Cartagena to Rosario Islands and Cholon Boat

Speedboat days in Cartagena beat the wait. I love the big-group energy on a 41 ft boat, and I also like that 12 local beers plus bottled water are built into the cost, so the day feels like a party from the dock. One catch to plan around: pickup is not included, so you may need to handle your own ride to Todomar CHL Marina Bocagrande.

This is an 8-hour, 9:00 am day trip that starts and ends at the same meeting point in Bocagrande, Todomar CHL Marina Bocagrande 2nda. You’ll get confirmation at booking, and the experience runs best in good weather, since weather can affect whether the trip happens.

Quick Hits Before You Go

• 41 ft speedboat experience built for groups, with space for up to 18 people in the overview
• Drinks and water included, including 12 local beers and 24 bottled waters
• Set schedule, 9:00 am start, and it loops back to the same dock
• Crew support stands out in past trips, with names like Dennis and Jonathan showing up often
• No scuba or snorkel gear included, and towels are not provided
• No pickup included, but it is offered at an extra cost after booking

Setting Out From Todomar CHL Marina in Bocagrande

The day starts at Todomar CHL Marina Bocagrande 2nda in Cartagena, with a 9:00 am departure. That timing matters. If you show up late, you’re the one who slows the group down, not the other way around. I like that it’s one clear meeting point and that the tour returns there too, which keeps the end of the day simple.

The marina is also described as being near public transportation. That’s practical if your group is mixing how people get around. Even if you’re using a taxi, knowing the pickup point is easy to reach helps you keep the morning drama low.

Plan your morning like a beach day, not like a walking tour. Cartagena heat can hit early, so get sunscreen on before boarding and keep a dry bag ready for anything you don’t want to risk in sea spray.

A 41-Foot Speedboat Built for Groups That Want Action

This is not a quiet, low-key catamaran kind of outing. You’re on a 41 ft speedboat, and the whole point is motion: cruising Cartagena’s Caribbean islands with a crew that keeps the day moving.

The overview calls it perfect for big groups, with up to 18 friends mentioned. Pricing is listed per group up to 15, so what that means for you in real life is simple: if your group is on the smaller side, you still get the same experience style, and if you pack in near the higher capacity, expect a more lively vibe.

If your group likes music, this is a good fit. One review highlights great music delivered as part of the day, with the crew working to keep drinks, food, and sound going. That matches the personality of a speedboat trip, where you want the time on the water to feel like a shared hangout, not a long wait between photo stops.

Also, you’re not doing this alone in your own bubble. You’ll be with friends on a boat sized for group fun. That can be a dream if you’re celebrating something or just traveling with a big crew. If your idea of vacation is total silence and empty decks, you might prefer a smaller boat.

Rosario Islands Time and the Cholon Boat Stop

The core of the trip is a cruise around Cartagena’s Caribbean islands, with the focus on the Rosario Islands. This is a region people come to for postcard water and beach time, and a speedboat is a fast way to get the group there without turning the day into hours of waiting.

The name also includes Cholon Boat, so you should think of this as a destination segment where your day has a second anchor point, not only a continuous ride. Even with limited stop-by-stop detail, the structure is clear: you’re on the water for about 8 hours, you spend time out in the islands area, and you’re back at the dock the same day.

Here’s what that means for your planning:

• Your best photos will likely be during the cruise sections when the boat is moving and the light is strong.
• Your most relaxing moments will likely happen when the boat settles long enough for beach or water time.
• Your group should agree early on what kind of rhythm you want: more time in the water, more time at one spot, or a balance.

If you’re trying to snorkel or do underwater time, note the practical limits. Snorkeling and scuba equipment are not included. That doesn’t mean you cannot do water activities, but it does mean you should not rely on the tour to hand you gear at the last second.

What You Actually Get Included (and What You Must Bring)

This tour is built around a simple, group-friendly package. Here’s what’s included:

• All fees and taxes
• Fuel and captain
• Bottled water: 24 bottles
• Alcoholic beverages: 12 local beers

That’s a clear value setup. You’re not wondering whether the boat rental is the only cost and everything else is extra. Water is already handled, and beer is covered in a set quantity.

What is not included is equally important:

• Scuba equipment and snorkeling equipment
• Pickup (pickup is not included, but it is available at an extra cost after booking)
• Towels
• Soda or pop is described as not included as hard liquor. In plain terms, alcohol coverage is beer, not a full bar.

So what should you do?

• If you tend to be the person who forgets stuff, this is the day to make sure you have a towel and a plan for hydration beyond the included water.
• If your group wants mixed drinks or non-beer alcohol, you should plan for that to be outside the included beer.
• If your group wants to snorkel, bring your own mask or plan to arrange gear separately.

One practical upside: fuel and captain are included, which usually means less confusion about what you’re paying for once you’re on the boat.

The Crew Names You’ll Hear Most Often: Dennis, Jonathan, Rafael

Past experiences strongly highlight the human side. Reviews mention a smooth, supportive crew, and specific names come up repeatedly.

Dennis is highlighted as being with the group the whole way through and handling key needs like drinks, good food, and great music. That combination matters. On boats, you need someone who can keep the energy up while also managing logistics like timing, refreshments, and group flow.

Jonathan is also named as a key organizer who handled scheduling and coordination, including activities around Cartagena such as a walled city tour and travel around the city. If you’re the kind of traveler who wants one point person to reduce stress, that kind of coordination is what you should hope for.

Rafael is also mentioned in connection with safety and keeping things fun.

The takeaway for you: even though this is a straightforward sea day, you’re not just buying a boat ride. You’re buying coordination, and the crew quality affects whether it feels like a plan or a scramble.

Price and Value: $1,300 Per Group Makes Sense if You Fill It

The price is $1,300.00 per group, up to 15 people. That’s how to think about value here, because the tour is priced as a group experience, not per person.

If you hit the upper end of the pricing group, you can estimate the cost per person:

• At 15 people, it works out to about $87 per person.

If you’re closer to the higher capacity mentioned in the overview, your per-person math improves, but stick to the price rule you booked under. Either way, what makes the cost feel reasonable is that it includes captain, fuel, taxes and fees, bottled water, and beer.

Also, you’re getting about 8 hours of a speedboat day. That is the type of activity where individual add-ons can pile up fast. Here, key basics are already included.

Who gets the best value?

• Big groups who would otherwise pay for separate taxis, separate boat rentals, and separate on-water refreshment purchases.
• Groups that want to spend the day together and keep momentum.

Who might feel it’s not worth it?

• Couples or solo travelers who can’t split the group cost.
• Travelers who want scuba, snorkeling gear, or towels included, since those are specifically not included.

Timing, Duration, and How to Keep the Day Comfortable

The trip lasts about 8 hours, starting at 9:00 am. That’s a full day, long enough that comfort decisions matter.

Because the tour ends back at the meeting point, you’ll want to plan a simple post-tour move. In Cartagena, it’s easy to get pulled into dinner plans, so I recommend keeping your evening flexible but not complicated. You’ll come back tired in a good way, and you’ll appreciate an easy next step.

Bring:

• A change of clothes for afterward
• Something to protect your phone or camera from splash
• Sun protection
• A towel, since it’s not included

If your group is sensitive to heat, hydrate early, use the included bottled water, and pace alcohol. Twelve local beers is plenty for a group, but how quickly you drink is up to your group. On a boat, being smart about pace helps you enjoy the whole ride.

Weather Reality Check and Weather-Proof Expectations

This experience requires good weather. That’s not a small note, it’s a planning requirement.

If weather is rough, you’re offered a different date or a full refund. For you, the best move is to book with flexibility in mind. Cartagena has busy schedules, so try to keep a buffer day in your plan if your trip is timing-sensitive.

On a speedboat, weather doesn’t just change comfort, it changes safety and ride conditions. So if there’s even a chance of bad weather, you’ll want to be ready for rescheduling.

Who This Tour Fits Best (and Who Should Skip It)

This one fits best if you check a few boxes:

• You’re traveling with a group and want one shared plan
• You want a speedboat style day, not slow and sleepy
• You want beer and bottled water handled up front
• You prefer a crew that keeps things moving and supports the group, with names like Dennis and Jonathan showing up in past experiences

It might not be the right match if:

• You’re hoping for included snorkeling or scuba gear, since it’s not provided
• You expect towels, since they are not included
• Your group needs pickup, because pickup is not included in the base package
• You want a low-energy, quiet day

Also, “most travelers can participate” is listed, which is encouraging, but boating means you still need to be comfortable on a moving deck. If anyone in your group has motion sensitivity, plan accordingly.

Practical Tips Before You Book

Here are the things I’d lock in mentally before you reserve:

• Count your group carefully. Pricing is per group up to 15, and the experience is described as up to 18 in the overview, so confirm what your exact headcount means for your booking.
• Arrange transportation to Todomar CHL Marina Bocagrande 2nda unless you plan to add pickup for extra cost after booking.
• Bring a towel. Don’t hope the boat has extras.
• Bring or arrange snorkeling gear if that’s part of your day.
• If you care about food timing, ask what’s provided during the day. Reviews mention lunch being excellent, but the inclusion list here focuses on water and beer, so it’s worth confirming meal details for your departure date.

If you’re the organizer in your friend group, your day will go smoother if you set these expectations early.

Should You Book This Cartagena Speedboat to Rosario Islands?

I think you should book it if you want a group-first Cartagena day that feels like a real outing, not a checklist tour. The boat size, the on-water time, and the fact that bottled water and beer are included add up to a day that runs without constant extra spending.

If your group wants included snorkeling or scuba gear, or if you need a towel and pickup handled automatically, you may feel the gaps unless you plan ahead.

My call: book this when you have a crew who will fill out the group cost and you want a fun, fast-paced day on the water with a supportive crew like Dennis and Jonathan. If you’re traveling solo or as a couple and you hate group logistics, look for a smaller private option instead.

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

The tour starts at 9:00 am.

How long is the Cartagena to Rosario Islands and Cholon Boat experience?

It lasts about 8 hours.

Where do we meet and how does the tour end?

You meet at Todomar CHL Marina Bocagrande 2nda in Cartagena, and the activity ends back at the same meeting point.

What is included in the price?

Included are all fees and taxes, fuel and the captain, bottled water (24 bottles), and alcoholic beverages (12 local beer).

Is pickup included?

Pickup is not included, but it is available at an extra cost after booking.

Is snorkeling or scuba equipment included?

No. Scuba equipment and snorkeling equipment are not included.

Are towels provided?

No, towels are not included.

Is the tour refundable if weather is bad or I cancel?

The experience has free cancellation. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. It also requires good weather, and if it is canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.