Our Tour And Crew – Alessandra the Pirates of San Blas

Our Tour

Sailing through the San Blas Islands from Panama to Colombia and vice-versa with the Alessandra, You will experience the adventure of a lifetime and the legends of the classic sailboats.

Enjoy this unique experience discovering this hidden paradise of the Caribbean sea. Our trip on the Alessandra lasts 5 days and 4 nights, visiting the best parts of the San Blas Islands Archipelago, also called the Guna Yala region.
The price for the trip is 650 USD per person or 700 USD for the New Years special tour. Included are the 3 delicious and daily changing meals per day, breakfast, lunch and dinner and fruits, coffee, tea, and drinking water can always be taken. Of course included is the accommodation for the nights at sea. As room types on the boat, there are double beds and single beds in three shared cabins. Snorkeling gear and fishing equipment are also available for free.
To ensure our all safety, the boat is equipped with all the safety gear required by the Colombian Port Authorities for international travel and passenger transportation: life jackets, emergency life raft, VHF radio, navigation devices, GPS spot device and SAT line.

New route – more San Blas, les seasickness

Since January 2023, we changed our route to a safer one. Now we have more time to spend at the islands while being less time in the open sea, where a lot of people get seasick.
A sailing trip to Cartagena means 35 to 40 hours in the open sea at the end of the tour and no one can enjoy the tour between these big waves.
With that change, by having the same travel time, we have four days on the islands with the new tour in contrast to three days during the old tour. This makes it possible to explore more islands, one or two indigenous communities of the kunas and relax.
We are closer to the coast and avoid most of the high waves, so everybody can enjoy every part of our pirate life.

From Panama

We pick you up in Panama City with a shuttle and bring you to the port of San Blas, from there a small boat brings you to the island where captain Rudi welcomes you on board of the Alessandra for the tour. Transportation costs from Panama City to the boat are 60 USD per person and is not included in the tour price.

From Colombia

We depart from Cartagena in the evening with a private night Bus. Arrived in Necoclí, at 7 am we will go on board of a catamaran for up to 60 people that brings us to Capurganá. In Capurganá we will organize your emigration of Colombia.
From here, we only need about 15 minutes in a small boat to reach the Alessandra in Sapzurro and start our 5 day sailing tour to Panama.
The private transport from Cartagena to Capurganá, is included in the tour price.

Our Food

The boat is famous for its tasty food, we prepare Italian Pasta and Risotto with vegetables and fresh fish. Lobster, Crab, Cambombia, Octopus, Tuna, Snapper, Sierra, Bream, Wahoo, Sailfish and more. We are also able to accommodate any kind of diet (vegetarian, vegan, pescetarian).

THESE ARE THE LEADERS OF THIS GREAT ADVENTURE

Our Crew

Rudi Gamberoni

Our Captain

Was born in South Tyrol - Italy, in 1958.

Experience: 40 years in sailing boats.

Hobbies: Sailing, Fishing, Paragliding, Skiing.

Languages: German, Italian, Spanish, English

Yamile Vergara Torres

Captain’s Right Hand

She was born in 1981 in the beautiful country of Colombia.

Experience: 5 years with the captain at sea.

Hobbies: Cooking, Dancing and Music.

Languages: Spanish, Italian.

You will enjoy a unique and unforgettable experience!

Phone: (+57) 312 556 3931

WhatsApp: (+39) 349 7222 439

Email: info@cartagenasailing.com

Restyling Of Alessandra

Rob McLean

01:34 11 Mar 23

Unreal experience on the Alessandra pirate ship sailing from Colombia to Panamá departing 28 Feb 2023. Everything we excellent - the food, the staff, the captain and the untouched islands of San Blas. I would recommend this trip to anyone, it was the highlight of my South & Central America travel.

Darragh Sexton

15:02 01 Mar 23

I can't speak highly enough of this sailing trip.First, the pirate ship is extremely cool, It's beautiful, every person who sees it takes notice, very unique boat. The top deck has 2 main areas for chilling and eating. Then there are a couple more areas at the front and back where a few people can chill out and watch the waves, dolphins etc. The bottom deck has a kitchen, 2 bathrooms, and then 3 cabins for sleeping. The cabins are a little snug on space but then again it's a pirate ship and that's to be expected. They are very comfortable and each bed has a fan.The crew are friendly and helpful. Captain Rudy is a brilliant character. Ask him any question and he will help and has a lot of sailing stories. The chef and food are really good. 3 meals a day, included. Portions are big and second portions available most of the time.The islands are like paradise. Palm trees, Coconuts, white beaches, blue waters. Several of the islands were most abandoned. 17 of us on the boat, excluding the 4/5 crew members, had the islands to enjoy ourselves. I had a great group, everyone really connected well. A mixture of people from the ages of 19 to 50. The majority were probably between 25 h 35 but I guess that changes with each group.You can bring your own snacks and alcohol which is a great idea. Plenty rum.It was windy season when I went so the water was rough but the sailing was well managed. We actually spent an extra day at sea at no extra cost. We were informed of this as soon as we got aboard and we were made aware this was a possibility beforehand.As I said, couldn't speak highly enough, one of most unique and best expierences that I have had 👍

Tobias F

18:01 27 Feb 23

In total the sailing trip is a really nice experience. The San Blas Islands are just beautiful, looking back it was very cool to sleep on a sailing boat for four nights, the food was incredibly good (also the vegetarian/vegan options), the crew was nice and the captain was fun to talk to and tried to give you a nice experience!Luckily we were only five passengers, tbh I’m not sure if I’d have enjoyed the trip with 17 people because it must be really crowded.Don’t underestimate the waves, most people get seasick which is not very nice.The organisation was a bit sloppy, I guess that’s because they are trying a new route and we were among the first ones to try it. I like the idea because it saves you a lot of time on the open sea where you can’t really do anything because the waves are so big. But they might need some more time to figure it out because the bus ride that replaces most of the sailing time on the open sea was extremely uncomfortable and we didn’t get any information by the crew.If they get that right I think this is the best operator for the San Blas sailing trip. Still it was a really good experience!

C. B.

05:23 27 Feb 23

We had the best time with smiling, laughing and dancing. The food was delicious (breakfast, lunch and dinner with fresh fish and salad but also vegeterian/vegan option) and the crew amazing. Really grateful for the memories we've made and the people we 've met. If you ever have the chance - do it. It s an unforgettable trip.

Louise Cederin

17:19 21 Feb 23

I want to begin with saying that this is a one time experience Where you meet a lot of new friends and come very close to each other. My memories from this trip is mostly positive things, but it is also important for me to write the things I did not like.If we begin with the information, it was not good at all, both from Nikki, the guy we booked from but also from the captain during the days. It was though a nice and easy way to book a private room for our group and pay the amount. We had a great and easy conversation with the booker until they wrote 2 days before the trip, that they would make the trip shorter. We did not want to pay as much then, and he did not solve it good or excused himself or anything.We decided to go anyway and pay the full amount. While on the most beautiful boat Alessandra, my groups reserved room was not reserved. I had to share one small bed with four people. And it was total ten people in the room with 4 beds. That was also cozy but we thought we’d reserved a room as he said to us.The captain did not made the best first impression, though he gold us with a angry tone at us all to leave our passports, pay, and then up on deck for information etc. we did not feel super safe with him and he also told some of the passengers about the young and beautiful girls that you can buy in Cartagena. He gave us a fast information in the beginning but it could have been so much clearer and if we asked about the plans, the angry tone was there again. The rest of the staff was really nice, worked so hard and the food was amazing. Three big meals every day with fresh fish and good salad.The islands, people on the islands and the beautiful water was one of the best experience in my life. Also the bonfire and hammocks we slept in during the night. I am sure that the boat trips seems different every time because of the weather, people onboard etc, but one thing to remember is, that the weather can get crazy. We where soo sick on the sea, and that was why I really liked staring with the San Blas and make the trip on open water shorter. Because of the weather, our trip was longer in the end, so we got “lucky” and waited for the better weather around the islands for a few days. One other thing to think of is, that on our boat, it was a lot of party on 4 out of 5 nights. Loud music, dancing and lack of sleep, which was also fun for most of the people on board. It was still a very romantic trip if you want to go as a couple, but bring earplugs if you do not like to party.Overall. A great experience with amazing people that we met on the boat. The captain could maybe have made us feel a bit more welcomed maybe. The chef was amazing and she made big portions to us all. Bring snacks and sea sickness pills. San Blas where amazingly I am really happy that we did not have to go on open water with the sailing boat for a longer time then we did. This is a one time experience on a very beautiful and charming boat.

Sam Clark

23:10 30 Sep 22

We had such an amazing time sailing on Alessandra through the San blas islands. Fresh lobsters for lunch, volleyball with the locals on the most beautiful islands in the world, snorkeling through beautiful reefs, drinking rum straight from fresh coconuts, playing backgammon on deck, lying in the hammocks reading books- a must do trip for all.

Alexander Stoewahs

22:59 31 Jul 22

There is nothing else you can do than giving out 5 stars for Rudy and his crew. We had an amazing experience sailing from Panama to Colombia, stopping at a different island of san blas every day. If you like seafood, you will love this trip as they will buy fresh catches from the kuna people every day, if not it's not a problem as they also provide vegetarian options.The trip really provides a feeling of being in paradise for a couple of days!But get prepared for seasickness (patches, pills, wristbands), the 40 hours of open sea can get rough.

Marina Schröder

21:56 31 Jul 22

What an amazing experience it was! The whole trip was stunning. Felt like a dream. Hopping from island to island with good food and a nice crew. Especially I liked that we were free to do whatever we want at all time.If you are not complicated with sleeping or picky with food, its great.If you are getting seasick quick, bring pills the sea can get rough!

Kimberly Van Spaendonk

02:35 12 Jul 22

I just finished the crossing from Panama to Colombia (via San Blas) with the sailing boat Alessandra. And in one word the trip was amazing! It’s a bit to miss when traveling from Central to South America.The first 3 days we sailed between the San Blas Islands. During the day we visited islands, snorkeled, swam… 3 very nice and chill days. It’s nice to go visit some Kuna on the islands and just enjoy the blue waters of San Blas.The next 2 days we crossed the sea to go to Colombia. It’s 36 hours of sailing and chilling on the boat! A nice experience to have once in your life.The crew and captain, Yamile, Rudy and Carlos, were nice and the food they cooked was the best! With freshly fished lobster, octopus, fish,… they always cooked varied and very nice food.

Pauline Courbon

17:44 11 Jul 22

We spent 5 days on the Alessandra boat with captain Rudy, Yamila and Carlos. It was an incredible experience ! We went to 4 islands on San Blas, then sailed to Cartagena. The crew was very nice and helping and the boat is AMAZING : we had hammocks, couchs, comfortable space to eat, snorkeling equipment, ... Best way to cross a border !!!

Timo Lederer

20:30 06 Apr 22

This is a must do for everyone who is open for new experiences and an amazing time. We spent 5 days on Alessandra with captain Rudi, who did an amazing job with its crew to satisfy all our needs at any time. If it was snorkeling, fishing our own fish, climbing the mast or anything else, he made it happen. The food was sooo tasty, enough for everyone and very diverse, from Lobster all you can eat over ceviche, grilled fish up to pasta or salads and risottos on sea days. We saw sting rays, turtles and many many dolphins. We visited two islands, one for lobster eating and volleyball, one for bonfire and fish bbq.This was definitely one of the best experiences on all my trip around Central and South America on this phenomenal wodden pirate ship. Just keep in mind, that sea sickness is a thing during the 1,5 days on sea, that you might need to share beds with other people and bring enough snacks and alcohol, because there is basically no chance to buy anything. But just be open minded, respectful and enjoy this amazing trip.THANKS Rudi, Jamila & CarlosKisses and hugs to Alessandra