The islands surrounding Cartagena provide travelers with some of Colombia’s best beaches. White sand, crystalline waters, swaying palm trees and a wide variety of bars and restaurants make a trip to the islands a delight for beach bums and people looking to be a bit more active will love the wide variety of water sports that you can do (for more information on aquatic activities near Cartagena, check out our article here!) from snorkeling to swimming with bioluminescent plankton (a truly remarkable experience!).
For people short on time, you can visit the islands on a day trip. However, we highly recommend spending the night if possible to really get the most out of your trip. The islands offer a wide variety of accommodation and the sunsets are remarkable. The Rosario Islands and Bernardo Islands are perhaps the most well-known island chains to visit while Isla Baru is the home of the famous Playa Blanca and the Baru Bird Reserve. Tierra Bomba is the closest island to Cartagena. Although you may not get the same shimmering blue waters as the islands further out, it is the perfect option for people who prefer to avoid the potentially rough boat rides that can occur during bad weather.
