The Rosario Islands Guide: How to Experience Cartagena's Private Islands in Luxury
Everything you need to plan a private Rosario Islands experience from Cartagena: how to get there, which islands to visit, private island stays, best season, fees and insider tips.
6 min read
By the Millan Experiences concierge team
In short
- The Rosario Islands (Islas del Rosario) are an archipelago of around 27 small coral islands roughly 35–45 km southwest of Cartagena, inside the Corales del Rosario y San Bernardo National Natural Park.
- By private speedboat the crossing takes about 45 minutes to an hour; yachts and catamarans take longer but are more comfortable.
- The most exclusive way to visit is a private boat to a private island or beach house, avoiding the crowded public tours to Playa Blanca.
- December to April is the dry season but brings stronger winds and choppier crossings; May to November has calmer seas with occasional afternoon rain.
- Set off early (8–9 a.m.), use reef-safe sunscreen and confirm whether national park and port fees are included in your charter.
Forty-five minutes from the walls of Cartagena, the sea turns from emerald to a clear, almost impossible turquoise. This is the Rosario Islands — a scatter of coral islands, mangroves and white-sand cays that has become the Caribbean escape of choice for travellers staying in Cartagena. Done well, it is the highlight of a trip to Colombia. Done badly, it is a crowded beach and a long, bumpy boat ride. This guide explains how to do it well.
What are the Rosario Islands?
The Rosario Islands (Islas del Rosario) are an archipelago of roughly 27 small islands located about 35 to 45 kilometres southwest of Cartagena de Indias. Together with the San Bernardo archipelago further south, they form the Corales del Rosario y San Bernardo National Natural Park, one of the most important coral reef ecosystems on Colombia's Caribbean coast.
Many of the islands are tiny and privately held, with beach houses, small boutique hotels and private clubs. Isla Grande is the largest and has a small local community, mangrove lagoons and walking trails. Nearby, the Barú peninsula is home to some of the area's most popular beaches, including Playa Blanca and the shallow lagoon of Cholón.
How to get to the Rosario Islands from Cartagena
Every journey to the islands begins on the water. There are two very different ways to make the crossing:
- Shared tours leave from the public pier (Muelle de la Bodeguita) in the morning, carry dozens of passengers, and follow a fixed route with set stops.
- Private charters leave from marinas in Manga, Bocagrande or Castillogrande at the time you choose, carry only your group, and follow an itinerary designed around you.
A private speedboat is the fastest option — roughly 45 minutes to an hour depending on the boat and the sea. A yacht or catamaran takes longer but adds shade, space, a proper bathroom and a smoother ride, which matters for families, older guests or anyone prone to seasickness.
The private island experience
The difference between a good day and an unforgettable one is privacy. Rather than stopping at a busy public beach, a private itinerary can take you to a private island or an exclusive beach house where the day is entirely yours: a dock to step off the boat, loungers under palm trees, a pool or a private stretch of sand, and lunch prepared for your group.
For a deeper escape, several islands can be booked for an overnight or multi-night stay. Waking up on an island once the day-trippers have left — with only the sound of the water and a sky full of stars at night — is one of the most memorable experiences the Colombian Caribbean has to offer.
What a private day typically includes
- Private boat with captain and crew, life jackets and the required navigation permits
- Snorkelling stops on the reef and swimming in shallow sandbars
- Access to a private island, beach club or beach house
- Fresh seafood lunch, or a private chef on board or on the island
- Drinks, towels, music and shade — arranged before you step on board
Best things to do in the Rosario Islands
- Snorkel the coral reefs — the national park protects coral gardens with tropical fish just a few metres below the surface.
- Swim at a sandbar — shallow, crystal-clear water far from shore, perfect for a glass of champagne in the sea.
- Kayak or paddleboard through mangroves on Isla Grande.
- See bioluminescent plankton on a night tour of the lagoons, ideally on a dark, moonless night.
- Visit Cholón if your group wants a lively party-boat atmosphere — or skip it if you are looking for calm.
When is the best time to visit?
The islands are a year-round destination. From December to April the weather is dry and sunny, but the trade winds blow harder and crossings can be choppy, especially in the afternoon. From May to November the sea is generally calmer and the water clearer, with short tropical showers that rarely last long; October is usually the rainiest month. For a full month-by-month breakdown, read our guide to the best time to visit Cartagena.
Fees, rules and practical tips
- Park and port fees: visitors usually pay a national park entry fee and, when departing from the public pier, a port tax. Ask whether they are included in your charter price.
- Return before sunset: most day charters head back to the bay in the late afternoon.
- Protect the reef: use reef-safe sunscreen, never stand on coral and avoid buying products made from shells or coral.
- Bring cash in small bills for tips and local vendors, plus your passport or a copy for boat registration.
- Book in advance in high season (mid-December to mid-January, Easter week and June–July), when the best boats and islands are reserved early.
Plan your Rosario Islands escape with Millan Experiences
We live in Cartagena and know these waters, these islands and the people who run them. Tell us the size of your group, how you like to spend a day at sea and whether you want to stay overnight, and our concierge team will design the boat, the island and every detail around you.
