How to rent your private boat in Cartagena
The easiest way to organize the perfect boat trip around Cartagena’s paradise islands
I’ve taken four boat trips to the Rosario Islands, and finding a good local agency was difficult.
I will tell you the 5 BIG mistakes to avoid when renting a private boat in Cartagena.
To save you the hassle, I can connect you straight away (and for free) with the local partner I trust the most. No doubt, you’ll be in good hands.
We are on a quest across Colombia to discover the top local agencies to establish a trustworthy network of experts and gather unique, valuable insights for each destination. Our aim? To make you fall in love with Colombia effortlessly.
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Cartagena boat rentals we Recommend
Cartagena: Partying on Isla Cholon 1d
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Cartagena: Rent a boat to explore the Rosario Islands 1d
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Cartagena: charter a yacht to visit the Rosario Islands 1d
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Cartagena: sailboat to enjoy the Rosario Islands 3d
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How to rent a private boat in Cartagena
I’m going to help you find the boat of your dreams for the perfect day in the Rosario Islands. And it all starts with knowing the 5 biggest mistakes travelers make when renting a boat in Cartagena—handpicked by our boat rental expert in Cartagena
5 mistakes to avoid when renting a boat
If you’re aware of these mistakes, you’ll avoid 95% of the problems.
MISTAKE 1: People don’t look enough online first
There are probably one hundred boat agencies in Cartagena. Between street vendors, hotel flyers, and the famous “my cousin knows a guy,” you won’t have trouble finding a private boat. But finding a good boat at a good price—that’s a different story.
This is where doing your online research really pays off (like reading Tomplanmytrip 😉). Pretty quickly, you’ll realize that most of these agencies are just middlemen for other middlemen, which drives up the prices.
Another crucial point: the quality of the captains and the condition of the boats. And that’s something you won’t know until the last minute when it’s too late to switch. Trust me, if the captain’s not nice, good luck enjoying your day without considering a mutiny.
That’s why we took the lead in finding the right boat expert. Let me introduce Aymeric.
Based in Cartagena, he started by buying his own boat, which helped him connect with the best boat owners and captains. Today, he runs his own agency with a selection of trusted boats and captains. Since he deals directly with the owners, his prices are unbeatable.
TOM’S TIP
At Tomplanmytrip, our mission is to help our readers connect for free with our favorite local agencies. A fantastic trip guaranteed 🙂 Learn more about Aymeric and how to contact him here.
Mistake 2: People don’t have a plan for the day
Okay, so you’re finally on your beautiful boat with a friendly crew that won’t toss you to the sharks once you hit those turquoise waters. Now what?
If you haven’t done any research on where you want to go, let me tell you—the captains will decide for you. And surprise: some love taking you to spots where their buddies run expensive joints with commissions involved. If you hear “Playa Azul,” start prepping for mutiny.
So, how do you avoid these traps? A little planning goes a long way!
And the best tip: ask our expert directly. Whether you’re looking to party or just chill at a quiet beach club, he’ll give you the best recommendations and make sure the captain sticks to the plan. No nasty surprises.
And if you want to change your mind once you’re at sea? No problem, you’re the boss. You call the shots on the final itinerary.
ADRIEN’S TIP
With our approach, you can chat with an expert first and only book if you’re satisfied with his offer. Learn more about Aymeric and how to contact him here.
MISTAKE 3: communication issues
Communication in Colombia, especially on the Caribbean coast, is a whole adventure.
Forget about emails—here, it’s WhatsApp or nothing. But even then, things can get tricky. Some agencies only speak Spanish, and others only speak Costeño (the local dialect of the coast). It’s a type of Spanish where half the words disappear. Personally, it took me about five years to even start understanding what they were saying.
Luckily, our expert speaks French, English, and Spanish. So, no worries there. Plus, he’s even reachable when you’re out on the islands (thank you, not-so-bad cell service!). Feel free also to use Google Translate with the captains.
TOM’S TIP
Our service is 100% free, and with our experience in Colombian tourism, we ensure the price is fair for our readers. Everything is transparent, and you’ll pay the local rate. Here’s how to reach this expert.
MISTAKE 4: People don’t combine a boat trip with a stay on the Rosario island
Here’s an incredible yet little-known tip to really make the most of your stay in Cartagena!
To get to your hotel on the Rosario Islands, you usually have to take the hotel’s boat (if they have one). The issue? It usually leaves around 8:30 a.m. and is almost never included in the room price.
But if you want to add a touch of jet-set flair to your adventure, here’s the plan:
Rent a private boat for the day. You’ll be able to explore the Rosario Islands at your own pace and then ask the captain to drop you off directly at your hotel around 3 p.m.
This way, you’ll have plenty of time to enjoy the paradise islands and your accommodation without worrying about the return boat. And the next day, you can head back leisurely on the hotel’s boat around 3 p.m.
It’s our boat expert‘s favorite combo.
MISTAKE 5: People are scammed in Isla Cholon
Ah, Cholon… the idea of dancing on a yacht, surrounded by turquoise water, sipping cocktails with bronzed bodies to the sound of reggaeton—it’s a dream for many (though let’s be honest, the reality can be a bit different).
Everyone’s drinking, no one’s really paying attention too much, and by the end of the day, you often end up with a hefty bill (cash only, of course), as if you’d partied in Ibiza. The result? You head back to Cartagena, feeling a little frustrated.
To avoid that, here are my tips:
- Always ask for the prices upfront, ask again, and pay directly.
- If the price seems outrageous, don’t let them take advantage. Our expert provides a cooler with ice, so bring your own drinks.
- To avoid lunch surprises, opt for a beach club on Isla Grande. The prices are fixed, no scams, and you can even pay by card if needed. Plus, our expert knows the best spots there. 😉
Contact Our favorite boat expert
Aymeric is the guy in the middle. On the left is Adrien, and on the right, that’s me.
We’ve been working with Aymeric for a few years now, and this working relationship has grown into a friendship. But don’t get me wrong, we’re recommending him not just because he’s a nice guy—mainly because he does an excellent job. You can learn more about him here.
- Aymeric speaks Spanish, French, and English. He’ll have no difficulty booking your boat and organizing your trip.
- Aymeric knows the boat owners personally and will await you at the harbor on the departure day. You don’t have to worry about a single thing.
- He’s very friendly and helpful with many things, like choosing the best spots, booking beach restaurants, and even buying drinks.
Contacting him is super easy
We’ve listed his best experiences to give you an idea of prices and to inspire you. Everything is customizable according to your preferences—just ask him.
- The displayed prices are for up to 4 people, but you can easily accommodate 8-10 pers (or more).
- The cost also varies depending on the boat model. Aymeric has over 50 options.
For each experience, you’ll find a “Contact this partner” button. Clicking it takes you to a short online form (only 1 minute), which lets us connect you directly (and for free) with him via a WhatsApp group.
After that, you can chat with him until you’re satisfied. Simple, right?
Why trust us?
We’re likely among the top two experts on Colombia tourism (we’ve been exploring the country since 2015. Wow, I feel old now!). By the way, you can learn more about us on our lovely About Us page 😉
Our goal: To give you easy access to the top experts in the country, so you can talk with them and craft an experience that’s just right for you. No more doubts or bad surprises.
Some love from our readers
Type of boats you can rent with this expert
Cartagena: Rent a boat to explore the Rosario Islands 1d
Colombia
1 Day
3 places
A tailor-made boat trip to enjoy the Rosario Islands: Find the most stunning islands and either dodge the tourists or party with them.
View this tourCartagena: charter a yacht to visit the Rosario Islands 1d
Colombia
1 Day
3 places
A comfortable and luxurious tailor-made boat trip to enjoy the most stunning islands of the Rosario Archipelago.
View this tourCartagena: sailboat to enjoy the Rosario Islands 3d
Colombia
3 Days
4 places
Booking a sailboat for a few days is the perfect way to explore the Rosario Islands in peace, catching the magic of sunrise and sunset.
View this tourCartagena: Partying on Isla Cholon 1d
Colombia
1 Day
1 place
Hop on a private boat with friends to Cartagena's most festive island. Reggaeton, turquoise waters, and an epic party await under the sun!
View this tourLooking for more tours?
We test and select the best tours in Colombia for our readers.
We help you travel smart
1 – Choose wisely
- Choose from the best experiences we’ve tested and specially selected for our readers.
- Reliable and high-quality agencies.
2 – Talk first
- Directly ask any questions to agencies we recommend.
- No commitment; book only if you like the service offered.
3 – Don’t overpay
- With us, there’s no markup. You’ll pay the official agency rate, just as if you were there.
- We make sure the prices are reasonable for the service provided.
4 – Positive impact
- Legally established Colombian agencies working with Colombians.
- Community-driven, solidarity, or associative projects for most agencies.
THE DIFFERENT BOAT TOURS IN CARTAGENA
To make the right decision quickly and easily.
The classic
TPMT note: 9.5/10
Cartagena: CHARTER a boat to explore the Rosario Islands 1D
The most popular excursion with travelers.
With friends or family, this excursion allows you to discover the beautiful Rosaire islands at your own pace, avoiding the tourists.
Easy to organize, this experience gives you a great overview of the archipelago’s must-sees.
- Ideal for families or friends to enjoy the islands in a cool way.
- It’s the best way to avoid the crowds.
- It’s the quickest way to reach the Rosaire islands and, therefore, to enjoy more time on site.
- It’s the most economical option.
- No sun protection device on the boat.
- You’ll be squeezed in, depending on the number of people and the size of the boat.
- There is not always a toilet on board.
©Tomplanmytrip
Festive
TPMT note: 8.5/10
Cartagena: partying on Isla Cholon 1D
The perfect tour for partying on Isla Cholon with your friends.
Ideal for groups of friends who want to party in a heavenly and unusual setting.
Isla Cholón is a “fiesta island” with plenty of music and boats. You can swim, dance, eat and drink.
- Great with friends if you want to celebrate something or just party.
- Get to the Rosario Islands quickly.
- This is the most economical option.
- No sun protection device on the boat.
- There is not always a toilet on board.
- Food and drinks on board are expensive.
©Tomplanmytrip
Immersive
TPMT note: 9/10
Cartagena: Discover the Rosaire islands on a sailboat or catamaran 3D
A multi-day excursion to enjoy the islands’ atmosphere.
For those who want to take the time to visit the Rosaire archipelago and enjoy the atmosphere of the islands and these splendid landscapes to the winds and their desires.
A voyage at your own pace, with moments of peace and quiet, particularly in the early and late hours of the day.
- A peaceful, immersive option.
- Avoid the crowds and enjoy peaceful, quiet moments such as sunrises and sunsets.
- All the comforts of boat-style accommodation: toilets, bedrooms, kitchens and bathrooms.
- There are no logistics to worry about; make the most of your experience and the Caribbean atmosphere.
- Travel is much slower than on a standard motorboat. It’s important to take your time.
©Aymeric
Luxury
TPMT note: 8.5/10
CartAGENA: CHARTER a yacht to visit the Rosario Islands 1D
A high-comfort excursion for a gentle tour of the archipelago.
For those who want to visit the Rosaire Islands with optimum comfort and convenience.
This VIP experience allows you to see the best-known areas of the archipelago.
- You’ll feel like a VIP.
- You’ll have much more space and comfort for dancing, relaxing, or sunbathing.
- All the comforts of home: toilets, bedrooms, kitchens and bathrooms.
- You’ll feel little or none of the bumps and jolts of the trip.
- The prices are high, but luxury has its price.
©Aymeric