Private Boat Rental Cartagena: Explore the Rosario Islands & Cholón

Choose this private boat rental in Cartagena if you want a flexible Caribbean day exploring the Rosario Islands, Barú, Cholón, swim stops, and beach clubs with your own captain, assistant, cooler, and private boat for your group. This is a good fit for families, couples, groups of friends, celebrations, and travelers who want more control over the route than a shared island tour.

Customize Your Island Route with a Captain and Crew

A private boat rental is one of the most flexible ways to experience Cartagena’s island area. Instead of following a fixed shared-tour route, your group can enjoy a more personalized day on the water, with time for swimming, sightseeing, music, lunch, beach club stops, or a social visit to Cholón depending on your travel style.

The route may include scenic navigation near Cartagena’s bay, a panoramic stop around Bocachica and San Fernando Fort, swimming areas in the Rosario Islands, beach club or restaurant stops, Cholón, Barú, or quieter coastal areas. The final itinerary depends on the selected boat, sea conditions, captain’s safety assessment, maritime authority instructions, timing, and your group’s preferences.

This is a private boat rental service, not an all-inclusive tour. Food, drinks, towels, snorkeling gear, bilingual guide, beach club entry, restaurant reservations, and port fees are not included unless specifically confirmed. Guests may bring their own drinks and snacks on board, and lunch can be arranged separately at a beach club or island restaurant according to availability.

What's included?

Private Boat Rental

• Private boat rental for your group during the confirmed service window.
• Captain and assistant on board.
• Fuel for the standard Rosario Islands / Barú route, according to the selected boat and confirmed itinerary.
• Cooler with ice for guest drinks and snacks.
• Flexible route planning within the authorized island area, subject to weather, sea conditions, timing, and captain approval.
• Recommended service window from approximately 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM.

28ft Sport Boat

• Capacity for up to 9 passengers.
• Agile and efficient boat for small groups looking for a fast Rosario Islands day.
• Dual 150 hp engines, or similar configuration depending on availability.
• Comfortable seating areas, swim ladder, and Bluetooth sound system.

38ft Comfort Boat

• Capacity for up to 14 passengers.
• Recommended for groups who want more space, comfort, and a smoother island day.
• Bow tanning area and onboard bathroom for added comfort.
• Dual 200 hp engines, or similar configuration depending on availability.

42ft Grand Boat

• Capacity for up to 18 passengers.
• Spacious deck layout for larger groups, celebrations, family outings, or corporate groups.
• Premium sound system, tanning areas, and onboard bathroom.
• Ideal for groups that prioritize comfort, space, and a more social onboard setup.

Not included:

• Mandatory port fee, dock tax, or maritime fee, payable separately when applicable.
• Ground transportation to or from the marina or boarding point.
• Food, lunch, drinks, cocktails, bottles, or restaurant consumption.
• Towels.
• Snorkeling gear.
• Bilingual guide.
• Beach club entrance, restaurant reservations, chairs, daybeds, minimum consumptions, or private island access fees.
• Extra fuel, extended routes, night returns, additional hours, or route changes not confirmed in advance.
• Tips, personal expenses, sunscreen, waterproof phone cases, or water shoes.

Schedule

1. 8:00 AM – 8:30 AM – Arrival at the marina: Arrive at the confirmed boarding point for check-in, passenger coordination, and payment of any mandatory port-related fees when applicable.
2. 8:30 AM – Recommended departure: Begin navigation from Cartagena toward the Rosario Islands, Barú, Cholón, or the confirmed route. Earlier departure is recommended to make the most of the day.
3. Morning – Scenic navigation: The route may include panoramic views of Cartagena’s bay, Bocachica, and San Fernando Fort, depending on the confirmed itinerary and maritime conditions.
4. Late morning – Swim or island stop: Stop for swimming, relaxing, or visiting a selected island area, subject to weather, sea conditions, and captain approval.
5. Midday – Lunch stop: Lunch can be arranged separately at a beach club, island restaurant, or hotel restaurant according to your group’s preferences and availability.
6. Afternoon – Flexible route continuation: Continue toward Cholón for a social atmosphere, Barú, a quieter beach option, or additional swim stops depending on timing and sea conditions.
7. 4:00 PM – 4:30 PM – Standard return to Cartagena: Return to the marina according to the authorized maritime schedule. The captain may adjust the return time earlier if weather, waves, wind, or maritime instructions require it for safety.

Private boat schedules and routes are subject to Colombian maritime authority regulations, captain instructions, weather, wind, waves, maritime traffic, dock operations, and safety conditions. The itinerary may change without prior notice if the captain or maritime authorities determine that adjustments are required.

Important Information

1. Private boat service: This is a private boat rental for your group only. You will not share the boat with other passengers outside your booking.
2. Boarding point: Private boat tours usually depart from Muelle de los Pegasos or another confirmed marina in Cartagena’s Historic Center area. Exact meeting details and boarding instructions are sent after booking confirmation.
3. Route flexibility: The itinerary is flexible, but not unlimited. Final route decisions depend on sea conditions, timing, boat category, captain’s safety assessment, maritime authority instructions, and the zones authorized on the day of travel.
4. Plan the route in advance: It is highly recommended to share your ideal route before departure. This helps match the day with your expectations, whether your group prefers quiet swimming areas, beach clubs, snorkeling-style stops, Cholón, Barú, or a more social route.
5. Cholón atmosphere: Cholón is known for music, boats, floating service, and a lively social setting. It is a good fit for groups looking for energy, but not for travelers seeking silence or privacy.
6. Food and drinks: Guests may bring their own snacks and drinks on board. Lunch is not included and can be arranged separately at a beach club, hotel, or island restaurant depending on availability and route.
7. Beach clubs and restaurants: Beach club entry, restaurant tables, minimum consumption, chairs, beds, or special areas are not included in the boat rental unless specifically confirmed. Reservations are recommended when possible.
8. Snorkeling gear: Snorkeling gear is not included. If your group wants to snorkel, request gear availability before booking or bring your own equipment.
9. Bilingual guide: The standard rental includes captain and assistant, not a bilingual tour guide. A bilingual guide may be requested separately when available and may have an additional cost.
10. Capacity limits: Passenger capacity depends on the selected boat and maritime safety regulations. Capacity limits cannot be exceeded.
11. Return timing: Standard return is usually between 4:00 PM and 4:30 PM. The captain may return earlier if wind, waves, weather, or maritime authority instructions require it for safety.
12. High season pricing: Rental prices may vary during high-demand periods such as December 15 to January 15, Easter Week, and June 20 to July 20. Final pricing must be confirmed before booking.
13. More boat and yacht options: Additional boats, larger yachts, premium vessels, and custom options may be available on request depending on group size, date, route, and budget.
14. Weather and maritime safety: If sea conditions prevent safe operation, the experience may be rescheduled or canceled according to the applicable policy. Final safety decisions depend on the captain and maritime authorities.
15. Natural conditions: The Rosario Islands and Barú are natural coastal environments, so water clarity, currents, seaweed presence, crowd levels, and swimming conditions may vary from day to day.
16. What to bring: Bring swimwear, towels, sunscreen, sunglasses, waterproof phone protection, cash or card for port fees, lunch, beach club consumption, tips, and any personal purchases.
17. Cancellation policy: Private boat rentals may have stricter cancellation terms than regular shared tours. Confirm the applicable cancellation, rescheduling, and weather policy before booking.

FAQ

Where does the private boat depart from?

Private boat tours usually depart from Muelle de los Pegasos or another confirmed marina in Cartagena’s Historic Center area. Exact meeting details and boarding instructions are sent after the booking is confirmed.

Can we bring our own food, drinks, and snacks?

Yes. Guests are welcome to bring their own drinks and snacks on board. A cooler with ice is included. Lunch is not included, but your group can stop at a beach club, hotel, or island restaurant depending on the route and availability.

What is the typical itinerary for a private boat trip?

A typical route may include a panoramic view of Bocachica and San Fernando Fort, a swim stop in the Rosario Islands area, an optional stop at Cholón for a more social atmosphere, Barú or Playa Blanca, and lunch at a beach club or island restaurant. The final route depends on timing, weather, sea conditions, captain approval, and your group’s preferences.

Can the itinerary be customized?

Yes. One of the main advantages of a private boat is flexibility. You can focus on quiet swimming areas, social stops like Cholón, beach clubs, lunch spots, or scenic navigation. However, all route changes are subject to captain approval, maritime safety, timing, and daily sea conditions.

Do you recommend planning the route in advance?

Yes. It is highly recommended to have a general idea of your preferred route before departure. This helps avoid misunderstandings and allows the captain and support team to guide you toward a smoother, more realistic itinerary.

Is Cholón included?

Cholón can usually be included as part of the route when timing and sea conditions allow. It is best for groups looking for a lively, social atmosphere with music and boats. Travelers looking for a quiet beach day may prefer to skip Cholón.

Is snorkeling included?

Snorkeling gear is not included in the standard rental. If you want snorkeling equipment, request availability before booking or bring your own gear.

Is a bilingual guide included?

No. The standard rental includes a captain and assistant. A bilingual guide is not included unless requested and confirmed separately, usually at an additional cost.

Is this experience suitable for celebrations?

Yes. Private boat rentals are ideal for birthdays, bachelorette groups, family celebrations, corporate outings, or groups who want privacy and flexibility while exploring the islands.

What happens if the weather is bad?

If maritime conditions are unsafe, the captain or maritime authorities may adjust the route, return earlier, reschedule, or cancel the experience according to the applicable policy. Safety decisions are made on the day based on real sea conditions.

Do prices change during high season?

Yes. Rental prices may vary during high-demand periods such as December 15 to January 15, Easter Week, and June 20 to July 20. Final pricing should be confirmed before booking.

What should guests bring?

Guests should bring swimwear, towels, sunscreen, sunglasses, waterproof phone protection, drinks, snacks, cash or card for port fees, lunch, beach club consumption, tips, and personal expenses.