Private Marine Tour: Discover the 7 Colors of the San Andreas Sea

The best part of this private San Andrés boat tour is the variety packed into one day. You move from quiet mangroves and a shipwreck to shallow sandbanks, fish-filled water, snorkeling stops, and floating bars. It feels less like one long boat ride and more like a tour of the island’s different moods.

I especially like two things: your group has its own pontoon, and the tour includes useful extras such as 12 bottles of water, 12 beers, ice, masks, and a floating mat. You also get time to choose your own pace at several stops. The main consideration is that lunch costs extra, the dock fee is separate, and the promised drone photo is only occasional.

Key points to know before booking

• A private pontoon for up to five people gives your group more room and control than a shared boat.
• The mangrove route adds a quieter side of San Andrés before the swimming stops begin.
• Aquarium and Rose Cay are the visual highlights, with shallow clear water, white sand, and fish near the shore.
• The tour includes 12 beers and 12 waters in total, not 12 per person, plus ice and a floating mat.
• Drone photos are not guaranteed, since wind and operating conditions can prevent a flight.
• Lunch, beach shoes, and the dock charge cost extra, so carry some Colombian pesos.

A six-hour route through San Andrés’ many shades of blue

The tour begins at 10:30 a.m. at the police pier on Carrera 1. From there, your private group heads out for roughly six and a half hours, returning to the same point in the afternoon.

The title refers to San Andrés’ changing water colors, but you should not expect a formal color-counting presentation. The appeal is the changing scenery: dark mangrove channels, pale sand, clear shallows, coral areas, and open Caribbean water.

Your boat is a pontoon, a practical choice for this route. It offers space to sit, move around, play music through Bluetooth on some boats, and use the floating mat. Several groups have particularly praised the clean, spacious condition of the pontoon and the helpful attitude of captains such as Carlos.

Because the tour is private, you are not sharing the boat with strangers. That matters most for families, couples, and small groups with different swimming abilities. You can relax on board while stronger swimmers snorkel, and the captain can help with food or drinks at the stops.

Mangrove Old Point, a calm start on the island

The first section passes through the Mangrove Old Point Regional Park on the eastern side of San Andrés. This is a flora and fauna sanctuary, not a beach stop, and it gives the day a useful change of pace.

Look for mussels, crabs, iguanas, lizards, and both local and migratory birds. The mangrove system also shows you why this habitat matters: its tangled roots shelter wildlife and protect the shore.

This portion may be less exciting if you have come only for swimming and photographs. I still like its place in the schedule. Starting in the mangroves keeps the day from becoming a simple chain of crowded water stops, and it gives you a glimpse of San Andrés beyond the famous sandbars.

Palito and The Stick, your first swim

The boat then reaches Palito, an area with white sand, shallow water, and room to swim or snorkel. The stop lasts about an hour.

The local floating bar called The Stick, or Tiki Bar, adds a social touch. You can also use the floating mat, one of the more useful inclusions on this trip. It lets you lie back in the water instead of spending the entire stop swimming.

Families should find this stop easy to enjoy, since not everyone needs to snorkel. You can stay on the pontoon, swim close by, or relax on the mat. Bring a waterproof pouch if you want to carry a phone near the water, since the tour’s optional aerial photography should not be treated as your only chance for pictures.

Rocky Cay and the Nicodemus shipwreck

The boat passes Rocky Cay and the wreck known as Nicodemus. The ship is linked to Greek magnate Aristotle Onassis, who brought part of its structure to Rocky Cay after it ran aground in the Caribbean.

Today, the wreck is both a recognizable island landmark and a home for marine life. It is not the same kind of attraction as a preserved museum ship. You are seeing a weathered structure in the sea, where fish and other marine species have made use of it.

This is one of the more distinctive parts of the route, especially if you like the meeting point of local history and nature. Keep your expectations measured: the stop is described as a sighting, so the boat may not turn it into a long exploration session.

Aquarium and Haynes Cay, the main swimming stop

The tour spends about two hours at Aquarium, also called Haynes Cay. This is the longest stop and probably the day’s main anchor.

Haynes Cay is a small islet surrounded by coral, stone, pale sand, and clear water. The shallows are home to colorful fish, making this a good place to use the provided masks and spend time in the water.

You can snorkel, swim, or sit quietly on the islet. The longer pause also gives you time to eat lunch, but lunch is not included. You can bring food or buy it on the cay.

That arrangement gives you flexibility, but it also requires planning. Do not assume the crew will provide a meal. Bring Colombian pesos if you plan to buy lunch, and remember that one family group had to arrange payment in advance because they did not have pesos. The crew may help with practical details, but you should not depend on that.

The water can look almost unreal in bright sun, but conditions vary. Strong wind can affect the boat and may also affect any planned drone flight. If you get seasick, the operator suggests taking a dizziness pill beforehand as a precaution.

Rose Cay, the shallow sandbar made for photographs

Rose Cay is next to Haynes Cay and is sometimes called Instagram Beach. Its white sandbanks create the famous sensation of walking through shallow water.

This is the spot for wide photographs, simple swimming, and easy snorkeling close to the sand. You may see a good range of small fish in the clear water, though the quality of the experience depends on weather, water clarity, and how many boats are present.

The one-hour stop is long enough for pictures without making you rush. Beach shoes are a smart idea here and elsewhere on the route. They are not included or rented by the tour, but you can compare or buy them directly at the pier.

The shallow sand is beautiful, but it is also exposed. There may be little shade, so bring sun protection and do not forget that the Caribbean sun can feel mild while still burning quickly.

Sea World, the best chance for a focused snorkel

At Sea World, the pontoon anchors in a snorkeling area with marine plants, fish, and other sea life. The stop lasts about an hour.

This is a good place to make the snorkeling the main event instead of treating it as something to do between photographs. Your masks are supplied, but the snorkel itself is not included due to health rules. Check exactly what equipment you need before boarding.

If you do not want to enter the water, you can remain on the boat. That flexibility is important for mixed groups. A confident swimmer can snorkel while someone else listens to music, rests, or enjoys a drink on board.

The quality of snorkeling is naturally tied to sea conditions. The tour is not a guided marine biology lesson, so you should think of it as a boat-assisted snorkeling day rather than a highly instructional wildlife excursion.

White Wata and the floating-bar finish

The last stop is White Wata, an area where boats gather later in the afternoon near floating bars. You can swim, visit a bar, use the floating mat, or stay on the pontoon.

Ending here makes sense. After the more active snorkeling stops, you have an easy final hour to float and relax. If your group enjoys music and drinks, this may be the most sociable part of the day.

The floating bars are optional and may involve their own purchases. The tour provides beer and water, but do not confuse those included drinks with everything sold at a bar. Bring additional drinks and snacks if you want more choice. A cooler with ice is included.

What the $300 private price really covers

The advertised price is $300 per group of up to five people. With five people, that works out to $60 each before the dock charge and lunch. For two people, the per-person cost becomes much higher, so the value depends heavily on filling the boat.

You receive a private pontoon, roughly six and a half hours on the water, snorkeling, masks, 12 beers, 12 waters, ice, and a floating mat. For a group of five that wants privacy and a full day around San Andrés’ main marine stops, the price can be reasonable.

The drinks are worth clarifying before departure. The inclusion is 12 beers and 12 bottles of water for the group, not 12 per person. An early loading mix-up has caused confusion for at least one group, so I would check the cooler before leaving the pier and keep your booking details available.

Add $1.30 per person for the boarding dock fee. Lunch is extra, and you may also spend money on food, drinks, beach shoes, or floating-bar purchases.

Crew service, language, and the drone question

The strongest part of the human service appears to be the crew’s practical help. Captains named Carlos, Jorge, and Sebastian have been praised for being attentive, helping with drinks and food, arranging payment at lunch, and making the boat comfortable for families.

Rikki has also helped with last-minute bookings, including a birthday trip. That is useful if your plans change late, though you should not assume every booking will involve the same person.

English support needs a direct check. The operator says the crew is trained to communicate in English and identifies Riccardo as fluent, but one booking had difficulty communicating in English. If language is important to you, confirm who will be on board before paying.

The drone photo is an optional extra, not a guaranteed feature. The tour information says it is provided on some occasions, and wind can make flying unsafe or impossible. One description has also created confusion about whether it remains part of the service. Treat it as a pleasant possibility, not something included in the value calculation.

Who will get the most from this boat day

I would recommend this experience most strongly for a group of up to five people that wants a private boat, several water stops, and a relaxed schedule.

It suits:

• Families with children or mixed swimming abilities
• Couples marking a birthday or special occasion
• Friends who want Bluetooth music and their own space
• First-time visitors who want to combine mangroves, snorkeling, sandbars, and floating bars
• People who prefer a flexible day instead of a tightly guided lecture

It may be less suitable if you want Johnny Cay or La Piscinita. Those places are not part of this route, and the boat cannot simply substitute every popular island stop. Read the route carefully before booking so you know you are choosing Aquarium, Rose Cay, Sea World, and White Wata.

It is also not ideal for anyone expecting lunch, guaranteed aerial photos, or a fully bilingual crew without confirming in advance.

Practical details that make the day easier

Wear a swimsuit and bring sunscreen, a towel, and a dry change of clothes. Beach shoes are strongly recommended because coral, stones, and rough surfaces may appear around the cays.

Carry some Colombian pesos. You may need them for lunch, dock costs, or small purchases at the stops. You can bring extra drinks and snacks, though the cooler already includes water, beer, and ice.

The meeting point is Muelle de la Policía, Carrera 1, in San Andrés. The tour returns there, and the pier is near public transportation.

You must show valid physical identification when you arrive at each experience point to confirm the reservation. The booking belongs to the reservation holder and is not transferable.

The activity is described as quiet and relaxing, and most people can participate. Still, it is a sea excursion. If you are prone to motion sickness, taking a suitable dizziness pill before departure may help.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. A cancellation inside that window is not refunded, and changes are not accepted. Poor weather can lead to a new date or full refund, while a failure to meet the minimum number of participants brings the same options.

Should you book the 7 Colors San Andrés tour?

Book it if you are a small group that values privacy, wants a full water day, and is happy to buy lunch separately. The combination of mangroves, Rocky Cay, Aquarium, Rose Cay, snorkeling, floating mats, and White Wata gives you a broad introduction to San Andrés in one outing.

I would book for a full group of five whenever possible, since that is when the $300 price makes the most sense. Before departure, confirm the exact drink quantity, the crew’s English ability, and the current status of the drone photo.

Skip it if you specifically want Johnny Cay or La Piscinita, or if you need a guaranteed meal and guaranteed aerial photography. For everyone else, the private format, clean pontoon, helpful crew, and long Aquarium stop make this a well-rounded choice, provided you arrive with realistic expectations and a little extra cash.

FAQ

How long does the San Andrés 7 Colors tour last?

The experience lasts approximately six hours and 30 minutes, beginning at 10:30 a.m. and returning to the police pier.

How many people can join the private boat?

The $300 price covers one private group of up to five people. Only your group participates in the activity.

What is included in the tour price?

The tour includes 12 bottles of water, 12 beers, ice in a cooler, a floating mat, snorkeling masks, and a snorkeling tour.

Is lunch included?

No. You can bring lunch or buy it at Aquarium on Haynes Cay. Lunch costs extra.

Is the snorkel included?

Masks are included, but the snorkel itself is not supplied due to health regulations.

Are drone photos guaranteed?

No. A drone photo or video may be provided on some occasions, but it depends on conditions such as wind. You should not book this tour expecting a guaranteed drone photograph.

Where does the tour meet?

You meet at Muelle de la Policía, Carrera 1, San Andrés, San Andrés and Providencia, Colombia. The tour ends back at the same meeting point.

Do I need to bring beach shoes?

Beach shoes are recommended. They are not rented by the tour, but you can buy or compare them at the pier.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If bad weather causes the tour to be canceled, you will be offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time.