Cartagena: Makani Luxury Beach Club Day Pass

Makani Luxury Beach Club gives you a polished island day without sending you far from Cartagena. You take a boat from Bocagrande to Tierra Bomba, settle beside the pool, and spend several hours with food, drinks, music, and sun close at hand.

I like the easy round-trip boat transfer and the fact that the basic pass includes the pool, Kai Zone, welcome drink, and Wi-Fi. I also like the choice of upgrades, especially if you want a reserved daybed or a private jacuzzi instead of a standard pool day.

The main catch is simple: this is more of a pool and beach-club outing than a sea-swimming day. The shore may not satisfy you if your goal is to swim in clear open water, and the return boat can be bumpy.

Key points before you book

• A short island escape: Reach Tierra Bomba by boat from the back of Bocagrande Hospital.
• Three departure choices: Choose a morning boat at 9, 10, or 11 am, with return times listed between 4 and 6 pm.
• The basic pass is pool-focused: Kai Zone, pool access, a nonalcoholic welcome drink, Wi-Fi, and transport are included.
• Five paid upgrades: Add the Mahalo Pool, Ohana Daybeds, Luau Lounge, Makai Viewpoint, or Maha Jacuzzi.
• Good for a relaxed occasion: Makani lists yoga, dance, fitness, tantra, romantic dinners, birthdays, anniversaries, and barbecues among its offerings.
• Plan for club rules: Bring biodegradable sunscreen and beachwear, but leave pets, outside food, drinks, alcohol, and drugs behind.

From Bocagrande to Tierra Bomba by boat

Your day begins at the back of Bocagrande Hospital, where a person from the beach club will meet you. This is an important detail because the meeting point is not described as a hotel lobby or a general marina entrance. Give yourself enough time to reach that spot without rushing.

Makani offers three departure schedules:

• 9 am to the island, with a listed return at 4 pm
• 10 am to the island, with a listed return at 5 pm
• 11 am to the island, with a listed return at 6 pm

Another part of the booking information describes the day-pass windows as 9 am to 3 pm, 10 am to 4 pm, and 11 am to 5 pm. Since those times do not match perfectly, contact Makani after booking and confirm your exact boat and return time. That small bit of planning can prevent a long wait at the end of the day.

The boat ride is part of the appeal. You leave the city behind and reach one of Tierra Bomba Island’s shores within a short ride from Cartagena. The return crossing may be choppy, so I would keep your phone and camera in a dry bag or another secure place. If you are prone to motion sickness, prepare for the ride rather than treating it as a calm ferry trip.

The transfer is useful from a value point of view. You do not need to arrange a separate taxi, ferry, or private boat connection to the club. It also keeps the day simple: arrive at the meeting point, board the boat, and return to the same general location after your pool time.

What the COP 272,000 day pass buys you

The listed adult price is COP 272,000 per person, also shown as about $69. Children ages 4 to 11 are listed at COP 189,000. The price covers:

• Round-trip maritime transport between Bocagrande and the island
• Entry to the Kai Zone
• Pool access
• A nonalcoholic welcome drink
• Free Wi-Fi

That is a reasonable package if you want an organized island day and plan to use the pool for several hours. The value is less clear if you mainly want a natural beach, open-water swimming, or a quiet shore with no club setting. In that case, you are paying for the facilities and transport, not simply for access to Tierra Bomba.

The included welcome drink is nonalcoholic, which suits families and people who want to stay clear-headed in the heat. Alcohol is not allowed in the vehicle, and the rules also prohibit outside food and beverages. Plan to buy what you need at the club rather than packing a cooler.

The basic pass does not include the premium seating areas or spa services. Those extras can change the cost quickly, so decide in advance how much comfort and privacy matter to you.

The Kai Zone and pool-centered day

The Kai Zone is the heart of the standard day pass. You can expect a club setting built around pool time, lounging, food, and drinks rather than a structured sightseeing program.

One useful point is that the pool gives you a dependable place to cool off. Sea conditions and shoreline quality can vary, but a pool provides a more controlled option for swimming and relaxing. This is also why the outing can work well for a mixed group, with some people in the water and others resting nearby.

The trade-off is that the beach itself may not be the main event. If you picture long stretches of soft sand and a full day of swimming in the sea, adjust your expectations. The experience is best understood as a luxury pool club on an island, not as a traditional beach excursion.

Food and drinks are available at the club, though the provided details do not specify a fixed meal, a food credit, or a particular menu. That means you should not assume lunch is included in the COP 272,000 price. You may want to check current dining costs before you go, especially if you are booking one of the higher-priced upgrades.

Free Wi-Fi is another practical touch. It lets you stay in contact with your hotel, arrange plans in Cartagena, or share a few photos without relying entirely on mobile data. Still, this is a day for sun and water, so bring a secure place for your phone.

Premium spaces and their very different prices

Makani offers five upgrades. Each has a different purpose, and the extra charges are substantial compared with the basic pass.

Mahalo Pool

The Mahalo Pool upgrade costs COP 280,000 per person and allows a maximum of two people. This is close to the price of the standard pass, so it can nearly double your day’s cost. It may appeal to a couple who wants a more defined pool setting, but confirm exactly what the upgrade includes before paying.

Ohana Daybeds

Ohana Daybeds cost COP 650,000 per person, with a maximum of four people. This is aimed at a small group that wants a dedicated place to rest during the day. For four people, the extra charge becomes a major part of the budget, so compare it with simply using the standard seating included with the day pass.

Luau Lounge

The Luau Lounge costs COP 550,000 per person and permits up to 10 people. This could suit a larger birthday, anniversary, or group gathering, especially if having one shared area matters more than keeping the price low. The capacity makes it the most group-oriented option of the five.

Makai Viewpoint

The Makai Viewpoint is COP 850,000 per person, with a maximum of 12 people. It is the most expensive upgrade listed. The name suggests a designated outlook, but the information provided does not promise a particular view, table setup, food package, or private service, so ask for those details before committing.

Maha Jacuzzi

The Maha Jacuzzi costs COP 750,000 per person and allows up to eight people. This is the clearest choice for a special occasion centered on soaking and lounging. As with the other upgrades, confirm whether the price is charged per person in your group and what time period the reservation covers.

These upgrades are not small add-ons. For many people, the standard pass will offer the better balance. I would reserve a premium area only when you have a clear reason, such as a birthday, anniversary, romantic day, or a group that needs a shared base.

Activities beyond lounging

Makani lists yoga, dance, fitness classes, and tantra among its possible activities. It also promotes romantic dinners, birthdays, anniversaries, and barbecues.

The key word is possible. The day-pass information does not provide a class timetable or say that every activity runs on every date. Contact the club before booking if yoga or a fitness class is the main reason you want to go.

These options broaden the use of the venue. A couple might build a special day around dinner or the jacuzzi. A family could focus on the pool and food. A group celebrating an event might find the lounge or daybed setup more useful than a simple open seating area.

Still, do not book this as a guided cultural tour or a sightseeing cruise. The destination is the club itself, and the rhythm is intentionally slow: boat, pool, food, drinks, and return.

Who will enjoy Makani most

I would recommend this outing to you if you want a convenient change of scene from Cartagena and prefer organized comfort over a completely natural beach day. It works especially well for couples, families, and small groups who want a pool, food service, and a set return arrangement.

It can also suit a birthday or anniversary, particularly if you are ready to pay for a dedicated lounge, daybed, jacuzzi, or viewpoint. The listed activities and special-event options give the venue more flexibility than a basic pool club.

Families should note that this is not an adults-only setting. Children are allowed, with a child price for ages 4 to 11, so the atmosphere may include people of many ages. If you want a quiet adult retreat, ask about the expected atmosphere on your date before booking.

I would be more cautious if you are over 70, since the activity is listed as unsuitable for people over that age. The boat transfer and island setting may also be less comfortable for anyone who has trouble with boat motion, steps, heat, or pool access.

What to pack, and what to leave behind

Bring comfortable shoes for getting to and from the boat, beachwear, a change of clothes, a camera, biodegradable sunscreen, and biodegradable insect repellent. The change of clothes is useful after swimming and before the boat ride back.

Keep valuables to a minimum. You will be moving between Cartagena, a boat, and a pool area, so a small waterproof pouch is more useful than a large day bag.

The club is smoke-free. Pets are not allowed, and outside food and drinks are prohibited. Alcohol and drugs are also prohibited, including alcoholic drinks in the vehicle. These rules are clear, so plan to buy meals and drinks at Makani and leave restricted items at your accommodation.

Free Wi-Fi is included, but do not count on a completely dry environment for electronics. A waterproof phone case remains a sensible precaution, especially on the return boat.

Booking, cancellation, and practical details

The experience is valid for one day, and the host or greeter can communicate in English or Spanish. You can reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Cartagena schedule is still taking shape.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. That policy is useful in a coastal setting, where weather and boat conditions can affect comfort, but it does not remove the need to confirm your time slot.

After booking, contact Makani using the emergency phone number provided: +57 318 335 6186. Use that contact to confirm the meeting point, boat departure, return time, and any upgrade details. The official meeting point is at the back of Bocagrande Hospital, and the activity ends back there.

The provider lists English and Spanish support, which makes the day easier for international visitors who need help with transport or seating arrangements. You should still keep your booking information available on your phone.

Is the Makani day pass worth it?

Book Makani if you want a simple island escape with round-trip boat transport, a pool, and club services close to Cartagena. The pass is particularly useful when you value convenience and want a day that requires little planning after you reach the meeting point.

Skip it if your priority is open-water swimming, an untouched shore, or a low-cost beach day. The experience is pool-centered, premium upgrades can become expensive, and the boat may be bumpy on the return.

For most people, I would start with the standard pass and add an upgrade only for a specific celebration. Confirm the confusing time details before paying, pack for sun and spray, and treat Makani as a polished pool day on Tierra Bomba rather than a classic sea-and-sand excursion.

FAQ

Where does the Makani beach club boat leave from?

The meeting point is at the back of Bocagrande Hospital in Cartagena. A person from the hotel will wait there for the departure.

What does the basic day pass include?

It includes access to the Kai Zone, maritime transportation from Bocagrande to Tierra Bomba and back, pool access, a nonalcoholic welcome drink, and free Wi-Fi.

How much does the Makani day pass cost?

The listed price is COP 272,000 per adult, also shown as about $69. Children ages 4 to 11 are listed at COP 189,000.

What departure times are available?

The listed departure choices are 9 am, 10 am, and 11 am. The stated return times are 4 pm, 5 pm, and 6 pm, respectively. Another section lists day-pass windows ending one hour earlier, so confirm your exact schedule with Makani after booking.

Are the premium areas included?

No. The Mahalo Pool, Ohana Daybeds, Luau Lounge, Makai Viewpoint, and Maha Jacuzzi each require an additional payment.

Can I bring food, drinks, or pets?

No. Outside food and beverages are not allowed, pets are not allowed, and alcohol and drugs are prohibited. Alcoholic drinks are also not allowed in the vehicle.

Is Makani suitable for children?

Children ages 4 to 11 have a listed child price of COP 189,000. The venue is not adults-only.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.