A whole day to the 5 Rosario Islands with snorkeling and plankton
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 $125 per person. It scores 53 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
- 53 / 100
- Rating
- 4.3/5 (4)
- Duration
- 8 hours
- From
- $125 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,
What you get
- Bottled water
- ice chest
- plankton activity
- Use of snorkeling equipment
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- On-board restrooms
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
Torre del Reloj
meeting point
30 minutes here
Fuerte de San Fernando de Bocachica
Panoramic of the fort of bocachica and brief history..
45 minutes here
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
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
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
We will make another stop at Isla Agua Azul, a quiet and pleasant place that is next to Isla Cholón
45 minutes here
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
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
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
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
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
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 mentionTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
1 mentionReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Physical effort
1 mentionExpect 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.
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
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)
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
- $125 to $150
- Hotel pickup
- Available for selected locations
- Booked in 30 days
- 1
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Why this scores 53
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
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 $125 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 53 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 Cartagena Street Food Tour: 10 Local Tastings in the Walled City, Historic Center & Getsemaní Shared Tour in Cartagena, Cartagena Cooking Class with Local Chef (Small Group Experience). 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.
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