Cartagena Yacht Charter Prices 2026: Complete Guide to Private Boat Costs

The most common question on any Cartagena charter inquiry is also the most straightforward: how much does it actually cost? The answer depends on the type of vessel, how many people are in your group, and how many hours you want on the water — but it does not need to be complicated. This guide breaks down every price tier for 2026, explains exactly what is included at each level, and gives you a per-person cost breakdown so you can compare a private charter against group tours before you book anything.

One thing worth saying upfront: Cartagena has a large informal charter market alongside professional operators. The price range for “the same boat” can vary by 30–50% depending on whether you are booking at a dock versus through a certified operator. The difference is not just price — it is what happens when something goes wrong. A certified operator like Nauty 360 provides written booking confirmations, DIMAR-licensed captains, and liability coverage. An informal dock arrangement often provides none of these. For a full look at how to evaluate operators before you pay a deposit, see our Cartagena boat rental prices guide.

Cartagena Yacht Charter Prices at a Glance (2026)

The table below covers the four main vessel categories operating in Cartagena in 2026. All prices are in USD and include a DIMAR-certified captain, fuel for the agreed itinerary, life jackets, and a cooler with ice.

All prices are valid as of 2026 and include captain, fuel, life jackets, and cooler with ice. Departure from Marina Manga or La Bodeguita (centrally located). See full availability and book a private charter in Cartagena.

What’s Included in Every Cartagena Yacht Charter

Knowing what is and is not included in your charter price is the single most effective way to avoid surprise costs. Here is what every Nauty 360 charter in Cartagena covers as standard:

• DIMAR-certified captain — Colombia’s maritime authority (Dirección General Marítima) certifies and licenses all captains. Ask for proof of certification before boarding any vessel.
• Fuel for the agreed itinerary and duration. If you extend the trip or request additional stops beyond the original route, fuel cost for the extra distance may apply.
• Life jackets and required safety equipment in compliance with Colombian maritime regulations.
• Cooler with ice — bring your own drinks, or arrange catering as an add-on.
• Music system on board.
• Departure from Marina Manga or La Bodeguita — both are centrally located in Cartagena, accessible from the hotel zone without a long transfer.
• Booking confirmation within 2 hours of your request, including captain name, boat registration, and list of included services.

What is generally not included unless specifically arranged:

• Food and beverages — BYOB is welcome; catering can be arranged as an add-on from approximately $25 per person.
• Snorkel gear — $5–15 per person rental at beach clubs or from the captain. Bring your own for zero additional cost.
• National Park entrance fee at Rosario Islands — approximately $20,000–35,000 COP per person (~$5–9 USD). Mandatory if you anchor within the park. See our complete Rosario Islands guide for details on park access.
• Fishing gear.
• Jet ski rental at beach clubs.

Knowing what is excluded upfront is how you avoid the “hidden cost” surprises that are common with informal dock operators. A written booking confirmation that lists included services is your best protection.

Price Per Person — Is a Private Charter Worth It?

The most useful way to evaluate a private charter is to calculate the per-person cost and compare it to what a group tour would cost for the same number of people. The math often surprises first-time charter bookers.

At 8 people, a private lancha charter costs $85 per person — less than most group colectivo tours in Cartagena, with the added benefit of a private route, a flexible departure time, and no strangers on your boat. At 30 people on a catamaran, the per-person cost drops to $77 — competitive with a standard group ferry and far more comfortable.

Private Charter vs. Group Tour vs. Coléctivo Lancha

There are three main ways to get on the water from Cartagena: a private charter, an organized group tour, or a coléctivo lancha (shared public boat). Each suits a different type of traveler. Here is how they compare across the factors that actually matter when you are planning a trip.

For groups of 6 or more, a private charter almost always beats a group tour on price per person — and gives you complete control over your day. For a detailed look at what a full boat tour from Cartagena looks like in practice, read our boat tour Cartagena guide.

Solo travelers and budget travelers often get the best value from coléctivo lanchas, which leave from Muelle de los Pegasos daily. The downside is a fixed schedule, queues at the dock, and a boat shared with 20–40 strangers. For anyone traveling in a group of four or more, the math quickly favors a private charter.

Additional Costs to Budget For

Beyond the charter price itself, there are several real costs that affect your total budget. None of these are “hidden” in the sense of being dishonest — they are simply costs that apply to the destination rather than the boat. Here is what to plan for:

Rosario Islands National Park fee: approximately $20,000–35,000 COP per person (~$5–9 USD). Mandatory if you anchor within the park boundaries. Some operators include it in the charter price; confirm before booking. See the Rosario Islands complete guide for details on which areas require the fee and which do not.

Catering: if you want a prepared lunch or snacks on board, catering add-ons start from approximately $25 per person. Budget travelers can bring their own food and drinks — BYOB is standard and welcome on all charters. The boat’s cooler with ice is included.

Snorkel gear rental: $5–15 per person at beach clubs or from the captain directly. If you snorkel regularly, bringing your own mask and fins costs nothing extra and guarantees a proper fit.

Tips: not mandatory, but customary. Ten percent of the charter cost is standard for good service. On a $680 charter, that is $68 for the captain — meaningful income in the local economy and genuinely appreciated.

Beach club entrance or table minimums: some clubs at Cholón or Rosario Islands charge entrance fees ($10–25 per person) or have minimum spend requirements. Budget $20–40 per person if you plan to use beach club facilities, buy food, or rent chairs and umbrellas.

Realistic total for a group of 8 on a full day: approximately $1,050 charter (8 hours) + $64 park fees (8 x $8) + $200 catering + $240 beach club ($30 per person) = roughly $1,554 total, or $194 per person for a complete private day. For context, a comparable organized group tour with similar stops typically runs $80–120 per person — but with fixed timing, mixed groups, and no route flexibility.

How to Avoid Hidden Charges in Cartagena

Cartagena’s informal charter market means that price surprises are common when booking without a written agreement. The following practices eliminate most of them:

• Always get a written quote that explicitly states what is included: captain, fuel, snorkel gear, park fees, and catering (if any).
• Avoid booking informally at the dock with no written contract or confirmation.
• Ask directly: “Does this price include the Rosario Islands park entrance fee?”
• Ask: “What fuel range does this price cover? If we add a stop, does that cost extra?”
• Confirm the departure point — some operators list a central address but require you to transfer to a different dock at extra cost.
• Book with operators who provide a digital booking confirmation with the captain’s name, boat registration number, and list of included services before any payment is made.
• Check Google Maps and TripAdvisor reviews, and look specifically for mentions of unexpected charges or pricing disputes.

Nauty 360 sends a written booking confirmation with captain details, boat registration, and a full breakdown of included services before any payment is requested. If you want to book a private charter in Cartagena, that confirmation is your guarantee of what you are paying for.

Questions to Ask Before Booking a Yacht Charter in Cartagena

Any professional charter operator should be able to answer these questions without hesitation. If an operator hesitates, deflects, or gives vague answers, that is useful information before you pay anything.

1. Is the captain DIMAR-certified? Can you share the certification number?
2. Is fuel included for the full agreed itinerary?
3. Does this price include the Rosario Islands national park entrance fee?
4. How many people does the boat comfortably hold (not maximum capacity — comfortable capacity)?
5. What is the cancellation and refund policy?
6. What happens if weather conditions are poor on the day of the charter?
7. Can we customize the route or add/remove stops?
8. Is catering or snorkel gear available, and at what cost?
9. What dock do we depart from, and is there parking nearby?
10. Do you provide a written booking confirmation before payment?