Cartagena Rosario Islands Boat Trip: Honest Review + Tips

So, you’re looking into a Cartagena Rosario Islands boat trip? That makes total sense, actually. The Rosario Islands, they’re a little cluster of islands not that far from Cartagena, Colombia, and let me tell you, pictures really don’t do them justice. The water is just impossibly clear, there’s coral, there’s colorful fish… the whole package. Lots of tours offer, you know, snorkeling, plus a buffet, and, naturally, an open bar. I went on one just recently, so here’s my complete, down-to-earth take on it. We’ll look at the good parts, some things to possibly look out for, and a few tips to, perhaps, make the most of your trip.

Setting Sail: What to sort of Expect from the Beginning

Alright, the day, too it’s almost certain, begins early. You, like your hotel, you’re collected from your hotel, we mean, or maybe a prearranged spot. Typically, what happens is that the transportation could be anything like an air-conditioned van to maybe a bus, and you’re transported right to the docks. Expect some company because, that, is that tons of people also have a similar plan. The boarding, now, is usually a pretty interesting free-for-all. Finding a prime seat? Arguably that depends on how fast you happen to be and how assertive you might feel.

The boats themselves? They come in various different shapes and sizes. Mine, what I can recall, was a catamaran which also is a pretty good choice; space for moving around, getting sun, that, and taking pictures. Is that music playing? That seems likely! Be ready for a bit of, you know, Latin tunes which arguably sets a fun vibe. I’d say don’t expect, definitely, an intimate little sailing outing, even if you are kind of hoping that you do; just expect there might be plenty of other people also wanting the same thing as you!

Snorkeling in Paradise: Did you See any Fish?

The snorkeling part of, actually, this excursion is quite a big selling point, right? The boat, so, typically takes you to an area, which often, is, really a reef area. What you see, honestly, could depend pretty heavily on the weather, what season it is, how many folks were in the water already, to be, very honest. The water, naturally, has been remarkably clear on any really nice day, and visibility, wow, can be really impressive. I was able to clearly spot tons of various kinds of colorful fish. So you see parrotfish, angelfish, maybe even a barracuda or two, very likely.

As a matter of fact, the snorkeling gear? Okay, that really isn’t, perhaps, the fanciest, you understand? Expect very basic masks and, too, it’s almost certain snorkels. You, naturally, might wanna really double-check the fit when you’re given it to you. If you might have, actually, your own gear? Seriously, by the way, bringing it might not be a terrible idea. Also, what is sometimes really a pretty big plus? The crew. They usually, very often, provide life vests or those flotation noodles; this is definitely appreciated for folks who, actually, might not be so at ease in deeper water. And yes, it tends to be salt water, but it is pretty calm, but it’s still the ocean. Still, maybe not something you do while downing several cocktails! The time you might get to spend in the water varies, still, it can be roughly, say, 45 minutes or, like, an hour, maybe? I think that was just enough.

The Buffet Lunch: Filling, or Just Plain Filling?

Right after some snorkeling, what’s usually next, naturally, is food! So, generally the boat lands on a selected island, that usually, has, in fact, a little beach area set, arguably up for these sorts of group lunches. Do not expect, certainly, a Michelin-starred meal. It tends to be a buffet affair. The upside there, certainly, is that, by the way, you can really load up as much or as little as you actually like. Expect standard things. Rice, sometimes fried plantains (patacones), maybe a straightforward salad, plus several different kinds of, certainly, seafood. Sometimes there’s chicken, sometimes there’s beef.

If there is just one piece of advice to give? Approach it reasonably. I would guess there may also be masses of others trying for grub simultaneously, still, with just, too it’s almost certain, one tiny buffet location. Perhaps, expect lines. To, probably, ensure you actually get enough to consume (which of course could depend upon how hungry you got as a result of swimming!) then I might go a tiny bit sooner than expected! A vegetarian or if, you know, on any special kind of diet? Checking in with, clearly, the tour operators about options beforehand could be the smart choice.

Open Bar: Tipsy Times or a Hydration Station?

Let’s discuss, perhaps, the open bar. Yes, absolutely, it’s basically just included in the cost of these day trips, and really it’s a major selling point, that’s obvious! They sometimes provide you with soft drinks which is clearly things like sodas and juices; what’s frequently available include local beer, maybe some rum punches. The “premium spirits”? Well, not usually.

What can you say about people who could drink lots of beer while sailing around tropical Islands? Maybe think reasonably again with, too it’s almost certain, alcohol use under a very hot sun. Besides, it can sometimes also easily lead to not enjoying the remaining day properly. The tour operator crew, definitely, does sometimes try serving; really if you are looking after adequate hydration it actually means they will also freely hand out bottled water and the fizzy drinks, in particular.

The Beach Time and Island Hopping Bits

Beach time, oh yes it really is something special here, that makes sense! After lunch, more often than not, the itinerary shows there is plenty of “free time,” usually it’s spent lazing down near the shores. As a matter of fact, the sand’s sensation on the feet is super, plus getting cool is, definitely, very straightforward with some swims. Sometimes tours also usually bundle other kinds of stuff such as maybe stops at some other islands in order that you might experience that variation on different scenery, in fact.

On, really, such stops, yes they often will try and sell you all kinds of little trinkets and also local artisan works. Remember always these particular seller people definitely always are just wanting to eke a living! On those beaches ensure that you make proper arrangements so as to always know just when the boat actually leaves once more to take you on other things since in some circumstances it could definitely be really easily to, like your relaxation to actually become too overextended!

Final Thoughts: Could it be Really Worth it?

Are, definitely, these Cartagena Rosario Islands trips a pretty worthwhile adventure? What I could really consider as the actual answer depends largely of your specific expectations combined with just what kind of experiences can absolutely delight the senses. Given those shimmering beautiful turquoise seas they provide undeniably postcard-perfect opportunities; nevertheless, naturally the knowledge around things that occur as far as quite busy boats are concerned; perhaps quite basic buffet grub and what things involve with potential alcohol influences all may really seriously also somewhat alter just what you were imagining!

As, like I kept thinking about overall trip considerations and how, naturally these could potentially bring immense benefits what definitely matters involves seriously going with correct preparation so even minor drawbacks arguably matter less eventually since amazing surroundings take quite supreme precedent for sure.

Extra Tips for a top Boat Trip

Let’s also just cover even those smaller nuances which still usually will significantly enhance whatever day gets allocated for a getaway like to, well that’s an adventure I was lucky really actually to acquire to have at that island getaway!

1. Sun block: That really super important sun right there can without doubt shine incredibly brightly specifically whilst upon boat/beaches and protecting your epidermis by using an adequately good quality type protective sun lotions seriously makes all variations during keeping potentially harmful sunburn right away whilst definitely completely even when engaging completely near amazing activities during outside open conditions and particularly any activity that definitely leads folks getting totally exposed straightaway just below this seriously powerful environment.
2. Purchase an adequately proper very comfy kind of swimwear attire. Swim wear will also seriously require to have actually appropriate fitting as uncomfortable options unfortunately absolutely easily causes discomforts thereby totally deflating usually quite previously completely pleasant adventures: always also verify definitely to grab along many towel things simply to easily take good care of yourself effectively:
3. Cash: Bring several dough, clearly perhaps that would include that purchase maybe involving small goodies trinkets, probably perhaps that purchase many attractive tropical cocktails: also always prepare with cash to maybe seriously make tipping folks working throughout these particular sectors totally effortlessly without problem
4. A tote for keeping various electronic and important personal products protected coming perhaps any kind probably splashes while simply additionally conveniently carrying the devices as we are really travelling to each different stunning islands. Dry carriers without question seriously comes incredibly handy at specifically those circumstances when there may occur even those opportunities by maybe potential water splatters which sometimes end affecting gadgets gadgets while maybe even also files in spite they will maybe accidentally receiving slightly water damaged; therefore maybe packing into reliably closed packs might avoid several unforeseen conditions eventually developing ultimately.
5. Consider the motion: Get onboard getting equipped particularly possessing motion prevention supplements and many gingerly type chewable factors might substantially reduce probability sickness usually occurring especially while usually there maybe some uneven situations found throughout particular longer journeys especially with sailing to open seawater segments: always carefully ask those medical specialists prior to definitely attempting many medicine approaches perhaps due different causes/personal wellness background details: