Private Boat Rental To The Rosario Islands Up To 17

A private speedboat day from Cartagena gives you a rare luxury: your group controls the pace. The route heads across clear Caribbean water toward Isla Grande, with time for snorkeling at La Piscinita, beach stops, a beachfront lunch, and unusual sights such as Pablo Escobar’s former mansion and an abandoned plane.

I like the simple group pricing and the freedom to spend more time swimming or less time at a stop that does not suit you. Bottled water, ice, snorkeling gear, gas, insurance, a captain, and a bilingual host are included. The main concern is that the advertised capacity is inconsistent: the experience title says up to 17, while the listed price applies to up to 15, so confirm the exact boat and group limit before paying.

Key points to know before you book

• Private boat access: Only your party takes part, making the day more flexible than a shared excursion.
• Eight hours on the water: You have enough time for island stops, snorkeling, lunch, and a return to Cartagena.
• La Piscinita snorkeling: This is the main water activity, with equipment included.
• Unusual island sights: The route includes views of Pablo Escobar’s mansion and an abandoned plane.
• Group value: At $1,049 for 15 people, the cost works out to about $70 per person before extra fees and drinks.
• Confirm the details: Ask about the exact boat, English-speaking host, maximum capacity, lunch arrangements, and planned beach stops.

Leaving Cartagena from Sibarita del Mar

Your day begins at Sibarita del Mar on Avenida Blas de Lezo in Cartagena’s historic center. The activity ends back at the same meeting point, which keeps the transport plan straightforward. You do not need to arrange a separate return from the islands.

The boat ride is part of the appeal. From the city, you trade Cartagena’s busy streets for open water, low islands, pale beaches, and the feeling of getting away for the day. Since the outing lasts about eight hours, plan it as a full-day activity rather than a short harbor cruise.

The tour is private, so your group does not share the boat with strangers. That matters most if you are traveling with family or friends who want different things. One person can swim while another sits in the shade, and you can ask the crew about spending more or less time at a stop, subject to the day’s conditions and route.

There is one important point to settle before departure. The title refers to groups of up to 17, but the listed price is for a group of up to 15. Ask Botegena to confirm the maximum number your booking covers and the boat assigned to your party. For a large group, this is not a minor detail.

Isla Grande and the Rosario Islands setting

The main stop is Isla Grande, part of the Rosario Islands south of Cartagena. The appeal here is the change of scenery. The water is described as crystal clear, and the islands offer white sand, turquoise water, and a slower pace than the city.

You should think of this as a flexible sea day, not a tightly scripted sightseeing tour. The emphasis is on swimming, sun, snorkeling, and stopping at notable sites. If your ideal day means moving from one landmark to the next on a strict schedule, the loose island rhythm may feel less precise. If you want to relax with a private group, it makes good sense.

The route includes a beachfront restaurant for lunch. That gives you a proper break from the boat, with a meal beside the water instead of eating while underway. Lunch itself is not listed as included, and all fees and taxes are also excluded, so ask what you will pay on the day.

A useful practical point is that alcoholic drinks are not included. Bottled water and ice are provided, but one person specifically advised bringing your own beverages and towels. You can also buy drinks at stops, but bringing what you want may be easier if your group has particular preferences.

Snorkeling at La Piscinita

La Piscinita is the clearest focus for anyone who wants time in the water. It is known for snorkeling and marine life, and snorkeling equipment is included in the tour price. You can get in, look around, and then return to the boat or beach when you are ready.

The inclusion of gear is convenient, especially for a large group. You do not need to organize separate equipment rental in Cartagena. Still, bring a towel, since towels are not listed among the included items. You should also ask the host how long the stop will last if snorkeling is a priority for you.

The water may be the best reason to choose this outing over a land-based Cartagena tour. The city offers history, architecture, and food, but the Rosario Islands provide a clear break from that urban setting. You get a full day built around the Caribbean rather than trying to squeeze in a quick swim between other activities.

This is not presented as a scuba trip or a specialist marine excursion. It is a casual snorkeling stop within a broader island day. That makes it suitable for people who want to try snorkeling or enjoy a short session, but less suitable if your main goal is a highly technical or extended underwater trip.

Pablo Escobar’s mansion and the abandoned plane

The sightseeing portion adds an unusual edge to an otherwise sunny beach day. The boat passes the impressive mansion associated with Pablo Escobar, a striking reminder of the region’s more troubling and mysterious past.

You should treat this as a view from the water rather than a museum visit. The information provided does not describe an interior tour or a formal historical presentation. The appeal is the contrast between the tropical surroundings and the story attached to the property.

The abandoned plane is another memorable landmark on the route. It gives the day something to look at beyond beaches and water. These sights may be especially useful for a group where not everyone wants to spend the whole day swimming.

The balance is good, but expectations matter. The outing combines culture, local stories, and relaxation without claiming to be a detailed history tour. If you want extensive background on Escobar or the island’s past, ask the bilingual host what will be explained during the visit.

Beach time, lunch, and the route’s flexibility

A private boat is most valuable when your group agrees on the kind of day it wants. You can spend time on a white-sand beach, swim in turquoise water, snorkel, or sit down for lunch at the shore. The exact mix will depend on the route, weather, timing, and the preferences of your group.

One reported outing stopped at Paue, described as a private beach club. That stop was considered fine, but it came with a minimum spending requirement. This means you should ask in advance whether your route includes a beach club and whether that location has a required minimum purchase.

The same account also described a request to buy lunch for the crew. The provider explained that this is customary in Colombia, but it was not clear to the customer beforehand. I would settle this before leaving Cartagena. Ask whether the crew’s lunch is covered, expected, or simply appreciated. Clear answers prevent an awkward conversation when everyone is hungry.

A planned stop at Playa Tranquila was also questioned in that account. The lesson is practical: if a particular beach matters to you, say so at the start and confirm the route with the captain. Private does not always mean every listed stop is guaranteed, especially when weather and sea conditions affect the day.

Boat, crew, and language expectations

The package includes a captain and bilingual host, which should make the day easier for an English-speaking group. The service provider named Adam in its response to one complaint, but no guide names are supplied, so you should not assume Adam will be on the boat.

Language is worth confirming in writing. One group expected an English-speaking guide but received two crew members who did not speak English. The crew were described as nice, and the boat itself was fine, but the service did not match the expectation.

There is also a chance that a partner vessel may operate the trip during periods of high demand. Using another boat is not automatically a problem, but the size, layout, and crew can affect your day. Ask for the boat’s capacity, whether it will be Botegena’s own vessel or a partner boat, and who will provide English support.

For a small booking, this question matters even more. One complaint involved only two people on a booking intended for a much larger group, and the customer believed the operator reassigned them to another company. If you are booking for two or three people, confirm the arrangement rather than assuming the advertised boat will be used.

What the $1,049 price really means

The price is $1,049 per group for up to 15 people. At full capacity, that is about $70 per person. A group of 10 would pay about $105 per person, while two people would pay about $524.50 each.

That makes this a strong value for a full group that wants privacy. A shared boat can cost less for individuals, but it will not give your party the same control over seating, swimming time, or route preferences. The private format makes more financial sense as your group gets larger.

For a couple or a very small party, the price is much harder to justify. You are paying for the boat and crew rather than simply buying seats. The freedom and privacy may still be worthwhile for a special occasion, but you should compare it with shared Rosario Islands trips.

The included items add real value. You get snorkeling equipment, bottled water, ice, gas, insurance, a captain, and a bilingual host. But the total cost can rise through all fees and taxes, alcoholic drinks, lunch, possible beach-club spending, and perhaps crew lunch. Ask for the complete expected cost before departure.

Who will enjoy this private island day

I would recommend this outing for a group of friends, a family, or a celebration where privacy matters. It suits people who want a mix of swimming, beach time, unusual sights, and a meal by the water rather than a single-purpose snorkeling trip.

It also works well for mixed interests. Someone can focus on La Piscinita, someone else can enjoy the mansion and plane, and the whole group can meet for lunch. The private format gives you more room to make those preferences work together.

You should think twice if you are booking for only two people and mainly want the lowest price. I would also be cautious if precise English guiding is essential unless Botegena confirms the host’s language in advance.

The activity is suitable for most participants, and service animals are allowed. It is near public transportation at the meeting point. The tour requires good weather, so the operator may offer another date or a full refund if conditions force cancellation.

How to prepare for eight hours on the water

Bring a towel, sun protection, and any preferred nonalcoholic or alcoholic drinks you want beyond the bottled water supplied. The boat includes ice, which helps keep personal beverages cold, but alcohol itself is excluded.

Wear clothing that can handle swimming and sun. Keep valuable items to a minimum, since the day centers on a boat, beaches, and water activities. The information provided does not list a luggage storage service, so ask where you should keep anything you bring.

Confirm these points before the day:

• The boat’s actual passenger limit, especially if your group has 16 or 17 people
• Whether the boat is operated by Botegena or a partner
• Who the bilingual host will be and whether English support is guaranteed
• The expected route and beach stops
• Lunch cost and any minimum purchase at a beach club
• Whether the crew’s lunch is included or expected
• All taxes, fees, and other extra charges

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund, and the local Cartagena time controls the cutoff.

Should you book the Rosario Islands private boat?

Book it if you have a reasonably large group and want one flexible day combining snorkeling, beaches, lunch, and unusual island sights. At full capacity, the price is competitive for a private boat, and the included gear, water, ice, captain, host, gas, and insurance simplify the planning.

I would not book without clarification if your group depends on an English-speaking guide, has more than 15 people, or cares about visiting a specific beach. Confirm the vessel, crew language, route, lunch arrangements, and final cost first.

For the right group, this is a convenient way to leave Cartagena behind for a day of clear water and relaxed island time. For a very small group, a shared excursion may offer better value.

FAQ

How long is the private Rosario Islands boat tour?

The experience lasts approximately eight hours. It begins and ends at Sibarita del Mar on Avenida Blas de Lezo in Cartagena’s historic center.

How many people can join the tour?

The listed price is for a group of up to 15 people, while the experience title refers to up to 17. Confirm the exact capacity with Botegena before booking a group of 16 or 17.

What is included in the price?

The package includes snorkeling equipment, bottled water, ice, insurance, gas, a bilingual host, and a captain.

Is lunch included?

Lunch is not listed as an included item. You should also ask about any minimum spending at a beach club and whether the crew’s lunch is covered.

Are alcoholic drinks included?

No. Alcoholic beverages are excluded. Bottled water and ice are included, and drinks may be available for purchase at stops.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If poor conditions cause cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.