Rosario Islands Hopping Tour - 5-Stop beach Circuit

Choose this Rosario Islands VIP hopping tour if you want a lively social day with music, beach clubs, Cholón, snorkeling, and multiple island-style stops from Cartagena. This experience is designed for travelers looking for energy, movement, people, and a fun shared boat atmosphere — not for guests seeking a quiet luxury beach escape.

Rosario Islands VIP Hopping Tour with Cholón, Snorkeling, Beach Clubs and Shared Boat Energy

This shared VIP hopping tour is made for travelers who want to experience the social side of Cartagena’s island scene in one full day. The route combines panoramic navigation, music on board, beach club stops, snorkeling, Cholón, Barú, and a lively shared boat atmosphere.

Starting August 12, 2026, the 5 Islands VIP and Standard experience follows a new itinerary designed to improve navigation times and make the route more organized. The tour includes Marine Beach in Tierra Bomba, a panoramic visit near San Fernando Fort in Bocachica, navigation toward the Rosario Islands, a snorkeling activity, lunch at Encantada in Isla Grande, a social stop at Cholón, and a final beach stop at Mambo Beach in Barú.

This is not the right tour for travelers looking for silence, privacy, luxury lounging, a calm family beach day, or a snorkeling-focused route. If you want a high-energy island-hopping tour with music, people, Cholón, beach clubs, and movement, this is one of the most complete shared options from Cartagena.

What's included?

• Hotel pickup for guests staying in Bocagrande, Castillogrande, El Laguito, Marbella, and Zona Norte, when confirmed after booking.
• Round-trip navigation aboard a shared sport boat with onboard sound system.
• Lively multi-stop island-hopping route with beach clubs, panoramic navigation, snorkeling, Cholón, and Barú.
• Stop at Marine Beach in Tierra Bomba.
• Panoramic visit near San Fernando Fort in Bocachica.
• Scenic navigation toward the Rosario Islands area.
• Snorkeling activity during the route, subject to sea conditions, visibility, and daily operation.
• Lunch stop at Encantada in Isla Grande, according to the plan’s operation.
• Stop at Cholón, one of Cartagena’s best-known social island spots, with music, boats, and a lively atmosphere.
• Final beach club stop at Mambo Beach in Barú.
• Tour coordinator assistance during the island route.

Not included:

• Mandatory dock tax, National Natural Park fee, and navigation insurance, payable in cash at the pier before boarding.
• Ground transportation back from the pier terminal to your hotel in Cartagena after disembarkation.
• Personal snacks, cocktails, beer, bottles, premium dishes, tips, or extra purchases at the island beach clubs.
• Oceanarium entry, diving, reef-focused diving activities, or any paid marine activities not specifically mentioned as included.
• Towels, waterproof phone cases, water shoes, tips, or personal expenses.

Schedule

1. 7:00 a.m. – 7:30 a.m. – Hotel pickup: pickup begins in selected areas such as Bocagrande, Castillogrande, El Laguito, Marbella, and Zona Norte when confirmed after booking. Exact pickup time depends on your location and daily traffic.
2. 7:30 a.m. – Meeting and check-in: guests staying in the Walled City, Getsemaní, or outside the pickup zone must arrive directly at Muelle de la Bodeguita, Gate 1, for registration and cash payment of the mandatory pier-related fees.
3. 8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. – Marine Beach, Tierra Bomba: first beach stop of the day to start the route by the sea.
4. 10:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. – Bocachica panoramic visit: panoramic visit near San Fernando Fort, one of the historic landmarks of Cartagena’s bay.
5. 10:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. – Navigation toward the Rosario Islands: scenic boat ride toward the Rosario Islands area.
6. 11:00 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. – Snorkeling activity: snorkeling stop during the route, subject to sea conditions, visibility, and safety.
7. 11:45 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. – Lunch at Encantada, Isla Grande: lunch stop and island time at Encantada.
8. 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. – Cholón, Barú: social stop in one of Cartagena’s most famous island party areas.
9. 2:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. – Mambo Beach, Barú: final beach club stop in Barú.
10. 4:00 p.m. – 4:45 p.m. – Return to Cartagena: shared boat navigation back to the pier in Cartagena.

This is a shared sport boat route with several moving parts, so the day feels more like a social island circuit than a fixed beach club schedule.

Important Information

1. Tour style: lively, loud, and social shared boat tour with a party vibe. Not recommended for travelers seeking silence, privacy, luxury, or a calm family day.
2. VIP does not mean private: this is a shared VIP-style island-hopping tour, not a private boat charter or luxury yacht experience.
3. New itinerary: starting August 12, 2026, the route includes Marine Beach, Bocachica, Rosario Islands navigation, snorkeling, Encantada, Cholón, Mambo Beach, and return to Cartagena.
4. Route rhythm: the captain and operator may adjust the stop order or time at each place to keep the group moving safely through the island circuit.
5. Mandatory pier and park fees: dock tax, National Park fees, and navigation insurance are not included and must be paid in cash at the pier before boarding. Review details on the Cartagena port fee and National Park fee page.
6. Pickup zones: hotel pickup applies only to Bocagrande, Castillogrande, El Laguito, Marbella, and Zona Norte. Guests in the Walled City or Getsemaní must go directly to Muelle de la Bodeguita, Gate 1.
7. Strict departure and no-show policy: boarding times are strict. Late arrivals are treated as a no-show with no refund or rescheduling to avoid delaying the group.
8. Active boarding and mobility: many stops do not have docks. Guests may need to board or exit through stairs, shallow water, or knee-deep water. Good mobility and balance are required.
9. Restrictions: not permitted for pregnant travelers, children under 3, guests with back, neck, or spine conditions, severe motion sickness, intoxicated individuals, or anyone with limited mobility.
10. Lunch: lunch is scheduled at Encantada in Isla Grande. Extra drinks, premium dishes, or additional consumption must be paid directly on-site.
11. Alcohol and social atmosphere: this is a lively social route. Guests must drink responsibly, follow crew rules, and respect local regulations.
12. Snorkeling included, Oceanarium not included: includes a snorkeling activity when the stop is available. Oceanarium entry, diving, and other paid marine activities are not included.
13. Natural island conditions: water clarity, currents, crowds, and visibility vary daily. Promotional photos and videos may not match the exact conditions on your travel date.
14. Wind season: stronger trade winds are common from December to March. The ride can feel more intense during this period, especially on the return to Cartagena.
15. Multi-stop route: the tour includes Tierra Bomba, Bocachica, Rosario Islands navigation, snorkeling, Isla Grande, Cholón, and Barú, but the exact sequence can change depending on daily operation.
16. Cancellation policy: free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the scheduled activity start time. Late cancellations, late arrivals, missed boarding, and no-shows may be non-refundable.

FAQ

What places does the 5 Islands VIP tour visit?

The new route includes Marine Beach in Tierra Bomba, Bocachica, Rosario Islands navigation, snorkeling, Encantada in Isla Grande, Cholón, and Mambo Beach in Barú.

Does this VIP hopping tour include snorkeling or an Oceanarium visit?

The tour includes a snorkeling activity when sea conditions allow it. Oceanarium entry is not included in this route.

Where is lunch served during the tour?

Lunch is scheduled at Encantada in Isla Grande, according to the operation of the selected plan.

Does the tour still visit Rosario del Mar or Cocoliso?

No. Starting August 12, 2026, the updated route uses Encantada in Isla Grande for the lunch stop instead of Rosario del Mar or Cocoliso.

Does the tour go to Cholón?

Yes. The itinerary includes a Cholón stop from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., depending on sea conditions and daily operation.

What happens if I miss the scheduled morning pickup or arrive late at Gate 1?

The boat does not wait for late arrivals. Missing your pickup window or arriving late at the pier can be treated as a no-show.

What is the overall atmosphere during the hopping tour?

Expect music, people, movement, and a social shared boat vibe. This tour is closer to a fun island circuit than a quiet beach escape.

What should passengers bring?

Bring sunscreen, a towel, swimwear, water shoes or sandals that can get wet, ID, waterproof phone protection, and cash in Colombian pesos for pier fees, drinks, tips, and extras.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the activity starts.