San Andres: Private San Andres Bay Tour by Luxury Speedboat

Six hours, one fast boat, many shades of blue. This private San Andrés Bay tour combines the island’s famous sea of seven colors with snorkeling, mangroves, sandbars, and a relaxed stop at a floating bar. I especially like the private format, which lets your group spend more time at favorite spots, and the friendly crew, including captains Luis, Leider, and Denner on recent departures. The main catch is value: $450 is sensible for a full group of 10, but costly for only two people.

You meet at Muelle de la Policía and travel by luxury speedboat with a captain and assistant. The boat has a sound system, cooler with ice, life vests, snorkeling gear, and a water mat. Food, drinks, and the pier entry fee cost extra, so plan for those before you set off.

Key points

• Private boat for up to 10 people: The fixed $450 price works out to $45 per person when the boat is full.
• Several very different stops: You visit Old Point mangroves, Aquarium Key, Rocky Key, El Palito, and White Watta Beach.
• Strong snorkeling focus: Look for colorful fish, rays, sea urchins, sea cucumbers, starfish, and possibly sharks.
• Flexible pacing: A private group can suggest changes and spend longer at a favorite swimming or snorkeling area.
• Local lunch stop: Food is not included, but the crew can take you to an island restaurant such as Coco Bay or a restaurant at Haynes Cay.
• Sea conditions matter: The trip runs only when Dimar approves the conditions, and the outing is not suitable for people with mobility impairments or those over 70.

What the $450 Private Boat Price Really Buys

The price is for the entire group, not for each seat. A full group of 10 pays the equivalent of $45 per person, which makes the tour quite appealing for families, friends, or several couples traveling together. A group of six pays $75 each. With two people, the math is much less friendly at $225 per person.

That price buys privacy and control rather than just transportation. You do not have to match your day to a large shared group, and you can ask to stay longer at a good snorkeling site. Winston, who took the trip with his partner, found that the private setup gave them more control over how long they stayed at each stop. That flexibility is one of the strongest reasons to choose this boat.

The boat is presented as a luxury speedboat, and recent passengers described it as new, comfortable, and matching the photographs. You also get a professional sound system, cooler with ice, life vests, snorkeling equipment, and a floating water mat. Bring your own drinks if you wish, since one recent passenger specifically appreciated using the onboard cooler.

Still, the price does not cover everything. Lunch and other food are separate, drinks are not included, and you must pay the pier entry fee. Ask your group to agree in advance on how much time you want for lunch, snorkeling, swimming, and the floating bar. A private boat can be flexible, but six hours can pass quickly.

Starting at Muelle de la Policía

The meeting point is Muelle de la Policía, where you meet the captain and assistant before boarding. Mario, the owner, has personally met passengers at the dock and sent details through WhatsApp before departure. That kind of direct contact is useful on a boat day, when a clear meeting point and prompt start matter.

The boat leaves for a six-hour circuit around the island. English and Spanish guiding are available, so you can request the language that works best for your group. The crew includes a captain and assistant, and named crew members on recent trips have included Luis, Leider, and Denner.

Wear beachwear from the start. You will be around water for most of the day, and the listed essentials are simple: swimsuit or other beach clothing, sun protection, and anything you need for a wet ride. The official information does not list towels, so bringing your own is a sensible choice.

The sea must be approved by Dimar, Colombia’s maritime authority, before the trip operates. That is not just fine print. San Andrés weather and water conditions can affect speedboat outings, snorkeling stops, and the order of the day. Keep your schedule a little flexible.

Old Point Mangroves and the Quieter Side of the Island

Old Point mangroves provide a change of pace from open water and beach stops. Here, you can look for red mangroves, exotic birds, iguanas, and other species that live in this protected coastal setting.

The mangroves are valuable because they show you a different side of San Andrés. The island is famous for clear water and white coral sand, but its coastal habitats also support birds, reptiles, and young marine life. This stop is less about swimming and more about looking carefully.

Keep your camera ready, but do not expect a long guided nature walk. The tour is by boat, and the itinerary gives only a short listed photo and viewing period at some stops. If your group cares most about snorkeling, tell the crew early so the day can be balanced around the water.

Aquarium Key: The Main Snorkeling Stop

Aquarium Key is likely to be the centerpiece for anyone who wants to see marine life. The water is described as ideal for snorkeling, with doctor fish, puffer fish, butterfly fish, rays, sea urchins, and sharks among the possible sights.

The attraction is not only the number of species. The clear, shallow water allows you to spend time watching rather than rushing past. You may see small reef fish close to you, while rays and larger animals create a more memorable visit. The provided information does not guarantee a specific species on every departure, so treat the list as what you might find rather than a promise.

Snorkeling equipment is included, which saves you from packing or renting a mask and fins separately. Life vests are also provided. If you are not a confident swimmer, ask the crew about using a life vest and staying near the boat or a guide.

The crew receives especially strong praise for helping with snorkeling while still giving people personal space. Edmar recommended staying as long as possible at places where the fish are active. That is useful advice for a private outing. You do not need to leave a good site simply because a shared tour has a fixed schedule.

Rocky Key and the Nicodemus Shipwreck

Rocky Key is a small rocky island beside the wreck of the Nicodemus. The merchant ship ran aground more than 50 years ago, adding a bit of human history to the otherwise natural route.

This is mainly a photo stop, but the ship gives your pictures a clear subject. The contrast between an old wreck, open water, and pale coral sand makes Rocky Key one of the more distinctive parts of the trip.

Do not expect a full wreck exploration. The supplied details describe the Nicodemus as a stranded ship next to the key, not as a site for entering the wreck or snorkeling through it. Think of it as a scenic pause and a chance to hear about the ship from the crew.

El Palito’s Shallow Water

El Palito is a shallow sand area where you can snorkel or simply enjoy the water. The marine life here includes starfish, sea cucumbers, and sea urchins.

Because it is shallow, El Palito can suit people who prefer an easy, calm-water stop. It also offers a different kind of snorkeling from Aquarium Key. Instead of focusing only on colorful fish, you get a closer look at creatures on the sandy bottom.

Use care around sea urchins and other marine life. The tour provides equipment, but it does not turn the site into a supervised aquatic park. Listen to the captain and assistant, avoid standing on coral or animals, and keep your hands to yourself.

White Watta Beach and the Floating Bars

White Watta Beach is described as the only natural, crystal-clear pool within San Andrés’ sea of seven colors. It is also home to two floating bars, Ibiza and Raizal, where you can stop for a drink and enjoy the setting.

This is the most social part of the route. After time in the mangroves and snorkeling areas, you can sit in the water, take pictures, and order a drink at one of the floating bars. Joyce’s day included a stop at a floating bar, along with snorkeling, rays, tropical fish, and lunch on Haynes Cay.

Drinks are not included, so bring money and remember that prices at a floating bar are separate from the tour. The cooler on the boat can hold your own drinks with ice, according to a recent passenger, but the exact rules for outside beverages may be worth confirming with Mario before departure.

The word sunset appears in the description of White Watta Beach, but the tour itself lasts six hours and the start time varies by availability. Do not assume your trip will reach the bars at sunset unless your scheduled departure makes that possible.

Lunch at Haynes Cay or Another Local Restaurant

Lunch is not part of the $450 price, but the crew can take you to a local restaurant. Recent outings included Coco Bay and a restaurant on Haynes Cay, where one group ate fresh fish and island food.

This arrangement gives you more choice than a fixed meal package. You pay for what you order and can experience local island cooking rather than eating from a standard boat menu. It also means you should budget separately and ask the crew what lunch stop best fits the day’s route.

A restaurant stop takes time away from snorkeling, so decide what matters most to your group. If your priority is seeing as many marine sites as possible, request a shorter meal. If you want a slower island day, lunch can be a welcome break from the sun and salt water.

The Crew and the Private-Group Feel

The strongest praise goes to the people running the boat. Mario, the owner, has met passengers personally at the dock and handled advance communication. Captains Luis and his assistants, including Leider and Denner on different trips, have been described as kind, attentive, and willing to follow suggested plans.

That matters because a private boat is only as good as its crew. You want help with equipment, clear guidance around marine life, and enough freedom to enjoy the water without constant instruction. The experience described here aims for that balance.

The boat has room for up to 10 people, but the private format is especially attractive for a group with a shared rhythm. Families can spend more time at shallow water. Friends can use the sound system and water mat. Couples can avoid sharing their entire day with strangers, though the per-person cost is high for a small party.

What Could Disappoint You

The first concern is price for a small group. Two people pay the same $450 as 10, so this is best treated as a group charter. If you are traveling alone or as a couple, compare the cost with a shared boat outing before booking.

The second concern is the weather and sea condition rule. Dimar must approve the conditions, and the company cannot control rough water or a changed route. That is standard for a boat trip, but it means you should avoid booking this as the only activity on a tightly packed final day.

The outing is also not suitable for people with mobility impairments or people over 70, according to the activity information. There may be boarding, movement around the boat, and water access involved, so ask the provider directly if anyone in your party has a specific concern.

Finally, the description promises several stops, but only short formal durations are listed for two photo or viewing points. The exact time at each location can depend on conditions, lunch, and your group’s wishes. Confirm the planned route and priorities before departure.

Who Should Book This San Andrés Boat Tour?

I would point this tour toward groups of four to 10 people who want a private day on the water. It is particularly useful for families, friend groups, and couples traveling together who care about flexibility and do not want a fixed shared-boat schedule.

Snorkelers should also consider it. Aquarium Key and El Palito offer different kinds of water time, while Rocky Key and White Watta Beach add scenery and a social stop. You can use the private format to spend more time where the fish are active.

I would be more cautious if you are a budget-conscious couple, have limited mobility, are over 70, or want food and drinks bundled into the price. In those cases, the cost and physical demands may not fit as well.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those policies make it easier to protect your plans while checking the marine conditions and gathering your group.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts at Muelle de la Policía in San Andrés.

How long does the boat tour last?

The private tour lasts six hours.

How much does the private boat cost?

The price is $450 per group of up to 10 people.

Is this a shared or private experience?

It is a private group tour. Only your group uses the boat.

What languages are available?

The tour is available in English and Spanish.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, along with life vests and a water mat.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included. You can stop at local restaurants, and the boat has a cooler with ice.

Is the pier entry fee included?

No. The pier entry fee is separate.

Which places does the boat visit?

The route includes Old Point mangroves, Aquarium Key, Rocky Key, El Palito, and White Watta Beach, subject to sea conditions and the day’s route.

Can the tour be canceled for a full refund?

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

Is the tour suitable for people with mobility impairments?

No. The activity is listed as unsuitable for people with mobility impairments and people over 70.

Should You Book It?

Book this San Andrés speedboat tour if you can fill several seats and want a private day built around snorkeling, clear water, and flexible stops. The crew’s personal attention, onboard cooler, included equipment, and range of marine sites give the outing real value for a full group.

For two people, think carefully. The boat may be comfortable and the route appealing, but $450 before lunch, drinks, and the pier fee is a serious price. For a group of six to 10, though, the numbers make much more sense, and the freedom to linger at Aquarium Key or El Palito may be worth paying for.