A whole day to the 5 Rosario Islands with snorkeling and plankton in Cartagena, Colombia
Cartagena, Colombia

A whole day to the 5 Rosario Islands with snorkeling and plankton

Outty Ranking 55 4.3 · 4 traveler reviews8 hoursFrom $130
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Outty Ranking

55/100

Worth a Look. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

4.3/5

Based on 4 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is A whole day to the 5 Rosario Islands with snorkeling and plankton worth booking?

A whole day to the 5 Rosario Islands with snorkeling and plankton is a 8-hour experience in Cartagena, Colombia, from $130 per person. It scores 55 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 4.3/5 rating across 4 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
55 / 100
Rating
4.3/5 (4)
Duration
8 hours
From
$130 per person

Live an unforgettable adventure on the Rosario Islands! With this package, you will be able to enjoy a snorkeling excursion and see up close the incredible plankton and marine life that inhabits the islands. In addition, you will be able to swim and enjoy the beautiful crystal clear waters of the islands.

What you get

    About this experience

    Live an unforgettable adventure on the Rosario Islands! With this package, you will be able to enjoy a snorkeling excursion and see up close the incredible plankton and marine life that inhabits the islands. In addition, you will be able to swim and enjoy the beautiful crystal clear waters of the islands.

    What's included

    Included

    • Bottled water
    • ice chest
    • plankton activity
    • Use of snorkeling equipment
    • In-vehicle air conditioning
    • On-board restrooms

    Not included

    • entrance to the oceanarium

    What you'll see and do

    1. Torre del Reloj

      meeting point

      30 minutes here

    2. Fuerte de San Fernando de Bocachica

      Panoramic of the fort of bocachica and brief history..

      45 minutes here

    3. Isla Grande

      Here we will previously make two stops to learn one about the history of the sunken plane and two to snorkel. *First stop on the big island where the plane sunk in the water is located *Second stop is in a natural coral pool in San Martin de Pajarales where we do snorkeling.

      60 minutes here

    4. Here we will make a stop to choose before starting the activity of 5 Rosario Islands. 1. Enter the oceanarium 2. Snorkel in the corals 3. If you do not choose any of the activities, you can stay on a beach.

      45 minutes here

    5. Here we will make a stop on the island of Cholon in Baru where young tourists arrive. We find here many boats and yachts with music in cabins in the sea, here we eat a delicious shrimp cocktail.

      45 minutes here

    6. We will make another stop at Isla Agua Azul, a quiet and pleasant place that is next to Isla Cholón

      45 minutes here

    7. Here we arrive at a quiet beach (white beach) located on Isla Baru where we will spend the sunset here and receive lunch to then start the plankton

      120 minutes here · Admission included

    8. Isla Baru

      We end the activity with the plankton and so you will enjoy the day

      120 minutes here

    Where it starts and ends

    Meeting point

    Cartagena

    The clock tower will be defined as the main point for those who are staying in the center.

    Hotel pickup

    Pickup is available for selected locations. Pickup begins about 30 minutes before departure.

    Ends at

    The clock tower will be defined as the main point for those who are staying in the center.

    Options you can book

    • BASIC GROUP no plankton

      Duration: 8 hours: This option does not include plankton and ends at 4:30 pm, and does not include transportation to your place of lodging. Family or group plan: This option is ideal for families or groups since children, youth and seniors have discounts Pickup included

    • 1 or 2 per with plankton BASIC

      Duration: 12 hours Plan only couples or 1 person: This BASIC plan is only for couples or 1 person If 1 person is going, they put 1 adult. If 2 people are going, they put 2 adults. Pickup included

    • BASIC GROUP with plankton

      Duration: 12 hours Family or group plan: This option is ideal for families or groups since children, young people and seniors have discounts. Pickup included

    • 1 or 2 per without plankton BASIC

      Duration: 8 hours Plan for couples or 1 person: This BASIC plan is only for couples or 1 person If 1 person is going, they put 1 adult. If 2 people are going, they put 2 adults. Pickup included

    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 15 travelers per booking
    Operated by
    GR TOURS Cartagena

    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
    • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
    • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

    Photos

    A whole day to the 5 Rosario Islands with snorkeling and plankton in Cartagena, photo 2A whole day to the 5 Rosario Islands with snorkeling and plankton in Cartagena, photo 3A whole day to the 5 Rosario Islands with snorkeling and plankton in Cartagena, photo 4A whole day to the 5 Rosario Islands with snorkeling and plankton in Cartagena, photo 5A whole day to the 5 Rosario Islands with snorkeling and plankton in Cartagena, photo 6A whole day to the 5 Rosario Islands with snorkeling and plankton in Cartagena, photo 7

    What travelers are saying

    Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 4 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

    The guide

    1 mention

    Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

    Knowledge and storytelling

    1 mention

    Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

    Physical effort

    1 mention

    Expect real walking or climbing: reviewers mention the effort involved.

    Traveler reviews

    4 verified traveler reviews for A whole day to the 5 Rosario Islands with snorkeling and plankton. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    2
    4 star
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    3 star
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    0
    1 star
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    Sort
    Nahyon_L · July 2025

    We didn't have the best...

    We didn't have the best time on this trip. First, they forgot to pick us up at the hotel when the ticket said they would. Second, we were supposed to be snorkeling, but it seems all the tours only offer goggles only (not snorkeling), so swimming in the waves while breathing and swimming and trying to see the fish was difficulty. Third, not just this tour but all tours, seem to let everyone swim and walk on corals. There were so many dead corals it was sad to see the environmental impact. Furthermore, the boats' anchor was scraping the corals on the bottom, ripping up the corals. This was also sad to see. I hope the groups figure out a better way to snorkel there that works on conservation. The water was also very shallow so with corals that were not dead, people were scraping themselves on them. Our specific tour group, Mirador Baru, didn't really give clear directions when we arrived at places. In sum, it was my least favorite activity in my week in Cartagena.

    via Viator

    Passport29856459072 · February 2025

    DESTINO SAN ANDRES

    It is the second time I come to visit San Andrés Island and one of the most important reasons are the beauties it has to visit. In this has been very important the tour operator David Castro with whom I have attended the 2 times I have come to the island, October 2023, and now February 2025, David has delivered a very personalized service, always concerned with the smallest details, also always delivering a service as economical as possible, his office is located in front of the hotel where we stay, Aquamare Hotel, which makes everything even easier, thank you David for all the service you provide and the guidance to enjoy our visit to the Island to the fullest. So I recommend the DESTINATION SAN ANDRES Tour Operator.

    via Tripadvisor (translated)

    Stephen_D · May 2024

    exhilarating, be wary of costs, time lull between plankton experience

    Instructions to meet with the tour affiliates in the morning were somewhat difficult to follow but as soon as we met our tour guide, he was extremely knowledgeable, funny, and added to the fun experience. Moving between islands by boat was amazing and a great chance to get away from the city. Only thing I wish I knew were the steep costs for certain things, like around $50 USD per "pineapple cocktail" at the Cholon party island. We were ready to spend but were not expecting it to be that much. Another thing was we arrived at the second to last island (before the plankton experience at 15:00) and were given an option to stay for the plankton or head back to Cartagena. We ultimately opted to return due to the fact that we were already tired and weren't too hot on the idea of staying on one island from 15:00 until 18:00 to see the plankton for 10 minutes. Aside from these two things, it was really fun and would do again for sure!

    Response from the operator: muchas gracias por su comentarios, aqui los esperaremos para otro paseo.. cholon aveces suben sus precios por temporadas..

    via Viator

    Good to know

    Duration
    8 hours
    Free cancellation
    Up to 24h before
    Minimum age to book
    All ages
    Availability
    Bookable today
    Runs on
    Every day
    Price range
    $130 to $150
    Hotel pickup
    Available for selected locations
    Booked in 30 days
    1
    Verdict
    Worth a Look

    Why this scores 55

    The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)68
    Review evidence (18% weight)24
    Booking momentum (14% weight)12
    Value for money (12% weight)84
    Listing quality (10% weight)65
    Local standing (8% weight)44
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

    A whole day to the 5 Rosario Islands with snorkeling and plankton: questions travelers ask

    Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Cartagena.

    How much does A whole day to the 5 Rosario Islands with snorkeling and plankton cost?

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    Prices start at $130 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 A whole day to the 5 Rosario Islands with snorkeling and plankton take?

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    Plan for about 8 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 A whole day to the 5 Rosario Islands with snorkeling and plankton worth it?

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    It holds an Outty Ranking of 55 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.3/5 across 4 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 A whole day to the 5 Rosario Islands with snorkeling and plankton?

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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 A whole day to the 5 Rosario Islands with snorkeling and plankton suitable for kids and families?

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    Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 8-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.

    How far in advance should I book A whole day to the 5 Rosario Islands with snorkeling and plankton?

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    Around 1 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 8-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

    Where does A whole day to the 5 Rosario Islands with snorkeling and plankton 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?

    +

    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 A whole day to the 5 Rosario Islands with snorkeling and plankton?

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    Included: Bottled water; ice chest; plankton activity; Use of snorkeling equipment; and In-vehicle air conditioning. Not included: entrance to the oceanarium. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.

    Does A whole day to the 5 Rosario Islands with snorkeling and plankton include hotel pickup?

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    Yes, pickup is offered, or you can meet at the start point instead from 227 listed pickup locations in and around Cartagena. Be ready about 30 minutes before the start time. You can also enter a custom pickup address when booking.

    What languages is A whole day to the 5 Rosario Islands with snorkeling and plankton 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 A whole day to the 5 Rosario Islands with snorkeling and plankton?

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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 A whole day to the 5 Rosario Islands with snorkeling and plankton 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 A whole day to the 5 Rosario Islands with snorkeling and plankton if the weather is bad?

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    This experience depends on good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.

    What do travelers say about A whole day to the 5 Rosario Islands with snorkeling and plankton?

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    Across 4 reviews averaging 4.3 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, knowledge and storytelling. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works. One thing to know: Expect real walking or climbing: reviewers mention the effort involved.

    What booking options are available for A whole day to the 5 Rosario Islands with snorkeling and plankton?

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    There are 4 options to choose from, including BASIC GROUP no plankton, 1 or 2 per with plankton BASIC, BASIC GROUP with plankton, 1 or 2 per without plankton BASIC. Prices and start times differ by option, so compare them on the booking screen.

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