Rosario Islands Cartagena: Private Boat Guide, Real Costs [2026]
Colombia's only underwater national park. 28 islands. 75-90 minutes from your hotel. Here's what the shared-tour brochures leave out — and the math that makes a private boat the smarter call for groups of 8 or more.
The Islas del Rosario are the reason people fly to Cartagena instead of Cancun. Twenty-eight coral islands inside a protected national park, 75-90 minutes from the city by speedboat. It is the best snorkeling in Colombia, and it is not close. For groups looking to skip the crowds entirely, private Cartagena boat charters let you set your own pace and itinerary.
This guide covers real pricing, the fixed Full Day schedule, which islands are worth stopping at, and the group-size math that makes a private boat the cheaper call for 8 or more people.
Quick Facts: Rosario Islands by Private Boat
| Detail | Private Boat (Nauty360) | Shared Group Tour |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $680–$950 full vessel | $60–$120 per person |
| Departure pier | Assigned by boat — Club Náutico, Muelle de los Pegasos, or Marina Todomar | Fixed (Muelle de los Pegasos) |
| Group on your boat | Your group only (10–15 people) | Up to 25–30 strangers |
| Islands visited | Your choice (2–4 stops) | Fixed itinerary, 1–2 stops |
| Travel time | ~75–90 min | ~75–90 min |
| Departure time | 9:00 AM (fixed minimum) | Fixed (8:30–9:00 AM) |
| Captain included | ✅ DIMAR-certified | ✅ Included |
The Math That Makes a Private Boat Cheaper for Groups
Shared tours to the Rosario Islands typically run $60–$120 USD per person depending on what is included. A private speedboat from Nauty360 starts at $680 for the whole vessel — with the captain, fuel, and snorkel gear included. See the full Rosario Islands pricing page for rates by vessel.
Run the numbers by group size:
| Group Size | Shared Tour Total (avg. $90/person) |
Private Boat Total ($680 up to 10, $950 for 11-15) |
Private Per Person |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 people | $180 | $680 | $340/person |
| 4 people | $360 | $680 | $170/person |
| 6 people | $540 | $680 | $113/person |
| 8 people ← break-even | $720 | $680 | $85/person ✅ |
| 10 people | $900 | $680 | $68/person ✅ |
| 12 people | $1,080 | $950 | $79/person ✅ |
At 8 people, the private boat is already cheaper than booking shared tours individually — and your group has the entire vessel, full flexibility on stops, and no 30 strangers on the same boat. Groups above 10 need the 38ft vessel ($950) instead of the 29ft ($680) — still cheaper per person than a shared tour.
Your Rosario Islands Schedule: 9 AM to 5 PM
The private Full Day charter departs at 9:00 AM — the fixed earliest departure, never earlier. With 75–90 minutes of navigation each way, you arrive at the islands around 10:15–10:30 AM.
To be back at the marina by 5:00 PM, boats need to leave the islands by roughly 3:30–3:45 PM. That leaves about 5 to 5.5 hours on-site. Pick the islands that matter most to your group before you depart, not once you are out there.
Which Islands Are Worth Your 5 Hours
Most shared tours stop at one or two fixed locations. A private boat lets you choose. Here is what each main stop actually offers:
| Island / Stop | Best For | Honest Tradeoff |
|---|---|---|
| Isla Grande | Mangrove kayaking, beach clubs, lunch | Most developed; crowded with day-trippers by 11 AM |
| San Martín de Pajarales | Best snorkeling, coral gardens, Oceanario | No beach — purely water-based experience |
| Isla del Sol / El Encanto | Quieter beaches, calm swimming | Fewer amenities; bring your own food and drinks |
| Cholón | Calm lagoon, families, low wave energy | Party atmosphere on weekends; quieter on weekdays |
| Playa Blanca (Barú) | Famous white sand, photos, beach bars | Outside the national park; heavy vendor presence |
Recommended combo for a private day: Snorkel at San Martín de Pajarales (30–45 min) → Beach and lunch at Isla Grande (2 hrs) → Swim at a quieter stop heading back. Your captain adjusts for sea conditions that morning.
Season and Visibility: When Conditions Are Worth the Trip
| Period | Sea Conditions | Visibility | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 16 – Jan 14 ⭐ peak | Calm, clear | 20–30 m | busiest weeks of the year |
| Jan 15 – Mar ⭐ best value | Excellent, low swells | 25–30 m | Best combo of conditions + standard pricing |
| Apr – Jun | Variable, rougher | 8–15 m | Rain season begins; more cancellations |
| Jul – Aug ⭐ good | Good, moderate trade winds | 15–25 m | Summer high season; book 10–14 days ahead |
| Sep – Nov | Choppy, rainy | 5–12 m | Low season; lowest prices, higher cancellation risk |
| Holy Week (Semana Santa) | Excellent | 20–30 m | Most crowded week of the year; book well ahead |
What Our Captains See on the Rosario Islands Run
Our captains have made this run more than 500 times. Here's what they see on a typical day:
1. Shared-tour boats cluster at the same two stops. On any given day, 15–20 lanchas from Cartagena converge on the same pier at Isla Grande and the same snorkel buoy line at San Martín de Pajarales. By 11:00 AM, the “isolated paradise” of brochure photos has 300 people in 100 meters of beach. Private boats can anchor 150–200 meters east of the main cluster at Isla Grande and wade to an essentially private section of beach. The captain knows exactly where.
2. Afternoon swells hit faster than most tours communicate. We returned early 11 times in our last season due to conditions deteriorating after 2:30 PM. None of those clients had been warned by their hotel concierge or OTA booking. The normal day runs to about 3:30–3:45 PM, but weather can move that up — don't book anything tight for the evening of a Rosario Islands day.
When a Private Boat to the Rosario Islands Is the Wrong Choice
A private boat is not right for everyone. Be honest with yourself before booking:
- Your group is 1–4 people — at $170+ per person for the smallest group, a shared tour at $60–90 makes more financial sense.
- You are a solo traveler looking to meet people — shared tours put you on a boat with other travelers. A private boat is just your group and the crew.
- You want certified SCUBA diving with an instructor — private speedboats carry snorkel gear but are not set up for dive instruction. Book a specialized dive operator.
- You need the all-inclusive lunch guarantee — private boats do not include lunch by default. You can arrange a catered option with advance notice, but shared tours typically have a fixed lunch included at Isla Grande.
- You are traveling May through November without flexibility — rainy season brings more cancellations. With a private vessel deposit on the line, weather uncertainty is more costly than with a shared tour you can easily rebook.
Ready to book a private boat to the Rosario Islands?
Tell us your date and group size. We confirm within 2 hours. Captain always included.
💬 WhatsApp: +1 954 890 0266Frequently Asked Questions
A private speedboat starts at $680 USD for the full vessel (10–15 people), captain and fuel included. At 8 or more passengers, the per-person cost is cheaper than booking shared tours individually. Catamarans for larger groups (15–30 people) start at $2,600. Full pricing and booking details are on the Rosario Islands private boat page.
About 75–90 minutes by speedboat depending on sea conditions and departure marina. The private Full Day charter departs at 9:00 AM (the fixed earliest departure) and returns by 5:00 PM, leaving roughly 5 to 5.5 hours on the islands.
No — in a private Nauty 360 charter, the national park entrance fee is not charged. That's a real difference from shared group tours, where the park fee is collected separately from each guest.
The best months to visit are December through March and July through August, when seas are calmer. April through June and September through November are rainy season, with choppier water and more frequent cancellations. December 15 to January 15 and Holy Week are the busiest, highest-demand periods — book well in advance.
High season (December–April, Holy Week, July–August) books up faster — reserve as early as you can. WhatsApp us to check availability — we confirm within 2 hours and hold your date with a 50% deposit.
📚 More Cartagena Boat Guides
- Cholón Cartagena: Private Boat Guide, Costs & What Nobody Warns You About
- Playa Blanca Cartagena: Private Boat Guide, Real Costs & The Vendor Truth
- Private Boat to Rosario Islands: Charter Pricing & Booking
- Full Cartagena Boat Rental: Pricing, Fleet & How to Book
- Catamaran vs. Speedboat in Cartagena: Which Is Right for Your Group?
- Best Islands Near Cartagena: Ranked by Travel Time & Experience