From $15Island & Beach Day Trips in Cartagena
When the Old Town heat builds, locals head for the water. The Rosario Islands, a coral archipelago about an hour offshore, are the classic Cartagena day trip: clear shallows for snorkelling, beach clubs on Isla Grande and quieter sandbars reached only by lancha. Playa Blanca on the Baru peninsula offers postcard white sand and can be reached by road or boat, while catamaran cruises trade beach time for sailing, open bar and a swim stop. Trips usually leave from the Muelle de la Bodeguita pier between 8 and 9 in the morning and return mid-afternoon, dodging the choppier seas that build later in the day. Prices vary with the boat: shared lanchas are cheapest, private speedboats and catamarans cost more but skip the crowds. Bring reef-safe sunscreen, cash for beach vendors, and book ahead in high season when the better island clubs sell out.
Top Island & Beach Day Trips tours
Frequently Asked Questions
- How do you get to the Rosario Islands from Cartagena?
- Boats leave from the Muelle de la Bodeguita pier. Shared lanchas take about an hour, while faster private speedboats reach the islands in 45 minutes.
- Is Playa Blanca worth it as a day trip?
- Playa Blanca has the whitest sand near Cartagena but gets busy. Arrive early or book a tour that includes a quieter section of the Baru peninsula.
- What should I bring on a Cartagena island day trip?
- Reef-safe sunscreen, a hat, cash for beach vendors and water shoes. Most tours include lunch and snorkel gear, but confirm at booking.