Boat rental for the Rosario Islands up to 15 people.

The best part of this Rosario Islands trip is control. You rent the whole boat for up to 15 people, then choose how long to stay at Isla Grande, Caño Ratón, La Piscina, Cholón, and Aguazul. That makes this a much more personal day than a fixed group outing, especially if your party wants swimming, photos, music, lunch, and quiet time in different proportions.

I like the private format and the useful extras: a cooler with 13 kilos of ice, snorkeling equipment, life vests, bottled water, and a restroom on board. I also like that the sound system connects by Bluetooth, so you can bring your own playlist while the captain and skipper handle the boat.

The main thing to watch is the route. Once you pass a stop, you cannot return to it, so discuss the order before leaving the marina. There has also been one serious timing complaint involving a late-starting trip and a captain who did not appear, making it especially important to confirm the pickup time directly.

Key Points Before You Book

• Private boat for up to 15 people: The $815 group price becomes far better value when shared by a full group.
• Five named stops: The route can include Isla Grande, Caño Ratón, La Piscina, Cholón, and Aguazul.
• You control the pace: You decide how long to stay at each stop, but you cannot backtrack.
• Useful onboard supplies: Expect a cooler, 13 kilos of ice, life vests, snorkeling gear, a restroom, and two 330 cc water bottles per person.
• Bring your own menu: You can pack food and drinks, buy typical island lunch, or pay extra to include alcohol or lunch.
• Music is part of the day: The professional sound system connects by Bluetooth.

Why a Private Boat Changes the Rosario Islands Day

A boat day around the Rosario Islands can be a simple ride from one stop to another, or it can feel like your group’s own little sea outing. This one leans toward the second option. You are not renting a seat on a shared boat. You are renting the boat itself for your party, with room for as many as 15 people.

That matters most when your group has mixed interests. One person may want to snorkel, another may want photos, and someone else may prefer to sit in the shade with a cold drink. A private boat lets you make those choices together instead of following a preset schedule designed for strangers.

The eight-hour window is also generous enough for several stops. Departure is scheduled for 9 A.M., with a return to Cartagena around 5 P.M. That gives you a full day on the water, though travel time between islands and time spent boarding or ordering lunch will reduce the hours available at each place.

The boat comes with a captain and skipper, which is useful because your group can focus on the day instead of navigation. The exact crew can vary, but Luis and Moisés were specifically praised for being punctual, courteous, helpful with island orders, and willing to adjust the outing. Their approach included offering choices and even stopping at a private island for photos and rest.

Leaving from Todomar CHL Marina in Bocagrande

Your meeting point is Todomar CHL Marina Bocagrande, 2nda, in Cartagena de Indias. The activity ends at the same marina, so you do not need to arrange a separate return transfer from another island.

The listed start time is 9 A.M. You should treat that as the real departure time, not a loose suggestion. Arrive with your group ready to board, carrying any food, drinks, sunscreen, towels, and personal items you want for the day. The supplied details do not give a separate arrival buffer, so confirming the exact meeting instructions with Lanchas Cholon is sensible.

There is one reason to be careful here. A serious complaint described a trip that began at noon, followed by a captain saying there was not enough time to operate the outing later that day. That is a poor result for an expensive private charter. It appears to be an isolated warning against a strong overall rating, but I would still confirm the departure time and dock before the morning of your trip.

The marina is near public transportation, and the activity allows service animals. Most people can participate, but remember that this is a boat day with boarding, movement on deck, and time at sea.

The Route: Five Stops With Different Uses

The route may include Isla Grande, Caño Ratón, La Piscina, Cholón, and Aguazul. You can decide how long to stay at each stop, but the boat cannot return to a point already passed. That rule is easy to overlook and important to understand.

Before leaving, agree on your priorities. If your group wants photos at one location, snorkeling at another, and lunch later, tell the crew early. A little planning prevents the common problem of reaching the final stop and realizing you spent too long at the first one.

Isla Grande

Isla Grande is one of the named stops on the route and may work well as an early swimming or photo stop. Since the tour includes snorkeling equipment and life vests, you have the basic gear for getting into the water when conditions and crew instructions allow it.

The attraction here is flexibility. You do not have to leave after a fixed number of minutes simply because another boat’s schedule says so. On the other hand, spending too much of the morning at the first island can squeeze the rest of the route.

Caño Ratón

Caño Ratón is another scheduled island-area stop. Its value depends on what your group wants from the day, since the tour does not promise a specific activity at each location beyond the chance to visit and spend time there.

Ask the crew what makes the stop best on your departure day. Conditions at sea can affect how long you want to swim, take photos, or remain aboard. A private charter gives you room to make that choice, but it does not remove the need to manage time.

La Piscina

La Piscina is included among the possible stops and suggests another chance for water time. The name may sound like a natural swimming area, but the supplied information does not promise a particular type of pool or facility, so keep expectations practical.

This is where the onboard equipment earns its keep. You receive snorkeling gear, life vests, ice, water, and a restroom, which means you are not starting from zero once you reach the islands. Bring your own towel and any personal swimming items you prefer, since those are not listed as included.

Cholón

Cholón is part of the route and one of the places where the crew can help with food or local purchases. Luis and Moisés were praised for sharing advice about where and when to buy from local vendors, then helping arrange orders while the group was at Cholón.

That kind of help can save time and reduce confusion, but food bought at the islands is not included in the price. You can bring your own lunch and snacks, buy typical island food, or arrange lunch for an added cost. Alcohol also costs extra, although you may bring your own drinks.

Cholón may be a good stop for a social group that wants music, drinks, and food, while a quieter group may prefer to spend more time swimming or aboard the boat. The private format lets you make that call.

Aguazul

Aguazul completes the list of named stops. As with Caño Ratón and La Piscina, the details do not promise one particular attraction or activity, so consider it part of the flexible island route rather than a guaranteed sightseeing landmark.

If your party has strong preferences, ask the captain to explain the day’s best order. Water conditions, timing, and your group’s interests may make one stop more useful early and another better later. You can choose the amount of time at each place, but you cannot reverse direction once you have moved on.

What Comes on the Boat

The included equipment is practical rather than decorative. You get life vests, snorkeling equipment, a cooler, 13 kilos of ice, and an onboard restroom. Those details matter during an eight-hour outing, when small comforts become important.

The tour also provides two 330 cc bottles of water per person. That is useful, but it is not a complete hydration plan for a hot day at sea. Bring more water if your group needs it, or ask whether additional drinks can be arranged.

The professional sound system connects through Bluetooth. You can play your own music, which is a real advantage for a birthday, family outing, or group celebration. Keep the volume considerate around other boats and island areas, and make sure someone in your party has the playlist ready before departure.

Private transportation is included in the activity details, but the meeting and ending point are both at the Todomar CHL Marina. In practical terms, the key transport benefit is the private boat itself and the return to the original dock.

Food, Drinks, and the Real Cost of the Day

The price is $815 per group, with a maximum of 15 people. At full capacity, that works out to about $54.33 per person for roughly eight hours. For a smaller group of eight, the effective price is about $101.88 each. The value changes sharply depending on how many people you bring.

For 15 people, a private boat can be a strong deal compared with buying individual seats on a shared excursion, especially if your group cares about music, flexible stops, or avoiding a fixed schedule. For two or three people, the same charter is a much more expensive way to reach the islands.

Food and alcohol are not included. You can pack your own snacks, drinks, and lunch, which helps keep the total cost under control. You can also buy a typical lunch on the islands or pay an additional charge to include lunch and alcoholic drinks.

I would assign one person to manage the group’s food plan before departure. Decide how much ice, water, lunch, and alcohol you need. The cooler and included ice make bringing your own supplies practical, but the tour does not list a full catering service in the base price.

A Good Fit for Birthdays and Full Groups

The charter is particularly well suited to a birthday, family outing, wedding-related gathering, or group of friends who already know what kind of day they want. The Bluetooth music, private boat, flexible stops, and room for up to 15 people all support a celebratory mood.

One birthday group used the boat for a full party day and appreciated the crew’s willingness to offer choices, help with local purchases, and stop at a private island for relaxed photos. That points to the experience’s strongest quality: the crew can help shape the day instead of simply transporting you from one dock to another.

It also suits a group with different energy levels. Some people can stay aboard with a drink while others snorkel. Some can focus on photos while the rest of the group eats lunch. You are still sharing one boat, but you are not sharing the entire day with a busload of strangers.

I would be more cautious if your group is small, wants a highly structured sightseeing program, or expects every meal and drink to be included. The boat gives you freedom, not a fully packaged resort day.

How to Get the Best Day for Your Money

Start by agreeing on three things: your must-see stop, your preferred lunch plan, and how much time you want for swimming or snorkeling. Then tell the captain and skipper at the marina.

Do not assume you can change your mind later and return to an earlier island. The no-backtracking rule means your route should be discussed before the boat gets moving.

Bring your own snacks and drinks if you want predictable prices. You receive ice and a cooler, so packing your own supplies is one of the easiest ways to control the final bill. If you prefer local food, ask the crew for help with ordering, especially at Cholón.

Use the snorkeling equipment, but remember that the details do not promise a guided snorkeling lesson or a specific reef site. If snorkeling is your main reason for booking, ask the crew what the planned water stops will be and what conditions are expected.

The cancellation policy is friendly: cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund.

Is the $815 Charter Worth It?

For a full group of 15, I think the price is reasonable for a private eight-hour boat with a captain, skipper, fuel, ice, cooler, music system, snorkeling gear, life vests, water, and a restroom. The biggest value is not just the equipment. It is the ability to set the pace and spend the day with your own group.

The 4.9 rating from 68 reviews and recommendation rate of 99 percent point to a consistently strong experience, with the crew’s friendliness and flexibility receiving the most praise. Luis and Moisés were singled out for punctual service, practical island advice, and help arranging orders.

Still, this is not a perfect purchase for everyone. A small group pays a lot per person, lunch and alcohol cost extra, and the route requires time management. The reported missed-captain incident is also worth taking seriously, so confirm the 9 A.M. start and dock details before you go.

Should You Book This Rosario Islands Boat?

Book it if you have a group large enough to share the cost and want a private day with control over music, food, swimming, photos, and island stops. It is especially appealing for birthdays and groups that dislike rigid shared-tour schedules.

Choose another option if you are traveling alone or as a couple, need a guided program at every stop, or want an all-inclusive price with meals and drinks. If you do book, arrive ready at Todomar CHL Marina, plan your route before departure, and confirm the pickup time directly. Done that way, this charter offers a practical and flexible way to spend a full day around the Rosario Islands.

FAQ

How much does the private Rosario Islands boat cost?

The boat costs $815 per group for up to 15 people. The per-person price depends on how many people share the charter.

How long is the boat rental?

The activity lasts approximately eight hours. It starts at 9 A.M. and returns to Cartagena around 5 P.M.

Where does the boat depart and return?

You meet at Todomar CHL Marina Bocagrande, 2nda, in Cartagena de Indias. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

Which islands and stops can the boat visit?

The route can include Isla Grande, Caño Ratón, La Piscina, Cholón, and Aguazul. You can decide how long to stay at each stop, but you cannot return to a location already passed.

Are food and alcohol included?

No. You may bring your own food, snacks, drinks, and alcohol. Typical island lunch and alcoholic beverages can also be added for an extra cost.

What equipment and supplies are included?

The service includes a captain, skipper, fuel, cooler, 13 kilos of ice, life vests, snorkeling equipment, an onboard restroom, and two 330 cc bottles of water per person.