Cartagena Yacht Cost: Private Boats, Yachts and Catamarans

Private boat days in Cartagena can start near $615 USD for smaller speedboats, while polished group options usually budget from about $1,425 USD for a 46ft luxury speedboat, $2,650 USD for a Fairline-style yacht, and $3,180+ USD for a 51ft power catamaran before date, season, route, beach club, catering, exchange-rate movement, and add-ons.

Elite Cartagena prices the boat day as part of the whole trip: vessel, route, marina timing, villa pickup, food and drinks, beach club decisions, and the rest of the itinerary.

Quick Cost Ranges

Vessel type	Typical public starting point	Best fit
Smaller private speedboat	From about $615/day	Smaller groups that want a private boat day at the lowest practical entry point
46ft luxury speedboat	Around $1,425/day	Groups that want speed, bathroom, premium seating, and a more polished boat day
Fairline-style sport yacht	Around $2,650/day	Groups that want comfort, shade, yacht styling, and stronger onboard amenities
51ft power catamaran	From about $3,180/day	Larger social groups that need deck space, music, bathrooms, and stability
Large-group / premium charter	Often $5,000+ and can reach five figures	High-capacity, custom routes, chef, media, DJ, or event-style setups

The exact number depends on guest count, vessel size, day of week, holiday demand, route, marina, beach club plans, food and beverage, and whether you add a DJ, bartender, chef, photographer, or VIP concierge.

What Should Be Included

A proper Cartagena boat quote should show the real scope instead of a vague “boat day” line.

At minimum, confirm:

• the exact vessel or vessel class
• capacity and comfort fit for your group size
• captain and crew
• fuel assumptions and route
• departure marina and departure time
• ice, cooler setup, and what you may bring
• whether lunch, drinks, beach club, DJ, chef, transfers, or dock fees are separate

If a quote looks unusually cheap, ask what is excluded. Hidden fuel, marina, island, and replacement-vessel problems are common with unvetted operators.

Yacht vs. Speedboat vs. Catamaran

Choose by experience, not just price.

Option	Why groups choose it	Tradeoff
Speedboat	Lower price, fast movement between island stops, simple private day	Less shade, tighter space, less comfortable for long lounging
Yacht	More polished, better shade and seating, stronger luxury feel	Higher price and less open deck than a catamaran at the same headcount
Power catamaran	Best social layout for 16+ groups, stable deck, music and photo flow	Limited supply and usually books early on weekends

For bachelor parties, birthdays, and mixed friend groups, the catamaran often wins when the group is large enough. For smaller groups that care most about style, a yacht is usually the better call.

Local Fees And COP Context

Elite Cartagena quotes clients in USD for the main charter package. Some Cartagena boat owners price in Colombian pesos, so the COP sell price is the anchor and the USD equivalent can move with the exchange rate, card/payment method, and conversion spread.

Updated July 16, 2026: the official Colombia TRM was 3,233.91 COP/USD. At that reference rate, a premium 46ft speedboat priced at 4,320,000 COP is about $1,336 USD, while a Fairline-style yacht priced at 8,040,000 COP is about $2,486 USD. For practical trip budgeting, allow roughly $1,350-$1,425 for the speedboat and $2,500-$2,650 for the Fairline-style yacht. The 51ft power catamaran is USD-native and starts around $3,180 USD.

Some local items may still be paid or referenced in Colombian pesos, such as official dock taxes, island incidentals, tips, or small cash expenses.

Do not compare boat offers using a single headline number. Compare what is included, the departure marina, the route, vessel quality, and the operator’s accountability if weather, timing, or availability changes.

Example Planning Logic

For a seven-guest group, a speedboat can be the best value if the goal is a private Rosario Islands day with flexible movement. For a 12- to 18-guest group, a yacht or smaller catamaran usually feels more comfortable. For 20+ guests, deck space and boarding logistics become more important than the headline price.

If you are also booking a villa, dinner, nightlife, or concierge, the better question is not “what is the cheapest boat?” It is “which boat fits the day without breaking the itinerary?”

FAQ

How much does a private yacht cost in Cartagena?

Private Cartagena boat days can start near $615 USD for smaller speedboats, while polished group options usually budget from about $1,425 USD for a 46ft luxury speedboat, $2,650 USD for a Fairline-style yacht, and $3,180+ USD for a 51ft power catamaran before date, route, season, catering, beach club, exchange-rate movement, and add-ons.

What is included in a Cartagena private boat charter?

A properly quoted private charter should itemize the vessel, captain or crew, route, departure marina, timing, fuel assumptions, ice or cooler setup, and any food, drinks, transfers, beach club, or dock fees that are separate.

Is a yacht, speedboat, or catamaran better for a group?

Speedboats are the lowest-priced and fastest option, yachts are the comfort-first choice for private style and shade, and power catamarans are the best fit for larger social groups that need deck space and stability.

Should I book the boat alone or as part of the full trip?

For most groups, the boat works best inside the full itinerary because villa pickup, marina timing, catering, beach club minimums, nightlife, and recovery plans all affect the real cost and experience.

Related Planning

• See private boats and yachts
• Compare private villas in Cartagena
• Estimate the full group trip cost
• Plan the trip with VIP concierge