4 Islands or 5 Islands VIP tour in Cartagena: which to pick

The 4 Islands tour and the 5 Islands VIP tour are Exploria’s two full-day trips from Cartagena through the Rosario Islands. They’re very similar: both last 12 hours, stop at Cholón, Aguazul and Playa Tranquila and end at night with the bioluminescent plankton. What changes is how the day starts, some of the stops and what costs extra.

The essentials in a minute

• Both are 12 hours long, stop at Cholón, Aguazul and Playa Tranquila and end with the bioluminescent plankton. The return bus leaves Barú at 7:30 PM.
• The 4 Islands tour picks you up at your hotel and takes the bus to Playa Blanca, where it continues by boat. It includes a mask for snorkeling on a natural reef.
• The 5 Islands VIP tour leaves at 8:00 AM from the Muelle de la Bodeguita, in the Historic Center, by speedboat. It adds Bocachica, the sunken plane and one drink per person, and the port tax is paid separately.
• On both, admission to the aquarium (the Oceanario) is optional and paid at its ticket office.

The 4 Islands tour, step by step

• Pickup: between 7:00 and 8:00 AM you’re picked up at your hotel, anywhere in Cartagena. The air-conditioned bus passes through the Mamonal industrial area and crosses the bridge to Barú Island.
• Boarding: the first stop is Playa Blanca, on Barú. From the shore, you board the boat that takes you to the Rosario Islands.
• The reef: the first boat stop is a completely natural reef. The mask is already included for snorkeling; if you prefer, you can visit the Oceanario, paying the entrance fee at its ticket office.
• Cholón: you spend about 2 hours there.
• Aguazul: a beach for relaxing, where you have lunch: fried fish or grilled chicken breast, with coconut rice, patacones (fried green plantains) and salad. Drinks are extra, and if you’d like an à la carte dish, you pay extra at the restaurant.
• Playa Tranquila: you spend the afternoon at the beach club, with your beach bed or sun lounger and a welcome shrimp cocktail.
• The plankton: once it’s dark, the bioluminescent plankton activity.
• The return trip: at 7:30 PM the bus leaves and, depending on traffic, drops you off at your hotel between 8:30 and 9:00 PM.

The 5 Islands VIP tour, step by step

The times of the stops are approximate: they can change depending on sea conditions and the pace of the day.

• Boarding: you make your own way to the Muelle de la Bodeguita, Gate 1, in Cartagena’s Historic Center, by 8:00 AM. You check in, pay the port tax in cash and board the speedboat.
• Bocachica: around 8:30 AM you cruise across the bay to Bocachica, facing the San Fernando and San José forts, which defended the entrance to Cartagena. You stay on the boat while the guide tells you their history.
• The sunken plane: around 9:30 AM, among the Rosario Islands, you reach the sunken plane, known as Pablo Escobar’s plane. Snorkeling gear is included; if you don’t want to get in the water, you can stay on the boat or visit the Oceanario, paying at its ticket office.
• Cholón: you arrive around 10:30 AM and stay until close to noon.
• Aguazul: from 12:00 to 2:00 PM, with the same lunch as on the 4 Islands tour, which doesn’t include a drink.
• Playa Tranquila: from 2:00 PM, the afternoon at the beach club, with your bed or lounger and the welcome shrimp cocktail.
• The plankton: between 6:15 and 6:30 PM, the trip to the bioluminescent plankton begins.
• The return trip: it’s by land, not by boat. At 7:30 PM the air-conditioned bus leaves Barú and, depending on traffic, drops you off at the Torre del Reloj, in the Historic Center, between 8:30 and 9:00 PM. It doesn’t go to your hotel.

Side by side

• Where it starts: the 4 Islands tour, at your hotel, anywhere in Cartagena; the 5 Islands VIP tour, at the Muelle de la Bodeguita, which you get to on your own.
• How you reach the islands: on the 4 Islands tour, by bus to Playa Blanca and by boat from there; on the 5 Islands VIP tour, the whole way by speedboat, which is faster than a standard boat (that’s why it’s called VIP).
• Snorkeling: on the 4 Islands tour, at a natural reef, with the mask included; on the 5 Islands VIP tour, at the sunken plane, with the gear included.
• What only the 5 Islands VIP tour has: Bocachica, facing its forts, and one drink per person during the trip.
• The port tax: on the 4 Islands tour you don’t pay any separate tax or admission fee for the boat ride; on the 5 Islands VIP tour it’s paid separately, in cash, at the dock entrance (children ages 0 to 4 don’t pay it).
• Where it ends: the 4 Islands tour, at your hotel; the 5 Islands VIP tour, at the Torre del Reloj, in the Historic Center.

Cholón, the party on the water

Cholón is the party stop on both tours: a scene with music where several boats gather, and you get in the water to enjoy it. On the 4 Islands tour you spend about 2 hours there; on the 5 Islands VIP tour, from 10:30 AM until close to noon.

The bioluminescent plankton

Both tours end at night with the bioluminescent plankton: as you move in the water, it glows blue around you. The glow is natural and varies from night to night. If it can’t be seen that day, because of the weather, for example, the rest of the tour goes ahead as planned and there’s no partial refund. And if DIMAR (the Port Authority) closes operations because of the weather, we reschedule your departure at no cost or refund 100% of your deposit.

Which one to choose

• The 4 Islands tour: if you want to be picked up and dropped off at your hotel, snorkel on a natural reef and not pay a separate tax.
• The 5 Islands VIP tour: if you’d rather go by speedboat from the Historic Center, see Bocachica and the sunken plane, and ending at the Torre del Reloj works for you.

If you’re looking for a shorter day, with the islands in the morning and the afternoon at Playa Blanca, the Barú and Rosario Islands day trip lasts 7 to 8 hours. All three are in our guide to the Rosario Islands.

What to bring

• Beachwear: your swimsuit on, a towel (it isn’t included) and a change of clothes for the ride back.
• Sun protection: biodegradable sunscreen, sunglasses and a cap or hat.
• Water shoes: optional, for getting into the sea and walking along the shore.
• Cash: for the Oceanario, drinks and, on the 5 Islands VIP tour, the port tax.
• ID: on the 5 Islands VIP tour, for check-in at the dock.
• Phone protection: a waterproof case, for your photos on the boat.

Children, pregnancy or back problems

All ages can go, but these are 12-hour days and much of the time is spent on a boat: the sea can get choppy and, on the 5 Islands VIP tour, the speedboat is fast and can bounce on the waves. If you’re traveling with very young babies, are pregnant or have back or mobility problems, keep this in mind. Children ages 0 to 4 don’t pay for the tour (they take up a seat on the bus and the boat), but their lunch and shrimp cocktail aren’t included.