The San Bernardo Islands are located in the Gulf of Morrosquillo in the Caribbean Sea, about 50 miles (80 km) south of Cartagena. Currently, only a few islands can be visited by tourists, including Mucura, Santa Cruz de Isolate, and Tintipan. The archipelago can be visited by boat either by Cartagena or the city of Tolú.
Consider this 5-day itinerary for the ultimate beach and adventure experience. On this tour, visitors can explore the colonial streets of Cartagena before departing to the San Bernardo Islands, where you’ll have the option for hiking, water sports, and snorkeling around the clear waters of the Caribbean.
From Cartagena
Duration: About 2 hours
Catch a boat to the San Bernardo islands from the Muelle de la Bodeguita, a dock located in front of the Old City in Cartagena. The boats depart around 8 -10 am. The trip usually takes around 2 hours and is usually quite bumpy depending on the sea conditions. Some boats do have weight restrictions for suitcases and luggage, so it’s best to check prior to boarding. If your luggage exceeds this weight limit, chances are you will not be allowed to board. At the dock, you must pay a one-time tax to enter the National Park.
Depending on if there are several people departing for the same island, the boat’s final destination is either at the pier of Múcura or at another island. Before boarding, you must tell the boat staff about which island you are going to. If not, they will leave you with the rest of the group. From there you can walk to your accommodation or hire another boat. To get back to Cartagena, the boats leave around noon from the public pier in Isla Múcura.
From Tolú
Duration: 40 minutes
For a shorter boat ride, you can also get a boat from the town of Tolú. There are several companies offering transportation to the islands from Muelle Turistico de Tolu. Boat rides are usually under an hour and will drop you off at the Isla Múcura. The boat staff will then point you in the direction of your accommodation.