Boat Hire Cartagena: Prices, Routes & How to Book [2026]

If you searched "boat hire Cartagena," you're most likely using the British English term for what Americans call a boat rental — also known as "boat hire" in British English. Either way, the product in Cartagena is the same: a private vessel booked for your group, with a licensed captain included, not a bareboat rental where you take the wheel yourself. That distinction matters, because it changes what you need to know before you book — no license required, no prior boating experience, and a local captain who already knows the routes.

This guide walks through exactly what boat hire in Cartagena involves: the types of vessels available, what's included in the price and what typically isn't, the best routes from the city, realistic 2026 pricing, and how far in advance you should book depending on the season. By the end, you should be able to book with confidence and know what questions to ask before you commit to a date.

Boat Hire in Cartagena — What You Need to Know

When people search for "boat hire" in Cartagena, they're almost always looking for a private charter — the whole boat, with a captain included, not a bareboat rental where you operate the vessel yourself. In most Caribbean destinations, including Cartagena, hiring a boat without a captain is rare and generally requires a recognized boating license. What's widely available — and what "boat hire" typically means in practice here — is a private charter: you book the entire vessel for your group, a licensed captain handles the navigation, and you choose the route together.

This is genuinely good news for visitors: no license required, no prior boating experience needed, and a local captain who knows the best routes, anchoring spots, and timing for the water conditions on any given day. The captain also handles the practical logistics — departure timing around tides and weather, which anchorages are calm on a given morning, and how to sequence stops so your group gets the most out of the day.

It's worth being clear about what boat hire is not, too. It's not a jet ski rental, not a public ferry ticket, and not a seat on a shared group tour boat with strangers. It's your group, on your own vessel, for the duration of the charter.

Types of Boats Available for Hire

Cartagena's charter fleet includes several vessel types suited to different group sizes and preferences:

• Speedboats (lanchas): 6-10 people, fast transit to the Rosario Islands or Barú, ideal for smaller groups.
• Mid-size yachts: 10-15 people, a comfortable balance of space and speed.
• Catamarans: Up to 20-25 people, the most stable option with the widest deck space, well-suited to larger groups.
• Sailboats: 4-8 people, for travelers specifically wanting the experience of sailing rather than a motor-powered vessel.

Vessel availability varies by date and season — confirm your preferred type when booking, especially for larger groups or peak season dates. Speedboats are the most commonly booked option for groups under 10 because they get you to the Rosario Islands or Barú fastest, leaving more time on the water at your destination. Catamarans are the better choice for bachelorette parties, corporate outings, or any group large enough that deck space matters more than speed.

What's Included When You Hire a Boat in Cartagena

A standard boat hire in Cartagena includes: the vessel exclusively for your group, a licensed captain, fuel for the agreed route, standard safety equipment (life jackets, etc.), and typically a cooler with ice.

Optional add-ons, usually available at booking: snorkel gear, an open bar package, catering or food service, and a photographer for special occasions. These are worth requesting ahead of time rather than the day of, since provisioning and staffing need to be arranged in advance.

What's typically NOT included: national park entry fees for stops like the Rosario Islands (around $6 per person), and crew gratuity (standard practice, typically 15-20% of the total charter cost). Budgeting for both of these upfront avoids any surprise at the end of the day.

Best Routes — Rosario Islands, Barú, and Cartagena Bay

Rosario Islands: A 45-60 minute route to Colombia's closest coral reef system to a major city. Popular stops include Cholón bay, Isla Grande's reef for snorkeling, and the Natural Aquarium's shallow lagoon. This route is the standard choice for groups who want variety in a single day — snorkeling, a social anchorage, and a beach stop are all possible without a long transit between them.

Barú and Playa Blanca: A shorter 30-45 minute route to white-sand beaches and fresh seafood from beach vendors, a popular choice for groups wanting a straightforward beach day without a long boat ride. It's also the more practical option for groups with young children or anyone prone to motion sickness, given the shorter time on open water.

Cartagena Bay: For a shorter charter or a sunset cruise, staying within the bay offers calm water and views of the walled city and Castillo San Felipe, without the longer transit to the outer islands. This is a good fit for evening charters or groups that want an easy, low-commitment few hours on the water.

For more on how boat hire compares to renting a boat without a captain, see our boat charter vs boat rental explainer.

How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Boat in Cartagena?

Private boat hire in Cartagena starts from $680 for the whole boat — captain and fuel included, not a per-person rate. Pricing scales with vessel size, charter duration, and any add-ons (open bar, catering, snorkel gear upgrade).

For a group of 8 splitting an entry-level boat hire: $680 ÷ 8 = $85 per person for a full day on the water with a private captain. That per-person math is often comparable to — or cheaper than — a seat on a shared group tour, while giving you the whole boat, your own route, and no strangers on board.

Check availability for your boat hire to confirm current pricing for your dates and group size.

How Far in Advance to Book Your Boat Hire

Book at least 2-3 weeks ahead for most dates. During peak season (December-April, Semana Santa, and New Year's), book 4-6 weeks ahead, as the best vessels and captains get reserved early. Larger groups (15+) should book earlier regardless of season given more limited availability for bigger vessels.

Outside of peak season, some dates can be arranged on shorter notice, but locking in your preferred vessel type and departure time still works best with a couple of weeks' lead time. If you're new to Cartagena, our guide on is Cartagena safe to visit covers what first-time visitors should know before booking.

Private Boat Hire vs Group Tours — Which to Choose

A shared group tour puts you on a larger boat with other travelers, following a fixed schedule and route — lower cost per person, but no flexibility and a more crowded experience at popular stops like Cholón.

Private boat hire means the whole vessel is exclusively yours: you choose the route, the pace, and how long to stay at each stop. For groups of 6 or more, the per-person cost of a private charter is often comparable to a group tour, while offering a completely different — and generally preferred — experience. If your group has different priorities (some want to snorkel, others just want to relax on deck), a private charter also makes it much easier to accommodate everyone without a fixed itinerary getting in the way.