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Trip Report

San Bernardo Archipelago Colombia. Tour Islas del Rosario.

A day of disconnection on the Rosario Islands. Crystal blue waters, white beaches and corals with hundreds of species from Colombia will take your breath away.

  • These are the hammocks from which you can enjoy and see the beautiful Caribbean Sea and why not also take a nap. Additionally, for photography lovers like me, a great spot to take some beautiful photos.+ 13
  • What else can I say about it? Beautiful view
  • The beds and hammocks to rest for a while
  • San Bernardo Archipelago Colombia. Tour Islas del Rosario.
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About Me:Cabin crew, RRHH specialist, women from oceans and sunsets. Colombian made!! I love to travel as you, I feel it in my bones and the best way to have a memory of it, is through my passion “the photography” read more

South AmericaColombia1 day / February 2024

Highs & Lows

Adventure, fun and comfort on the high seas landing on white beaches and transparent waters of the Caribbean Sea.

Have excellent weather and a good day for the tide (Although to be honest the chances of having them are very high)

Itinerary Overview

The Rosario and San Bernardo Coral Islands National Natural Park is a park that is made up of 28 islands that are located in the Colombian Caribbean Sea, being the easiest way to get there from Cartagena de Indias. We decided to go on our third day on the city. We decided to go on a trip to the islands on Friday since they are much more crowded on the weekend, hopefully we can go during the week. 

There are different options for going to the islands and hundreds of different hotels and tours to choose from.  We decided to rent a private boat, since on previous occasions we had had the opportunity to travel to different of these islands through tours with many more people. These types of tours are for approximately 20 people and take you to a particular island where you will have the opportunity to spend a couple of hours on the beach and have lunch there. We decided to rent a private boat through the company Nauty services, which provided us with excellent service and support throughout the reservation process and during the trip, of course. This company has different types of boats and yachts with different capacities.

 We were specifically two people but we wanted something private and that we could go wherever we wanted at our own time, and without a doubt we were not wrong. It was the best idea.

 

Our day began by finding us at the Navas dock in the la güito area in Cartagena (There are different ports and that is why we clarified), however the boarding point can be discussed between the travelers and the company led by Wilmer, as well as the time. meeting starting at 8 am. We finally started our tour at 9 am, then we passed by the tourist pier of Cartagena in Manga where we picked up the snorkeling equipment that we would use to snorkel and some ice (ideally to bring your own drinks) since in this occasion were not included. 

After this, our journey of approximately one hour out to sea began, passing through the different islands initially inhabited by native fishermen and merchants of the area, the industrial port and then the different and imposing islands, where it is evident that they are being increasingly used for build beautiful locations for tourists, some of which are hotels and others just for people to spend a pleasant day.

On board you will have the option of playing your own music at full volume to enjoy that beautiful view with the best musical atmosphere. Additionally, the crew is made up of a trained and experienced El Capitan, a navigation assistant and our tour guide. They will tell you about the islands and everything you want to know about it to have a better understanding of where they are and what they are seeing and where they are passing through at all times. 

Halfway through we decided to snorkel so the crew took us to a place where there are 3 areas of natural corals full of beautiful colorful fish of different sizes and how the water is so transparent was ideal to appreciate them. Additionally, you can enjoy delicious cocktails prepared in the sea itself (since there are people kayaking with floating bars that will offer you three types of drinks), an activity that you will undoubtedly be able to enjoy since it seemed like something quite particular and native to us. We were snorkeling for approximately 30 minutes until we got tired, you can imagine doing that under a blazing sun and in 30 degree temperatures.

Now began our time to decide where we wanted to have lunch and of course enjoy the beach and be able to swim in its calm waters and mainly relax a little more and enjoy the whole atmosphere. The crew gives you several options since they know all the places and even you will have the opportunity to see the different hotels and tours and you can decide based on what you see. Finally we decided and chose to go to Paue Beach Lounge. 
 

To enter you must pay a cover of 20,000 pesos and you must additionally guarantee a minimum consumption of 100,000 pesos per person. They have beautiful beds at height and on the beach to enjoy the view and relax for a while. We specifically wanted a bed in the upper area on the first line from which we could see the beautiful sea and the different boats.

 

 In the place and included is the kayak and paddle surf service. You must book in advance to ensure you will have the opportunity to use the service. We had the opportunity to kayak and walk through the boats and visit the other nearby hotels and see them from the shore. It is a very fun activity and since it is really calm it is easy to handle it even if it is the first time you do it.

 

After that we had the opportunity to enjoy lunch where you will find traditional seafood options from the area, we ate a fried sierra and a ceviche with patacones, the food is good to get a little energy after the trip. After taking a short nap we decided to go down and swim a little and enjoy the beach. It is truly a beautiful place and ideal to get out of the routine and change the landscape of the city.

 

 The return trip is generally around 3 in the afternoon, however we left a little earlier since the crew indicated that the waves were a little high and that the tide was getting a little more complicated. We had no problems and the truth is that we enjoyed the experience, we like the speed, adrenaline and it was spectacular. You have to have it in. Keep in mind that this type of tour with small children or older adults can be very hectic, so they can decide on larger boats, with more people, and also return much earlier to the city so that the boat does not move as much.

 

In 40 minutes you will be back in the city and you will have the opportunity to continue exploring it and enjoy how much it has to offer you in terms of gastronomy, culture and its people.

  • Day trip: Rosario Islands
    Colombia Islas Del Rosario - daypass service, spots to rest and chill, nice food and beautiful landscape
Rosario Islands - Colombia Islas Del Rosario - daypass service, spots to rest and chill, nice food and beautiful landscape
1

Rosario Islands Colombia Islas Del Rosario - daypass service, spots to rest and chill, nice food and beautiful landscape

Rosario Islands - Colombia Islas Del Rosario - daypass service, spots to rest and chill, nice food and beautiful landscape - These are the hammocks from which you can enjoy and see the beautiful Caribbean Sea and why not also take a nap. Additionally, for photography lovers like me, a great spot to take some beautiful photos.
These are the hammocks from which you can enjoy and see the beautiful Caribbean Sea and why not also take a nap. Additionally, for photography lovers like me, a great spot to take some beautiful photos.
Rosario Islands - Colombia Islas Del Rosario - daypass service, spots to rest and chill, nice food and beautiful landscape - What else can I say about it? Beautiful view
What else can I say about it? Beautiful view
Rosario Islands - Colombia Islas Del Rosario - daypass service, spots to rest and chill, nice food and beautiful landscape - The beds and hammocks to rest for a while13+
The beds and hammocks to rest for a while

This place was a last minute decision, but definitely a very good decision. It is a place where you can enjoy the tranquility since there are not many people, its facilities are modern and very well maintained. For Sea lovers, you will be able to enjoy a pleasant time and swim in calm and transparent waters. For those who want to take photos, you will find many instagrammable places to take beautiful photos and share your experiences. For food lovers you will also have several options to choose from. You can do sports such as kayaking and paddle surfing, ideal to close the day

Q & A

  • What would you have changed?

    If I could change or improve anything it would definitely be the food. I clarified that it was a good meal but it would be good if they had many more slightly more international options, taking into account that many of their visitors are foreigners.
  • Anything go wrong during the trip?

    Absolutely anything
  • Restaurant recommendations?

    Inside the Paue you’ll find different options on the menu to choose from
  • Tips you would give a friend?

    If you have the option to rent a boat by your self and your group of friends that will be great instead of taking a public tour
  • Packing tips?

    Waterproof backpacks, a swimsuit, hats or caps that resist the wind and that can be held with a rope because the wind on board can be too much, don't forget the sunscreen
  • Transportation Tips?

    Public tours Private boat or yacht
  • Any surprises?

    The weather and the sea depending on the day and the time of the day you sail.
  • Booking details?

    You can reserve your tours the day before. You can reserve your private boat hopefully with days in advance because they could run out very quickly. @nautyservices The daypass service could be reserve in advance preferible but also you can arrive there and pay it and book it over there