Isla Palma Day Pass: White Sands and 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, tropical water, palm trees, and a more remote island atmosphere. Compared with the most visited beach areas near Cartagena, Isla Palma offers a different kind of day trip: longer travel time, fewer standard tourist routes, and more time focused on one island destination.

The experience begins early in the morning with pickup in selected Cartagena areas or direct check-in at La Bodeguita Pier. From there, guests board a shared speedboat for a coastal ride that usually takes around 1 hour and 45 minutes to 2 hours, depending on sea conditions and daily navigation logistics.

Once on the island, the day is designed for beach time, swimming, relaxing in designated beach areas, enjoying lunch, and taking in the natural setting of the San Bernardo Islands. Isla Palma can feel more remote and scenic than many common Cartagena beach routes, but it is still a shared tourist destination, and natural conditions such as water clarity, wind, beach conditions, seaweed presence, and crowd levels may vary from day to day.

What's included?

• Hotel pickup from selected areas in Cartagena, including Bocagrande, El Laguito, Castillogrande, Marbella, and Morros / Zona Norte, according to confirmed logistics.
• Shared speedboat transportation from Cartagena to Isla Palma.
• Beach access in designated areas of Isla Palma.
• Use of beach beds, sun loungers, umbrellas, or parasols in assigned areas, subject to availability and daily operation.
• Welcome cocktail with liquor, according to the day’s service.
• Caribbean-style lunch with available protein options such as beef, chicken, or fish.
• Local lunch sides, salad bar, and traditional dessert, according to the day’s menu.
• Travel insurance during the experience.
• Professional guide assistance during the transfer and general operation.
• 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

1. 5:30 AM – 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.
2. 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.
3. Morning – Speedboat departure from Cartagena: Board the shared speedboat and begin the direct coastal ride toward Isla Palma in the San Bernardo Archipelago.
4. Approximate boat ride: The boat ride usually takes around 1 hour and 45 minutes to 2 hours, depending on wind, waves, maritime traffic, port operation, and daily sea conditions.
5. Late morning – Arrival at Isla Palma: Settle into the assigned beach area, receive the welcome drink, and enjoy access to beach facilities.
6. Midday – Lunch service: Enjoy a Caribbean-style lunch with the available protein selection, local sides, salad bar, and dessert according to the day’s menu.
7. Afternoon – Beach time: Relax, swim, walk along the beach, or book optional activities on site when available and conditions allow.
8. 2:40 PM to 3:00 PM – Return departure from Isla Palma: Board the shared speedboat for the return route to Cartagena. Exact timing depends on sea conditions and maritime authorization.
9. Around 4:30 PM – Approximate arrival in Cartagena: Arrival time may vary depending on sea conditions, wind, traffic at the pier, and port operation.

Isla Palma is farther from Cartagena than most Rosario Islands and Barú day trips. Travel time is longer, and sea conditions can have a greater impact on the schedule. Departure times, return times, navigation routes, pickup logistics, and arrival estimates may change without prior notice due to wind, waves, port operation, maritime traffic, or safety instructions issued on the day of travel.

Important Information

1. 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.
2. Early start required: Pickup begins around 5:30 AM. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. Boat ride conditions: The ride to Isla Palma usually takes around 1 hour and 45 minutes to 2 hours each way. This is a long open-sea speedboat route and may feel bumpy depending on wind and wave conditions.
8. 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.
9. Weather policy: Tours are normally canceled only when maritime authorities issue an official navigation restriction or red flag. Rain alone is not always considered a reason to cancel if navigation is authorized.
10. Life jackets: Life jackets are provided and must be worn during navigation according to crew instructions and maritime safety rules.
11. Optional activities: Activities such as scuba diving, guided snorkeling, or equipment rental are not included and may depend on availability, weather, water visibility, and local operation.
12. 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.
13. Schedule flexibility: Departure and return schedules from the island are subject to daily navigation conditions and authorization from maritime authorities. Return timing may change for safety or operational reasons.
14. 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?

The direct speedboat ride usually takes around 1 hour and 45 minutes to 2 hours, depending on wind, waves, maritime traffic, and port conditions. Isla Palma is farther from Cartagena than most Rosario Islands and Barú day trips.

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 designated areas, subject to availability and the day’s operation.

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 according to the day’s menu.

Does this tour include snorkeling?

Guided snorkeling and snorkeling gear are not included unless specifically 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 maritime safety equipment, including life jackets. Boat type and capacity may vary depending on the day’s operation and passenger count.

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. Navigation normally depends on maritime authority authorization, wind, waves, and safety conditions. If an official navigation restriction is issued, the operation 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.