Shell Bay Tour from Santa Marta: Snorkel Bahía Concha and Secluded Beaches
Difficulty
easy
Duration
6–7 hours
Fitness Level
Light fitness—able to walk ~1 km on sandy terrain and enter/exit a small boat unaided.
Overview
A half-day escape from Santa Marta that pairs a short coastal hike with a calm boat ride to crystalline snorkeling waters at Bahía Concha. Perfect for swimmers, families and first-time snorkelers looking to sample the Tayrona coastline.
Shell Bay Tour from Santa Marta: Snorkel Bahía Concha and Secluded Beaches
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The van pulls away from Santa Marta before the city heat becomes relentless. Within thirty minutes the urban grid softens into coastal scrub and palms; the road bends toward a small parking lot marked only by a wooden sign and a handful of vendors selling fresh coconut water. From here the ocean is a low blue promise. A twenty-minute walk over a flat, sandy path brings you to Bahía Concha’s white fringe, and a short ten-minute boat slides you across a calm channel to a quieter spit of sand where the water is clear enough to read the bottom.
Adventure Photos
Adventure Tips
Use reef-safe sunscreen
Apply biodegradable sunscreen before you arrive to protect coral and avoid oily residue on your mask; reapply with a towel after snorkeling.
Bring water shoes
The path and some shoreline approach can be rocky or shelly—water shoes protect your feet and make snorkel exits easier.
Morning is calmer for snorkeling
Book early pickup to take advantage of smoother seas and clearer visibility for coral and fish.
Don’t touch the reef
Fins and hands can damage corals and stress wildlife—observe from a distance and avoid kneeling on the bottom.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- tropical reef fish (parrotfish, angelfish)
- frigatebirds and brown pelicans hunting offshore
History
The coastline near Bahía Concha is part of the cultural landscape of the Tairona people; archaeological sites higher into the Sierra Nevada speak to a long coastal-human relationship.
Conservation
Tayrona and adjacent coastal areas limit development and regulate access to protect reefs and nesting areas—use of reef-safe products and no-contact snorkeling supports these efforts.
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Adventure Hotspots in Santa Marta
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Gear
Reef-safe sunscreen
Protects your skin and nearby corals—apply before arrival.
Mask and snorkel (personal)
A well-fitted mask improves comfort and visibility compared with rental gear.
Water shoes
Protects feet on rocky approaches and provides traction on slippery boat ramps.
summer specific
Dry bag (10L)
Keeps phone, wallet and towel dry during boat transfers.