Sailing to Tayrona with Luis and his team: Unique!
Traveler rating
4.6/5
Based on 475 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Sailing to Tayrona with Luis and his team: Unique! worth booking?
Sailing to Tayrona with Luis and his team: Unique! is a 8-hour experience in Santa Marta, Colombia, from $79 per person. It scores 85 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Exceptional”, based on a 4.6/5 rating across 475 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 85 / 100
- Rating
- 4.6/5 (475)
- Duration
- 8 hours
- From
- $79 per person
My name is Luis, I am an Economist and worked as a consultant for more than 20 years. One day, I decided to trade the office for my true passion: sailing and enjoying nature, especially the sea. I have been sailing since I was 10 days old, a passion I inherited from my family, and I love sharing my knowledge of the sea and navigation with those who join me on board. Since moving to Colombia with my family, I have had the chance to discover Tayrona National Park from a perspective few people know: from the sea. It’s a unique experience we want to share with you. We are bilingual (Spanish and English) and love to chat, share local stories, and create unforgettable memories. We will take you to live a truly unforgettable day. The experience is led by my team
What you get
About this experience
My name is Luis, I am an Economist and worked as a consultant for more than 20 years. One day, I decided to trade the office for my true passion: sailing and enjoying nature, especially the sea. I have been sailing since I was 10 days old, a passion I inherited from my family, and I love sharing my knowledge of the sea and navigation with those who join me on board. Since moving to Colombia with my family, I have had the chance to discover Tayrona National Park from a perspective few people know: from the sea. It’s a unique experience we want to share with you. We are bilingual (Spanish and English) and love to chat, share local stories, and create unforgettable memories. We will take you to live a truly unforgettable day. The experience is led by my team
What's included
Included
- kayak and snorkel
- Marina Entrance
- Use of snorkeling equipment
- Snacks
- Lunch
- Passenger Insurance
Not included
- Alcoholic beverages
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Santa Marta
meeting point is charter station next to restaurants
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
meeting point is charter station next to restaurants
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 12 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Santa Marta Sailboat
Know before you go
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Our home on the water has no restrictions for travelers.
- If you are prone to seasickness, we recommend taking medication to prevent it.
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 475 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Food and drink
5 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Organization
3 mentionsPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Traveler reviews
475 verified traveler reviews for Sailing to Tayrona with Luis and his team: Unique!. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Beautiful excursion
Beautiful trip, we were on a catamaran, very smooth ride, beautiful beach, fun people to meet on the boat, nice snorkeling!
Response from the operator: Thank you, Rebecca! A smooth ride, a beautiful beach and good company on board is exactly the day we hope for. Glad you enjoyed the snorkelling too. We'd love to have you sailing with us again. Luis Martínez, Velero Santa Marta
via Tripadvisor
BAD Customer service
I’m sorry to say that this tour was extremely disappointing and fell far short of what was advertised. To begin with, the sailboat departed almost 40 minutes late. Despite booking the English-language tour, neither of the crew members in charge spoke any English, making communication very difficult throughout the day. The tour description promised access to snorkelling equipment and kayaks, but neither was ever provided. Lunch service was also poorly organized. Our family group of eight was served in multiple rounds, with only four people receiving food initially. The crew then had to return to the boat for more meals, serving three additional family members while my husband waited another 30 minutes before finally receiving his lunch. This was frustrating and unnecessary. The tour also advertised soft drinks and snacks. In reality, we received only a single slice of watermelon on the way to Concha Bay. Drinking water was not bottled and had a salty taste, and the only soft drink available was Coca-Cola. The most concerning part of the experience occurred when the sailboat broke down. Our group of 18 passengers was stranded on the beach for approximately an hour with very little information about what was happening. Eventually, another boat arrived to pick us up, but communication from the crew was poor throughout the situation. By then, it was already after 5:30 p.m., even though we were originally scheduled to depart for Santa Marta at 3:00 p.m. It was terrifying knowing that we might be at open sea on the dark as it was already sunset. When I asked whether the company’s head office had been informed and why a replacement boat had not been sent sooner, the response from the crew member in charge was essentially, “You can write a complaint. I need to leave. Another boat will pick you up and provide more information.” There was no apology, no reassurance, and no effort to keep passengers informed. To make matters worse, there was no cell service in the area, leaving us with no way to contact anyone. Overall, the lack of organization, poor communication, failure to deliver the advertised activities and amenities, and complete absence of customer service made this a very disappointing experience. We paid more than CAD $900 for our family and expected a professional and enjoyable excursion. Unfortunately, that was not the case. I would strongly recommend that others think carefully before booking this tour.
Response from the operator: Thank you for your feedback. We are truly sorry that your experience did not meet your expectations. We would like to clarify what happened that day. As the sailboat was arriving at the destination, the engine suffered a serious mechanical failure. This is a very rare situation, but unfortunately it can happen at sea, and it clearly affected the rest of the day. Once the issue occurred, our emergency protocols were activated immediately in order to bring all passengers back to the marina as soon and as safely as possible. We are one of the few operators with additional vessels available to respond to this type of contingency, and a support boat was arranged to return the group and assist with the vessel. Because of this emergency, the crew had to focus not only on the passengers’ return, but also on securing the sailboat and coordinating its safe recovery to port. We understand that communication may not have been as constant or detailed as expected, and for that we sincerely apologize. However, we must also clarify that it is not accurate to say the boat departed 40 minutes late. According to our operation record, the vessel departed at 11:07 a.m., which is within the normal boarding and departure process for this experience. We regret the inconvenience caused by the mechanical failure and the impact it had on the service. Despite the difficult situation, our team acted with the priority of protecting passengers, coordinating the return, and ensuring everyone made it back safely. That said, due to the service shortcomings that occurred as a consequence of the situation described above, we have decided to issue a partial refund of 20% as a gesture of goodwill. We take your comments seriously and will continue improving our communication and service protocols for unexpected situations like this.
via Tripadvisor
Great day sailing!
The whole experience was great! Timing was exactly as stated in the description. I think the value for the trip was well worth it. We were with a group of 15 travelers total and it didn’t feel too crowded. All the boat staff was fantastic, attentive and friendly. Would recommend!
Response from the operator: Thank you, Sydney! Keeping to the schedule and making sure nobody feels crowded on board are two things we work hard on, so it's great to hear both came through. I'll pass your kind words on to the crew. Hope to welcome you back. Luis Martínez, Velero Santa Marta
via Tripadvisor
Great if you have little time to see Tayrona National Park
Nice boat ride out to Bahia concha beach. Quiet beach, great lunch. We were hoping to see another beach but it’s only 1 stop. Would recommend if you don’t have much time in Santa Marta. Next time we will hike in to see more beaches.
Response from the operator: Thank you, Caitlin! Glad you enjoyed the sail, the quiet beach and the lunch. You're right that this tour is a relaxed sailing day with one stop at Bahía Concha. For next time, we also run a speedboat tour that visits three Tayrona bays in one day (Cinto, Playa Cristal and Concha), which may be just what you were looking for. We'd love to have you back. Luis Martínez, Velero Santa Marta
via Viator
Boat, sand and waves.
Great experience out on the sea. The trip was relaxing even with the big waves, close to our destination. Service was great, also the fish w rice was delicious. We spent time on the beach, enjoying the nature and water... ...just the art of doing nothing.
Response from the operator: Thank you! "The art of doing nothing" is the best description of a day at Bahía Concha we've read in a while. Happy to hear the sail felt relaxing even with some swell, and that you enjoyed the fish and rice. You're welcome back any time. Luis Martínez, Velero Santa Marta
via Tripadvisor
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
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 166
- Verdict
- Exceptional
Who runs this experience
Operated by Santa Marta Sailboat, who run 8 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 55.1.
See everything Santa Marta Sailboat runsWhy this scores 85
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Sailing to Tayrona with Luis and his team: Unique!: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Santa Marta.
How much does Sailing to Tayrona with Luis and his team: Unique! cost?
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Prices start at $79 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Santa Marta usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Sailing to Tayrona with Luis and his team: Unique! 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 Santa Marta is not rushed.
Is Sailing to Tayrona with Luis and his team: Unique! worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 85 out of 100, which we label "Exceptional". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.6/5 across 475 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable most highly reviewed in Santa Marta, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Sailing to Tayrona with Luis and his team: Unique!?
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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 Sailing to Tayrona with Luis and his team: Unique! 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 Sailing to Tayrona with Luis and his team: Unique!?
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Around 166 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 Santa Marta 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 Santa Marta and add a light layer if any part of the 8-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Sailing to Tayrona with Luis and his team: Unique! 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 Santa Marta 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 Santa Marta?
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On Outty we rank every Santa Marta experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Hike for 4 days to the Lost City, Santa Marta, 4-Day Lost City Small-Group Tour in Santa Marta, 4-Day Walking Tour to Lost City of Sierra Nevada. 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 Santa Marta?
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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 Santa Marta?
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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 Sailing to Tayrona with Luis and his team: Unique!?
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Included: kayak and snorkel; Marina Entrance; Use of snorkeling equipment; Snacks; and Lunch. Not included: Alcoholic beverages. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Where is the meeting point for Sailing to Tayrona with Luis and his team: Unique!?
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meeting point is charter station next to restaurants Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.
What languages is Sailing to Tayrona with Luis and his team: Unique! 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 Sailing to Tayrona with Luis and his team: Unique!?
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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 Sailing to Tayrona with Luis and his team: Unique! wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller; Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap; and Specialized infant seats are available. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Sailing to Tayrona with Luis and his team: Unique! 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 Sailing to Tayrona with Luis and his team: Unique!?
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Across 475 reviews averaging 4.6 out of 5, recurring themes include food and drink, organization. The tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
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