. A couple can still have a wonderful day, but you will be paying for privacy rather than sharing the cost across a larger party.

Most people can participate, and the meeting point is near public transportation. The available information does not give detailed accessibility specifications, so you should ask about boarding and movement around the boat if anyone in your group has mobility needs.

What makes the hosts part of the experience

A private boat day depends heavily on the people running it. Here, Thierry and Amy-Esther are not simply names attached to the sailing schedule. They are the captain and first mate who shape the tone of the day.

The strongest praise centers on their hospitality, multilingual communication, and effort to tailor the outing. They are described as friendly, caring, and experienced sailors who make a genuine effort to find places that suit the group. That personal attention is more valuable on a private charter than it would be on a large shared boat.

You should still remember that personal service does not mean every request can be met. The captain has to work within weather, safety, park access, and sailing conditions. The best way to use the private format is to tell the hosts early whether your group cares most about snorkeling, swimming, a quiet beach, sailing, or time in the sun.

The rating is 4.9 from 63 reviews, and 98 percent of customers recommend the experience. Those figures point to a highly consistent product, with particular strength in hospitality, the boat’s upkeep, peaceful bays, snorkeling, and family enjoyment.

Should you book the Tayrona sailing trip?

Book it if you can gather enough people to make the group price comfortable and you want a private day that mixes sailing with relaxed water time. I especially like it for families and friend groups who do not all want to do the same thing every minute.

The best value comes with a full or nearly full group. You receive a private boat for up to 12, snorkeling equipment, snacks, one drink, a fresh sandwich, and a flexible afternoon in Bahia Concha or another suitable bay.

Think twice if your budget is tight, if you want a guaranteed Tayrona stop during a closure period, or if you prefer a short, land-based beach outing. For everyone else, this is a strong Santa Marta choice, with the boat, the hosts, and the freedom to set your own pace doing most of the work.

FAQ

Where does the sailing trip start?

It starts at Alquiler de Yates Santa Marta, Cra. 1 #22-93, Comuna 2, Santa Marta, Magdalena, Colombia.

What time does the activity begin?

The scheduled start time is 10:30 a.m.

Where does the trip end?

The activity ends back at the original meeting point in Santa Marta.

How long does the sailing experience last?

The trip lasts approximately 7 hours and 30 minutes.

How many people can join the private boat?

The price covers one private group of up to 12 people.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is provided as part of the experience.

What food and drinks are included?

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

What happens if Tayrona Park is closed?

Tayrona access is suspended from February 1 to 15, June 1 to 15, and October 19 to November 2. An alternative destination, such as Playa Blanca, Inca Inca, or Taganga, may be offered.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Poor-weather cancellations by the operator offer either a different date or a full refund.