Rosario Islands day trip

From Barú the Rosario archipelago is right next door: the islands lie directly off the peninsula's western shore, and the national park that protects them starts at Punta Gigante on Barú itself. Cholón lagoon, Agua Azul and Playa Blanca on Barú fall inside it too, so there is no long run down from Cartagena to reach it.

The park was created for what lies under the boat: a reef platform of coral, seagrass meadows and mangrove (five species of it) where turtles, snapper, grouper and mojarra feed. Snorkel only where the guide says the site is authorised, and never stand on coral. Boats may not pick up passengers at Playa Blanca for other parts of the park, so ask your hotel where its trips leave from. Everyone needs the park's compulsory accident insurance, plus a life vest worn seated in the boat. Shells, starfish and coral stay where they are, and grouper, turtle and queen conch stay off your plate. The dry season runs from December to April.