The 6 Best Beaches Near Santa Marta to Reach by Boat

If you are looking for the best beaches near Santa Marta, here is the good news: several of the most spectacular stretches of the Colombian Caribbean are less than an hour's sail from the city. And the most comfortable, fastest and most scenic way to see them is by boat, leaving straight from the Santa Marta marina.

Forget long walks in the sun and unpaved roads. This guide covers the 6 beaches near Santa Marta you can reach by sea, with sailing times, what makes each one special and what it costs to get there. By the end you will know exactly which one fits your trip.

Why visit the beaches near Santa Marta by boat?

Before the list, it is worth understanding why the sea route has become travellers' favourite:

You save time: most of these beaches are 20 to 60 minutes' sailing from the Santa Marta marina.
The journey is part of the trip: you sail past the bay of Santa Marta, Taganga and the cliffs of Tayrona National Park.
Beaches with no road: several of these can only be reached by sea, or require hours of hiking overland.
Safety: with Fluver you sail with DIMAR-certified captains, on authorised boats, with your booking confirmed on WhatsApp.

Shared boat tours run from $32,000 COP per person (Playa Blanca or Inca Inca) up to $197,000 COP (Cabo San Juan, Tayrona entrance included), always subject to season. If you are travelling as a group, check the private boat price on the platform.

The 6 best beaches to visit by boat from Santa Marta

1. Playa Cristal: the jewel of the Neguanje sector

If you can only pick one, make it Playa Cristal. Set in Neguanje Bay, inside Tayrona National Park, it is famous for having some of the clearest water in the whole Colombian Caribbean.

Sailing time: roughly 45–60 minutes from the Santa Marta marina
Best for: couples, families and anyone who likes taking photos
What you'll find: white sand, calm water, fresh fish restaurants and local snorkeling operators if you want to see the reef
Tour price: from $135,000 COP per person on a shared boat, with Tayrona National Park entrance and insurance included (subject to season)

We put together a complete guide to getting to Playa Cristal covering every route in and a realistic budget.

2. Bahía Concha: the closest and calmest

Bahía Concha is the Tayrona National Park beach closest to Santa Marta, which makes it the right call if you are short on time or travelling with small children.

Sailing time: roughly 25–35 minutes
Best for: families, a first visit to Tayrona, half-day plans
What you'll find: a sheltered bay with very calm water, golden sand, tents, restaurants and full services
Tour price: from $130,000 COP per person on a shared boat, with Tayrona National Park entrance and a tour guide included (subject to season)

The bay's geography shelters the water naturally, so it is perfect for swimming without waves.

3. Cabo San Juan del Guía: the iconic Tayrona postcard

Cabo San Juan is probably the most photographed beach in Colombia: twin bays separated by a rock formation crowned with a palm-roofed lookout.

Sailing time: roughly 60 minutes
Best for: adventurous travellers, photographers, and anyone who wants the fullest Tayrona experience
What you'll find: the park's most famous lookout, two beaches to choose between depending on the swell, jungle trails and a hammock area
Why go by boat: overland, reaching Cabo San Juan means about a 2-hour hike from the El Zaino entrance. By boat you arrive rested, with far more beach time
Tour price: from $197,000 COP per person on a shared boat, with Tayrona National Park entrance included (subject to season)

4. Playa Blanca: the quick escape near El Rodadero

Not to be confused with the other Playa Blancas around the country: Santa Marta's Playa Blanca sits in Gaira Bay, very close to El Rodadero, and it is one of the most practical escapes if you are staying in the city.

Sailing time: roughly 5–10 minutes from El Rodadero
Best for: short plans, rest days, travellers on a tight schedule
What you'll find: pale sand, calm sea, seafood restaurants and a lively atmosphere
Tour price: from $32,000 COP per person round-trip on a shared boat (subject to season)

It slots perfectly into a free afternoon: go in the morning, have lunch by the water, be back early.

5. Bahía Cinto: the wildest corner of Tayrona

Bahía Cinto (or Playa Cinto) is one of Tayrona National Park's best-kept secrets. With no road access, it stays far wilder and emptier than the better-known beaches.

Sailing time: roughly 50–60 minutes
Best for: anyone after total disconnection and nature in its raw state
What you'll find: a wide bay ringed by rainforest, almost no buildings, palms leaning over the sand and very few visitors
Tour price: from $155,000 COP per person on a shared boat, with Tayrona National Park entrance and guide included (subject to season). There is also a Playa Cristal + Cinto combo from $170,000 COP
Tip: bring water, snacks and cash, because services are minimal compared with Bahía Concha or Playa Cristal

6. Playa Inca Inca: the express trip from El Rodadero

Playa Inca Inca sits in a sheltered cove between El Rodadero and Playa Blanca, and it is the quickest and cheapest trip on this list: just 5 minutes' sailing from El Rodadero.

Sailing time: roughly 5 minutes from El Rodadero
Best for: express plans, families, and anyone visiting the El Rodadero aquarium, which sits in this same cove
What you'll find: a small bay with calm water, a semi-private feel and local seafood restaurants
Tour price: from $32,000 COP per person round-trip on a shared boat (subject to season)

Which of these beaches near Santa Marta should you choose?

It depends on your trip. This table should settle it:

Beach	Boat time	From (per person)	Best for	Services
Playa Blanca	5–10 min (from El Rodadero)	$32,000 COP	A quick trip	High
Playa Inca Inca	~5 min (from El Rodadero)	$32,000 COP	Express escape	Medium
Bahía Concha	25–35 min	$130,000 COP	Families	High
Playa Cristal	45–60 min	$135,000 COP	The clearest water	Medium
Bahía Cinto	50–60 min	$155,000 COP	Disconnecting	Low
Cabo San Juan	~60 min	$197,000 COP	Photography and adventure	Medium

Recommendations by traveller

Travelling with kids: Bahía Concha or Playa Blanca, for the calm water and full services.
After the perfect photo: Cabo San Juan and its iconic lookout.
Want the clearest water: Playa Cristal, no argument.
Prefer empty beaches: Bahía Cinto.
Only half a day: Playa Blanca or Playa Inca Inca.

How to book your boat tour from Santa Marta

Booking with Fluver is simple and entirely online:

Go to beaches and tours in Santa Marta and pick your destination.
Choose a shared boat (from $32,000 COP per person depending on the destination) or, if you are travelling as a group, check the private boat price on the platform.
Pay in Colombian pesos by PSE or card, with no middlemen and no surcharges.
Get your confirmation on WhatsApp, with the meeting point at the Santa Marta marina.

Every tour runs with DIMAR-certified captains and authorised boats. And if you want to round the day off properly, you can also book a sunset catamaran trip from $80,000 COP per person, or a sailboat from $170,000 COP.

Frequently asked questions

Which beach is closest to Santa Marta by boat?

Playa Blanca and Playa Inca Inca, in the El Rodadero area, are only 5–10 minutes' sailing away. Inside Tayrona National Park, the closest is Bahía Concha, about 25–35 minutes out.

How much does a boat tour to the Santa Marta beaches cost?

Shared boat tours run from $32,000 COP per person (Playa Blanca or Inca Inca) up to $197,000 COP (Cabo San Juan), depending on destination and season. The best part: on tours into Tayrona National Park the park entrance is already in the price. If you would rather have privacy, check the private boat price on the platform.

Where do the boats leave from?

Fluver tours leave from the Santa Marta marina — central, secure and easy to find from any hotel in the city or in El Rodadero.

Can I visit several beaches in one day?

Yes. The standout pairing is the Playa Cristal + Playa Cinto combo, from $170,000 COP per person with the Tayrona entrance included. On a private boat you have complete freedom to plan your own route with the captain.

Your perfect beach is minutes from Santa Marta

The beaches near Santa Marta cover everything: sheltered bays for families, iconic Tayrona postcards and wild corners you can only reach by sea. All you have to do is pick your favourite and book.

Browse every destination and book your boat tour at Fluver: pay online in COP, DIMAR-certified captains, instant confirmation on WhatsApp.