Five islands in one long, salty day.

This Cartagena outing strings together a private island chill zone, a guided snorkeling moment on Isla Grande, and a loud music stop at Cholón—then finishes with beach time on Isla Barú. You’ll also have a bilingual guide who helps keep the day moving, with names like Milton and Alex showing up often.

What I like most is how you get real time on the water without needing to plan anything. The snorkeling session includes a mask and oxygen tube (fins aren’t provided), plus a guide who gives recommendations during the short 45-minute window. I also like the people factor: when the guide is Milton or Alex, the energy on the boat tends to stay upbeat, and you get culture and history context along the way.

One thing to keep in mind: this tour can feel more party than peaceful, especially at Cholón. If you’re hoping for a calm, family-focused day—or you don’t love loud music and crowds—you’ll want to think hard before booking.

Key things to know before you go

• Max 20 travelers: smaller group size than many big-day catamarans.
• Start at 8:00 am: you’ll be out most of the day, roughly 7 to 8 hours.
• Snorkeling on Isla Grande for ~45 minutes with mask + oxygen tube; fins not included.
• Cholón is the party stop with music and drinks on the water; alcoholic drinks aren’t included.
• Food setup is mix-and-match: fruit salad + lemonade included, plus a 30,000 COP menu credit for lunch/ordering.

The 8:00 am start and the full-day rhythm

This is a “get going early” kind of tour. Meeting time is 8:00 am in Cartagena, and your day runs about 7 to 8 hours. That timing matters because the islands are spaced out, and you’ll want to be ready for several short hops instead of one long, slow hang.

You’ll also be dealing with real dock reality. One review pointed out a crowded dock and imperfect signage early on, which can make group matching feel stressful at the start. My advice: arrive a bit ahead of time, and double-check you’re in the correct group when you arrive at the meeting point.

Muelle de los Pegasos: the place where you actually find everyone

Stop 1 is Muelle de los Pegasos, where you meet the rest of the group. The schedule lists this as about 1 hour, with admission ticket free. In practice, this is less about sightseeing and more about “everyone lines up and you’re good to go.”

Because the first moments can be hectic, I’d treat this like check-in. Stay alert for your guide’s instructions, and don’t assume everything will be perfectly labeled. If you want a smoother day, your job starts here: find your group, confirm your plans, then relax once you’re out on the water.

Islas de Rosario: private-island time with easy swimming and social areas

Next comes Islas de Rosario, described as a private island stop. This is where you can stretch out—swimming, relaxing, and grabbing food and drinks. The setup is designed so you can linger: the itinerary gives about 1 hour here, and it also notes you can use the social areas of the island for free.

What makes this stop appealing is the mix of options. You can keep it simple—swim and cool off—or you can go for a meal. There’s also mention of a shrimp cocktail and a bar if you want a drink.

A small consideration: this island stop is about time on the water and good vibes, not structured cultural content. If you love organized explanations all day, you’ll get some history through the guide later too, but this part is mostly about lounging.

Isla Grande snorkeling: what’s included and how to make 45 minutes count

Isla Grande is your snorkeling stop, timed at about 45 minutes. You get snorkeling equipment: a mask and an oxygen tube. Fins are not included, so if snorkeling is a big deal to you, plan around that—either borrow what you can or be ready to snorkel without them.

Your guide also provides recommendations during the experience. That matters because with a short session, good direction can help you spend your energy where the water is best rather than wandering around. You’ll also be given a bottle of water to hydrate afterward.

Practical take: since the snorkeling block is relatively short, come ready to jump in and follow the guide’s cues. If you spend the first few minutes just getting oriented, you’ll feel it later when time runs out.

Fort San Fernando de Bocachica: the included entry you shouldn’t ignore

One important value piece is the included admission for Fuerte de San Fernando de Bocachica. Even if your main reason for the tour is water time, an included fort stop gives the day at least one land-based anchor.

If you like a quick dose of place context—what you’re seeing, why it mattered—this is likely where your guide’s storytelling shines. It also helps balance the day so it doesn’t feel like five random stops with no meaning.

Cholón: party island energy on the water (and why that matters)

Cholón is the “party island” stop. You get about 45 minutes here, with music and drinks. The notes specify that alcoholic drinks aren’t included, but the vibe is still geared toward fun and social energy.

There’s also a built-in crowd factor: people from other boats arrive here, so it can feel busy. One review called this stop loud and overcrowded, so that’s your real heads-up.

If you’re the type who wants photos, dancing, and high energy, you’ll probably enjoy Cholón. If you want quiet conversation and a laid-back beach day, Cholón can feel like a mismatch. This is the one stop that most strongly determines whether the day feels perfect or annoying.

Isla Barú and Playa Blanca de Barú: lunch and beach time to finish the day

You end at Isla Barú, described as Playa Blanca de Barú, with lunch and the rest of your time on the beach. The itinerary details can look odd because one field lists 2 minutes, but the overall description is clear: you’ll have lunch and then spend the remaining day relaxing and swimming.

There’s also a budget tool that helps make this stop feel more manageable: you have 30,000 COP to use in the menu during the day. You can order extra items for special dishes with additional charge.

Here’s how to use that credit wisely. Go for the simplest, most satisfying thing that fits the beach vibe, not the most expensive fancy plate. If your first instinct is to order extras because you’re starving, it’s easy to lose track of value. A later review mentioned lunch running later than expected for their group, so if you’re sensitive to hunger, plan for it with self-control or snacks before the tour starts.

Guides like Milton and Alex: the difference between a fun day and a frustrating one

The guide really shapes your experience on a tour like this. Names that show up clearly in the feedback include Milton and Alex.

When Milton is leading, the day tends to come off as organized, with culture and history insights mixed in while he hosts the group. When Alex is guiding, the vibe leans into keeping people entertained during the boat ride and maintaining the itinerary flow.

That doesn’t mean every day will feel identical. But it does mean you should treat the guide as part of the product. If your booking choices let you note guide preferences, it can be worth it to aim for Milton or Alex.

Price and value: what $90 gets you, and what you’ll pay extra for

At $90 per person, you’re paying for a lot of moving parts to be handled for you: pick-up and drop-off, national park fees, bilingual guiding, snorkeling equipment, and the included admission for Fuerte de San Fernando de Bocachica. You also start with fruit salad and refreshing lemonade.

On top of that, lunch isn’t just a random add-on. You get 30,000 COP credit for the menu, which can help you control costs. There may be extra charges for special dishes, and drinks beyond what’s included can add up, especially if you go for upgrades.

So is $90 fair? For a five-island, all-day structure with fees and snorkeling gear included, it’s in the reasonable-to-good range. The bigger variable is how much you spend on food beyond the credit and how much the party mood (especially Cholón) matches what you want.

Drinks, snacks, and where the bill creeps in

Here’s the honest money map based on what’s stated: fruit salad and lemonade are included. During the party stop at Cholón, music and drinks are part of the fun, but alcoholic drinks are explicitly not included. If you’re a beer-and-bacardi person, you’ll be paying out of pocket there.

On the private island and at lunch time, the tour provides options, but additional items and special dishes cost extra. If you’re trying to keep this under budget, decide in advance how much you’re willing to spend beyond the 30,000 COP menu credit.

Who should book this 5-islands tour

This tour fits best if you want a full-day mix: swimming time, a guided snorkeling session, and at least one social, music-forward stop. If you like your beach day with some energy (not just quiet reading), Cholón can be a highlight rather than a distraction.

It may be less ideal if:

• you want a calm, family-focused vibe all day
• you dislike crowds and loud music
• you’re expecting lots of structured sightseeing with long museum-style stops

If you’re traveling as a couple or a group of friends and you’re okay with the day being “fun first,” it can be a great fit.

Tips to keep the day on track

A five-island itinerary can feel like a marathon of boarding and disembarking. The goal is to protect your mood so you enjoy the water parts.

• Arrive early enough to handle early dock chaos. That’s when miscommunication can happen.
• Treat snorkeling as a short, high-focus window. Since fins aren’t included, go in with a plan and follow your guide’s directions.
• Expect Cholón to be loud. If you’re sensitive to noise or want a quiet atmosphere, consider that before you book.
• Use the 30,000 COP menu credit intentionally for lunch instead of letting hunger push you into extra spending.

Should you book it?

I’d book this tour if your top priority is a mix of swimming plus snorkeling in the Rosario islands area, with a guide who helps keep the day fun. The included fees, fort admission, fruit and lemonade, and snorkeling equipment make the $90 price feel more grounded than “just a boat ride.”

I wouldn’t book it if you’re hoping for a quiet, serene day with minimal crowds. Cholón is the deciding factor, and it’s built to be the party stop with music and other boats arriving.

If you’re flexible, patient at the start, and okay with a social vibe, this can be a very good way to spend a full Cartagena day on the islands.

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

The tour starts at 8:00 am.

How long is the 5 islands tour?

The duration is about 7 to 8 hours.

Where do we meet in Cartagena?

You meet at Muelle de los Pegasos.

Which islands are included?

The stops are Muelle de los Pegasos, Islas de Rosario, Isla Grande, Cholón, and Isla Barú.

How many people are on the tour?

The tour has a maximum of 20 travelers.

Is snorkeling included?

Yes. Snorkeling is included at Isla Grande, for about 45 minutes.

What snorkeling equipment is provided?

You get a mask and an oxygen tube. Fins are not included.

Are drinks and lunch included?

Fruit salad and lemonade are included. You also have 30,000 COP to use in the menu, and lunch is provided at Isla Barú.

Is the party stop at Cholón included, and are alcoholic drinks included?

Cholón includes music and drinks as part of the party vibe, but alcoholic drinks are not included.

What’s the cancellation and weather policy?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours in advance. The tour requires good weather, and if it’s canceled due to poor weather you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.