Sail to Tayrona: Bahia Concha Day Trip from Santa Marta on the Sonata

Santa Marta•moderate

Difficulty

moderate

Duration

6–7 hours

Fitness Level

Suitable for people with basic fitness who can swim short distances; expect some standing and movement on a moving deck.

Overview

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.

Sail to Tayrona: Bahia Concha Day Trip from Santa Marta on the Sonata

Brewery

Other

Sailing

Select participants and date

Date

Thu, Oct 30

Travelers

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.

Adventure Photos

Sail to Tayrona: Bahia Concha Day Trip from Santa Marta on the Sonata photo 1

Adventure Tips

Arrive early and check in at the charter dock

The operator departs promptly—arrive by 9:30 am and ask for ‘Sonata’ at the gate; the boat cannot wait past 9:50 am.

Use reef-safe sunscreen

Apply sunscreen before boarding to protect coral and reduce reapplication while in the water.

Prepare for variable sea conditions

Take motion-sickness medication beforehand if you’re prone to seasickness—wind and chop can make the trip rougher than expected.

Respect designated swim/snorkel zones

Stay within marked areas to avoid damaging reefs and to comply with park rules enforced by maritime authorities.

Local Insights

Wildlife

Bottlenose dolphins
Tropical seabirds (frigatebirds and pelicans)

History

The coastal slopes are part of the ancestral territory of indigenous Tairona communities; archaeological terraces and sacred sites lie inland from the beaches.

Conservation

Tayrona enforces seasonal closures and designated swim zones to protect reefs and cultural sites—follow crew instructions and avoid single-use plastics.