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Spend a day on Sonata sailing from Santa Marta to Bahia Concha in Tayrona National Park. Swim, SUP and snorkel in protected coves, enjoy a grilled-fish lunch onboard, and watch the Sierra Nevada drop into the Caribbean.
Spend a day on Sonata sailing from Santa Marta to Bahia Concha in Tayrona National Park. Swim, SUP and snorkel in protected coves, enjoy a grilled-fish lunch onboard, and watch the Sierra Nevada drop into the Caribbean.
The hull of Sonata hums as the marina slides away, restaurants and spinner dolphins shrinking into a strip of color. Salt presses against your skin and the Sierra Nevada’s shoulders rise, raw and granite, toward cloud. By the time the cutter-ketch turns its bows toward Tayrona, the city is a low hum and the ocean is the day’s focus: blue, quick, and demanding. Onboard, the rhythm is efficient—crew briefing, lines hauled, motor tacks into a wind that will decide how much we actually sail.
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Nicolas Giraldo · Santa Marta, Magdalena
The hull of Sonata hums as the marina slides away, restaurants and spinner dolphins shrinking into a strip of color. Salt presses against your skin and the Sierra Nevada’s shoulders rise, raw and granite, toward cloud. By the time the cutter-ketch turns its bows toward Tayrona, the city is a low hum and the ocean is the day’s focus: blue, quick, and demanding. Onboard, the rhythm is efficient—crew briefing, lines hauled, motor tacks into a wind that will decide how much we actually sail.
Tayrona National Natural Park occupies a steep seam where Colombia’s highest coastal range meets the Caribbean. The shoreline here bears the imprint of tectonic lift and river-fed erosion: beaches hemmed by boulders and rainforest that falls abruptly to sand. Human history is older than the park. Indigenous Tayrona communities once cultivated these slopes and left stone terraces in the hinterland; today the park protects both ecosystems and archaeological sites, which is why access and zones are tightly controlled.
The itinerary is straightforward and practical. Sonata, a 58-foot cutter-rigged ketch with auxiliary dinghy, motors upwind past Taganga and Playa Grande, skirting Aguja Island, then anchors at Bahia Concha. From there you choose: a short dinghy hop to a broad, palm-backed beach; a swim from the swim ladder; or boarding a SUP to explore the sheltered cove. Snorkelers find pockets of coral and small reef fish among rocky outcrops; keep paddling in the shallow stretches and you’ll often see rays or the quick flash of a juvenile barracuda.
Lunch is simple—grilled fish, rice, salad and plantain—served onboard about an hour after arrival, with one beer included. The operator emphasizes safety and conservation: water activities are allowed only in designated areas to protect reefs and swimmers. Note the strict meeting rules at Marina Internacional de Santa Marta—arrive by 9:30 a.m.; the boat cannot wait past 9:50 a.m.
Practical tips: check park closure dates (Feb 1–15, Jun 1–15, Oct 19–Nov 2) as the operator will reroute to nearby bays when Tayrona access is restricted. Weather and maritime authority notices can change plans; refunds are limited by those regulations. Bring reef-safe sunscreen, a snorkel mask if you prefer a personal fit, and a light dry bag for phone and towels. If you’re prone to seasickness, take medication before boarding—the ride can be choppy upwind. The trip is an achievable day adventure: six to seven hours from marina to marina, with ample time to swim, paddle, and read the coastline where rainforest still pushes to meet the sea.
moderate.
6–7 hours.
Suitable for people with basic fitness who can swim short distances; expect some standing and movement on a moving deck.
Meet at Marina Internacional de Santa Marta at 9:30 am at the charter dock; ask for Boat Sonata—boarding closes at 9:50 am.
Lunch (grilled fish with rice, salad and plantains), bottled water and one beer are included; additional drinks available for purchase.
If park access is restricted by authorities the boat will visit nearby bays instead; no refund is given for partial route changes unless all navigation is restricted.
Yes—snorkel and SUP are included, but many travelers bring their own mask for comfort.
Yes, Sonata has onboard restroom facilities for the day trip.
The trip is family-friendly but involves boarding a dinghy and moving on a rocking deck; it's not recommended for people with significant spinal or mobility limitations.
The coastal slopes are part of the ancestral territory of indigenous Tairona communities; archaeological terraces and sacred sites lie inland from the beaches.
Tayrona enforces seasonal closures and designated swim zones to protect reefs and cultural sites—follow crew instructions and avoid single-use plastics.
Nicolas Giraldo operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.
The hull of Sonata hums as the marina slides away, restaurants and spinner dolphins shrinking into a strip of color. Salt presses against your skin and the Sierra Nevada’s shoulders rise, raw and granite, toward cloud. By the time the cutter-ketch turns its bows toward Tayrona, the city is a low hum and the ocean is the day’s focus: blue, quick, and demanding. Onboard, the rhythm is efficient—crew briefing, lines hauled, motor tacks into a wind that will decide how much we actually sail.
The hull of Sonata hums as the marina slides away, restaurants and spinner dolphins shrinking into a strip of color. Salt presses against your skin and the Sierra Nevada’s shoulders rise, raw and granite, toward cloud. By the time the cutter-ketch turns its bows toward Tayrona, the city is a low hum and the ocean is the day’s focus: blue, quick, and demanding. Onboard, the rhythm is efficient—crew briefing, lines hauled, motor tacks into a wind that will decide how much we actually sail.
Tayrona National Natural Park occupies a steep seam where Colombia’s highest coastal range meets the Caribbean. The shoreline here bears the imprint of tectonic lift and river-fed erosion: beaches hemmed by boulders and rainforest that falls abruptly to sand. Human history is older than the park. Indigenous Tayrona communities once cultivated these slopes and left stone terraces in the hinterland; today the park protects both ecosystems and archaeological sites, which is why access and zones are tightly controlled.
The itinerary is straightforward and practical. Sonata, a 58-foot cutter-rigged ketch with auxiliary dinghy, motors upwind past Taganga and Playa Grande, skirting Aguja Island, then anchors at Bahia Concha. From there you choose: a short dinghy hop to a broad, palm-backed beach; a swim from the swim ladder; or boarding a SUP to explore the sheltered cove. Snorkelers find pockets of coral and small reef fish among rocky outcrops; keep paddling in the shallow stretches and you’ll often see rays or the quick flash of a juvenile barracuda.
Lunch is simple—grilled fish, rice, salad and plantain—served onboard about an hour after arrival, with one beer included. The operator emphasizes safety and conservation: water activities are allowed only in designated areas to protect reefs and swimmers. Note the strict meeting rules at Marina Internacional de Santa Marta—arrive by 9:30 a.m.; the boat cannot wait past 9:50 a.m.
Practical tips: check park closure dates (Feb 1–15, Jun 1–15, Oct 19–Nov 2) as the operator will reroute to nearby bays when Tayrona access is restricted. Weather and maritime authority notices can change plans; refunds are limited by those regulations. Bring reef-safe sunscreen, a snorkel mask if you prefer a personal fit, and a light dry bag for phone and towels. If you’re prone to seasickness, take medication before boarding—the ride can be choppy upwind. The trip is an achievable day adventure: six to seven hours from marina to marina, with ample time to swim, paddle, and read the coastline where rainforest still pushes to meet the sea.