Boat rental for the Rosario Islands up to 15 people.

A private boat lets you shape your Rosario Islands day instead of following a fixed group schedule. You can choose how long to stay at Isla Grande, Caño Ratón, La Piscina, Cholón, and Aguazul, though the boat cannot return to a place you have already passed. That small rule matters, so agree on your priorities early.

I like the generous setup for a group: up to 15 people share one $815 boat, and the price includes the captain, skipper, fuel, cooler, ice, life vests, water, snorkeling gear, and an onboard restroom. I also like the freedom to bring your own food, drinks, and playlist. The main caution is the occasional service risk: one poor review describes the captain not arriving after a late start, so confirm the meeting time and dock details carefully.

Key points at a glance

• A private 9 A.M. to 5 P.M. boat day: You get about eight hours on the water, returning to Todomar CHL Marina in Bocagrande.
• Five named island and water stops: The route can include Isla Grande, Caño Ratón, La Piscina, Cholón, and Aguazul.
• Flexible timing, but no backtracking: You choose how long to stay, yet the boat cannot return to an earlier stop.
• Good group value: At maximum capacity, $815 works out to about $54 per person before food, alcohol, or other extras.
• Bring your own supplies: Snacks, meals, and drinks are allowed, with a cooler, 13 kilos of ice, and two 330cc water bottles per person included.
• Music and water gear are ready: The boat has professional Bluetooth sound, snorkeling equipment, life vests, and a restroom.

Leaving Bocagrande for an eight-hour island day

Your meeting point is Todomar CHL Marina Bocagrande2nda in Cartagena. The stated schedule runs from 9 A.M. until 5 P.M., and the boat returns to the same meeting point at the end.

That full-day timing is one of the strongest parts of the experience. A short island trip can feel rushed, especially when you are loading people, moving between stops, and deciding where to eat. Eight hours gives your group room to spend real time at several places rather than simply taking photos from the boat.

You should arrive ready to board and keep the morning organized. The route is flexible, but it is not an open-ended taxi service. Once the boat has moved past a stop, you cannot ask to return there later. Before leaving the marina, decide which places matter most to your group and how much time you want for swimming, snorkeling, food, music, or simply sitting on the boat.

The boat comes with a captain and a skipper. The service also includes private transportation, which here means your reserved boat rather than a shared public excursion. The crew handles navigation while your group controls the pace within the available route.

What the five stops add to your day

The named route includes Isla Grande, Caño Ratón, La Piscina, Cholón, and Aguazul. The description does not promise a fixed order or a set amount of time at each place, so you should treat these as possible stops rather than guaranteed timed appointments.

Isla Grande is one of the main Rosario Islands named for the trip. It gives your group a clear island destination early in the day and may be a good place to slow down after the ride from Cartagena. Since the boat cannot backtrack, ask the crew how Isla Grande fits into the day before you pass it.

Caño Ratón is another listed stop and adds variety to the route. The appeal of a private boat is that your party can decide if you want a longer pause here or prefer to keep moving toward another location. The exact activity at each stop is not fixed, so use your captain’s guidance and the group’s energy to make the call.

La Piscina is included among the possible stops and is especially useful for a group that wants a water-focused break. Snorkeling equipment is provided, along with life vests, so you do not need to arrange those items separately. Still, the experience does not promise a specific snorkeling site or marine life, so keep expectations practical.

Cholón is the stop with the clearest practical detail from the available experience information. Crew members Luis and Moisés were praised for helping with local purchases and facilitating food and drink orders there. If you plan to eat or buy items in Cholón, ask the crew about the right time and place rather than handling the process alone.

Cholón may also be the liveliest part of the route, but that is precisely why you should set expectations with your group. If some people want a social stop and others want quiet swimming, the boat’s private format lets you discuss the balance before the day starts.

Aguazul rounds out the listed route. Like the other stops, it is part of a flexible plan rather than a guaranteed schedule with a set menu of activities. Your captain and skipper can help you decide how to divide the day, but the route rule remains simple: once you leave a place, you cannot go back.

Why a private boat can beat a shared excursion

The strongest reason to book this is control. On a shared boat, you usually accept the group’s pace, departure decisions, and stop times. Here, your party of up to 15 can make those choices together.

That matters most for mixed groups. A family may want more time in the water, while a birthday group may care more about music, photos, and a long lunch. A large group of friends may simply prefer having one boat rather than dividing across several smaller bookings.

The boat’s professional sound system connects through Bluetooth, so you can play your own music. That turns the boat into part of the outing, not just a way to move from one island to another. Keep the volume considerate if other boats are nearby, but the ability to choose your soundtrack is a useful touch for a private charter.

The experience also received particularly strong praise for the crew’s attitude. Luis and Moisés were described as punctual, courteous, fun, and helpful with choices along the route. They also stopped at a private island for quiet time and photographs on one birthday outing. Crew assignments can vary, so do not assume those two names are guaranteed for your date, but their service gives you a good idea of the kind of help to request.

Food, drinks, ice, and the real cost

The advertised group price is $815, with a maximum of 15 people. If you fill every place, that is about $54.33 per person for roughly eight hours. For a private boat with fuel, captain, skipper, equipment, ice, water, and a restroom, that can be a fair split.

The value drops if only a few people are sharing the boat. A group of five would pay about $163 per person before lunch and drinks, while a full group spreads the cost much more comfortably. This is a booking that makes the most financial sense for a birthday, family outing, or large friend group.

Food and alcohol are not included. You can bring your own snacks, drinks, and meal, which is usually the simplest way to control spending. The boat includes a cooler and 13 kilos of ice, so plan your supplies with the group size and the long day in mind.

Two 330cc bottles of water per person are included. That is helpful, but it is not a reason to skip your own water planning. The details provided do not promise extra supplies beyond those bottles, so ask any specific food or beverage questions before departure.

You can also buy a typical lunch on the islands. This gives you a local option, but it comes with a less predictable final bill. Alcohol can be added for an extra cost, or you can bring your own drinks. If you want the crew to help place orders in Cholón, ask in advance how that process works.

What is included on the boat

The included equipment is practical rather than fancy, and that is the right focus for a day on the water.

You receive life vests and use of snorkeling equipment. An onboard restroom is included, which is a major convenience during an eight-hour outing. The cooler and ice help keep your own food and drinks usable while you move between stops.

Private transportation, fuel, a captain, and a skipper are also included. You are not paying the headline price and then adding a fuel charge at the marina. The description also confirms bottled water for each person.

The sound system is professional and connects through Bluetooth. Bring a charged phone and have your playlist ready, but remember that the boat’s Bluetooth details are not specified beyond compatibility. It is wise to avoid assuming that every phone or device will connect without a little setup.

The main drawbacks to weigh before booking

The route is flexible, but the flexibility has limits. You cannot return to a point already passed, so indecision can cost you time. Make a short priority list before boarding: perhaps one island for swimming, one place for lunch, one stop for photos, and enough time to enjoy the boat itself.

The service also depends heavily on timely coordination. One serious complaint describes a captain who did not show, with the explanation that there was not enough time after a 12 P.M. start. The normal schedule is 9 A.M. to 5 P.M., so this may reflect a separate timing problem, but it is still worth taking seriously.

Confirm the marina, departure time, and the number of people in your party before the day. The booking confirmation is issued at the time of reservation, and the stated cancellation policy allows a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

The price also excludes lunch and alcohol. That is not unusual for a private boat, but it means the final cost can rise quickly if you buy everything on the islands. Bringing your own food and drinks is allowed and can make the day easier on your budget.

Who will get the most from this Rosario Islands charter?

I would choose this for a group that values privacy, music, and control over the schedule. It is particularly well suited to birthdays and other celebrations, as well as families or friend groups that do not want to negotiate every stop with strangers.

It also suits people who want a long day rather than a quick look at the islands. You have time for several named stops, a meal, water activities, photos, and relaxed stretches between locations.

I would think twice if your group has only two or three people, since the per-person price becomes much higher. I would also avoid booking it casually if your party dislikes making decisions. The captain can help, but your group still needs to choose how to spend its time.

The service is described as suitable for most people, and service animals are allowed. It is near public transportation, which helps with getting to the marina. Specific details about boarding assistance or boat accessibility are not provided, so ask before booking if anyone in your group has mobility needs.

Should you book this private boat?

Book it if you can fill much of the 15-person capacity and want the Rosario Islands on your own terms. The strong points are clear: a full eight hours, flexible stops, a private crew, Bluetooth music, snorkeling gear, ice, water, and a restroom. The crew’s reported help with local orders and route choices adds useful human assistance, especially in Cholón.

Skip it if your group is small, your budget is tight, or you need a fixed itinerary with no decisions. Also confirm the departure details carefully because one poor service account involved a missed captain and a late start.

For a full group celebrating together, the math is persuasive. At roughly $54 per person before optional food and alcohol, this gives you a private day on the water for less than many people expect. Just set your priorities before leaving the marina, pack what you want to eat and drink, and keep an eye on the clock.

FAQ

Where does the boat tour start?

The tour starts at Todomar CHL Marina Bocagrande2nda in Cartagena de Indias, Bolívar, Colombia.

What time does the experience run?

The stated schedule is from 9 A.M. to 5 P.M., for approximately eight hours.

Where does the tour end?

The boat returns to the original meeting point at Todomar CHL Marina.

How many people can join the private boat?

The boat accommodates up to 15 people per group.

Which places can the boat visit?

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

Can I choose how long to stay at each stop?

Yes. Your group can determine how long to stay at each island or stop, 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 added for an extra cost.

Are drinks and alcohol included?

Nonalcoholic drinks and alcohol are not included, but you can bring your own drinks. Alcohol can be added for an additional cost. The boat includes a cooler, 13 kilos of ice, and two 330cc bottles of water per person.