Boat rental in Cartagena · Beneteau — Oceanis 50 (2002)

Simply amazing! We spent 4-days aboard this boat for our honeymoon and would highly recommend the experience. Our trip ran from Monday - Thursday which significantly reduced the quantity of other boats/tourists in the Rosario Islands. A few key areas to highlight: *Adventure* Sailing through the Caribbean off Colombia is incredible. The water is incredibly warm to swim in both day and night and there are endless areas to explore around the Rosario Islands. The trip consistently surprised us with unforgettable moments. On our first night, we anchored in a quiet inlet, jumped into the water, and were stoked to find bioluminescent plankton glowing around us. The next day we traveled to a new location to snorkel, bought a lobster from a local fisherman, and swam to a beach to lay in the sand. Before sun-down our crew guided us on a short hike into the town of Isla Grande, where we saw local life up close: a fútbol pitch, perros, small restaurants, coconuts for sale, and even a tiny arena used for chicken battles. Day three, we spent the morning snorkeling, jumping off the bow, and eating a bomb breakfast. We then sailed to our next bay (right outside the “Bora Bora” resort) where we snorkeled with a water eel and took the dinghy to a sunken plane for more snorkeling. Sunset and sunrise here was magical. Our final day was the best snorkeling yet. We took the dinghy to a nearby reef filled with vibrant marine life: fish, jellies, corals, and had the entire large reef to ourselves where we swam for over an hour. After another delicious breakfast on deck, we lounged on the beanbags placed upon the bow as we set sail for our final destination.. A sunken ship! Free-divers will love this and the shipwreck is beautiful and filled with marine life. We enjoyed lunch on the boat and sailed back to Cartagena where we bid farewell to our crew. *Boat* The boat is a spacious 50-footer with plenty of shaded seating under the bimini, a wide bow for lounging, and a roomy rear area perfect for jumping in or dangling your feet in the water. Below deck, there’s a large table and couch if the weather turns, plus a fridge, freezer, stove, sinks, and heads; everything you’d expect. *Sleeping/Cabins* The beds are simple but comfortable. A 6-foot person fits without issue, and sheets and pillows are provided. Nights are warm, but with the hatch and side windows open, and a small fan in one cabin, we slept great every night. (We also camp under the stars in Colorado’s summer, so warm nights don’t bother us.) Storage is compact but sufficient. As with most sailboats, the head uses a manual pump, but it’s easy to manage. No complaints as the only time we spent in our cabin was to sleep. *Crew* We had a captain (Herman), a first-mate (Alejandro), and a chef (Oskar aka Monkey) and we couldn’t have been happier with them! Herman is a former scuba-diving leader and an experienced captain. He kept us safe, explained our daily route options based on wind and timing, and shared tons of knowledge about the sea and islands. Alejandro’s laugh is contagious. He answered all our questions, shared stories, and was genuinely kind. He also took us out on the dinghy and helped with sailing, cleaning, and ensuring the ship was operating efficiently. Oskar is a culinary magician and was all over the kitchen. His chopping/knife skills are unreal with all the edible art he crafted. And he ensured each meal was cooked to perfection, that we were happy, and always had a beer in hand when needed. *Meals* The meals need to be mentioned in-depth as Oskar could easily work in a fine dining restaurant. Every meal was both delicious and beautifully cut and arranged (like fruit shaped like flowers). Dinners were freaking delicious, we were served octopus ceviche, snapper fish, and a fresh lobster (we bought the lobster ourselves from a fisherman). Breakfasts were also impressive with warm coffee, an abundance of fresh fruit, eggs, and various additions like toast. Lunches were also filling and there was plenty of water with a few beers provided during our trip. *What Else is Provided* Beds, pillows, towels, beanbags on the bow, water, food, the dingy, and an outstanding crew. (We also made special requests pre-trip to ensure we could get 2-snorkels + 2-fins, a few beers, and gluten/dairy-free food options for my wife; all of which was accommodated.) *Recommended to Bring* Sunscreen, sunshirt, personal water bottle, and a change of clothes. This was the highlight of our honeymoon! If you’re on the fence, just book it; you’re gonna love it.