Choosing a Cartagena boat tour for the bay
A Cartagena boat tour offers a different view of the city after a day among its streets. For a bay outing, compare the onboard programme, included drinks, boarding point and extra charges. Sunset is a reason to choose an afternoon departure, but the sky and sea conditions still shape the experience. Pick the format you want to spend time on rather than assuming every boat trip includes the same route and services.
The options here are a 90-minute bay cruise with music and selected open-bar drinks, and a two-hour pirate-ship outing with a cannon show. Arrange your journey to the correct pier once you have chosen. For a wider day combining land and water, the sights guide helps you leave enough space between activities.
Boat trips on the bay
Choose a cruise with music or a pirate-themed trip with a treasure hunt for children.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide and Viator. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Pirate-themed boat trip
- Unlimited cocktails
- Unlimited refills of non-alcoholic drinks
- Restroom on board
Meet at Los Pegasos; the docking spot can vary.
Check availability →
Bay cruise with music
- 90-minute tour around Cartagena's Bay
- Open bar of rum and coke, rum punch and soft drinks
- Music
Dock tax is payable separately.
Check availability →Bay cruises and sunset outings
Choose the 90-minute cruise for music and selected open-bar drinks, or the pirate-ship outing for its cannon show and included cocktails.
A 90-minute cruise with music and open bar
The sunset cruise includes a 90-minute tour around Cartagena’s bay, music and an open bar of rum and coke, rum punch and soft drinks. That is a defined drinks selection. Other drinks and snacks can be bought separately, so choose it for those included services rather than expecting a full meal or an unrestricted bar menu. The listed starting point is Muelle de la Bodeguita on Avenida Blas de Lezo.
The cruise lists a separate dock tax of 18,000 COP per person in the November 2026 selection. Keep this charge distinct from the advertised cruise price. It is an extra for this offer, not a citywide tariff for every vessel. Confirm the boarding instructions and payment arrangement with your booking so you can arrive prepared without confusing the pier charge with other sightseeing tickets.
Pirate-ship outing with a cannon show
The two-hour pirate-ship experience lists a pirate cannon show, a children’s treasure hunt with a prize, a souvenir cup, props for photographs and a restroom on board. Its non-alcoholic selection includes fruit punch, coconut lemonade, orange juice and Coke Zero with unlimited refills. The cocktails listed combine fruit punch with aged rum or vodka, coconut lemonade with aged rum, orange juice with vodka, and rum with cola.
This outing uses Muelle de Los Pegasos, at the wooden dock opposite the convention centre. It has a different meeting arrangement from the La Bodeguita cruise. Follow the confirmation and contact the activity if you have trouble locating the vessel, rather than guessing another pier. Choose the pirate format when the show and themed onboard programme appeal to you; ask about any specific participation needs before booking.
Boarding, weather and the evening afterwards
Boarding time and departure time are different planning points. Use the instructions for your selected boat, including the precise pier, then leave time to reach it from your accommodation. A hotel transfer is not among the inclusions described for these outings. If you are arriving in Cartagena that day, the airport guide helps organise the earlier journey separately from your cruise booking.
Check current sea and weather information before leaving for the pier and follow the boat’s instructions. Use authorised embarkation, wear the life jacket as directed, remain seated when instructed and avoid overcrowded vessels. A seasonal weather description does not determine a particular departure. For plans after returning, compare the evening and dance options and allow time to get from the dock to the next meeting place.
Islas del Rosario, Barú and Playa Blanca
Island outings are a separate planning choice from a short bay cruise. The island area includes marine and coastal habitats, and getting there involves its own transport decisions. When comparing an island booking, separate the boat fare, port charge, protected-area admission and required accident insurance. These are distinct items; a bay-cruise charge should not be carried across as an island total.
If your priority is a boat reserved for your party, see the private tours page for the private-boat comparison. For a day centred on the historical city instead, compare the walking experiences. Decide which activity should anchor the day before arranging another fixed departure, especially when one meeting depends on the return from the water.
Questions before booking
What does the cruise open bar include?
The 90-minute cruise lists rum and coke, rum punch and soft drinks. Other drinks and snacks are separate purchases. Pick the offer according to that specific selection.
Do both outings use the same pier?
The short bay cruise lists La Bodeguita. The pirate-ship outing lists Los Pegasos at the wooden dock opposite the convention centre. Use the instructions on your own confirmation.
Is the dock tax included in the short cruise?
The 90-minute cruise lists 18,000 COP per person as a separate dock tax in the November 2026 selection. Confirm the payment arrangement for the booked departure.