Premium sunset pirate adventure
A two-hour pirate-ship cruise in Cartagena Bay with a cannon show, pirate props, unlimited refills of cocktails and soft drinks, music in English and Spanish, and a treasure hunt for children.
See sailings ↗The story behind the ship
Why a pirate ship belongs in Cartagena
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A port the silver fleets called at
Cartagena was one of the great ports of the Spanish West Indies. The Tierra Firme fleet, the galleons, sailed here to load South American goods, above all silver from Potosí, before both fleets met at Havana for the voyage home. A harbour that rich was a target for pirates and corsairs.
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Raids from 1544 to 1586
French pirates pillaged the city in 1544, while it still had no walls, and struck again in 1569. In April 1586 Francis Drake arrived with 23 ships and 3,000 men, burned 200 houses and the cathedral, and left after a ransom was paid a month later.
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Walls, forts and a guarded bay
Spain commissioned the engineer Bautista Antonelli in 1586 to plan the defence of its Caribbean ports, and defensive fortifications were built that same year. UNESCO describes them as the most extensive system of military fortifications in South America. The pirate ship sails in the bay they were built to guard.
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A light evening with a heavy backdrop
The cruise itself is a party: a cannon show, pirate props for photos, cocktails and a treasure hunt for children. The history stays in the background, and it is real. A city that spent about two hundred years building its defences is a fitting place for a pirate ship and a cannon.
From the pier to the cannon
The evening in six scenes
A pirate sunset cruise follows a simple arc: you board at the pier, sail out into the bay, drink while the light turns, watch the cannon and head back after dark. Here are the six scenes in order, each with the ticket's own details.
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At the pier
Find the ship at the Pegasus Pier
The meeting point is the Pegasus Pier, also called the Wood Dock, where you look for La Fantástica, the pirate ship. If anything goes wrong, the ticket says to message the local partner by text or WhatsApp on the number printed on your voucher.
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Casting off
Out into Cartagena Bay
The ship leaves the pier and cruises the bay for about two hours in all, with the old city and the modern skyline on show. It returns to the place where it started.
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The landmarks
Forts, a statue and two skylines
The ticket names three landmarks on the route: the fort of San Sebastián del Pastelillo, the Virgen del Carmen and the fort of Santa Cruz. The skyline you sail past mixes the old city with the modern towers.
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Golden hour
Pirate cocktails and the sunset
The ticket lists unlimited refills of pirate-themed cocktails, made with aged rum or vodka, and of fruit punch, coconut lemonade, orange juice and Coke Zero for anyone who prefers no alcohol. The colour of the sunset depends on the sky that evening.
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The cannon
The pirate cannon show
The crew stages a pirate cannon show, and the ticket adds pirate props so that everyone can pose for photos. Music in English and Spanish plays through the evening.
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Young pirates
A treasure hunt for children
Children can join an interactive treasure hunt, following clues and completing challenges aboard the ship, while the adults sit back with a drink.
The order and length of each scene change with the crew, the weather and the night, so use this as a map of the evening and not as a timetable. The booking calendar and your confirmation show the starting time.
On board
What is on board
Most of what the ticket offers is part of the one booking, so there is little to choose between once you have picked a date. This is what you get on the ship.
- Drinks
- Pirate-themed cocktails, fruit punch, coconut lemonade and orange juice, with unlimited refills. Alcohol-free options are available throughout the cruise.
- Music
- Music in English and Spanish plays on board, a varied mix that keeps the deck lively through the sunset and the cannon show.
- Photos and props
- The ticket includes pirate props for photos, and a cannon show that makes a natural backdrop for them.
- A souvenir cup
- Souvenir cups are on the ticket, a small keepsake from the evening.
The bay and the walls
Cartagena from the water, and the walls behind it
Pirate-style tour ships at their moorings, a fort at sunset, the skyline across the bay, San Felipe de Barajas castle, the Clock Gate and the winged horses of the Pegasus Pier at night.
Cruises to compare
Three Cartagena Bay evening cruises to compare
| Cruise | What it offers | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Premium sunset pirate adventure | A two-hour pirate-ship cruise in Cartagena Bay with a cannon show, pirate props, unlimited refills of cocktails and soft drinks, music in English and Spanish, and a treasure hunt for children. | Families, friends and couples who want a themed evening with the drinks included. |
| Two-hour sunset cruise on a yacht | A two-hour sunset sail from the Bodeguita dock, with a drink and an appetizer, while the skyline lights up. | A calmer, quieter sunset on the water without a show. |
| Bay cruise with dinner and wine | A two-hour yacht cruise around the bay with a three- or four-course meal. The ticket notes that it runs from Wednesday to Sunday. | A sit-down dinner with the lit-up old city on the way back. |
Evening cruises on Cartagena Bay
Book a Cartagena evening cruise
The first card opens the pirate sunset cruise this guide describes. The second is a calmer sunset sail on a yacht, and the third is a sit-down dinner cruise. Other things to do in the city follow below.
Two-hour sunset cruise on a yacht
A two-hour sunset sail from the Bodeguita dock, with a drink and an appetizer, while the skyline lights up.
See sailings ↗Bay cruise with dinner and wine
A two-hour yacht cruise around the bay with a three- or four-course meal. The ticket notes that it runs from Wednesday to Sunday.
See sailings ↗More to do in Cartagena
Before you sail
Before you sail
Find the pier
The meeting point is the Pegasus Pier, the Wood Dock, where you look for La Fantástica. If you cannot find it, message the local partner by text or WhatsApp on the number printed on your voucher.
Pick the sailing
The booking calendar shows the starting times for each date. Check it before you plan dinner or a walk in the old city.
Wear flat shoes
High-heeled shoes are not allowed on board. Cartagena is hot and windy, so pick clothes and a hat that stay put on deck.
Travel light
Oversize luggage, glass objects, pets (assistance dogs are allowed) and mobility scooters are not allowed on board.
Bring the children
The treasure hunt is made for them. Unaccompanied minors are not allowed, so a child sails with an adult.
Weather
The ticket guarantees a full refund for critical weather changes. The sailing itinerary can also change, so treat the route as a plan and not a promise.
Pirates, forts and the evening itself: guides
Pirates, forts and the evening itself: guides
Which cruise to book Cartagena pirate ship: which to book
How to choose a Cartagena pirate ship cruise: what the evening is, what the ticket includes, how it differs from a yacht sunset sail and who it suits.
Read the guide →
The practical guide Cartagena sunset cruise: the basics
Practical notes for a Cartagena sunset pirate cruise: the pier, what to wear and leave behind, the weather, the bay and the landmarks the ship names.
Read the guide →FAQ
Questions before you set sail
How long is the pirate cruise?
Two hours. The booking calendar shows the starting times for each date.
What is included?
Pirate-themed cocktails, fruit punch, coconut lemonade and orange juice with unlimited refills, a cannon show, pirate props for photos, music in English and Spanish, a souvenir cup and a treasure hunt for children.
Can I drink without alcohol?
Yes. Alcohol-free drinks are available throughout the cruise, including fruit punch, coconut lemonade, orange juice and Coke Zero.
Is it suitable for children?
Yes. Children can join an interactive treasure hunt aboard. Unaccompanied minors are not allowed, so children sail with an adult.
Where does the ship leave from?
From the Pegasus Pier, also called the Wood Dock. Look for La Fantástica. If you cannot find it, message the local partner on the number printed on your voucher.
What can I not bring on board?
High-heeled shoes, oversize luggage, glass objects, pets other than assistance dogs, mobility scooters, fishing gear, explosive substances and anything for making fire are not allowed.
What happens if the weather turns?
The ticket guarantees a full refund for critical weather changes. The itinerary can also change on the day.
Is this the operator's own site?
No. This site is written by an independent guide and owns no ship. Its booking buttons lead to GetYourGuide, where you pay and where any cancellation is handled.
A pirate ship, a cannon show and the sun going down over Cartagena Bay.
Book the pirate ship ↗Prices are per adult, quoted in US dollars here.