Colombia · SNORKELING
This is the shortlist to send a friend: 15 snorkeling tours worth the money, each with its price, its traveller verdict and the one thing to know before you commit.
5-stop Rosario Islands day trip from Cartagena with lunch, fort views, snorkeling (Eco/VIP) and beach beds. Choose VIP, Eco, or Party.
“Great staff easy to do and enjoy. Very knowledgeable and helpful. The tour takes you to great places. The ride is a bit bumpy on the way back”
Roomy catamaran day to Isla Grande and Barú from Cartagena, with lunch, snorkeling gear, free soda, and big swim time.
“Cartagena is very warm. So a day out on the water is a perfect way to take a break from the heat. Very large boat, plenty of room for everyone.”
Speedboat from Cartagena Bay to Rosario Islands, choose Oceanario aquarium or snorkeling, then Playa Blanca beach club with lunch.
“Wonderful experience! You have to be at 8:30 AM on the dock to leave in the boat at 9 AM. Explanations are given at the beginning and during each stop and in the intervening periods you hear varied music (which I appreciate is not only reggaeton) in both English and Spanish. It gives 1 hour of time to those who go to the oceanarium and 45 min to those who snorkel. Then you go to a club in Playa Blanca called The Wizard Paloquemao for 2 1/2 hours where you have lunch either chicken, fish, egg rice or vegetarian. You have the right to use the chairs and beds on…”
Cartagena 5-island speedboat day trip: snorkeling, seafood lunch, Bocachica views, Isla de Cholón tasting, and bioluminescent plankton.
“Excellent crew and captain! The boat was so modern and powerful! The lunch was really good, at a great little island hang-out, and the party scene in the water, was a hoot! We would recommend this company!”
A full day by boat from Cartagena visiting Tierra Bomba, Rosario Islands, Cholon, and Barú with lunch and snorkeling, for about $100.
“It was enjoy crew member and the whole customer they had, Orlando total forget tip man you see let know send some money, I would highly recommend this adventure for sure no problem and fish better choice”
5 Islands VIP Escape from Cartagena, with snorkeling near a sunken plane, a private lunch, a party island stop, and Barú beach time.
“We had lots of fun, the boat trip was very informative, lunch was delicious and the islands very entertaining.”
A 7-hour small-group cruise in Tayrona Park from Santa Marta, with two snorkeling stops, Concha Bay beach time, and fresh fish lunch.
“The company gave me an “upgrade” to a different tour the night before which wasn’t what I wanted to do. As for the tour, it wasn’t bad. The guides were nice and took care of us.”
A full day sailing Cartagena Bay to Rosario Islands for lunch, snorkeling, and a plankton light show, with pickup from Bocagrande or El Laguito.
“A little confusing with the added plankton activity; I should’ve known better that the bus would make me arrive late back to Cartagena for my flight. I would’ve liked a little more explanation in English but the guide mostly spoke Spanish once the rest of the English speakers left”
From Cartagena, tour 5 Rosario islands with Isla Grande snorkeling, private island relaxation, Cholon party stop, and Playa Blanca Barú.
“Avoid at all costs. This was the worst island tour I have ever done. Terrible, inedible food, they take you to the worst parts of each island, all drinks and additional food are in way overpriced.”
Spend a full day from Cartagena across 5 islands in the Rosario route, with snorkeling, plankton time, lunch, and a seafood cocktail.
“The overall tour was good. The ride to the island and the amazing landscape was everything. The only not pleasant experience was the last activity; plankton and the lunch, where the guide who explained the experience said, that even those who cannot swim can go, and that it was not deep to jump in. We were in the middle of the ocean!! The food was delicious and have a good taste but it was super cold. Oh also, vendors are super intense on the island Cholon and oceanario. Other than that it was a good tour.”
Hike to Playa Sisiguaca from Taganga, then snorkel coral reefs. Transport, guide, snack, and photos included for $70.
“La ville n’est pas très propre. La plage est sympa, mais ça ne vaut pas de payer ce montant alors que nous pouvons le faire seul. Je déconseille de le faire ou alors allez-y par vos propres moyens. Il n’y a qu’un sentier à suivre, vous ne pouvez pas vous perdre.”
Cartagena’s Premium 5 Islands tour covers Rosario and Barú with lunch, goggles snorkeling, and optional oceanarium and bioluminescent plankton.
“In general, well, they should clearly specify to the tourist that it is a recreational tour and not a party and liquor tour, it was uncomfortable and annoying to be waiting for people who were not interested in the total tour but only in the place where they were going to party and then wait for them to that they ride more people who didn't go on the tour with the rest.”
Cartagena island hop by speedboat with snorkeling, Caribbean lunch, beach time, sunset snacks, and a magical luminous plankton night show.
“L'organisation pourrait être améliorée. Dans le descriptif, l'activité plancton est comprise dans la prestation alors que ce n'était pas le cas et il fallait payer à nouveau pour la faire”
Speedboat to the Rosario Islands with snorkeling, Bocachica Fort history, seafood stops, and lunch on white-sand Playa Tranquila.
“Snorkeling was marginal as masks only due to past Covid - no snorkels. Lunch was delicious as the fish was tasty and spiced just right - tender and flaky. The waist deep water restaurant near shore was a blast with Cerviche and great Latin music and dancers on boats”
8-hour Santa Marta day trip with Taganga photos, Remanso snorkeling, and Playa Grande lunch plus beach time, with transport included.
“Do not do this excursion. It is a waste of money and time. They pick you up in a bus that is barely running and no air-conditioning And overpacked. They say they take you to three different beaches, but that is not true. It is a complete lie. The bus picks you up from your hotel and drops you off at the first “beach” but it is only to board a panga to go snorkeling. That is not visiting a beach, stopping to load on a boat is a transfer then the second beach is not a beach either you stop at a bunch of rocks and they say you’re…”
Pick a base, pick a kind of day, read the reviews.
