San Bernardo Islands Day Trip from Cartagena: Múcura, Palma

Short answer: the best San Bernardo Islands day trip from Cartagena is the Isla Múcura day trip at $99 per adult (COP 319,000), because it fits four stops into one day: Tintipán, a view of Casa en el Agua, Santa Cruz del Islote and Isla Múcura. For a quiet beach day, choose Isla Palma at $148 (COP 478,000). For music and a social crowd, choose Tritonia Beach Club at $142 (COP 458,000), adults only. All three leave early in the morning and need about 2 hours of boat each way.

This guide covers where Isla Palma and Isla Múcura are, how to get to the San Bernardo Islands (islas de San Bernardo) from Cartagena, how far they are, how they compare with the Rosario Islands, what each of our three day trips includes, and who each one suits. Prices are per adult in US dollars, as listed on our product pages in November 2026, with peso amounts converted at about COP 3,230 per dollar. To see more island options, browse our day trips from Cartagena and island hopping tours.

San Bernardo Islands: what they are and where they are

The San Bernardo Islands (islas de San Bernardo, also called the archipiélago de San Bernardo or isla San Bernardo by Spanish speakers) are an archipelago of about ten small coral islands in the Gulf of Morrosquillo, south of the Rosario Islands. They are part of the same protected area, the Corales del Rosario y San Bernardo National Natural Park, and they belong to the Cartagena district. Tintipán is the largest island, Múcura is the best known, Isla Palma has a small hotel on a white sand beach, and Santa Cruz del Islote is a tiny artificial island that is one of the most densely populated places in the world.

The islands are farther from Cartagena than the Rosario Islands, so fewer boats arrive and the beaches feel calmer. The trade off is time on the water: about 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours each way instead of 45 to 60 minutes. If you are still choosing between destinations, read our guides to how to visit the Rosario Islands and our island hopping comparison.

Where is Isla Palma in Colombia?

Isla Palma is a small island in the San Bernardo archipelago, in the Gulf of Morrosquillo on the Colombian Caribbean coast, south of the Rosario Islands and part of the Cartagena district. People also search for it as "isla palma en colombia", "donde queda isla palma" and "where is Isla Palma". It is known for white sand, palm trees and calm, clear water, and its day pass is run through Hotel Isla Palma. The day trip is the Isla Palma day trip from Cartagena.

How to get to Isla Palma from Cartagena and how far it is

The simplest way is a shared speedboat from La Bodeguita Pier in Cartagena. The crossing takes about 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours each way, which is the answer to "how far is Isla Palma from Cartagena" in travel time. Our day trip includes selected hotel pickup from about 5:30 AM, boarding at 6:00 AM, lunch on the island and a return to the pier at about 4:30 PM, so you do not need to arrange transfers, tickets or tides yourself.

You can also reach the archipelago from the Gulf of Morrosquillo side, usually through Tolú or Coveñas, but that means a flight or a long road transfer to the coast before a second boat, so for a single day from Cartagena the direct speedboat is the practical option. For a full guide to sea conditions and comfort on the ride, see the seasickness tips further down.

How to get to Isla Múcura from Cartagena and what to do there

Isla Múcura (also written Isla Mucura without the accent, Múcura Island or Mucura Island Colombia) is the best known island of the San Bernardo archipelago. From Cartagena you reach it by the same shared speedboat, in about 2 hours, as part of the Isla Múcura day trip. Search terms such as "cómo llegar a Isla Múcura", "de Cartagena a Isla Múcura" and "dónde queda Isla Múcura" all lead to the same answer: boat from Cartagena, or boat from Tolú if you are already on the Gulf of Morrosquillo coast.

If you are searching how to get to Isla Mucura from Cartagena, the answer is the shared speedboat above, about 2 hours each way. What to do on Isla Múcura (qué hacer en Isla Múcura): relax on the beach, swim in calm water, enjoy the welcome cocktail and the traditional coastal lunch, and combine the island with Tintipán, a view of Casa en el Agua and a visit to Santa Cruz del Islote on the same day.

San Bernardo day trips from Cartagena compared

San Bernardo Islands or Rosario Islands: which should you choose?

Both are in the same national park, but the day feels different. The Rosario Islands are closer and offer many beach clubs, from party islands to boutique clubs. San Bernardo suits a second visit or a traveler who wants quiet, a different landscape and a little local culture.

If you have not been to the Rosario Islands yet, start there with our Rosario Islands beach clubs and day passes and the best beach clubs in the Rosario Islands, then come back to San Bernardo.

The three San Bernardo day trips, one by one

Isla Múcura day trip: four stops in one day

Plan price$99 per adult (COP 319,000 at about COP 3,230 per dollar). With the port tax paid at the pier, the day comes to about $109.

AtmosphereCalm and scenic, built around variety. You see an island community, an overwater hostel and a beach, with no party scene. It suits curious travelers who like to move between stops.

Getting thereHotel pickup from about 5:30 AM in Bocagrande, El Laguito, Castillogrande and Marbella, or check in at La Bodeguita Pier, Gate 1, at 5:45 AM. The boat leaves between 6:30 and 7:00 AM. It leaves Múcura between 1:30 and 2:30 PM and you are back in Cartagena between 4:30 and 5:00 PM.

What the price includes

• Selected hotel pickup and shared speedboat from Cartagena
• Morning fruit snack
• Panoramic route through the Rosario Islands and the San Bernardo Islands
• Stop at Tintipán Island, about one hour of beach time
• Panoramic view of Casa en el Agua, from the boat
• Visit to Santa Cruz del Islote
• Beach time and a welcome cocktail at Isla Múcura
• Traditional coastal lunch: coconut rice, fish or chicken, salad and a drink
• Guide, travel insurance and life jacket

Not included

• Oceanarium entrance at Santa Cruz del Islote (optional, paid on site in pesos)
• Hotel drop off after the trip and pickup outside the four zones
• Towels, extra food and drinks
• Speakers or sound equipment, to keep the calm atmosphere

Pay at the pierPort tax COP 31,500 (about $10), in cash before boarding.

Best forCouples, families and groups of friends who want a multi stop island hopping day with culture and nature. Not ideal for guests prone to seasickness.

San Bernardo Islands

Isla Múcura Day Trip: Tintipán, Casa en el Agua and Santa Cruz del Islote

From $99 per adult (COP 319,000) · four stops in one day

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The route has a clear order. Tintipán gives you about an hour of beach time, then the boat passes Casa en el Agua, an overwater hostel in the middle of the sea, which you see from the boat. At Santa Cruz del Islote you walk through a small island community and can visit an optional handmade oceanarium, and the day ends with a cocktail, lunch and beach time at Isla Múcura.

Isla Palma day trip: one island, nothing to organize

Plan price$148 per adult (COP 478,000). With the port tax paid at the pier, the day comes to about $159.

AtmosphereQuiet and remote. You spend the whole day on one island, at Hotel Isla Palma, with white sand, palm trees and few other visitors. It is a rest day, not a tour.

Getting thereHotel pickup from about 5:30 AM in Bocagrande, El Laguito, Castillogrande, Marbella, Morros and Zona Norte, or check in at La Bodeguita Pier, Gate 1, at 5:45 AM. Boarding starts at 6:00 AM and the crossing takes 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours. The boat leaves Isla Palma between 2:40 and 3:00 PM and you are back at the pier at about 4:30 PM.

What the price includes

• Selected hotel pickup and shared speedboat
• Morning fruit snack
• Welcome cocktail
• Gourmet lunch with a beef, chicken or fish option, salad, juice and a traditional dessert
• Use of the Hotel Isla Palma beach facilities
• Guide, travel insurance and life jacket

Not included

• Optional activities paid on the island in pesos: Bioparque entrance COP 20,000 (about $6), snorkeling COP 50,000 (about $15) and paddle use COP 50,000 (about $15)
• Hotel drop off, towels, extra food and drinks, tips

Pay at the pierPort tax COP 37,000 (about $11), in cash before boarding. Bring extra pesos if you want the optional activities.

Best forCouples, families and travelers who already know the Rosario Islands and want a quieter, more remote beach day. Not ideal for guests prone to seasickness.

San Bernardo Islands

Isla Palma Day Trip: Hotel Isla Palma in the San Bernardo Islands

From $148 per adult (COP 478,000) · one island, lunch included

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Tritonia Beach Club: adults only on Isla Tintipán

Plan price$142 per adult (COP 458,000). With the port tax paid at the pier, the day comes to about $152. Adults only.

AtmosphereSocial and energetic. DJ music, cocktails and a stylish tropical design inspired by Greek mythology, in an adults only setting. This is a beach club day, not a nature tour.

Getting thereHotel pickup from about 5:30 AM in Bocagrande, El Laguito, Castillogrande and Marbella, or check in at Muelle La Bodeguita, Gate 1, at 5:45 AM. Boats leave from 6:00 AM aboard the Tritón speedboat, with a panoramic ride through the Rosario Islands. The crossing takes around 2 hours. The boat leaves the island at about 2:30 PM and you are back in Cartagena at about 4:30 PM.

What the price includes

• Selected hotel pickup and Tritón speedboat
• Morning fruit snack
• Alcoholic welcome cocktail
• Caribbean lunch with a drink: sierra fish, róbalo, pargo, beef tenderloin or punta de anca, with coconut rice, salad and patacones or yuca croquettes
• Access to Tritonia Beach Club, DJ music
• Guide and travel insurance

Not included

• Return transport from the marina to your hotel
• Hotel pickup outside the four zones
• Extra food and drinks, personal expenses and tips

Pay at the pierPort and park tax COP 31,500 (about $10), in cash before boarding.

Best forCouples, groups of friends, birthdays and bachelor or bachelorette groups who have done the classic Rosario Islands clubs and want more energy, further out. Not for children.

San Bernardo Islands

Tritonia Beach Club: Adults Only Day Trip to Isla Tintipán

From $142 per adult (COP 458,000) · adults only

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Tritonia is the only adults only day trip we offer in the San Bernardo Islands. If you prefer to stay closer to Cartagena and still want an adults only day, compare it with Bora Bora and IBBIZA Island, or browse our adults only beach clubs and island day trips.

Day trip or overnight stay in the San Bernardo Islands?

With a day trip, you spend about 4 hours on the boat and the rest of the day on the islands, so the island time is shorter than on a Rosario Islands day pass. The reward is quiet water and a different landscape without changing hotels. If you want to see the bioluminescent plankton, which appears after dark in the mangroves around Tintipán and Múcura on dark nights, plan a night on the islands, because our day trips return in the afternoon. The listings in this guide are day trips only.

Which San Bernardo day trip is right for you?

Practical tips for a San Bernardo day trip

For a full packing list, see our checklist of what to pack for an island day trip, and for safe planning read our Cartagena safety and scams guide. If you would like your own boat and schedule, see our private boat rental guide and the private boat rentals and yacht charters, and message us to ask about a San Bernardo route.

FAQ

Where is Isla Palma and how far is it from Cartagena?

Isla Palma is in the San Bernardo archipelago in the Gulf of Morrosquillo, on the Colombian Caribbean coast. It is about 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours by speedboat from Cartagena. The Isla Palma day trip includes hotel pickup, the boat, lunch and a return the same afternoon.

How do I get to Isla Múcura from Cartagena?

Take a shared speedboat from La Bodeguita Pier in Cartagena. The crossing takes about 2 hours, and our Isla Múcura day trip includes selected hotel pickup, the boat, lunch and four stops. You can also reach Múcura by boat from Tolú on the Gulf of Morrosquillo coast.

What is there to do on Isla Múcura?

Isla Múcura is a beach and relaxation island. The day trip combines time at Tintipán, a view of Casa en el Agua, a visit to Santa Cruz del Islote, a welcome cocktail, a traditional lunch and beach time on Múcura.

Are the islas de San Bernardo the same as San Bernardo del Viento?

No. The islas de San Bernardo are an island archipelago in the Caribbean Sea belonging to the Cartagena district. San Bernardo del Viento is a separate mainland town in Córdoba, and San Bernardo in Cundinamarca is another unrelated municipality, so check you are looking at the islands when you plan.

How do you get to the San Bernardo Islands from Cartagena?

By shared speedboat from La Bodeguita Pier. The crossing takes about 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours each way. Our day trips include selected hotel pickup from Bocagrande, El Laguito, Castillogrande and Marbella, and the boat, so you do not need to arrange anything on the water.

How much is a San Bernardo Islands day trip from Cartagena?

The Isla Múcura day trip costs $99 per adult (COP 319,000), Tritonia Beach Club costs $142 (COP 458,000) and the Isla Palma day trip costs $148 (COP 478,000). The port tax of COP 31,500 to 37,000 (about $10 to $11) is paid in cash at the pier.

Which San Bernardo island is best for a day trip?

It depends on the style. Isla Múcura is the best choice for variety, with four stops in one day. Isla Palma is the best for a quiet beach day, and Tritonia on Isla Tintipán is the best for music and a social crowd, adults only.

Are the San Bernardo Islands better than the Rosario Islands?

They are different. The Rosario Islands are closer, about 45 to 60 minutes by boat, and offer many beach clubs for every style. The San Bernardo Islands are about 2 hours away, quieter and more remote, and suit travelers who want something different from a standard beach club day.

Is the long boat ride worth it?

It is worth it if you want a quieter island and do not mind about 4 hours on the boat round trip. If you have limited time or get seasick easily, a Rosario Islands day pass with a 45 to 60 minute crossing is the easier choice.

What is Santa Cruz del Islote?

Santa Cruz del Islote is a tiny artificial island in the San Bernardo Islands, known as one of the most densely populated islands in the world. Estimates of its population vary, from about 500 to 1,200 people. The Isla Múcura day trip includes a visit, and an optional handmade oceanarium is paid on site.

Can I see bioluminescent plankton on a day trip?

No. Bioluminescent plankton is seen after dark, mostly around Tintipán and Múcura on dark nights, and it depends on the moon and the weather. Our day trips return to Cartagena in the afternoon. If the plankton is your main goal, plan a night on the islands.

Is Tritonia Beach Club adults only?

Yes. Tritonia is strictly for guests 18 and over. It is a social beach club with DJ music and an alcoholic welcome cocktail. Families should choose the Isla Múcura or Isla Palma day trips.

What is included in the Isla Palma day trip?

It includes selected hotel pickup, the shared speedboat, a morning fruit snack, a welcome cocktail, a gourmet lunch with salad, juice and dessert, use of the Hotel Isla Palma beach facilities, a guide and travel insurance. Bioparque entrance, snorkeling and paddle use are optional and paid on the island.

Do I need cash for a San Bernardo day trip?

Yes. The port tax is paid in cash in Colombian pesos before boarding, COP 31,500 for Múcura and Tritonia and COP 37,000 for Isla Palma. Bring extra pesos for optional activities and tips.

What time do the San Bernardo trips leave?

Hotel pickup starts at about 5:30 AM, check in at the pier is at 5:45 AM and boats leave between 6:00 and 7:00 AM. The return boat leaves the islands between 1:30 and 3:00 PM, and you are back in Cartagena between 4:30 and 5:00 PM.

Are the San Bernardo Islands inside a national park?

Yes. They are part of the Corales del Rosario y San Bernardo National Natural Park, which is why visitors are asked to protect the reef, avoid sunscreens that harm coral and follow the rules on each island.

Can I cancel a San Bernardo day trip?

Yes. Free cancellation or rescheduling is available up to 72 hours before departure. There is no refund inside 72 hours, but if we cancel because of unsafe sea conditions you receive a full refund or a free reschedule.

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