San Andres: Private Boat Trip with Tiki Bar & Rose Cay Stops

San Andrés is at its best from the water, and this private boat trip gives your group a relaxed way to see several island stops in one outing. You can play your own music, carry drinks in the onboard cooler, and set the pace with your friends or family instead of sharing a boat with strangers. I especially like the floating tiki bar at El Palito and the chance to look for stingrays and colorful fish near Rose Cay and Haynes Cay. The main drawback is that food, drinks, and the docking tax are extra, so the final bill will be higher than the advertised group price.

I also like the mix of scenery. You pass through mangroves, cruise along the coast, and finish near White Watta and its famous floating bars. Just keep in mind that the route description presents the stops in a slightly different order from the published schedule, so it is sensible to confirm the day’s sequence when you meet the skipper, Enrique Carazo Lopez.

Key points at a glance

• Private boat for up to 12 people: A good setup for a family, a group of friends, or a small celebration.
• El Palito’s floating tiki bar: Swim up for a cocktail and enjoy a drink in the water, with purchases made separately.
• Rose Cay and Haynes Cay: These are the main stops for views, swimming, fish, stingrays, and shark viewing.
• Mangrove scenery: The outing begins with a look at San Andrés’ mangrove reserve, including birds and fish.
• Bring your own soundtrack: You can play favorite music while cruising and stopping along the coast.
• Extra costs matter: Food, drinks, docking tax, and entry to nearby floating bars are not included.

A private way to see San Andrés from the water

The central appeal here is simple: you get a boat, a skipper, and three hours on the water for your own group. There is no fixed public tour crowd sharing the deck with you. That gives the outing a more personal feel, especially if your group wants to swim, listen to music, take photos, or stop for lunch without following a large party.

The boat leaves from the main entrance of Muelle de la Policia, at the bay of San Andrés. Hotel pickup is not included, so you will need to make your own way to the pier. The meeting point is straightforward, but allow enough time to find the main entrance and sort out any dock arrangements before boarding.

The price is $366 per group of up to 12 people. If you fill all 12 spaces, that works out to about $30.50 per person before the docking tax, food, drinks, and any optional floating-bar entry. For a smaller group, the per-person price rises quickly, but the private format may still be worth it if privacy and control matter more to you than the lowest possible fare.

Your skipper is Enrique Carazo Lopez, and the host or greeter can communicate in English or Spanish. The boat includes a cooler with ice and a waterproof phone bag. Those are small details, but they are useful: the cooler keeps your own refreshments cold, while the phone bag helps protect your phone while you take pictures near the water.

Mangroves first, with birds and fish close by

The route begins by entering the mangrove area, giving you a different view of San Andrés from the open sea. Mangroves are valuable because they provide shelter for young fish and a feeding area for birds. Here, the point is not a long nature walk or formal wildlife lesson. You will be seeing the reserve from the boat, with the skipper guiding you through the water.

Bring your camera, but keep expectations realistic. Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, and the boat ride is the main experience. You may see birds and fish among the mangrove channels, but conditions, timing, and weather will affect what appears.

This opening section also helps break up the day. You are not moving straight from one beach stop to another. Instead, the ride gives you a look at the island’s coastal environment before the swimming and bar stops begin.

El Palito and the tiki bar in the water

El Palito is the outing’s most playful stop. It has a floating tiki bar, where you can buy a cocktail and enjoy it while standing or swimming in the water. Drinks are not included, so bring money or plan for that purchase separately.

This stop suits people who want a social, festive break rather than a quiet beach visit. You can take photos, cool off, and enjoy your group’s music before getting back on the boat. It is also a good reason to bring a waterproof phone case or use the supplied waterproof phone bag carefully.

The tiki-bar stop comes with a few practical points. You are not buying drinks as part of the tour price, and the activity description does not specify the cocktail menu or payment method. If you want to order, ask the skipper about the current arrangements when you arrive.

The published schedule assigns about an hour to El Palito as a visit and photo stop. Since the full outing lasts three hours, travel time and the other stops share the remaining time. Your exact time in the water may depend on weather and the skipper’s route that day.

Rose Cay and Haynes Cay for water views and wildlife

Rose Cay is one of the main reasons to choose this trip. The stop is listed for a photo visit and shark viewing, with about an hour and a half assigned in the schedule. The area gives you a chance to admire the clear water around the cay, take pictures, and look for marine life.

The mention of shark viewing should be understood as a chance to see sharks, not a promise that you will encounter them. The same applies to the stingrays and colorful fish associated with Rose Cay and Haynes Cay. These sightings depend on conditions and the animals’ movements.

Haynes Cay adds another useful feature: you can buy lunch in the area if you wish. Food is not included, so this is your chance to arrange a meal during the outing rather than returning hungry to the pier. The activity also points to panoramic views of San Andrés from this part of the route.

If lunch at Haynes Cay matters to your group, plan for the extra cost and ask about timing early in the trip. A three-hour boat outing is fairly short, and stopping for food uses part of the time available for swimming and sightseeing.

The two cays are especially appealing if your group has mixed interests. One person can focus on photos, another can look for marine life, and others can simply enjoy the water and the view. Because the group is private, you have more freedom to talk through those choices with the skipper.

White Watta and the floating bars near the end

The final bathing stop is White Watta. From there, you are close to well-known floating bars, including Ibiza and Franz. Entry to those bars is not part of the tour and requires an extra fee at the door.

This makes White Watta a useful final stop for a group that wants one last swim and a look at the local floating-bar scene. You can decide to stay with the boat, swim near the area, or pay to enter one of the bars. The choice is yours, but budget for it separately if you want the full bar experience.

After White Watta, you reboard for the ride back to the pier. The return is described as a relaxed cruise, giving you time to enjoy the coast and your music before arriving at Muelle de la Policia.

Music, space, and the feel of a private group

The private format is more than a marketing detail. On a shared boat, you usually follow someone else’s music, conversation, and swimming schedule. Here, you can bring your favorite tunes and make the ride feel like a small water party for your own group.

That will appeal most to friends, families, and couples traveling together. It also works for people who want photos and swimming without a large crowd around them. If you prefer a quiet wildlife excursion with a formal guide talk, this may feel too casual. The emphasis is on scenery, stops, music, swimming, and social time.

The boat accommodates up to 12 people. That is large enough for a lively group but still small enough to keep the outing personal. If your party has only two or three people, compare the total cost with other options before booking. You are paying for the boat’s privacy, not just a seat.

What the price includes, and what it does not

The $366 price covers the boat trip, skipper, cooler with ice, and waterproof phone bag. It does not cover hotel pickup and drop-off, food, drinks, or the docking tax.

The docking tax deserves special attention because it must be paid by you on the day. The amount is not specified in the supplied details, so ask for the current figure before departure. This is the kind of small charge that can catch a group off guard if nobody has planned for it.

You should also budget for:

• Cocktails at the El Palito tiki bar
• Lunch at or near Haynes Cay
• Drinks purchased elsewhere
• Entry to the Ibiza or Franz floating bars
• The required docking tax

The value improves when you have enough people to share the boat. At full capacity, the base cost is modest per person. With a smaller party, the private setting remains the benefit, but the per-person price is less attractive.

Weather, timing, and practical preparation

The trip is subject to weather conditions. San Andrés is an ocean destination, so wind, rain, and water conditions can affect the route and bathing stops. If the weather looks uncertain, keep your plans flexible.

The activity lasts three hours, and you should check the available starting times when booking. The published schedule identifies Rose Cay and El Palito, while the full route description also includes the mangrove area, Haynes Cay, and White Watta. Since the information presents the stops in different sequences, confirm the order with the skipper at the pier.

Bring swimwear, sun protection, and a towel. Those items are practical for a trip with several bathing stops, although they are not listed as included supplies. Keep personal items secure, particularly when you leave the boat to swim.

The supplied cooler contains ice, but food and drinks are your responsibility. If you bring refreshments, make sure your group knows what must be purchased at the stops and what you plan to carry onboard.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your island plans are still taking shape.

Who should book this boat trip?

I would look closely at this outing if you are traveling with a group that values privacy, music, and flexible time on the water. Families may like the choice of swimming, wildlife viewing, photos, and lunch. Friends may care most about the tiki bar, floating bars, and private party feel.

It is less suited to anyone seeking a full-day excursion or a structured marine-life lesson. Three hours gives you a pleasant sample of San Andrés’ coastal sights, but it is not enough for a slow, extended visit to every stop.

The activity is also a good fit if you want several kinds of scenery in one short trip: mangroves, cays, open water, and floating bars. Just treat wildlife sightings as possible rather than guaranteed, and allow for the extra charges.

Should you book it?

Book this private boat trip if you have a group of friends or family members who will share the cost and want control over the mood of the day. The strongest features are the private boat, the El Palito tiki-bar stop, the chance to look for marine life around Rose Cay and Haynes Cay, and the freedom to play your own music.

Think twice if you are traveling alone or as a couple and mainly want the cheapest way to see the island. The base price is designed for a group, and the docking tax, drinks, food, and optional floating-bar fees add to the total.

For the right group, this is a lively three-hour introduction to San Andrés from the water, with enough variety to keep the trip from feeling like a simple boat ride.

FAQ

Where does the boat trip begin?

You board at the main entrance of Muelle de la Policia, at the bay of San Andrés.

How long does the boat trip last?

The experience lasts three hours. Check availability for the starting times offered on your chosen date.

How many people can join the private boat?

The boat is available for a private group of up to 12 people.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you must make your own way to Muelle de la Policia.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are purchased separately. You may buy a cocktail at the El Palito tiki bar and lunch near Haynes Cay if you wish.

What is included in the price?

The price includes the boat trip, skipper, a cooler with ice, and a waterproof phone bag.

Do I have to pay a docking tax?

Yes. The docking tax is not included and must be paid by you on the day of the trip.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.