Islas del Rosario

Archipelago of coral islands in a national park, 45km from Cartagena

The Islas del Rosario are a group of 27 small coral islands about 45km southwest of Cartagena, surrounded by clear warm water and living coral reef. The national park status means development is limited, and the snorkelling and diving around the islands is some of the best available on Colombia's Caribbean coast.

Day trips run from Cartagena's Muelle Turistico (tourist pier) every morning, typically combining a stop at the aquarium on Isla San Martín de Papayal with beach time on Isla Grande or one of the smaller islets. The crossing takes about 45 minutes by fast launch. Bring sunscreen and check the weather — choppy conditions can make the crossing uncomfortable. Better tour operators offer all-day trips with snorkelling equipment included.

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A story
The Islas del Rosario archipelago sits on one of the healthiest coral reef systems in the Caribbean, within a national park (Parque Nacional Natural Corales del Rosario y San Bernardo) that protects the reef from development. The islands were historically the escape of Cartagena's elite — wealthy families built private houses on the larger islands — but today the main islands are served by tour boats and the beaches are accessible to anyone who makes the 45-minute crossing.