Tayrona By Boat: Cinto, Playa Cristal And Concha With Lunch

The Tayrona beaches were absolutely stunning! At first the meet up point was a bit confusing because there are two entrances to the marina. However, the phone number provided allowed us to contact for help. Take advantage of it! Once on the boat, our guides explained to us what the expectation points were at each beach, which was helpful. If you're a traveler who doesn't speak Spanish well, our tour guides didn't really give an English translation when saying directions. It's good to learn some Spanish before hand. It was smart of us to bring cash to buy seats on the beach. The water was beautiful and we met some fellow Colombian tourists on our excursion. A diverse crowd to get to know new travelers. The tour does most of the day, so make sure to arrive on time and to bring sunscreen!

The tour was excellent and Tayronna is breathtaking. Communication beforehand was very good. However, the tour wasn't in English as advertised! A shame for the price. But my tour guide was very friendly and accommodating and took good care of me, providing all the important information using Google Translate. We were also provided with drinks, and lunch was delicious. The waves were very strong that day, so be careful if you get seasick easily.

The boat is 1/3 the size to go there. Once you are there, it is beautiful. It is also 1/3 the size it should be going back to Santa Marta.

Wonderful experience. The captain and mate were excellent and the sites and beaches magnificent. Lunch was generously sized and delicious. Great value for the money.

The beaches were beautiful but our guide was not informative, did not speak English,and we booked an English speaking tour, and he did not make our experience fun

We headed out of Santa Marta harbor in the 33 foot boat and I was glad the tour had only 9 customers so we had a choice of seats. The ride to Bay of Cinta took 50 minutes and the pilot did an excellent job navigating the ocean swells (which were 10’ in some areas). Cinta was beautiful and we were the first boat to arrive so only the guys renting chairs were there. We could walk down the beach to find a private area for sunning and swimming for 2 hours. Area for snorkeling was available too. We next headed back south to the next beach for lunch and swimming. This beach is closer to SM so more crowded. Snorkeling was not very good at this stop. We rented a cabana for 70k COP. We left this beach and went to the final beach, even closer to SM. This stop was not necessary and made the day too long. The seas had calmed a bit on the way home and we chose to sit in the back of the boat so we got wet from the spray but it felt good. Our captain did a great job and Felipe was super friendly and had enough English to explain when boat was leaving each beach and take our lunch order. The crew provided lots of cold water, fruit in the morning, and chips in the afternoon. The first beach was spectacular and we are boaters and found the ride exhilarating but the day was too long and last stop should be eliminated.

The boat was going way to fast on very rough seas. My wife was scared to death & we were both betting absolutely drenched sitting at the back the whole trip was very freighting

Great daytrip, super friendly crew, group is not too big, you go to 3 beautiful beaches, snorkel, swim, have a lovely lunch, and before you know… the day has flown by! Best boattrip to Tayrona beaches from Santa Marta if you ask me

Our boat tour at Tayrona National Park was an incredible experience. The water was pristine and clear, and the weather was absolutely perfect. We visited three beaches—Cinto, Playa Cristal, and Concha—and all of them were amazing and had their own unique charm. Lunch was included at Playa Cristal and we ate very well; the fried fish was cooked to perfection! A few tips for future travelers: The Captain: Our captain, Didier, is a total gem. The ride to the beaches was a bit rocky due to huge waves, but he is very skilled and managed to minimize the impact as much as possible. Seating Strategy: Keep in mind that if you sit at the back of the boat, you feel the waves less but you will get splashed. If you sit at the front, you feel the waves to the fullest, but we got off the ride with minimal splashes. Sun Protection: Bring sunscreen! The sun here doesn't mess around (I ended up with a sunburn). Would definitely recommend this tour!

The captain and crew were great ! They were super nice and helpful. We visited 3 beautiful beaches. The lunch was great too. The boat was nice and taken care of well .

The guide (Daniel) and the captain were very sweet, bless them, not their fault (they helped me the best they could - I had injured my foot so they helped me with that too) but this negative review goes directly and exclusively to the tour operator (Luiz Martinez?). Mr Martinez, 1. When a customer makes a booking and pays for it THREE MONTHS IN ADVANCE, it should be the agency reaching out to them, not the other way around. 2. When a customer asks for details of what to bring/suggestions/a googlemaps link to the meeting point, the agency REPLIES, they don’t go MIA. 3. When a customer pays nearly US $90 for a tour, they do NOT expect the following: - a tour with no explanations, nothing. - a tour with no instructions, beforehand or throughout. Nothing. - a tour where nobody speaks English (neither other customers nor guide) - a tour where you’re inevitably left out and do not understand anything of what anyone is saying (ie. Where to go, how long, what to do etc), plus you can’t even socialize with anyone.. I have never felt like this - like absolute s*it - on a tour before today. I want my money back.

Great day in Tayrona! Was lovely to be able to see 3 beaches with minimal walking, each with a slightly different vibe. Crew was great - attentive and helpful with anything needed. Tour flowed seamlessly. Highly recommend!

3 great beaches and almost nearly no walking. Great boat trip, but quite bumpy on the way out but coming back is much easier. The captain and tour guide were very friendly and looked after us with water and snacks. Normally food on tours is not very good but the lunch was very tasty. I would happily recommend this tour for those who want to take a break from sightseeing and just relax on some great beaches.

Fantastic tour of some of the main Tayrona beaches some of which are only accessible by boat. The captain crew were phenomenal and catered to our needs during this day tour. The sea was only a little bit choppy getting out of Santa Marta but the rest of the trip was very smooth. The beaches are pristine and truly some of the most beautiful ones worldwide. Bring plenty of sunblock. Only one beach had accessible restrooms. Highly recommended activity but not suitable for anyone with mobility/arthritis problems

Great way to visit 3 beaches in one day. Ride out was seriously bumpy as other reviewers noted - I felt good about our boat (Tequila MX) being the largest speedboat out there. Departure scheduled for 9am. Great hospitality and food. Would recommend.

There should be hundreds of 5 start reviews! What an incredible day!!! There is no way to get to Tayrona National Park’s beautiful beaches faster. The sea was rough and therefore the ride was very bumpy. However, the captain was experienced and we felt safe on the boat. The guides spoke enough English to inform us what to expect at every stop. We visited Bay of Cinto, Playa Cristal and Bahia Concha. The views were amazing. The water was all different shades of blue and green and crystal clear. The lunch was typical and good. I did fall into a tourist trap even that we have been warned. As our lunch was served a guy in “uniform” asked if I wanted an avocado. Who could say no ?:). After I accepted it I learned that 1/2 avocado cost 10,000 pesos or $2.4 😂. The most expensive purchase in 10 days.

My family and I had a wonderful time on this trip. We got to see three beautiful beaches and had a perfect amount of time at each one. The lunch was very good, and they were able to accommodate my sister and I who are vegan. I highly recommend this excursion.

This tour was incredible! The three beaches were all beautiful. We were the first boat to arrive at the first beach so it was deserted when we arrived. The water is calm and clear. Snorkeling was also incredible and saw a spectacular reef system with schools of parrotfish. Lunch was great too! Loved spending the day on this tour. Guides were friendly and knowledgeable and ensured everyone was having a great time. I would recommend bringing cash for beach services (chairs, pineapple drinks, etc). Tour is a great value!

This was a very wild, wild ride . lol. While the trip overall was very nice, it lacked on the communication side. I got to Marina very early, as I read the previous reviews about the lack of communication, but the Marina guard did not even know where I should go . He kept asking for the boat name . The tour mentions a different boat name than the boat we had. Also , the guard did not know who Luis Martinez was ( as per Viator’s ticket ). I showed him The name of the tour … nada . Still crickets. How hard it is to have a sign at the entrance of the Marina is just beyond me . In the end I was let into the area ( the entrance is right at the end of the promenade ) . Another couple from Canada showed up, who had the same challenge as me. I speak Spanish so I don’t know why the guard was so confused. 😂 The captain showed 10 min late but he did not know how to communicate either. He kept saying his boat has a different name . In the end I showed him my name ( and the other two did too ) and “ he found us “ on his list by name . But …. the boat name was Tequila MX . Not what was on the Viator ticket. So … please update this in the ticket’s section please . Is very annoying to start a tour like this. None of the guys knew English , nor try to give any instructions using Google translate . I did not mind, as I speak Spanish , but the English couple was very confused. Then off we went to board. The only thing the captain mentioned is that if anyone gets seasick, they better sit in the middle . Very important to know that waters are really tough and the waves very high . Lucky me I took Dramamine before. I think that tourists should be more away in how high the waves are . It’s very scary for people that have heart issues or afraid of water . Very careless for the company that runs the tour to be so relaxed about it. It took 50 Min to get to Cinto Beach . Beautiful , green- blue water, very clean . Lots of trees on the beach for shade . No restaurants , no litter . We stayed here a little over 1 hr. The next was Crystal beach , where we had lunch - very good - and some refreshments and enjoyed the beach . Total time here 2.5 hrs. Again, very messy instructions, as most people did not even hear that they have to go to the opposite way of the beach to snorkel, as the part we here the restaurant was was very rocky and had boats anchored there. Most of the tourists did not hear the return time and the departure location . We had to wait for one couple who was late because of it and again, people were asking each other where is the rest of the group . Last one was Concha Beach . The sand here was not as fine . Water was pretty , but higher at the shore . Miguel helped me to get to the beach and helped me back . He is a sweet boy , he even tried to speak a few words in English with the couple from Canada . I would give a 10 to the tour due to Miguel respectful , yet funny manner . Very, very nice person. He was going to each of us , on every beach, asking us how we feel. The way it should be. In the end everyone enjoyed the tour and all three beaches, in spite of all the miscommunication. As this is the only tour that goes to 3 beaches , I feel like it was a good choice.Plus lunch , free water and snacks. And we got back to Santa Marta safely . I recommend you take the tour, but be extra cautions , get early to the Marina, learn a few works in Spanish and double check the departure time from every beach. .

Luis and his team consistently go above and beyond to provide an exceptional experience. Exploring the Tayrona beaches with them is not only breathtaking but also the most efficient way to make the most of your time in Santa Marta. I was traveling solo, and this tour was a fantastic way to connect with others and share the adventure. This was my second tour with Luis, and I’m already looking forward to making it a tradition every time I visit from New York. Highly recommend!

The crew is extremely friendly and very helpful in every way possible. I HIGHLY recommend this trip. I loved every single aspect of it and came back beyond relaxed and at peace!! Hope you get to experience it as well and believe me you won’t be disappointed!

Highly recommend this as a way to see Tayrona. We chose it as we didn't have time to do the hike in and out and we're so glad we did this tour. Being able to see 3 separate beaches and the views of Tayrona from the water is unbeatable. The guides and boat driver were fantastic, made sure we had all the drinks and snacks we needed, and drove us so smoothly thought the choppy Tayrona water so we always felt so safe. The beaches are out of this world, and there's a charm in embarking and disembarking the boat to each beach. The provided lunch was also delicious. Fully worth the value for the experience. It was our favorite day in Colombia. Don't hesitate just do it!!!! Only thing to know: they message you a separate QR code the morning of, so make sure to have data or wifi to receive it.

This is a really fun day and a decent value for the money. My wife and I took our daughter in law and 3-year old grandson, and all had a wonderful time. The trip over is spectacular, though a bit rocky, and can be tough if prone to seasickness, but no issues for any of our group. Upon arrival, they shuttle us to the beach in groups of 8 in a small motor boat. Once on the beach, they have a set area where you can (and should) rent chairs for a nominal fee. Once on the beach, its beautiful for swimming, and my grandson spent the hours swimming and chasing beach crabs. The motorboat took us to over to the snorkeling area, where we snorkeled our way back to the beach (takes 20 minutes to work your way back). The fishlife in the reef is abundant, and definitely worthwhile. The boat has masks and snorkels, but not fins. We brought our own. The lunch was great, both the chicken and the fish options. At the end of the day, they shuttled us back to the sailboat, and we headed back. With the wind behind us, they unfurled the sail, which with the motor, made the trip back really quick. They provide a beverage on the return trip, either soda or beer. They returned right on schedule. All in all, a great day.

Excellent all round - the trip, the beaches, the food, the guys that ran the tour. Please choose this trip above others, you won’t be disappointed!

Great small speedboat tour that takes you to 3 different tranquil beaches in Tayrona. No problems or complaints at all, everything went smoothly - even the speedboat wasn't as bumpy or long of a ride as I'd thought. Snorkeling and lunch were great. The check in instructions should be more clear - you walk across the dock near a nice restaurant called Siete Mares and there's a guard standing by a roped-off section. Arrive there around 8:30. Tell the guard your on 'Tayrona por mar tour' on the Tequila Boat. You'll have to wait a bit until a representative lets you in with a QR code. Definitely recommend and would even do again

It was a n amazing tour it’s the beach and the mountains than made an especially picture Cisto and Concha was the best beaches I knew until now

Our guides/captains were very kind and helpful. The beaches were gorgeous and the snorkeling was cool, I got to see many beautiful and colorful fish. I highly recommend this. Lunch, snacks, and water are included. Just make sure to bring your own towel!

Awesome tour of the most beautiful beaches I have seen in Colombia very calm waters and pleasant accommodations would definitely go again

The trip was amazing, the scenery, company and care of the team on the boat. Lunch was very good and it was an amazing day.

Great tour, lots of fun. We visited 4 beaches that take a long time to get to in other ways, so it's definetly better. In each beach we had just the right amount of time to swim, relax and enjoy and then move on. Lunch was great (I had the fish) and the boat staff were professional and skilled so I felt safe even when we encountered sone rough waves in the open sea and they also had plenty of water and snacks (beer for sale too) for the entire group. Highly recommend.

We absolutely loved this activity. The crew members were very friendly and helpful. The snorkeling in each stop was really beautiful with a lot of fishes and corals to observe and swim close by. The view during the boat trip was magnificient; the duration of each stop was adequate; the snacks and drinks on board were not limited; the lunch served on the secong beach was really nice. Shout out to Camilo who was very attentive to all the passengers’ needs.

This was a wonderful experience! The three beaches we visited were beautiful and Luis and his team took great care of us all day. The meal provided was delicious and a beautiful setting. The snorkeling was incredible and I've never seen such a variety of tropical fish so close to shore.

Beautiful tour with all types of stops. From a secluded beach which is perfect for snorkeling and relaxing to crystal beach which is beautiful. Great your and great guides!

Excellent, professional service. Decent boat, good safety practices and charming staff. Well worth doing and recommended

This tour is a great way to see Tayrona, because you get to visit three extremely beautiful beaches in one day! The crew was professional and the day ran smoothly without feeling rushed. The first ride was long (and choppy), so beware of that. But after the first stop, you're heading back toward town so the rides are shorter (and, on our day, smoother). The crew hands out all the water, chips, and apples you need. You pay for beers, but so what? Lunch was sufficient (though the fried fish wasn't particularly meaty). Overall, I definitely recommend this tour. But one caveat: Double-check the meeting place. It wasn't exactly where the information stated. It's at the marina, and a guard will let you through.

Lovely helpful crew . Lovely passengers . Lovely places ! Lovely crew . Lovely passengers . Lovely places ! I keep being told l have to use at least 100 characters …

This is a definitely an excursion worth doing. It is a full day on and in the water. Three nice beaches to visit. And, the snorkeling was close to shore and really nice. Plenty of drinks and snacks provided, and lunch too. Our guide and Captain were awesome. This excursion was a “10”…

A very nice motor boat to 3 of the best snorkeling spots. We saw some fish we never saw before: a flying gurnard. Pretty spectacular when it opens its wings. Lunch for a vegetarian was satisfying. Overall a very good trip. For those who love snorkeling, this park is much better than any of the Rosario island. Highly recommended.

The positive points: staff of the boat was excellent and Oscar tried his VERY best to speak English with my wife not speaking Spanish at all. The tour has been the one forecasted. Perfect 😉 The problems now: the address was not good and we couldn’t be secure and had to ask to several persons where to go. Stressing!!! Everybody asked us the name of the boat but we never get this info… stressing again when time is passing and that we worried to loose the departure. This logistic problem should be strictly improved. The boss of the company didn’t contact us although our request two times…🥵

Hands down one of the best boat trips I have done! Great way to see Tayrona by sea in addition to hiking. The magenta pool was incredible by the ocean!

Absolutely amazing experience! The customer service was unmatched! Taylor and Luis were so kind and helpful and went above and beyond to make this a once in a lifetime experience!! 10/10 can’t recommend enough!!! Truly so amazing, beautiful, and unique!!

This was definitely one of the highlights of our trip to Santa Marta! We were with a group of about 11 people (+ 2 guides) and we went to three different beaches around Parque Tayrona, spending an hour or two at each location. Sebastian, our guide, was amazing - he was very helpful, attentive, and fun (and he speaks both Spanish and English). My favorite part was the snorkeling - we swam with the fish and saw the coral reefs. The water was very clear, warm, and just beautiful. But you don't have to go snorkeling if you don't want to... About half of our group went and the other half stayed behind and chilled on the beach. We had lunch ('platos typicos' - basically fish, rice, and plantain) at a local restaurant on one of the beaches and it was really yummy. You can buy cervezas if you want as well. You could also rent beach chairs and a cabana for a few pesos, which we did. If you're in Santa Marta for vacation, I definitely recommend this day-long experience!

Amazing day trip form Santa Marta! We were a group of about half English speakers and half Spanish speakers, the staff were fluent in both which made the day very easy for everyone on board. The group got along very well and the whole day was fun, which is great for me as a solo traveler. The beaches were beyond beautiful, the water was perfect temperature and there were amazing fish visible without snorkeling! I saw blue trumpet fish and other beautiful fish even though I didn't snorkel. The first beach is amazing because we got there before others and it was so tranquil. It is a speed boat so it can be bumpy but its very comfortable, I loved that they included fresh fruit in the snacks and not just packaged food. A wonderful trip! Thank you!

This was a fantastic tour, and the English speaking guide Sebastian really took care of everyone. He was so genuinely kind and was the best “host”! He set the bar high and went beyond expectations. The ride in the speed boat was comfortable, and I saw that our boat was much nicer than other boats out there!!! I heard from some other reviews that the ride was treacherous and dangerous. Well maybe we just had better weather, but it was bumpy, but not uncomfortable… kind of fun!! There were 11 adults on the trip and we just filled the boat to capacity. Snacks and water and fruit were offered. Beer and alcohol for sale on the boat. The party ate lunch at Cristal beach, the standard Columbian fried fish and coconut rice. My husband and I are Vegan, and Sebastian made sure we had a special lunch!!! We snorkeled at Cintó and Cristal. Swam so much, walked the beaches and sat around in the water and in the shade getting to know the others passengers. It was a delightful day. We were the first boat at Cintó, so except for some fishermen, we had the beach to ourselves. As the other boats began to arrive, we pulled out and headed on to the other beaches which always have boats and people there… Great day and I highly recommend this trip. Couldn’t have been done better.

great experience. We visited the most beautiful beaches of all of them. Not all yours offer them. They don’t go that far. 1 hour too long, We stayed a bit too long on the 1st two beaches, that. By the time we went to the 3rd, although 30 min was perfect time, we were all all ready exhausted and burned. There was no emergency kit, we had a few people cut from corals, they used vinegar. Not something we are used to. Overall, I feel most bout turd are like this one, but this one offered better beaches. And the food was excellent and the guide Camilo and the boat driver ate the nicest most helpful guys. They deserve a good tip

Such a beautiful place to spend a day. 3 beaches, each beautiful on their own way. The boat was great … comfortable, well maintained and fine for the waves we encountered. Great way to see the beauty of the coast around Tayrona park. Good lunch, everything provided except not enough snorkels and fins, only masks available for everyone. Bring your own or ask for these in advance. Staff super friendly and took good care of us. Well worth it.

The best way to enjoy the most amazing Santa Marta's beaches in one day. Great service 100% recommended.

The trip was just as described. the operators were knowledgable, kind, helpful and dependable. They managed the seas and navigating to and from the beaches well. We had a wonderful time and would recommend the trip to any adventurer. The lunch was very good, the beaches and scenery beautiful and the snorkeling great!

The 3 beaches we visited were amazing. The scenery spectacular. Fish were swimming right up to me. Awesome excursion