Isla Palma Day Trip From Cartagena: White Sands & Deep Blue Waters
Choose this Isla Palma day trip if you want to visit a more remote Caribbean island in the San Bernardo Archipelago with white sand, beach facilities, lunch, hotel pickup in selected areas, and direct speedboat transportation from Cartagena. This experience is best for travelers who do not mind an early start and a longer boat ride in exchange for a less conventional island day beyond Barú and the Rosario Islands.
A Remote White-Sand Island Escape Beyond the Rosario Islands
Isla Palma is located in the San Bernardo Archipelago, a group of Caribbean islands southwest of Cartagena known for white sand, palm trees, tropical water, and a more remote island atmosphere. Compared with the most visited beach areas near Cartagena, this day trip feels less conventional: it starts earlier, travels farther, and focuses the experience on one island instead of several quick stops.
The day begins before sunrise with pickup in selected Cartagena areas or direct check-in at La Bodeguita Pier. From there, guests board a shared speedboat for the coastal ride to Isla Palma, a longer open-water crossing that usually takes around 1 hour and 45 minutes to 2 hours.
At Isla Palma, the pace shifts into a full beach day: time to swim, rest in the assigned beach area, enjoy lunch, walk along the shore, or simply take in the scenery of the San Bernardo Islands. It is still a managed shared day trip, but the distance from Cartagena gives it a different rhythm from the usual Rosario Islands or Barú routes.
Travelers should come prepared for a full-day outing with an early pickup, a long boat ride, and natural island conditions. Water clarity, wind, beach conditions, seaweed, and crowd levels can change from one visit to another.
What's included?
- Hotel pickup from selected areas in Cartagena, including Bocagrande, El Laguito, Castillogrande, Marbella, and Morros / Zona Norte.
- Shared speedboat transportation from Cartagena to Isla Palma.
- Beach access in assigned areas of Isla Palma.
- Use of beach beds, sun loungers, umbrellas, or parasols in the assigned beach areas.
- Welcome cocktail with liquor.
- Caribbean-style lunch with available protein options such as beef, chicken, or fish.
- Local lunch sides, salad bar, and traditional dessert from the day’s menu.
- Travel insurance during the experience.
- Professional guide assistance during the transfer and general coordination.
- Life jackets provided and required during navigation.
Not included:
- Mandatory dock tax, port fee, and any applicable maritime fees, payable separately in cash at the pier before boarding.
- Hotel pickup from areas outside the confirmed pickup zone.
- Hotel drop-off after returning to Cartagena, unless specifically confirmed by the operator.
- Optional activities such as scuba diving, guided snorkeling, equipment rental, or other paid island activities.
- Snorkeling gear or personal equipment. Guests who want to snorkel should consider bringing their own mask.
- Additional food, drinks, cocktails, snacks, tips, or personal expenses.
Schedule
- 5:30 a.m. – Hotel pickup begins: pickup starts in selected areas such as Bocagrande, El Laguito, Castillogrande, Marbella, and Morros / Zona Norte. Guests should be ready in the hotel lobby at the confirmed pickup time. Missing the assigned pickup may be treated as a no-show.
- Early morning – Pier check-in: guests staying outside the pickup zone must go directly to La Bodeguita Pier. The exact gate and check-in details will be confirmed after booking.
- Morning – Speedboat departure from Cartagena: board the shared speedboat and begin the direct coastal ride toward Isla Palma in the San Bernardo Archipelago.
- Late morning – Arrival at Isla Palma: settle into the assigned beach area, receive the welcome drink, and enjoy access to beach facilities.
- Midday – Lunch service: enjoy a Caribbean-style lunch with the available protein selection, local sides, salad bar, and dessert from the day’s menu.
- Afternoon – Beach time: relax, swim, walk along the beach, or book optional activities on site when offered.
- 2:40 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. – Return from Isla Palma: board the shared speedboat for the ride back to Cartagena.
- Around 4:30 p.m. – Arrival in Cartagena: return to the pier and finish the experience in the city.
Because Isla Palma is farther from Cartagena than most island day trips, the schedule can move slightly with the open-water crossing and pier coordination.
Important Information
- Destination location: Isla Palma is part of the San Bernardo Archipelago, not the Rosario Islands. It is a more distant island destination from Cartagena and requires a longer speedboat ride.
- Early start required: pickup begins around 5:30 a.m. Guests must be ready on time. Late arrival or missing the assigned pickup may be treated as a no-show and may be non-refundable.
- Pickup zones: hotel pickup applies only to selected areas such as Bocagrande, El Laguito, Castillogrande, Marbella, and Morros / Zona Norte. Guests staying outside these areas must go directly to La Bodeguita Pier.
- Mandatory passenger information: full name, passport or ID number, and date of birth are required to complete the booking and activate travel insurance. Without this information, the reservation cannot be fully confirmed.
- Mandatory port fees: dock tax, port fee, and applicable maritime charges are not included in the booking rate and must be paid in cash before boarding at the pier. Current fee details can be reviewed on the Cartagena port fee and National Park fee page.
- Children pricing policy: children between 4 and 6 years old may have a special child rate. Families should contact customer support before booking to confirm the correct rate and payment process.
- Long boat ride: this is one of the longer island transfers from Cartagena and may feel bumpy, especially on windy days. It is better suited for travelers comfortable with open-water speedboat rides.
- Health and mobility restrictions: this experience is not recommended for pregnant travelers, guests with serious back, neck, or spine conditions, severe motion sickness, limited mobility, or anyone unable to safely board and exit a speedboat.
- Weather and navigation: rain alone does not always cancel the tour. If the sea route is closed for safety, the experience may be rescheduled or canceled according to the applicable policy.
- Life jackets: life jackets are provided and must be worn during navigation according to crew instructions.
- Optional activities: scuba diving, guided snorkeling, equipment rental, and other island activities are not included and can be arranged on site when offered.
- Snorkeling: guided snorkeling and snorkeling gear are not included unless confirmed on site as an optional activity. Guests who want to snorkel should consider bringing their own mask.
- Natural island conditions: Isla Palma is a natural coastal environment, so water clarity, currents, beach conditions, seaweed presence, marine visibility, and weather can vary from day to day. Photos and videos may not reflect the exact conditions on your travel date.
- Cancellation policy: free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the scheduled activity departure time. Late cancellations, late arrivals, and no-shows may be non-refundable.
FAQ
How long is the boat ride from Cartagena to Isla Palma?
Isla Palma is farther from Cartagena than most Rosario Islands and Barú day trips. The shared speedboat ride usually takes around 1 hour and 45 minutes to 2 hours.
Is Isla Palma part of the Rosario Islands?
No. Isla Palma is part of the San Bernardo Archipelago. It is a different island chain located farther from Cartagena, which is why the boat ride is longer than a typical Rosario Islands day trip.
Are beach chairs, sunbeds, and umbrellas included?
Yes. The experience includes use of beach beds, sun loungers, and umbrellas or parasols in assigned beach areas.
Does the tour include hotel pickup?
Hotel pickup is included only from selected areas such as Bocagrande, El Laguito, Castillogrande, Marbella, and Morros / Zona Norte. Guests staying outside the pickup zone must go directly to La Bodeguita Pier, where the exact gate will be confirmed after booking.
What kind of lunch is included?
The experience includes a Caribbean-style lunch with a choice of available protein options such as beef, chicken, or fish, plus local sides, salad bar, and dessert from the day’s menu.
Does this tour include snorkeling?
Guided snorkeling and snorkeling gear are not included unless confirmed on site as an optional activity. Guests who want to snorkel should consider bringing their own mask or checking availability for rentals or guided activities on the island.
What kind of boat is used for the transfer?
The transfer is usually operated by shared speedboat with required safety equipment, including life jackets. Boat type and capacity may vary according to the passenger group.
Does the tour visit other islands or the Oceanarium?
No. This day trip is focused on Isla Palma and does not include island hopping, Oceanarium entry, or visits to other islands in the San Bernardo Archipelago.
What happens if it rains?
Rain alone does not always cancel the tour. If the sea route is closed for safety, the experience may be rescheduled or canceled according to the applicable policy.
What should guests bring?
Guests should bring sunscreen, swimwear, sunglasses, sandals or water shoes, a dry change of clothes, personal ID or passport information, waterproof phone protection, and cash in Colombian pesos for port fees, drinks, optional activities, tips, and extra purchases.
