Review: Cartagena Family Day Trip to Rosario Islands (Up to 12)

So, you’re maybe looking at a day trip from Cartagena to the Rosario Islands with your crew, and, very possibly, you spotted the one that says “up to 12 people.” Right? It sounds ideal. That’s a private boat, you, your family, your pals – pure bliss in the Caribbean, basically. But is it really all sunshine and perfect turquoise water? That’s what this is for, you know, like, a deeper peek, a review from somebody who’s, well, been there.

The Allure of a Private Boat: Is it Worth It?

Now, think about it for a moment: a whole boat all to yourselves, is that what you had in mind? Pretty much avoids those packed tourist boats, right? You set your own pace, very likely pick your own spots, and you blast your music. This is how it sounded when we read it to ourselves. Turns out, those possibilities can be great. More or less getting a trip that feels, really, especially when you’re wrangling kids or want that real quality time with people that mean something to you.

Yet, before you hit “book now,” you will want to, is that right, sort of balance the perks against potential downsides. Cost is, pretty much, the first thing that springs to mind. Is paying a little bit more a smart choice compared to, say, some group tour? And what about the actual boat itself? Will it, in a way, really fit your whole group comfortably? Let’s, as a matter of fact, have a look at what made the trip a success for our family and a little bit of what, basically, gave us some issues.

Our Experience: Sun, Sand, and Seasickness (a Little Bit)

Basically, we booked the “Cartagena Family Day to the Rosario Islands Up to 12 People” with a bunch of cousins, a little like your typical extended family. The online booking, I will say, seemed straightforward. You pick your date, cough up a deposit, and that’s, kind of, it. We did, it’s true, get a confirmation pretty darn quickly. And it contained, I guess, all the instructions. So, all good right? Actually, up to now.

The morning of, we’re, for all intents and purposes, supposed to meet at the dock at like, oh, 8 AM. Getting 12 people (half of them kids) anywhere that early, to be honest, should win an award. We were, rather, only 15 minutes behind, but it felt, clearly, like a triumph. Our boat was, mostly, what we expected. It looked like the pictures, it, as a matter of fact, had plenty of space, and, for all intents and purposes, it looked clean enough. The crew, anyway, were helpful with getting everyone settled. Bottles of water are, mostly, on hand. Which is, frankly, what you’d hope for in that heat.

As we cruised out of Cartagena, that skyline looked so pretty. The kids liked to watch the water spray as we gained some speed. The actual boat, though, did bounce around quite a bit. Very few felt queasy despite taking some seasickness meds beforehand. My sister-in-law wasn’t having too much fun with it. I do think the company must give a, you know, heads-up about potentially rougher conditions sometimes. Maybe even offer seasickness bands.

Island Hopping: Highlights and Lowlights

Our trip included, arguably, stops at a couple of islands: Isla Grande and Cholón. Isla Grande was, surprisingly, a slice of paradise. Clear water, and almost white sand, like something on a postcard. We spent most our time there, mostly swimming and letting the kids build sandcastles. Lunch was part of the package – a fresh seafood buffet. It was actually fine. Not stellar, alright, but not awful, which you could argue is a win for a tour like that.

Cholón, though, it’s totally different. This is where things took a slight detour. It is, as a matter of fact, known as the party island. And I will tell you now that the music’s, actually, very loud. Too loud, for my taste, if I can be honest. I wasn’t, basically, thinking of an all-day rave with the fam. Some, definitely, seem to dig that scene. But with smaller children, and if you expect chill relaxation, you could very easily want to skip it. Knowing, obviously, that your operator knows, basically, that that’s what you wanted. The boat crew were happy to accommodate us though, and pretty much shortened our stay there. Giving us plenty more time at a calmer spot near Isla Grande.

Making the Most of Your Family Day Trip

So, to get the absolute most out of your own family adventure, a few pointers seem, well, super obvious now.

Pack Smart: Very, very crucial! Sunscreen, hats, sunglasses are extremely required. Take a rash guard. More so for the little guys. As I was saying, bring seasickness meds if there, usually, is even a chance somebody gets queasy. Don’t trust that there, possibly, are towels on the boat either. We ended up bringing some anyway, just in case.
Communicate Your Preferences: Do you, literally, want a super chill trip? Like your kids hate loud noises? Actually, just chat with the tour operator ahead of time and let them get what’s really happening. Be seriously upfront about what, in a way, you’re trying to find. That probably impacts where they, maybe, take you.
Confirm the Details: Double-check everything before your sail date. How big is the boat really? Does it absolutely have shade? And are there any extra charges, possibly, for stuff? All the clarity upfront pretty darn avoids surprises when you’re just trying to have fun.
Manage Expectations: No matter how wonderful a trip is, it’s literally impossible to keep everyone a little happy the entire time. Be very prepared to go with the flow. And cut yourself and anyone else, very likely, feeling a bit off some slack. Vacations with lots of folks usually involve little compromise.

The Verdict: Family Fun with a Few Tweaks

This Cartagena family day to the Rosario Islands, you know, “up to 12 people” tour, turned out to be a truly amazing day, more or less. The ease of a private boat and, obviously, getting some flexibility were so worth it for our family. While some elements, you see, need managing — the boat quality or crazy loud islands — talking and being totally ready make all of the difference, almost. It gave us wonderful memories. Is that your aim too?

I reckon, maybe, it could work really well for you. Mainly, you consider everyone’s expectations and do just a little planning.

#familytravel #colombia #rosarioislands #boattrip #caribbean