5 Island Tour with Lunch Snorkel in Cartagena Rosario Island
Traveler rating
4.5/5
Based on 99 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is 5 Island Tour with Lunch Snorkel in Cartagena Rosario Island worth booking?
5 Island Tour with Lunch Snorkel in Cartagena Rosario Island is a 7-hour experience in Cartagena, Colombia, from $115 per person. It scores 71 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 4.5/5 rating across 99 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 71 / 100
- Rating
- 4.5/5 (99)
- Duration
- 7 hours
- From
- $115 per person
We will live a unique and majestic experience where you will enjoy various places in the Rosario Archipelago and its surroundings. We will start with a panoramic tour of the Bocachica fort located on Bocachica Island, where a brief historical overview will be provided. Next, we will have a panoramic tour of the Rosario Islands archipelago, followed by snorkeling at Isla Grande, (Please note that only the snorkel mask is provided, but not the tube, because they are not allowed ) where we can appreciate the diversity of coral reefs and even a sunken plane at the bottom of the sea. Then, we will head to Cholon, better known as the party island, where we will share a shrimp cocktail, music, and maximum fun. We will then move on to an island called Agua Azul to enjoy a swim in the sea and share some fruits. Finally, we will go to Tranquila Beach, where we will have our lunch with three options: chicken, fish, or vegetarian. We will return to Pegasos Pier at 3:00 pm.
What you get
About this experience
We will live a unique and majestic experience where you will enjoy various places in the Rosario Archipelago and its surroundings. We will start with a panoramic tour of the Bocachica fort located on Bocachica Island, where a brief historical overview will be provided. Next, we will have a panoramic tour of the Rosario Islands archipelago, followed by snorkeling at Isla Grande, (Please note that only the snorkel mask is provided, but not the tube, because they are not allowed ) where we can appreciate the diversity of coral reefs and even a sunken plane at the bottom of the sea. Then, we will head to Cholon, better known as the party island, where we will share a shrimp cocktail, music, and maximum fun. We will then move on to an island called Agua Azul to enjoy a swim in the sea and share some fruits. Finally, we will go to Tranquila Beach, where we will have our lunch with three options: chicken, fish, or vegetarian. We will return to Pegasos Pier at 3:00 pm.
What's included
Included
- Beach Chairs
- Lunch
Not included
- What is not included in the activity, such as alcoholic beverages, water, and others
- Locker
What you'll see and do
Bocachica
At the beginning of the journey, we will take a Panoramic Tour where we will learn about the history of the two forts of San Fernando and San Luis
30 minutes here
Isla Grande
In this part of the panoramic tour, we will appreciate the largest island of the Rosario Islands, where native people live who make a living from fishing and tourism
60 minutes here
Islas de Rosario
With this activity, you will have the opportunity to appreciate the crystal-clear waters of the Rosario Islands, accompanied by a professional bilingual guide, with a captain and assistant trained for this activity. You will have the opportunity to snorkel, enjoy the sea, see the sunken airplane, among other wonders
120 minutes here
In Cholón, better known as the party islands, you will be able to mingle with people from other nationalities and cultures, accompanied by good music and a shrimp cocktail tasting.
60 minutes here
Islas de Rosario
Agua Azul is one of the most paradisiacal islands on the Caribbean coast. During this part of the activity, we will have time for swimming and fruit tasting
30 minutes here
Playa Tranquila Baru
On this paradisiacal island with splendid blue sea, you will have your lunch and time for rest, swimming, and leisure
120 minutes here · Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Cartagena
It is located next to the clock tower on the left side, right in front is a big tree
Hotel pickup
Pickup is available for selected locations. Pickup begins about 60 minutes before departure.
Ends at
The activity ends at the Clock Tower or Boarding Area. NOT in hotels
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 30 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Unique Travel Colombia
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- We require full names and passport numbers to add them to the traveler insurance assistance
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 99 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
6 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Food and drink
5 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
2 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Photo opportunities
2 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Good for families
2 mentionsReviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.
Pace and timing
2 mentionsSeveral reviewers found the schedule tight or the day long.
Traveler reviews
99 verified traveler reviews for 5 Island Tour with Lunch Snorkel in Cartagena Rosario Island. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Misleading Overpriced Tour
The title “5 Island Tour with Lunch” is misleading—you only visit three actual islands. The first two “stops” are just snorkeling spots in the ocean, which wasn’t clear at booking. Lunch timing is also an issue. You start at 8am but aren’t fed until around 3:30pm, long after a normal lunch hour, leaving you very hungry by midday. This seems intentional, as you’re encouraged to buy overpriced food at Cholon. Cholon itself was disappointing—dirty, poorly maintained, and nearly empty when we arrived around 11:30am (most of the activity happens later). Food and drinks are extremely overpriced, with inconsistent menus shown to tourists versus locals. We were even presented with different menus (low price) before and after ordering (higher price), resulting in a much higher bill. We asked for see the menu again to confirm prices when we got the check. The 4th stop a “private” island was crowded, with basic chair seating instead of beach loungers. The “free fruit” offering was minimal and not individually served or hygienic. The last and final island was also crowded, and while lunch was included, it was served late in day and lukewarm. Beach loungers were limited and the so called “cabana bed loungers” were filthy, old and not well maintained. Overall, the tour felt misleading and overpriced, with many ppl are begging for money or to sell you something at each stop, even during snorkeling in middle of ocean, ppl on boats tryna sell liquor and seafood. I understand ppl have to make a living, but it becomes overwhelming and annoying, when sometimes you just want to relax. However I strongly believe the tour companies and these vendors are all on cahoots, like an extortion ring, to make off vulnerable tourist for extremely inflated prices. It was several disappointing elements throughout. I wouldn’t do it again. I wish someone wrote this review before booked.
Response from the operator: Hello, thank you very much for taking the time to share your experience in such detail. We sincerely regret that the tour did not meet your expectations in several aspects. We would like to clarify that the tour includes a combination of island visits and snorkeling stops, as this experience is designed to showcase both the beauty of the islands and the rich marine life of the area. However, we take your feedback seriously regarding the title and description, and we will work on making this information clearer to avoid any future misunderstandings. Regarding the lunch timing, we completely understand your concern. The itinerary can be affected by factors such as marine traffic and daily conditions, but we are reviewing our schedule to improve the experience and avoid long waiting times. Concerning your experience in Cholón and other stops, we would like to clarify that some locations visited are public destinations where independent local vendors operate. We do not have direct control over their pricing or practices; however, we share your concerns and will reinforce our recommendations to customers to help them avoid uncomfortable situations and ensure greater transparency. We also regret the inconveniences related to facilities, cleanliness, and service quality at some stops. Feedback like yours is very important to us, as it helps us evaluate our partners and continuously improve our services. Our goal is always to provide memorable, safe, and well-organized experiences, and we take your comments as an opportunity to keep improving. Thank you again for your feedback, and we hope to have the opportunity to provide you with a better experience in the future.
via Tripadvisor
5 island tour
This was an incredible outing. The stops included an aquatic wildlife sanctuary, a party island, and a stop for lunch. The drop off location was at the clock tower. Overall the entire day was outstanding
Response from the operator: Hi, I'm glad you enjoyed your activity
via Tripadvisor
Horrible. No choking islands. No fruit or cocktail tasting. No communication and no refund
Absolutely terrible. Bad weather the previous day led them to change the tour from party to family friendly. We didn’t go to two of the listed party islands, didn’t do the shrimp cocktail tasting or fruit tasting on the islands we still did go to. Genuinely horrible. We paid a premium price for a completely different experience. We believe we were put on the wrong boat as we was with children and family’s but when communicated to tour guides was told we was wrong and ignored by the WhatsApp help
Response from the operator: Hello, as you initially mentioned, due to the previous day's storm, we informed you that you wouldn't be able to visit two of the islands as they were the most affected. However, I offered you an alternative activity, which was more expensive for me as the agency, since I offered private islands, which increased the cost. Nevertheless, you accepted. The shrimp cocktail and fruit salad were offered on the other islands, but in exchange, we offered you free cocktails on the private islands. I understand your frustration, but I remind you that you agreed to the change in the island itinerary, and it's absurd to request a full refund when you thoroughly enjoyed the trip. Remember, we offered you a better plan.
via Viator
Amazing time with genuine people!
Booked this trip for Christmas Day. I didn’t know what to fully to expect but the itinerary is pretty spot on. I had the greatest time meeting and interacting with other foreigners and the guide David. David is very knowledgeable and a great guide who will ensure you have the best time. Highly recommended!
Response from the operator: Hello, thank you for your comments. Unique Travel appreciates your honesty about your experience
via Tripadvisor
La Familia
This experience was absolutely fantastic. I would give anybody advice to travel to Colombia and join Unique Travel. The person you need to get in contact with is Jennifer Osorio.
Response from the operator: I'm glad you enjoyed the Rosario Islands activity. This is a culturally and adventurously packed experience where you can appreciate the beautiful blue sea. We're so happy you enjoyed this unique experience with us! I hope you can return to Cartagena and recommend us to your friends.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 7 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- Available for selected locations
- Booked in 30 days
- 35
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Who runs this experience
Operated by Unique Travel Colombia, who run 5 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 61.2.
See everything Unique Travel Colombia runsWhy this scores 71
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
5 Island Tour with Lunch Snorkel in Cartagena Rosario Island: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Cartagena.
How much does 5 Island Tour with Lunch Snorkel in Cartagena Rosario Island cost?
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Prices start at $115 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Cartagena usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does 5 Island Tour with Lunch Snorkel in Cartagena Rosario Island take?
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Plan for about 7 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Cartagena is not rushed.
Is 5 Island Tour with Lunch Snorkel in Cartagena Rosario Island worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 71 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.5/5 across 99 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Cartagena, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule 5 Island Tour with Lunch Snorkel in Cartagena Rosario Island?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is 5 Island Tour with Lunch Snorkel in Cartagena Rosario Island suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 7-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book 5 Island Tour with Lunch Snorkel in Cartagena Rosario Island?
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Around 35 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Cartagena can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Cartagena and add a light layer if any part of the 7-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does 5 Island Tour with Lunch Snorkel in Cartagena Rosario Island start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Cartagena within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Cartagena?
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On Outty we rank every Cartagena experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Historic Center & Getsemaní Shared Tour in Cartagena, Cartagena Antigua & Barrio Getsemani group with audio system, Cartagena VIP Boat Tour: Rosario Islands & Snorkel. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Cartagena?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Cartagena?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in 5 Island Tour with Lunch Snorkel in Cartagena Rosario Island?
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Included: Beach Chairs; and Lunch. Not included: What is not included in the activity, such as alcoholic beverages, water, and others; and Locker. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Does 5 Island Tour with Lunch Snorkel in Cartagena Rosario Island include hotel pickup?
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Yes, pickup is offered, or you can meet at the start point instead from 255 listed pickup locations in and around Cartagena. Be ready about 60 minutes before the start time.
What languages is 5 Island Tour with Lunch Snorkel in Cartagena Rosario Island offered in?
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It is offered in English and Spanish. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for 5 Island Tour with Lunch Snorkel in Cartagena Rosario Island?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is 5 Island Tour with Lunch Snorkel in Cartagena Rosario Island wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap; and Not recommended for pregnant travelers. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to 5 Island Tour with Lunch Snorkel in Cartagena Rosario Island if the weather is bad?
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It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in Cartagena. Standard cancellation terms apply: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.
What do travelers say about 5 Island Tour with Lunch Snorkel in Cartagena Rosario Island?
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Across 99 reviews averaging 4.5 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, food and drink, knowledge and storytelling. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works. One thing to know: Several reviewers found the schedule tight or the day long.
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