Full day Isla del Encanto – Rosario Islands

The best part of this day is simple: you trade Cartagena’s city streets for crystal-clear Caribbean water, a long stretch of sand, and a resort base on Isla del Encanto. The boat ride takes about an hour, so the island feels close enough for a day trip without requiring a hotel stay.

I like the easy mix of beach, pool, lunch, and kayaking, especially for couples and families who want a quiet island day rather than a packed schedule. I also like that you can visit the Oceanario as an optional extra instead of paying for it if dolphins and marine animals are not your priority.

The main catch is the price. At $158 per person, you still pay the 31,500 COP boarding tax, and the day can feel costly if you expect a polished, fully guided adventure. Bring your own towel and keep some patience for the pier, boarding process, and possible extra charges on the island.

Key points to know before booking

• The 60-minute speedboat ride gets you from Cartagena to Isla del Encanto in the Corales del Rosario Natural Park.
• The beach area has more than 300 meters of sand, with loungers, beach beds, hammocks, and pool access.
• A buffet lunch is included, though the food is a simple local-style spread rather than a gourmet meal.
• Kayaking is included, giving you an activity beyond swimming and sunbathing.
• The Oceanario is optional, costing 30,000 COP per person, plus a 20,000 COP Oceanario boarding fee.
• The tour is capped at 40 people, but the pier and boat boarding can still feel disorganized at busy times.

Leaving Cartagena from the Bodeguita Pier at 8:00 a.m.

Your morning begins at gate 3 of the Bodeguita Pier, in Cartagena’s El Centro area. The stated start time is 8:00 a.m., and this is the part of the day where you will want to arrive ready and unhurried. The tour ends back at the same pier in the afternoon.

The pier is not just a quiet meeting point. You need to pass through the gate, locate the correct departure setup, and handle the required boarding process. One practical warning: the boarding tax of 31,500 COP per person is not included in the advertised price. Keep Colombian pesos available so this extra cost does not catch you off guard.

The boat is a speedboat, and the crossing takes about 60 minutes. That makes the Rosario Islands an easy day trip from Cartagena, but it is not a smooth ferry ride with lots of room to wander around. You will be sitting in an open or semi-open boat setting, and the return can be choppy when the sea is rough.

I would not choose this trip if you dislike boat motion or want a calm, sheltered transfer. The crossing is part of the outing, and conditions can change. On the other hand, the one-hour ride gives you a clear sense that you are leaving the city behind and heading toward a more relaxed island setting.

Isla del Encanto and its 300 meters of sand

The main destination is Isla del Encanto, within the Corales del Rosario Natural Park. The island offers more than 300 meters of sand and clear water, with a hotel base that provides the practical comforts needed for a full day at the beach.

After you get off the boat, you can explore on your own or follow a guided visit around the island. The supplied details do not name a guide, so you should not expect a particular guide by name when booking. The setup is flexible, though. You can spend more time by the water, use the pool, or move around the property at your own pace.

This is not a rugged island expedition. It is a day built around rest, swimming, casual activity, and a resort-style beach area. That distinction matters. If you want a quiet place to sit in a hammock and enjoy warm weather, the format works well. If you want a demanding outdoor adventure or a long, independent island hike, this is probably too gentle.

The beach is the star of the day. Clear water and a broad strip of sand give you room to spread out, although the actual feel of the beach can depend on how busy the island is when you arrive. The tour group can reach up to 40 people, so the beach is not guaranteed to feel private at all times.

Pool, hammocks, loungers, and kayaking

The included facilities make this trip easier for families and couples who want choices. You receive access to sun loungers, beach beds, hammocks, and the pool, along with kayaking. You can swim in the sea, cool off in the pool, rest in the shade or on a hammock, and add a little motion with a kayak session.

I like this mix because not everyone in a group wants the same kind of beach day. One person can stay near the pool while another swims in the sea. A child can enjoy the water while an adult takes a break on a lounger. You are not locked into one activity for the entire afternoon.

Still, bring your own towel. Extra charges may appear for some items or services on the island, and a towel is one thing you do not want to discover you need after arriving. The listed inclusions cover the main facilities, but they do not mean every possible island purchase is included.

You should also keep your expectations in line with the setting. The island has staff and hotel facilities, but it is not a private beach reserved exclusively for your group. You may encounter people trying to sell souvenirs or other items. A polite no and a clear sense of what you want to spend will help you enjoy the day without turning every break into a sales conversation.

A simple buffet lunch in the middle of the day

Lunch comes as a typical buffet-style meal and is included in the price. This is convenient, since you do not need to leave the beach area to find food or worry about arranging a separate restaurant stop.

The meal is best viewed as practical fuel for a long day in the sun. One strong point is convenience: you can eat, return to the pool or beach, and keep your schedule moving. The food reflects a straightforward local buffet rather than a carefully prepared tasting menu.

That difference is important when judging the $158 price. If you place a high value on the beach, boat transfer, facilities, and included lunch, the package may feel reasonable. If you are paying mainly for food or a luxury resort meal, you may feel the value is weaker.

Bring water and any personal snacks you may need, though the provided details do not specify additional food or drink inclusions. You will also want to pace yourself. A full day around sun, water, and boat travel can feel tiring even when the schedule itself is easy.

The optional Oceanario visit and its extra fees

The Oceanario is offered as an optional stop, lasting about one hour. It includes the chance to see dolphins, turtles, rays, cat sharks, and other marine life. The entrance costs 30,000 COP per person and is not included in the tour price.

There is also a separate Oceanario boarding fee of 20,000 COP per person. That means you should budget 50,000 COP per person for the Oceanario-related charges, in addition to the 31,500 COP general boarding tax for the main trip.

The Oceanario can add variety to the day, particularly if you are interested in marine animals or want more than beach time. It also gives families a clear activity to look forward to. But it reduces the time available for swimming, kayaking, and relaxing at Isla del Encanto, so I would treat it as a personal choice rather than an automatic part of the plan.

If you are comparing this tour with a cheaper beach transfer, the Oceanario fees make the final cost higher. Decide before you arrive if the animal visit matters to you. That way, you can keep your budget and schedule under control.

What the $158 price really covers

The advertised price is $158 per person. That is a significant amount for a day trip from Cartagena, especially once you add the 31,500 COP boarding tax. If you add the Oceanario, include another 30,000 COP for admission and 20,000 COP for its boarding fee.

The price does cover several useful pieces:

• Speedboat transportation to and from the islands
• Lunch
• Beach loungers and beds
• Hammocks
• Pool access
• Kayaking
• Time at Isla del Encanto

The value comes from bundling transport, food, and facilities into one day. You do not have to arrange a separate boat, search for a beach club, or negotiate each part of the outing from scratch. For a couple or family that wants a planned island day with comfortable places to sit, this can be worth paying for.

The value is less convincing if you want an independent, low-cost beach trip. You are paying for convenience and access to the Isla del Encanto setup, not only for the sand and sea. The buffet is simple, extra fees are real, and the pier process may not feel as smooth as the price suggests.

One useful clue is demand. This trip is booked an average of 38 days ahead, so popular dates may fill early. That does not make the tour better or worse, but it does mean you should not assume you can always arrange it at the last minute.

Keeping the day comfortable and low-stress

I would pack a towel, swimsuit, sunscreen, a hat, and a dry bag or sealed pouch for small valuables. The supplied information confirms beach and pool access, but it does not specify lockers or a detailed storage system, so bring only what you need.

Carry Colombian pesos for the boarding tax and optional Oceanario charges. You may also want some money for purchases on the island, but keep a firm budget. The island can involve sales pitches and extra costs, and you will enjoy the day more if you know which offers you plan to skip.

Wear footwear that is easy to remove and manage around the beach and boat. Keep your belongings compact because speedboat space can be limited. Most people can participate, according to the tour information, but anyone who is especially sensitive to boat motion should consider the sea conditions and the possibility of a rough return.

The experience requires good weather. If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund. For your own plans, avoid putting an important evening commitment immediately after the scheduled return.

The afternoon boat ride back to Cartagena

After the island portion, the boat returns directly to the Bodeguita Pier. The tour lasts about eight hours overall, with the main Isla del Encanto portion taking roughly seven hours and the optional Oceanario visit listed at about one hour.

The return can be the least comfortable part of the day. Choppy tides may make the boat hit hard at the front, so sit with boat motion in mind and hold onto personal items. This is not a reason to reject the tour, but it is a reason to understand that the speedboat transfer is an active part of the outing, not just a quiet ride between two docks.

Arriving back at the same meeting point is convenient. You do not need to arrange a second pickup or find your way across Cartagena after the island visit. The direct return also keeps the day easy to follow.

Who will enjoy Isla del Encanto most

I think this outing suits couples and families who want a beautiful, quiet island day with a set plan. The pool, loungers, buffet, and kayaking give you enough choice without demanding much organization once you reach the island.

It also suits anyone who likes the idea of a beach club atmosphere inside a natural park. You get clear water and sand, but with hotel facilities and a provided meal. That combination is more comfortable than a bare-bones boat trip.

I would be cautious if you are looking for adventure, independence, or a low price. The day is more about relaxing than exploring. The pier can be confusing, the boat may be rough, and the final bill rises with taxes and optional stops.

The tour allows most people to participate and has a maximum group size of 40. That is manageable, but it does not guarantee a small-group feel. If personal service and a quiet boat are essential to you, ask detailed questions before booking.

Should you book this Rosario Islands day trip?

Book it if you want a straightforward full-day island escape from Cartagena, value having transportation and lunch arranged, and like the choice of beach, pool, hammocks, and kayaking. The positive points are clear: the beach setting is attractive, the day works well for couples and families, and the facilities make a long stay comfortable.

Think twice if $158 already feels high before taxes, or if you want a true adventure rather than a resort-style beach outing. Add the 31,500 COP boarding tax to your budget, bring your own towel, and treat the Oceanario as an optional purchase rather than part of the base price.

Colombia Travel offers free cancellation if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not refunded, except when poor weather leads the operator to cancel. With those conditions in mind, this is a good choice for a planned beach day, not the best choice for a spontaneous or bargain-focused trip.

FAQ

Where does the Isla del Encanto tour start?

It starts at gate 3 of the Bodeguita Pier, at Muelle de la Bodeguita in Cartagena’s El Centro area.

What time does the tour begin?

The scheduled start time is 8:00 a.m.

How long does the tour last?

The full experience lasts approximately eight hours. The Isla del Encanto portion is listed at about seven hours, and the optional Oceanario visit takes about one hour.

How long is the boat ride to the Rosario Islands?

The speedboat journey from Cartagena to the Corales del Rosario Natural Park takes about 60 minutes.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A typical buffet-style lunch is included.

Are loungers and pool access included?

Yes. The tour includes sun loungers, beach beds, hammocks, and pool access.

Is kayaking included?

Yes. Kayaking is one of the included activities.

Is the Oceanario included in the tour price?

No. Oceanario admission costs 30,000 COP per person, and its boarding fee costs an additional 20,000 COP per person.

Is the boarding tax included?

No. The boarding tax is 31,500 COP per person.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not refunded. If poor weather causes the tour to be canceled, you will be offered another date or a full refund.