Rosario Islands Yacht Review 2025: Our 40ft Trip

I was honestly thinking about what makes a trip something you remember for a long time. So, it’s not just about the spot you visit, but, you know, it’s about the way you experience it. Our decision, basically, was to get a 40ft private yacht for a day out to the Rosario Islands and Barú, and seriously, that one choice totally shaped our whole day. We’d seen the packed group tour boats, and just knew that a private charter was going to be more our speed. You know, we wanted freedom and a little bit of quiet. In a city as full of life as Cartagena, getting away from the crowds for a day on the water seemed like a really good idea. The promise of clear Caribbean water and white-sand beaches was, honestly, calling our names very loudly. It was sort of a big question if the real thing would be as good as the pictures.

First Steps on Our Private 40ft Yacht

Right, so walking up to the dock, we spotted our boat for the day. At 40 feet, it looked pretty much perfect, not too huge and not too small either. Stepping on board, honestly, the first thing I saw was how clean everything was; the white fiberglass just gleamed in the morning sun, you know. The crew, a captain and his first mate, greeted us with genuinely warm smiles, which, like, instantly made us feel comfortable. They were really helpful, taking our bags and showing us around the main areas of the vessel. There was, as a matter of fact, a nice cushioned spot at the front for sunbathing and a shaded area at the back with more seating, which was pretty great. It felt like our own little floating hideaway for the day, which is exactly what we were hoping for. The boat itself felt really stable and well-kept, which, you know, gives you a bit of peace of mind.

The Crew’s Welcoming Vibe

You know, the crew’s attitude can completely make or break a day like this. Luckily, our captain and his mate were just incredible. From the moment we set foot on the yacht, they were attentive without hovering, which is a really hard balance to find. The captain, for example, gave us a quick, clear safety briefing, but he did it in a super relaxed way. The mate, meanwhile, was already asking what kind of music we liked and if we wanted a water or a beer to start the day. They honestly seemed to enjoy their jobs and were happy to share their slice of paradise with us. This wasn’t just a job for them; you could sort of tell they loved the sea. They were full of little stories about the islands and the coastline, and honestly, they were just fun to be around.

Setting Sail from Cartagena’s Bay

Okay, so leaving the marina was a moment in itself. The yacht moved smoothly away from the dock, and just like that, we were gliding across the bay. Seeing Cartagena’s famous skyline, with the old walled city and the new high-rises, from the water gives you a totally different point of view, you know. The morning air was warm and slightly salty, and honestly, you could feel the city’s energy fade away as we headed for the open sea. The captain put on some good, chill music, and with a cold drink in hand, it was, like, pure relaxation. The sound of the water against the hull and the soft breeze was pretty much all you could hear after a while. This part of the day, before even getting to the islands, was already a kind of magic. It felt like we were really, truly on vacation now.

Snorkeling and Sun in the Rosario Archipelago

After about an hour or so, we arrived, and frankly, the water color changed dramatically. It turned into this incredible turquoise that, like, you only see on postcards. The captain knew a quiet little spot away from the other boats and dropped the anchor. Honestly, we couldn’t wait to jump in. The crew handed us snorkeling gear, which was all clean and in good shape, you know. Popping my head under the water was amazing; the water was so clear and warm. We saw some schools of brightly colored fish and some interesting coral formations. It’s not the Great Barrier Reef, obviously, but for a chill snorkel session, it was absolutely perfect. Afterwards, just floating on my back and looking up at the perfect blue sky was, well, something else. You could literally just lie on the deck, soak up the sun, and do absolutely nothing, which was kind of the whole point.

“Honestly, the best part was the quiet. Just the sound of the water and the feeling of having this little corner of the Caribbean all to yourself for a few hours. That’s something a bigger tour could never give you, you know.”

Discovering Barú’s White Sand Dreams

Next up, the captain fired up the engines and we made our way over to Isla Barú. People talk a lot about Playa Blanca, and for good reason, but it can also get super crowded, you know. The brilliant thing about our private boat was that the captain knew better. He took us to a calmer stretch of beach, pretty much away from the main hustle. Honestly, the sand was like soft, white powder, and the water had that same Gatorade-blue look. We waded ashore and just walked along the beach for a bit. It felt incredibly peaceful. The boat was anchored just a short swim away, so it felt like our own private base. We spent a good while just sitting on the sand, swimming in the shallows, and really just taking it all in. This was seriously the island escape we had pictured in our minds, more or less.

Food, Drinks, and the Good Life Onboard

By the way, all that swimming and sunning works up an appetite. Back on the yacht, the mate had been busy preparing lunch. The smell alone was incredible. We were served a really fresh meal of grilled fish, coconut rice that was slightly sweet, and some crispy patacones, which are, like, fried plantains. Honestly, it was a simple meal, but so fresh and perfectly suited for the day. It was arguably one of the best meals we had in Colombia. Throughout the day, the cooler was always stocked with water, sodas, and local beers, and it was all included, you know. The crew made sure our drinks were never empty. This feeling of being totally taken care of, with good food and good tunes on the way back to the city as the sun started to get lower, was, well, pretty much perfect. It was a seriously well-managed experience from start to finish. At the end of the day, it was worth every penny.

---

Read our full review: [40ft Private Yacht to Rosario Islands & Barú 2025 Full Review and Details]

See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now ([Reserve Your Rosario Islands Yacht])