A fast boat day with serious island payoff. This Cartagena trip takes you by express speedboat from the Bodeguita dock to the beach at Islabela on the Rosario–San Bernardo archipelago, with a welcome cocktail and real time to enjoy the shoreline. I love how the day mixes easy travel with hotel-level comfort—loungers, tables, bathrooms—so you’re not scrambling for basics once you arrive. I also love the straightforward meal setup: you pick from fish, chicken, or a vegetarian pasta, and you’re fed like you mean it.

One thing to plan around is boat reliability and how you’ll want to sit. The speedboat ride is usually part of the fun, but if the engine has trouble, it can eat into island time, and the day can run a bit longer than expected. Also, if you’re traveling alone, you may not automatically get the bed/spot you’d choose if you could pick seats.

Key points to know before you go

• Express speedboat transfers: quick water time between Cartagena and the Islabela hotel beach.
• Welcome cocktail + panela water with lunch: included drinks that make the day feel like a package, not a basic excursion.
• Use of facilities: loungers, tables, and bathrooms at the island/hotel setting.
• Included kayaks: you can go from relaxing to moving, without paying extra.
• Simple lunch choices: fried fish, grilled chicken, or vegetarian pasta, all served as part of the plan.
• Yoga on select days: offered on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.

Cartagena to Islabela: What This Day Trip Actually Delivers

This isn’t a “quick photo stop” boat ride. It’s a full, planned beach day on the Rosario Islands area, built around three comforts: transportation that gets you there fast, a hotel-style beach setup, and a meal that’s included instead of optional.

What makes it especially attractive is that you don’t have to piece the day together yourself. You get met at the dock, you ride out on an express speedboat, you arrive with a welcome drink, and once you’re there, you’re allowed to use the hotel facilities—loungers, tables, and bathrooms—while you decide whether you want to chill or get on the water with the included kayaks.

The whole tone feels practical: enjoy the beach, eat well, and don’t overthink it.

Meeting at Bodeguita Dock: Get There Early and Be Ready

Your morning starts at 7:30 AM at Corpoturismo, entering through door 3 at the Bodeguita dock. This matters because speedboat departures run on schedule, and arriving late can cause delays or last-minute stress.

Here’s what to do right when you arrive:

• Have your passport or ID ready.
• Wear swimwear under your clothes if you can, so you lose less time once you’re at the beach.
• Plan for a towel situation: a towel is not included (you’ll need to bring one, or buy one on the spot for 10,000 COP).

Also, this tour runs rain or shine, but it can be canceled on red flag days. In other words: expect it to happen unless conditions on the water force a safety decision.

The Speedboat Ride Out: Old Town Views, Real Sea Air

Once you board, the transfer is the easy part—this is the “express” promise. You leave from Cartagena’s tourist port area in the Old Town zone, and you get a chance for views of the city from the water along the way.

I like this kind of start because it flips the usual pattern. Instead of spending your whole time staring at the city from land, you get that quick change of perspective: seawater air, open horizon, and Cartagena appearing from an angle you don’t get when you’re walking streets.

The main thing to watch is timing. One review flagged that the boat to get to the island kept shutting off every so often, which meant the ride took longer than it should. That’s not something you can fully predict, but it’s a reminder to keep your expectations flexible and be ready for the day to run long if mechanical issues pop up.

Islabela Beach Hotel Time: Loungers, Bathrooms, and Kayaks

When you arrive, you’re greeted with a refreshing welcome drink and you’re given access to the hotel’s beach infrastructure: bed loungers, tables, and bathrooms. That small list is a big deal on island days, because it turns the trip into a comfortable reset instead of a “find a spot and hope you can wash up” experience.

You’ll also have included kayaks, so you can choose your mood:

• Sit back and sun-worship with a lounger
• Or paddle around and get your own look at the water and shoreline

If you like low-effort variety, this is a good setup. You don’t have to pay extra to do something active, and you still get the option to slow down.

Also, on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, yoga classes are included. If you want a calm, structured add-on, that’s your built-in option for stretching out after the boat ride.

Lunch on the Island: Real Choices, Not Just a Plate

Lunch is one of the strongest parts of this day, and it’s built in a simple, satisfying way. You get a “typical lunch” that you choose from:

• Crispy fried fish
• Grilled chicken
• Vegetarian pasta

You’re also served panela water with the meal (panela is the traditional sugar made from sugarcane). It’s the kind of detail that makes a lunch feel local without turning it into something complicated.

The value here is that lunch is not an add-on. Many island trips leave you hunting for food later or selling you overpriced meals after you’ve already spent on the boat. With this plan, you can focus on beach time first, knowing you’re covered at midday.

If you have dietary restrictions, the tour offers these three options. The data doesn’t say there are additional specialized meals, so it’s smart to think about whether one of these choices will work for you.

Optional Extras: Snorkeling and Massages (If You Want Them)

Once you’re settled, you have options to add on activities. The tour lists extras like snorkeling and a relaxing massage, but those are not included in the core price.

My advice: keep your core day uncomplicated. If the beach and kayaks are already your plan, you can treat snorkeling/massage as your “maybe.” If conditions are calm and you still feel energetic, you’ll know in the moment whether it’s worth spending more.

This approach keeps you from rushing or paying for things you end up skipping.

Weather, Comfort, and the Two Issues You Should Plan For

Most of what you’ll remember about this trip is the beach experience and the included perks. But two practical considerations are worth taking seriously.

1) Boat timing can slip if there’s a problem

The clearest negative point in the reviews is the speedboat shutting off repeatedly, which caused a longer trip. If you’re the type who hates running behind, try to avoid tight schedules right after you return to Cartagena. Keep the rest of your day open so you don’t feel trapped by a late finish.

2) Seating and shade vary

Another review mentioned wanting to choose their seat and feeling stuck with a bed position that bothered their back and was shaded the whole time. If you care about shade vs sun—or you need comfortable support—go into the day with a plan:

• Arrive ready to adjust your spot when you get to the loungers
• If possible, speak up early about comfort preferences

You might not get your first choice, but asking right away is better than waiting until you’re already settled.

Price and Value: Is $94 a Good Deal Here?

At $94 per person, this tour sits in the “midrange day trip” zone—so the key question is what you’re actually getting for that money.

You’re paying for:

• Express speedboat transfers
• Reception/assistance at the dock
• A welcome cocktail
• Lunch (fish/chicken/vegetarian) plus panela water
• Use of the hotel facilities (loungers, tables, bathrooms)
• Included kayaks
• Yoga classes on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays

What’s not included adds a bit of complexity:

• Mandatory port tax: 31,500 COP, paid at the dock
• Medical insurance (required), also not included in the listed price
• Towel: 10,000 COP if you don’t bring one
• Extra activities like snorkeling and massages

So is it worth it? For me, it comes down to this: you’re essentially buying a smooth transportation + beach + meal bundle. If you were to hire a boat, pay for entry/space at a beach facility, and cover lunch separately, the total would likely climb quickly. The fact that lunch and the basic beach setup are included makes the price feel more fair than many “just a boat ride” options.

Still, do the math in your head once you add the dock tax and towel. This tour is best when you treat it as a full-day experience, not a bargain grab.

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

This is a great match if you want:

• An easy way to reach the Rosario Islands without managing boats, tickets, and timing on your own
• Included beach comfort (loungers, tables, bathrooms)
• A mix of relaxing plus optional activity via kayaks
• A proper lunch and drink as part of the schedule

It might be less ideal if:

• You’re very sensitive to schedule changes and hate delays (the boat timing issue is real in at least one report)
• You need specialized seating/comfort and you’re hoping for guaranteed placement
• You’re pregnant: the tour is not suitable for pregnant women

If you like structured days with clear inclusions, you’ll probably enjoy the flow. If you hate any kind of “tour structure” and want full freedom, you might prefer booking something more DIY.

Sustainability and Community: What That Means in Real Life

The tour says it focuses on sustainability and supporting the local community. You’ll see this as part of the overall positioning—working with a local hotel setting on the island and emphasizing partnerships rather than extraction-style tourism.

In practical terms, this doesn’t change what you do day-to-day as much as it changes what’s behind the scenes. It’s a small piece of the reason the experience feels more responsible than some generic boat-and-beach formulas.

Should You Book the Islabela Islands Boat Trip?

If you’re heading to Cartagena and want a beach day that feels organized—speedboat ride, welcome drink, lunch, loungers, bathrooms, and kayaks—then yes, I think it’s a strong pick. It’s the kind of tour that saves you time and decision fatigue, which is worth a lot when you’re on vacation.

Book it if:

• You want a clear “leave, eat, beach, return” plan
• You’ll use the included facilities and kayaks
• You don’t mind that boat timing can vary if conditions or mechanics get tricky

Skip or consider alternatives if:

• You’re planning a tight itinerary right after the return
• You’re very particular about seating comfort and shade
• You’re relying on the trip for a towel (bring one)

FAQ

FAQ

What’s included in the Islabela Islands boat trip?

It includes reception and assistance at the Bodeguita dock, express speedboat transfers, a welcome cocktail, lunch with panela water, use of the facilities (kayaks, loungers, tables, bathrooms), and yoga classes on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.

Where do I meet and what time should I arrive?

You should arrive at 7:30 AM at Corpoturismo and enter through door 3 at the Bodeguita dock.

How long is the tour?

The duration is 7.5 hours.

Is the port tax included in the price?

No. There is a mandatory port tax of 31,500 COP paid at the dock, and medical insurance is also required but not included.

Do I need to bring a towel?

Yes. A towel is not included. You can purchase a towel for 10,000 COP if you need one.

Are kayaks included?

Yes. Kayaks are included along with access to loungers, tables, and bathrooms.

Is yoga included?

Yoga classes are included on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.

What extra activities can I add?

You can purchase additional activities like snorkeling or a relaxing massage, but they are not included in the base tour price.