Group Boat Charter in Cartagena, Colombia: Complete 2026 Guide

Cartagena is one of the few cities in the Caribbean where a private boat charter genuinely makes more financial sense than buying individual tickets. For 10 to 30+ people, chartering a vessel exclusively for your party beats every shared-tour option on price, comfort, and flexibility.

This guide covers everything a group planner needs: which vessel fits how many people, what occasions work best on the water, the routes your captain will recommend, what is included in the base price, and the one pricing detail most platforms never mention.

Why Cartagena Is Built for Private Group Charters

Cartagena Bay is a protected harbor. No open-ocean swells, predictable winds, and calm water for most of the year make it unusually forgiving for large groups — including people who don’t normally spend time on boats. The Rosario Islands and Barú are 35–45 minutes offshore by speedboat in conditions that rarely cause issues even for first-timers. The marina at Manga sits five minutes from the old city by taxi, so there is no 90-minute bus transfer to a distant port — groups meet at the marina, board, and are underway within the hour.

The scenery does the work. The walled city skyline from the water, Caribbean islands with white sand and turquoise shallows, and the bay itself — wide enough to feel open, calm enough to anchor anywhere — means that a group with any level of boating experience will find something to enjoy. You do not need to be a yacht enthusiast to have a genuinely great time on a private charter in Cartagena.

What Boat Fits Your Group? Size Guide for 10 to 30+ People

Vessel choice drives everything else — price, capacity, comfort level on the water, and what routes are feasible. Here is a practical breakdown by group size:

A few things worth knowing before you lock in a vessel. First, Colombian maritime regulations enforced by DIMAR limit passenger counts on each class of vessel — these are hard limits, not suggestions. A captain who takes 20 passengers on a boat rated for 12 is operating illegally and risks a fine that cancels your trip on the water. Always confirm the DIMAR-registered passenger limit before booking.

Second, a larger boat is not automatically better. Catamarans are stable and spacious but slower — the Rosario Islands trip that takes 40 minutes in a speedboat can take 75 minutes in a catamaran. If your group is tight on time or wants to cover more ground, a pair of speedboats for a group of 20 may be more practical than one large vessel.

Third, shade matters more than most groups expect. Cartagena’s midday sun is intense. Ask about covered deck space when comparing vessels — a catamaran with a bimini top is significantly more comfortable than an open speedboat for groups with older guests or children.

Best Group Occasions: Birthdays, Bachelorettes, Corporate & Family

Private charters in Cartagena work for a wider range of occasions than most groups initially consider. The format — exclusive vessel, open water, flexible schedule — adapts well to different group dynamics.

Birthday charters are the most common request. Groups of 15–25 book a catamaran, bring a cooler and a Bluetooth speaker, and spend 4–6 hours between the bay, Cholon, and a beach stop. Nauty 360 allows decorations on board.

Bachelorette charters tend to emphasize the Cholon floating bar scene — Cartagena’s famous anchorage where vendors pull up to boats and sell food, drinks, and music. The full bachelorette charter guide covers Cholon logistics in detail, including what to bring versus buy on the water.

Corporate charters for teams of 10–30 work well as incentive trips or end-of-conference activities. The format is inherently social, and bilingual captains are standard on all Nauty 360 charters — important for international teams.

Family charters with mixed ages tend to prefer catamarans for stability and shade. The Rosario Islands offer calm, shallow water where children can wade and older guests can sit on the beach. Ask the captain specifically which stops have beach access versus boat-only anchoring.

Popular Routes for Group Charters in Cartagena

Most group charters follow one of three routes:

• Cholon Half-Day (3–4 h): Depart Manga, cross the bay to Cholon on Barú Island, anchor at the floating-bar area, return. The classic Cartagena party-boat experience without a full island day.
• Rosario Islands Full Day (6–8 h): 40-minute crossing to the Rosario Archipelago, two or three island stops for snorkeling, swimming, and lunch on the beach. The most popular full-day route. Catamarans are preferred for groups over 15 — the crossing can be choppy in a speedboat when trade winds are up.
• Bay Circuit + Sunset (3–4 h): Late afternoon departure, walled city circuit from the water, Bocagrande channel, anchor for the sunset. Lower cost than an island trip and ideal for groups that want an evening experience.

Custom combinations are possible. Talk to your captain about what is realistic given departure time and group pace.

What’s Included — and What to Ask Before You Book

Every Nauty 360 charter in Cartagena includes captain and fuel in the base price. This is not the case with all charter companies in the city — some quote a boat price and then add fuel separately at the end, which can add $80–$150 to the final invoice depending on the route. Confirm this before signing anything.

What is typically not included in the base charter price:

• Food and drinks (you bring your own, or arrange catering separately)
• Snorkeling equipment (available on request, ask when booking)
• Decorations for events (allowed on board, bring your own)
• Island entrance fees at Rosario Islands marine park ($10–$15 per person, paid on arrival)
• Sound system upgrade on some vessels (standard Bluetooth speaker is included)

The marine park fee at Rosario Islands catches groups by surprise more often than any other item. Budget $10–$15 per person if your route includes the Rosario Archipelago — it goes directly to the national park and is non-negotiable. Your captain will collect it or direct you to pay at the park gate.

Ask about DIMAR departure documentation before booking. All legitimate charters in Cartagena must file a departure manifest with Colombia’s maritime authority. If a company cannot show DIMAR certification, treat that as a red flag.

How Much Does a Group Boat Charter in Cartagena Cost in 2026?

Private group charters start at $680 for the full vessel — not per person. Captain and fuel are always included in that price. The charter cost does not scale with group size the way hotel rooms or tour tickets do; you pay for the boat, and however many people you bring (within the DIMAR passenger limit) is your group’s business.

Here is the math that most group planners overlook: 10 people splitting $680 equals $68 per person — still cheaper than most group tours in Cartagena ($80–$120/pp), which put you on a shared vessel with dozens of strangers. A private lancha is not just more comfortable; it is cheaper per head once your group reaches 10 people. For groups of 15–30, catamaran charters scale accordingly: mid-size from $1,750, large catamaran from $2,320.

One detail most booking platforms skip: DIMAR limits the departure window for groups of 15 or more to 8:00–9:00 AM. Morning departures beat the congestion from public lanchas heading to Barú from 9:30 AM onward, and you arrive at the islands before shared-tour boats cluster at the same anchorages. For large groups, this window is often the only clean departure option.

Check the full Cartagena boat rental pricing guide for a complete breakdown of rates by vessel type, season, and duration, including how to read quotes from different operators.