Rosario Islands: choose the kind of coast day
The Rosario Islands lie off Cartagena on Colombia’s Caribbean coast. Start by separating the Rosario archipelago from Barú: Playa Blanca and Cholón belong to the Barú destination, while Isla Grande is part of the island experience offshore. The national park covers a different geographical area again. A trip advertised with several island stops can combine these settings without landing on a separate island at every stop.
Decide first between a day out and an overnight stay. A shared boat trip puts transport and selected activities into one itinerary; a beach club day concentrates on shore facilities. A private boat reserves the vessel for your party. For a lower advertised starting price among the featured options, the road trip to Playa Blanca uses a bus rather than an island crossing. Staying longer opens a different plan around Isla Grande, Orika or Barú, with the return journey arranged as part of your stay.
Island trips and beach days
Choose the catamaran for included park and boarding fees, or the private boat for a guided outing. The Playa Blanca bus offers a road option.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Private boat trip with guide
- Private boat
- All-risk insurance
A guide accompanies the private trip. This is a per-person price.
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Shared boat to an Isla Grande beach club
- Lunch choice
- Kayaks and stand-up paddle boards
- Oceanfront sunbed
Make your own way to the pier. A welcome drink and one drink with lunch are included; the DJ plays on weekends.
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Catamaran cruise with snorkeling equipment
- National Natural Park fees
- Boarding fees
- Lunch
Non-alcoholic drinks and a snack are included on board.
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Island boat trip with snorkeling
- Return transportation by speedboat
- Lunch
- Sun loungers
The route includes a panoramic view of Isla del Pavito and a submerged aircraft. Aquarium admission is extra.
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Island outing with three beach club passes
- Bilingual tour guide
- Lunch
- Beach beds and parasols
Boats and stops depend on the ticket; snorkeling equipment is included only with Eco or VIP. Port tax and optional Oceanario admission are extra.
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Playa Blanca day by bus
- Air-conditioned bus
- Typical coastal lunch
- Free time at Playa Blanca
Pickup is at a hotel or agreed point in the hotel zone. Lunch choices include fish, chicken or vegetarian food.
Check availability →Boat trips, snorkelling and beach days
Choose between a multi-stop boat day, a catamaran with lunch, a road trip to Playa Blanca and a private boat charged per person.
Find the right island plan
Tours and island hopping
Compare routes, lunch, shared transfers and the meaning of a stop.
Private boat tours
Compare departure marinas, crew, group prices and per-person pricing.
Snorkelling and diving
Separate surface swimming from dives for certified divers.
Beach clubs
Choose shore facilities, meals and the transfer format.
Barú and Playa Blanca
A sandy beach destination with land and water access.
Cholón
Understand the party format, boat traffic and park rules.
Isla Grande
Orika, mangroves, dry forest and day visits.
Getting there
Keep the airport journey and island boat separate.
Where to stay
Compare Isla Grande, Orika and Barú as locations.
Best time to visit
Plan rain and sea conditions as separate questions.
Park fees and rules
Distinguish park admission, harbour use and visitor insurance.
Things to do in the Rosario Islands
Snorkelling, a beach day and a boat circuit are different ways to spend the day, even when the same island names appear in the itinerary. The featured catamaran outing includes snorkelling equipment, lunch, non-alcoholic drinks and park and boarding fees. Its starting point is La Bodeguita, and hotel pickup is extra. Choose this format for time aboard as well as time in the water, rather than treating the boat only as transport.
The multi-stop itinerary combines beach club access and lunch with views of historic structures. Snorkelling and its equipment belong to the Eco or VIP ticket. The shared speedboat excursion with a guide instead includes snorkelling, lunch, loungers, hydration and a beach club visit, with a panoramic visit to Isla del Pavito and views of a sunken light aircraft. These are specific activities, rather than a promise to explore every island.
For shore-focused time, the Isla Grande club day includes a shared speedboat from Todomar, a sunbed, lunch, a welcome drink and a drink with lunch, plus kayaks and paddleboards. The DJ is a weekend feature. The word private in the club format describes the destination experience; the boat is shared. Its small review count should be read as limited feedback, rather than a broad quality verdict.
A beach day or a longer stay?
Playa Blanca offers a different approach: the featured bus outing includes air-conditioned return transport, lunch and free time on the beach. Pickup is at a hotel or agreed meeting point within the Cartagena hotel zone. Chairs, shade and drinks are additional local purchases. It suits a beach-first plan, while an offshore itinerary suits a day built around the crossing and several stops.
Isla Grande also has overnight accommodation and the inhabited Afro-Colombian community of Orika, associated with community tourism, mangroves and dry forest. A day pass and an overnight booking meet different needs. For a stay, settle the return boat, baggage arrangements, access to the property, meals and payment methods before committing to the location. Carry some Colombian pesos for small local transactions; the USD prices on activity cards serve a separate purpose.
Cartagena and the island crossing
Use Cartagena de Indias for the city part of the journey, including the old town and Getsemaní. Keep a boat day distinct from an arrival-day transfer: the airport-to-marina journey is on land, followed by the departure procedure for the selected boat. La Bodeguita and Todomar are different meeting points.
Registration and the safety briefing are compulsory before entering the park. Wear the life jacket throughout navigation and follow the crew’s instructions. Rainfall and sea conditions need separate attention: a dry day can still mean a demanding crossing. Park admission, harbour use and the local visitor accident policy are separate budget items. The fees guide, arrival guide and season guide explain the practical distinctions before you choose an itinerary.
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Questions about visiting the islands
Is Barú the same as the Rosario archipelago?
Treat them as distinct destinations. Playa Blanca and Cholón are associated with Barú, and boat itineraries can combine Barú stops with the Rosario archipelago.
Should I stay overnight?
Choose an overnight stay for a plan centred on Isla Grande, Orika or Barú beyond a single outing. Arrange accommodation access and the return journey together; a beach day pass covers daytime access.
Is this an official park website?
This is an independent guide, separate from PNN, DIMAR and the city of Cartagena. Departure decisions and local access instructions come from the relevant authorities and boat crew.