A Day to Private Island Luxury Beach Club with Food

This is a classic Cartagena getaway format: you leave the city by boat, arrive at a private island, and spend about 7 hours at a full-service beach club with beds, shade, lounge space, and food. It is built for slow days, not sightseeing marathons, and the ocean setting is the main draw.

I really like the “all-in-one” vibe here. You get comfortable beach infrastructure plus a gourmet lunch with sea options, and the day is structured so you can just show up, relax, and enjoy the water. The main consideration is that the luxury feel depends on what you choose, since the beach area can feel small and you may still encounter beach vendors and animals.

Key Highlights You’ll Care About

• Private island transfer from the Muelle de la Bodeguita, starting at 8:30 am
• Beach club setup with beds, shaded spots, and oceanfront lounge areas
• Gourmet lunch included, typically focused on fresh sea and Caribbean flavors
• Drinks are part of the experience, but service and menu options can vary by package
• Plan for a real beach experience, including possible vendor activity and roaming animals

Cartagena’s Private Island Day Club, Starting at 8:30 am

This outing runs about 7 hours and starts at 8:30 am from Muelle de la Bodeguita (Av. Blas de Lezo), El Centro, Cartagena de Indias. You’ll come back to the same meeting point at the end, which matters because you do not need to worry about a complicated return plan after a long beach day.

The structure is simple: morning boat transfer, long beach window, included lunch and drinks, then you head back. That simplicity is the whole appeal. If you want a clean break from Cartagena’s streets, heat, and noise, a day like this gives you a reset.

Getting to Muelle de la Bodeguita Without Losing Time

Your meeting point is specific, so plan like a grown-up and arrive early. Muelle de la Bodeguita sits in El Centro, and it is your anchor for the day. Since the start time is fixed at 8:30 am, being late could mean you miss the smoothest part, the transfer itself.

A practical move: go ready to swim and tan. Bring sunscreen, water-friendly sandals, and something simple for shade. Also, keep your phone protected. Private island days turn into sand days fast.

The Boat Transfer to the Private Island: The Moment the Pace Changes

The trip begins with a boat transfer to a private island. That ride is short enough to keep the day feeling easy, but long enough that you actually leave “Cartagena time” behind.

Once you arrive, the setting is the payoff: white sand beaches and clear water built for relaxing. This is not a multi-stop tour where you constantly re-orient. You go to one place and let the day unfold around the sea.

If you like having a plan but not a schedule, this is it.

Luxury Beach Club Access: Beds, Shade, and Oceanfront Lounge Space

When you book the full day, you get full access to the beach club facilities. In plain terms, you are paying for the comfort wrapper around a beach day.

Here is what that typically means on the ground:

• comfortable beach beds
• shaded areas to cool off
• oceanfront lounge spaces
• personalized service in the club area

That matters because beach comfort is not a small detail in Cartagena. Even if the water is great, the “luxury” part is really about how you handle the heat. Beds and shade reduce friction. You spend more time in the water, less time standing around wondering where to sit.

Now, the reality check. One of the biggest criticisms is that the beach area can feel small and can get crowded. With a maximum of 60 travelers, it should not feel like a stadium, but it can still be busy depending on how many people are on your sailing. Think of it as a private-island feel, not a deserted island.

Lunch and Drinks: What the Included Meal Actually Covers

A gourmet lunch is included, usually featuring fresh sea options and Caribbean delicacies, plus refreshing drinks. On paper, that sounds like the right balance: enough food to keep you satisfied, without turning the day into a full restaurant afternoon.

What I like about this setup for value is that it removes decision fatigue. You do not need to hunt for lunch, haggle for menus, or plan a timing shuffle around the water. If you are in Cartagena for limited time, that convenience is worth real money.

Here is what you should watch for based on the experience details:

• Lunch may be main dish plus fish soup, with limited extras depending on the day
• desserts and fruit may not be part of the included meal
• drink offerings can be more limited than you expect, and some packages may include a set menu

One guest specifically called out drink choices like water, mojito, beer, and margarita, and noted that items like soda were not available. Another guest said drinks were unlimited but also mentioned one drink at a time service. Translation: the drinks can be satisfying, but the system can slow you down if you want water for both you and your partner at once.

My practical advice: if you care about certain drinks, bring your expectations with you. If you want constant access to a specific soft drink, do not assume it is always on the included menu.

How to Spend Your Beach Hours: Swim, Sun, and Non-Motorized Water Play

Your day is built around free time. You can:

• swim in the sea
• sunbathe in the club area
• do non-motorized water sports if you want

That last piece is important. Non-motorized options usually mean you can stay active without turning the day into a loud, chaotic mess. Even if you do not do anything beyond swimming, having the option keeps the day from feeling stagnant.

I also like that you can pace yourself. This is a “stay for the whole session” kind of outing. If you burn your energy early, you will feel it later. If you spread out swimming, shade breaks, and lounging, the day stays pleasant.

VIP vs Main Experience: What Changes, and What Might Not

VIP is where expectations can clash with reality, especially for the price jump. Some guests found that the upgrade was more about where you sat rather than a completely different world on the island.

If you choose a VIP-type plan, you can reasonably expect improved seating comfort, like cabana-style beds in shaded areas. That can be a genuine upgrade if you burn easily or you like a quieter vibe.

But do not assume VIP means the beach is magically free of everything else. Even with VIP areas, the wider environment can still include:

• beach vendors moving around the general space
• roaming animals around common areas

So, use VIP to improve your comfort and ease, not to guarantee a private, perfectly controlled bubble.

Vendors and Roaming Animals: The Stuff No One Puts in Brochures

This is the part that can make or break the “luxury” label for some people.

One guest described frequent vendor presence, and also said stray dogs and cats were roaming around the facilities and eating areas. That does not mean you will have a disaster. But it does mean the experience may feel more like a working beach with visitors than a sealed resort.

If you hate being approached while you are trying to relax, this could be annoying. If you are fine telling vendors politely no, and you are not bothered by animals in outdoor spaces, you may still enjoy the day a lot.

Practical approach: wear closed-toe footwear when you are walking around food areas, and be mindful with your snacks and cups. Outside resort zones, animals can be drawn to food smells the same way you are.

Value for $139: When This Day Club Feels Like a Smart Buy

At $139 per person, you are not just paying for sand and sun. You are paying for:

• the boat transfer to a private island
• beach club access, beds, and shade
• lunch built into the package
• drinks included as part of the day experience

For Cartagena, that is competitive if you compare to the cost of chartered transport plus renting beds plus paying for lunch and drinks separately.

But value depends on your mindset. If you expect a hotel-like, controlled environment, you might feel the price is too high for a small beach with occasional vendor activity. If you treat it like a relaxed island beach day with comfort and included meals, it can feel like a good deal.

Also pay attention to package differences. One guest said the premium felt expensive compared to a lower-cost alternative, and that VIP did not add the full set of perks they expected. If you are booking for a group or a family, double-check what the price jump actually buys you, not what it sounds like.

Who This Private Island Day Works For

This is a strong fit if you want:

• a relax-first beach day
• a full block of ocean time without planning lunch
• comfort amenities like beds and shade
• a social day, since the group can be up to 60 people

It may be less ideal if you are looking for a perfectly silent, resort-sealed private beach day, with zero vendors and zero animals. Outdoor islands can be lively, and this one seems to keep some of that everyday beach energy.

Final Verdict: Should You Book This Private Island Luxury Beach Club?

I would book it if your top goal is a low-effort, all-in beach day near Cartagena, with a real lunch included and the comfort of a beach club setup. The included meal, the private island transfer, and the beach infrastructure are the core reasons it makes sense.

I would pause and compare packages if you are paying for VIP expecting an entirely different, fully controlled environment. Based on the experience details, VIP may mainly upgrade where you sit, not remove the outdoor realities of vendors and roaming animals.

If you want a simple rule: choose this for the beach day comfort and included food, and plan mentally for a real beach atmosphere.

FAQ

Where is the meeting point for this private island beach club experience?

It starts at Muelle de la Bodeguita, Av. Blas de Lezo, El Centro, Cartagena de Indias, Provincia de Cartagena, Bolívar, Colombia.

What time does the experience start?

The start time is 8:30 am.

How long is the experience?

It lasts about 7 hours.

How much does it cost, and is it per person?

The price is $139.00 per person.

What is included during the day?

You get a boat transfer to a private island, full access to the luxury beach club facilities, and a gourmet lunch with drinks included.

Are non-motorized water sports available?

Non-motorized water sports are available if you want to do them.

How many people are in the group at most?

The maximum group size is 60 travelers.

Does it return to the same meeting point?

Yes, the activity ends back at the meeting point.

Is there free cancellation?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.