Sailing to Tayrona with Luis and his team: Unique!
Recommended by 91% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Santa Marta, Colombia
- 8 hours (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Set sail for Tayrona aboard a 17-meter (56-foot) yacht with this excursion. Your bilingual captain, Luis, will take you and a small group of up to 25 passengers to the coastal park. Once in the park, you will have time to swim, snorkel, sunbathe, or hang out on the beach, and return to Santa Marta in the late afternoon.
- Sail to Tayrona with a bilingual guide
- Lunch and snacks will be served
- Snorkeling equipment and paddleboards will be available to borrow
- Passenger insurance is included in the price of the tour
What's Included
- SnacksWater, ice, soft drinks, fruit, and snacks.
- LunchGrilled fish with salad, or pita bread sandwich with ham, cheese, and salad.
- Passenger Insurance
- Use of Snorkeling equipmentUse of Snorkelling equipment
- kayak and snorkel
- Marina Entrance
- Alcoholic BeveragesBeer and other alcoholic beverages are sold on board.
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Marina Santa MartaCarrera 1 #22-93, Santa Marta, Magdalena, Colombia
meeting point is charter station next to restaurants
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Operating hours.10:30 am
What To Expect
1
Parque Nacional Natural Tayrona
2
Bahia Concha
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- Infants must sit on laps
- Infant seats available
- Most travelers can participate
- Our home on the water has no restrictions for travelers.
- If you are prone to seasickness, we recommend taking medication to prevent it.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 25 travelers
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Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
Christian_C
Had an amazing experience with Luis and his crew. They were extremely hospitable and attentive. They went above and beyond to help recover my phone from 10 meters deep!! I cant recommend this team enough. Truly a 5 star experience.
Reviews
4.6
based on 472 reviews
Sort by: Most insightful
Caitlin_M, Jul 2026
Nice boat ride out to Bahia concha beach. Quiet beach, great lunch. We were hoping to see another beach but it’s only 1 stop. Would recommend if you don’t have much time in Santa Marta. Next time we will hike in to see more beaches.
Russell_M, Jul 2026
Great, professional crew that took several guests on a ride of approximately one hour to a beach for relaxation, a great lunch, and the option of snorkeling. The beach has several people offering different types of drinks (so have cash, especially in small bills), and there are tents that a large group can split the cost for to get shade from the sun (they were approximately 130,000 or 140,000 pesos for the few hours we used one). There is no cell service available for much of the trip, which is a welcome way to unplug from your routine back home. Overall, a very nice trip and experience.
Jenise_B, May 2026
Very well organized, thorough instructions. The guides were respectful and the entire experience was exceptional
Emily_H, May 2026
Such a great day, sailing to Tayrona! The crew were amazing and so attentive to everyone. Would definitely recommend for a relaxing day in Santa Marta.
Bob_J, May 2026
A good, solid day on the water. We departed on a catamaran around 11:00 and motored about an hour to Bahia Concha. Normally it would have been a monohull but it was undergoing maintenance. There we anchored for 3-4 hours and had lunch. Lunch was included and consisted of one of two dishes.... grilled fish and rice or a ham/cheese wrap. We had the wrap and it was very good and easier to eat with the plate on your lap. Water and soda was provided free of charge throughout the day. Beer was extra. The day consists of time on the beach and experiencing a kayak or paddle board. At 3:00 we returned to the catamaran and sailed most of the way back. Very delightful. The crew was very nice, helpful, and committed to making your day as nice as possible. A good trip.
Thomas_K, May 2026
It was a very relaxing tour. Everyone was super friendly and helpful. The tour was done on an big catamaran. The beach was nice and clean, lunch was great. The snorkeling is awesome when you know what you are looking for underwater and take your time. The crew was very supportive and caring. They looked out for everyone and helped with all the needs. On the beach there are lots of sales people who are not affiliated with the boat crew, I can't recommend buying a drink from those people, the coco loco I ordered, came in an coconut and it tasted like pure alcohol with sand flavor. On top it was 60,000 COP. But again, those vendors have absolutely nothing to do with the cruise people.
Jennifer_H, Apr 2026
Really enjoyed my time on this boat tour. Well organized and very friendly crew. Beautiful beach and fun snorkeling
GertJan_J, Mar 2026
You don’t enter the Tyrona nat park. It is a boat trip to a beautiful beach with a friendly and helpful crew. You can chat with other guests and drink some beers and eat. I had a fun day under the Tyrona sun 🙂 Thanks crew!
Kelly_B, Mar 2026
Fantastic day trip to Bahía Concha! We met the crew at Marina Santa Marta and were immediately impressed — everything was explained clearly in both Spanish and English. The voyage out was enjoyable, with crew members sharing interesting information along the way.
We spent about three hours relaxing on the beautiful beach, took advantage of the free kayak, and had a wonderful lunch provided by the tour, along with water and soda. Shade and chairs are available for 70,000 COP if you want extra comfort.
Some reviews mention language barriers, but that wasn’t our experience at all — nearly everyone spoke some English and was warm and helpful throughout. Highly recommend!
Wendi_K, Mar 2026
This tour is strictly for Spanish speaking people. I had no idea what was going on, where and when lunch was served, or when the boat was leaving. Came back from snorkeling (which was poor) and everyone was already back on the boat.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you for your feedback. We sincerely apologize for the lack of communication during your experience. This departure was intended to include bilingual staff, and the absence was due to a planning error on our side, for which we take full responsibility.
Basic instructions should always be clearly conveyed, and we regret that this impacted your experience. We truly appreciate your comments, as they help us improve.
Korinna_P, Mar 2026
Went on this trip with my husband and 2 teens. Had a great time. Punctual and accurate. Boat ride was so fun. Kids loved it. Got really big waves and splashed us at the front of the boat. Provided us with constant snacks and drinks and delivered a delicious fish lunch to us on the beach. Beach itself was gorgeous. Were able to rent chairs for a reasonable cost and could buy more drinks etc from local vendors. Water was cool and clear. Snorkeling not great but the kids had fun. All staff spoke spanish only so tough for us english speaking folks..but we made do..fortunately someone translated for us so we knew what was going on. They were all very friendly tho!
For the price would definitely recommend.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you so much for sharing your experience! We’re very happy to hear that you and your family had a great time and that your kids enjoyed the ride, the waves, and the day overall.
We truly appreciate your note regarding the language. This experience is intended to include bilingual support, and we apologize that on your departure this was not properly arranged due to a planning oversight on our side. We will work to improve this.
We’re glad you still felt well taken care of and hope to welcome you again soon!
Terri_S, Jan 2026
We really enjoyed this tour although it was completely in Spanish and we were not always sure what we were being told. Another guest helped us with some information. We sat at the front of the boat and the waves were very big. We were absolutely soaked by the time we arrived at the beach and laughed through it all. One thing to know is that you must rent a chair there for 10000 cop. The meals were good. I had the fish and it was fresh and tasty. The water was beautiful and refreshing for a swim. We didnt sail to the beach but they put up the jib for a short time on the way back with the motor still doing most of the work. Im not sure if that is the norm or if it was because of wind. There are some snacks and drinks offered as well during the trip. They have a paddle board that you can use and they will also take you for a short snorkeling trip nearby after the lunch. I would recommend this tour
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you for your thoughtful review. We’re glad to hear you enjoyed the experience, the beautiful water, and the lunch — especially the fresh fish. It’s also nice to know you took the waves with good humor!
We apologize that the tour was mostly in Spanish that day. We do our best to provide bilingual support and appreciate your patience.
Regarding sailing, wind conditions often determine how much we can use the sails. Sometimes the motor is necessary to keep the schedule.
Thank you for recommending the tour — we hope to welcome you again soon!
Aaron_J, Jan 2026
The location marked on the app of where to go is wrong, it’s on the other side of the Marina. It was a great day though. Very relaxing. Was just as they wrote it up, and we enjoyed it a lot.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you for your feedback and for pointing out the location issue on the app. We’ll review this to make sure future guests can find us more easily.
We’re very happy to hear that, despite this inconvenience, you had a relaxing and enjoyable day and that the experience matched what was described. It was a pleasure having you with us
Leicha_S, Jan 2026
This tour was disappointing. You get taken to one super busy beach and stay there for the whole day, there is no shade on the boat and not much on the beach unless you pay for it. We were the only English speakers (but with enough Spanish to understand basic instructions) and were ignored and given no information all day. Also, if you use the bathroom make sure someone comes to let you out because there is no way to open the toilet door from the inside.
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We’re sorry to hear that the experience did not meet your expectations.
That said, we would like to clarify that this tour delivers exactly what is described in the listing. At no point does this experience advertise multiple bays or a tour around Tayrona Park. It clearly states that the experience includes transportation to one beach, where guests can relax, swim, snorkel, and enjoy lunch. All inclusions and exclusions are detailed in advance.
Regarding communication, basic safety instructions were provided in English, as we always ensure key information is shared with non-Spanish speakers. We’re sorry if you felt overlooked beyond that, and will continue working to improve our engagement across all languages.
As for shade and beach facilities, it is also clearly mentioned that amenities such as beach chairs or shaded spots may carry an additional cost, and are managed by third parties.
We believe your disappointment may have come from a misunderstanding of the offering rather than a failure in service. Still, we value your feedback and remain committed to transparency and guest satisfaction.
Warm regards,
The Veleros Santa Marta Team ⛵
Christian_C, Dec 2025
Had an amazing experience with Luis and his crew. They were extremely hospitable and attentive. They went above and beyond to help recover my phone from 10 meters deep!! I cant recommend this team enough. Truly a 5 star experience.
Matthias_J, Dec 2025
We left on time, did not use the sails on the way to Bahia Concha but did use the front sail on the way back. In full disclosure the headwind going out was quite strong that we would have had to zigzag for ever. The crew was very attentive and professional. We had 22 passengers and it felt full but not uncomfortable. At the beach we were offered plastic chairs under the shade of a tree for about $3. Lunchtime came in batches and was quite tasty. Sone went snorkeling after and described it as nice. Came back to the marina around 5:30 pm. Full and enjoyable day. Not a true pure sailing experience but recommended nevertheless
Response from Host, Dec 2025
Thank you for your thoughtful review! With the strong headwind on the way out and passengers on board, we chose to motor for safety and comfort. We're glad you enjoyed the day, the crew's attention, and the experience overall. Not a pure sailing trip, but still a memorable one!
Sarah_P, Dec 2025
What a day!! Sailing to Bahia Concha was a great experience, and the beach was beautiful!! I am soooo glad we did this trip. I was worried it would be similar to the beaches you hike to in the national park but it’s not - it’s a better beach. It’s the longest beach in Tayrona and we parked up on the quieter side so it was lovely and relaxing. Might not be as pretty or picturesque as some of the other beaches in the National park but it wasn’t over crowded (like cabo San Juan, la piscina, etc), and the sand was nicer. Cold drinks available all day, even beers! The lunch was fantastic - we had the grilled fish and would go back just to have this lunch again! Snorkelling was fun and we saw a lot of sea life , but visibility wasn’t great. If the main reason you’re doing the trip is for snorkelling you may be disappointed. The crew were amazing, they even let us try fishing at the end of the day which wasn’t part of the tour. Unfortunately we didn’t catch anything 🥲
Response from Host, Dec 2025
Thank you so much for your amazing review! We’re thrilled to hear that you had such a great day sailing to Bahía Concha and found it to be the perfect balance between beauty, tranquility, and comfort. We agree — its long stretch of sand and peaceful atmosphere make it a wonderful alternative to the more crowded beaches in Tayrona.
We’re glad you enjoyed the cold drinks, the grilled fish (we’re proud of that one!), and the added surprise of trying a bit of fishing — even if the fish weren’t cooperating that day!
Thank you also for your honest comment about snorkeling visibility. Conditions can vary depending on the sea, but we’re happy you still spotted some sea life and had fun.
It was a pleasure having you on board, and we’d love to welcome you again — even if just for the fish lunch!
Warm regards,
The Veleros Santa Marta Team ⛵🐟🌴
Matthew_B, Nov 2025
Great day out to a beach in Tyrona Park. The tour was good value and lunch was delicious. The team on the boat were very welcoming. Unfortunately Luis wasn't on the tour so we had no English translation and missed a lot of the information provided on the trip. It was still enjoyable and worth a go
Response from Host, Dec 2025
Thank you for your kind review. We’re very happy to hear that you had an enjoyable day in Tayrona Park, found the tour to be good value, and appreciated the warm hospitality of our crew and the delicious lunch.
I sincerely apologize for not being present on the day of your tour and for the lack of English-speaking staff. We understand how important it is to provide clear information for all our guests, and we regret that you missed out on some of the details during the experience.
We truly appreciate your understanding and your positive attitude despite this. It would be a pleasure to welcome you back again — and next time, we’ll make sure you have full access to all the information in English.
Dario_I, Nov 2025
Amazing experience! The staff was very friendly and attentive. We enjoyed our entire day. Food and drinks were great, the beach they took us to was beautiful
Response from Host, Dec 2025
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We're thrilled to hear that you had an amazing experience and that you enjoyed the friendly and attentive service from our staff.
We're also glad the food, drinks, and the beautiful beach made your day even more special. It was a pleasure having you on board, and we hope to welcome you again soon!
Ruta_R, Nov 2025
Wonderful day sailing to the beach, chilling, swimming and having lunch there. Snorkeling experience was also very nice and I would say suitable for kids. Beautiful nature and a relaxing experience with very friendly crew.
Response from Host, Dec 2025
Thank you so much for your kind words! We’re thrilled to hear you had a wonderful day sailing, relaxing, swimming, and enjoying the beauty of the surroundings.
We’re also happy to know the snorkeling experience felt safe and enjoyable — even for kids — and that our crew made you feel welcome throughout the day.
We look forward to seeing you again soon!
Sylvie_C, Oct 2025
The crew was nice but no one spoke English. I received message on Whatsapp at 9pm the night before saying we were changing from a sail boat to a catamaran and we were leaving at 9h instead of 10h30. The food was good. We were only 8 people so that was nice. Snorkeling was not good way too much waves. The beach Palmata was horrible. Brown water with lots of débris floating.
Response from Host, Dec 2025
Thank you for your feedback. We're glad to hear that you enjoyed the food, the small group size, and the kindness of our crew. We truly appreciate you taking the time to share both the positives and the areas where we can improve.
We sincerely apologize for the last-minute communication and the lack of English-speaking staff on your tour. We're working to improve both aspects so our guests feel more informed and supported throughout the experience.
Regarding the change from sailboat to catamaran — this was due to an unexpected mechanical issue with the sailboat. To avoid cancelling the tour and ensure your comfort, we upgraded you to a more spacious and significantly more expensive catamaran at no additional cost, with the sole intention of preserving your enjoyment.
As for the snorkeling and the conditions at Palmata beach, unfortunately, these were impacted by the passing of a hurricane near the Colombian coast. It caused high waves, strong currents, and brought debris into the water — especially in areas that are normally calm and clear. These are factors completely outside our control, and we regret that the conditions did not reflect the usual beauty of the location.
We truly hope to welcome you again in the future under better conditions, and we thank you for your understanding and trust.
farmerfree04, Oct 2025
Sailing to Tayrona with Luis and his team was incredible! The crew was friendly and fun, the views were stunning, and the lunch and snacks were great. We loved swimming in the clear blue water. A relaxing, unforgettable day — ihighly recommend!
The beach did charge for lounge chairs 10,000 COP per chair. Several vendors selling drinks priced up to 45,000 COP as well as cut up fruit.
Athene_G, Oct 2025
The trip was to a developed, commercial beach, not to a beautiful unspoiled beach. Very disappointing!
Response from Host, Dec 2025
Thank you for your feedback. We’re truly sorry to hear that the beach did not meet your expectations.
However, we would like to clarify that we have not changed the destination — the beach you visited is the same one described in our listing. While it is within a protected natural area, it can occasionally become more visited depending on the season or day of the week, especially during holidays or weekends.
We understand that expectations can vary, and we appreciate your comments as they help us improve how we present our experiences. We hope to have the opportunity to welcome you again and show you other, less frequented spots in the future.
Zeyad_E, Aug 2025
Great experience. The beach is really fantastic and the crew is great. Highly recommended. The crew know what they are doing.
Response from Host, Aug 2025
Thank you so much for your kind words! We're thrilled to hear that you had a great experience, enjoyed the beach, and felt well taken care of by our crew. They take great pride in what they do, and your recognition means a lot to us.
We truly appreciate the recommendation and look forward to welcoming you back on board for another memorable adventure!
Warm regards,
The Veleros Santa Marta Team ⛵🌴☀️
Idalis_M, Aug 2025
This experience was so beautiful 😍. The captain an expert, Noemí very helpful as well the others two guys part of the staff. The “Artevela” ship 🛳️ so solid and clean. The nature and the weather so excellent 🤩.
Response from Host, Aug 2025
Thank you for such a lovely review! We’re delighted to know that you had a beautiful experience aboard Artivela. It’s wonderful to hear that the captain’s expertise, along with the attentive care of Noemí and the rest of the crew, made you feel well looked after.
We're also glad you appreciated the cleanliness and sturdiness of the vessel, as well as the stunning nature and perfect weather that made the day even more special.
We look forward to welcoming you again soon for another unforgettable journey at sea!
Warm regards,
The Veleros Santa Marta Team ⛵🌞🌊
Kenneth_Z, Aug 2025
The crew was extremely friendly, helpful and accommodating. The boat left at 11am, you get about 3 hours of actual time at the beach/Tayrona park. Then the boat leaves at 3:15 and takes you back to the marina. It's a sail boat but they motored the whole way.
Response from Host, Aug 2025
Thank you for your kind words about our crew — we’re very glad to hear they made you feel welcomed and well cared for throughout your experience.
We also appreciate your feedback regarding the schedule and sailing aspect of the trip. While the vessel is indeed a sailboat, there are occasions when we rely on the motor due to time constraints or wind conditions. That said, we understand the desire for a true sailing experience and will certainly keep your comments in mind as we continue improving our services.
We hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you back soon — and hopefully under better sailing conditions!
Warm regards,
The Veleros Santa Marta Team ⛵🌞🌴
Haydee_F, Jul 2025
We had a great time on our trip! The crew was super attentive and all the details are exactly how it was advertised. I traveled with my family, which included a 6 year old. We always felt safe. Tayrona was beautiful and we even got to kayak and snorkel. Our lunch was yummy. Chairs at the beach were available for an extra cost, so bring cash. What a great experience and such a professional and caring crew! We loved it and would do it over and over again! Great job guys!
Response from Host, Jul 2025
Thank you for such a thoughtful and detailed review! We're delighted to hear that you and your family — especially your little one — felt safe and well cared for throughout the trip. It’s wonderful that you enjoyed the kayaking, snorkeling, and the beauty of Tayrona, as well as the lunch and overall experience. We truly appreciate your note about the beach chairs and the reminder to bring cash — very helpful for future travelers.
It was an honor to have you aboard, and we’d love nothing more than to welcome you back again and again. Thank you for your trust and kind words. Great guests like you make it all worthwhile! ⛵🌞🐠
Julie_Z, May 2025
We loved our time with Santa Marta Sailboat / Velero Santa Marta! The sailboat was fabulous and took us to Tayrona smoothly, with the friendliest crew. We loved the kayak and snorkelling. The lunch, drinks and snacks were great too! Highly recommend.
Response from Host, Jul 2025
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We're thrilled to hear you had such a great time sailing with us to Tayrona. It’s fantastic that you enjoyed the kayak, snorkeling, delicious food, and especially the warm hospitality of our crew. Your recommendation means a lot to us — we’d be honored to welcome you back anytime for another unforgettable adventure on the water. ⛵🌊🌞
Shane_N, Apr 2025
This is a ride to Tayrona Beach more than a guided tour. That said, the guides were attentive and got us to the beach and back with no issues. They dropped us off near a coral reef along the coast about 200 meters from the beach and provided a snorkel and mask (no fins) so we could snorkel the reef, where we saw sea urchins, and a puffer fish among other schools of various fish.
Response from Host, Apr 2025
Thank you so much for joining us and for taking the time to share your experience. We’re truly glad to hear that everything went smoothly and that you enjoyed the snorkeling and marine life.
That said, we’re a bit sorry to be seen as “just a ride,” as we make a great effort to connect with every guest, answer questions, and ensure everyone feels supported and cared for throughout the trip. Your feedback helps us keep improving, and we hope to welcome you back for an even more enriching experience next time!
Warm regards,
The Team at Veleros Santa Marta
Ida_F, Apr 2025
Such a fun day. The boat ride was amazing. The lady who did the snorkeling with us was so much fun and the beach was beautiful. The food was a 10 out of 10 too 🙌🏻
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