Santa Marta2 tours

Santa Marta Aquarium

The Santa Marta Aquarium sits in a cove near El Rodadero with no road access: you arrive by boat, on a short ride that is already part of the outing. Inside there is a sea museum, a tunnel and a dolphin show, and right next to it is Playa Blanca, where almost everyone spends the rest of the day.

How to get there

By sea only. The aquarium is on the other side of the El Rodadero cove and has no road access: you get there by boat from the El Rodadero pier, on a ride of just a few minutes.

The day trips we run include that round-trip boat transfer, and most of them pick you up at a meeting point agreed when you book.

What you'll see inside

Dolphin show, watched from the stands
Sea Museum and Tayrona Museum
Aquarium tunnel
Pools with turtles, sharks and Caribbean marine life

The visit takes about an hour. Dolphin interaction (swimming with them) is not included in the plans and is paid separately at the aquarium, when available.

Schedule

Departures are in the morning —between 8:00 and 9:00 a.m., depending on the plan— because the dolphin show and guided tours happen early.

You choose your return: there are boats at 1:30 p.m., 3:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. If you only want the aquarium, you can head back as soon as the visit ends.

How children pay

It depends on the plan, because child rates are set by the aquarium and vary by height or age:

On the aquarium day trip with Playa Blanca: children taller than 80 cm pay COP 8,000 insurance and a COP 60,000 entrance; children shorter than 80 cm pay only the boat insurance (COP 8,000) and COP 10,000 for the aquarium insurance.
On the aquarium + Playa Blanca plan with lunch: children aged 3 and 4 pay a COP 55,000 entrance plus COP 5,000 insurance; from age 5 they pay the same as an adult.

Please confirm the exact rate when booking: the aquarium updates it by season.

Playa Blanca, right next door

Playa Blanca is a few minutes away on the same boat, and it is the reason this outing becomes a full day: calm water, restaurants and chairs for rent.

You may bring food, as long as it is not in glass containers or Styrofoam coolers. Sun loungers and drinks are paid for there.

What to bring

Swimsuit, towel and a change of dry clothes
Sunscreen
Cash for drinks, souvenirs or chair rental
ID or passport

Frequently asked questions

Can you reach the aquarium by land?

No. The only access is by boat from the El Rodadero pier; the boat transfer is included in the plans.

How long does the aquarium visit take?

About an hour. Afterwards you can head back or spend the rest of the day at Playa Blanca.

Can I swim with the dolphins?

Dolphin interaction is not included in the plans. The show is watched from the stands.

Is lunch included?

It depends on the plan: in one it can be added for COP 35,000, and in the other a typical lunch is already included.

Do I need to book in advance?

Yes. Boat spots are limited and in high season they sell out days ahead.

Go with us

These are the tours we run to Santa Marta Aquarium. Prices come live from our catalog, in Colombian pesos (COP) per adult. Tour pages are in Spanish; write to us on WhatsApp for anything you need.

7 hfrom $ 135.000