Private island days can feel rare in Cartagena.

A trip to Isla Encantada in the Rosario Islands is built for exactly that: you get away from the city and spend your day around clear water, sandy breaks, and a more secluded feel than most group tours. I especially like the way this day is structured around a private-feeling beach club and how the lunch leans into Colombian Caribbean flavors (fried mojarra, chicken, and a vegetarian option).

One thing to plan for: the water experience isn’t always easy-access. Some days the entry zones can be coral-heavy and shallower than you’d expect, so bring water shoes and don’t count on long, easy swims right from the shore.

Key Things I’d Notice First

• A long beach-club stretch (most of your day is spent on the island, not just transiting)
• Lunch is included with fried mojarra plus chicken and vegetarian choices
• On-the-water add-ons like snorkeling or paddleboarding may cost extra once you’re there
• Facilities are included, so you’re not hunting for basics when you land
• Port tax is extra, so factor 23,000 COP into your real total

Isla Encantada on the Rosario Islands: why it feels special

If you want a day that’s mostly about relaxing, Isla Encantada is the kind of plan that delivers. This is a private island experience in the wider Rosario Islands area, so the vibe tends to be calmer than the typical “grab-and-go” sightseeing day. You’re not bouncing between multiple stops. You’re going out, landing, and spending real time enjoying the setting.

The day is also very food-forward. Lunch isn’t a random snack; it’s part of the package and it’s designed to match the coast—fried mojarra is the star, with chicken and vegetarian options too. That matters because when you’re out on a boat for a while, the difference between an okay lunch and a good one is the difference between a pleasant day and a resentful one.

The third big piece is simplicity. The itinerary revolves around boat rides and island time, plus the included welcome cocktail and access to facilities. In other words, this is less about checking boxes and more about enjoying the Caribbean rhythm: boat over, hang out, eat well, repeat.

From Avenida Blas de Lezo to the dock: your meeting-point reality check

Your starting point is Avenida Blas de Lezo. From there, you’ll head to the dock area and enter through the right gate so your day doesn’t start with stress. The entry door is listed as dock gate #1, and the instructions are very clear: go in through gate #1 at the bodeguita dock and you’ll be in the right spot.

This kind of tour is time-sensitive. Not because the experience is complicated, but because speedboats run on schedules. If you’re coming from central Cartagena, I’d plan to arrive early enough to handle small delays—walking slowly, finding the dock, and double-checking you’ve got the right door.

Also, keep the “duration” in mind. The full day is about 6 hours, but that doesn’t mean you’ll be on the beach for 6 hours. A chunk of that time is the boat ride out and back. If you’re the type who hates being rushed once you land, show up early and keep the rest of your day flexible.

The speedboat ride: what the timing tells you

The day trip uses speedboat transport for the round trip, with the schedule showing about an hour in each direction in the flow of the day. In the included details, roundtrip boat transportation is listed as 50 minutes, which usually means the exact time can vary a bit depending on conditions and how docking works.

So here’s how I’d interpret it: you’re not taking a slow ferry. You’re taking a boat ride that’s fast enough to make a day trip practical, but short enough that delays can still noticeably cut into your beach time.

One practical strategy: treat the island portion as the main event. If the boat ride runs long due to mechanical issues or docking problems (it can happen on any boat day), your priority becomes protecting your energy for the time you do have on the water and at the beach club.

The island day structure: your long stretch of beach time

After the first speedboat leg, your itinerary gives you a long block of time on the island side—about 5 hours—including a break, a photo stop, lunch, free time, and welcome refreshments. This is where you’ll actually feel like you escaped, because you’re not spending the majority of the day in transit.

Lunch is part of this island block and it’s clearly defined: fried mojarra, chicken, and a vegetarian option. That’s a big deal for planning. You’re not guessing what’s available on-site, and you don’t have to scramble for food midway through your beach time.

The included welcome cocktail also matters. It’s not a huge thing, but it sets the tone. You arrive, you settle, and you get into Caribbean vacation mode without waiting.

What you can do during free time

The experience info points to activities like snorkeling, paddle boarding, and hiking through the jungle. The package doesn’t promise those activities are free; “additional activities” are listed as not included, so you should be ready to pay if you want them.

If your goal is a calm beach day, I’d treat these as optional. If you want water time beyond lounging, plan to spend at least some of your free time on the water add-ons.

Beach reality check: coral entries and shallow water

This is the part that can make or break expectations, and it’s worth being honest about. The water entry area can be coral-filled, and on some days you can only get out to about waist depth. That changes how you should think about swimming, and it affects comfort right away.

Here’s what helps:

• Bring water shoes so you’re not stepping carefully across sharp coral.
• Walk slowly when entering the water. Don’t treat it like a sand-bottom swimming beach.
• If you plan to snorkel, consider that the easiest access might be limited to specific entry points.

Towels also deserve a quick note. It isn’t always clear what’s provided, so I recommend bringing your own towel just to avoid last-minute scrambling. Sunscreen and a hat are smart too, since you’ll be outside for hours.

Bottom line: you’re going for beach calm and Caribbean scenery, not for a guaranteed easy-shore swim.

Lunch and facilities: included basics that actually matter

A lot of beach day trips include lunch in name only. Here, lunch is clearly part of what you pay for, and the menu is specific enough to plan around: fried mojarra and chicken, plus a vegetarian alternative. When I’m choosing a day trip, I care about this because a reliable meal keeps the mood good even if the schedule gets a little off.

Facilities use is included too. That means once you’re on the island side, you’re not stuck improvising basics like shade and rest areas. You can settle in and enjoy the day rather than spending the first hour looking around.

Service quality sounds like it varies by day. The staff has been described as nice, but attention can be inconsistent. So treat this as a self-sufficient beach day: get what you need early (water, anything you’ll want for the afternoon), then relax.

Price and value: is $75 a fair deal?

At $75 per person, the tour is priced like a mid-range Cartagena-area day trip. The value comes from a few specific things that are genuinely useful:

• Roundtrip speedboat transport (so you’re not handling logistics on your own)
• Welcome cocktail
• Lunch with multiple options
• Use of facilities
• Time on a private island setting rather than a quick stop

But there are real cost add-ons to factor in. The big one is the port tax (23,000 COP), which is not included. Also, any snorkeling/paddleboarding/jungle hiking is marked as additional activity, so you should expect to spend extra if you want those add-ons.

So is it worth it? If you want an organized day with meals included and a calmer island feel, yes, it can be a solid value. If you’re very budget-focused or you mainly want swimming with easy entry, you might feel the price more strongly once you account for port tax and any extra activity costs.

Group size and comfort: what “private” means in practice

This experience is positioned as a private-island day. Even then, it’s still a shared day trip. The logistics include speedboat transport and a beach-club setup that’s designed to handle multiple visitors.

That matters for comfort. If the boat is full, the ride can feel crowded, and you might not get the most relaxed start. Also, if arrival time slips, the island time can feel tighter.

If you want a very uncrowded day, consider that a private boat or smaller charter is usually the answer. Here, you’re paying for a good day-trip structure—not for a guaranteed empty beach.

Who this suits best (and who should rethink it)

This is a strong choice if you:

• Want a one-day escape from Cartagena’s energy
• Prefer beach time over museum-and-walking days
• Like having lunch included so your day stays simple
• Are okay with water entry that may require care (water shoes)

It’s not the best match if you:

• Need guaranteed easy swimming access right from shore
• Dislike any chance of schedule slippage (boat problems can happen on any water-based day)
• Are planning this with someone who falls outside the listed age suitability (it’s not suitable for people over 70, and not for people over 95)

Should you book Isla Encantada?

Book it if you want a well-paced, island-centered day with included lunch, a welcome drink, and a quieter Rosario Islands setting rather than a checklist of stops.

Hold off (or plan carefully) if swimming access is your main goal. Bring water shoes, bring your own towel, and keep your expectations aligned with what coral entries and shallow zones can mean.

If you’re traveling with flexibility and you want the day to feel restful, Isla Encantada is the kind of trip that makes sense: organized enough to be easy, simple enough to enjoy.

FAQ

How long is the Isla Encantada full-day experience?

The duration is listed as 6 hours total.

What’s included in the price?

You get roundtrip boat transportation, a welcome cocktail, lunch (fried mojarra, chicken, and a vegetarian option), and use of the facilities.

What’s not included?

Port tax (23,000 COP) is not included, and additional activities on-site are not included.

Where do I meet for the tour?

Meet at the entry door number 1 at the bodeguita dock, and enter through gate #1.

What should I bring?

Wear comfortable clothes, and bring items that help you enjoy the water. Water shoes are especially important if you’ll be entering the water over coral areas.

Is this tour suitable for older adults?

It is not suitable for people over 70 years, and it is also not suitable for people over 95 years.