All-Inclusive Private Charter to Icacos or Palomino Islands

The best part of this Fajardo charter is simple: your group gets the boat to itself. You choose Icacos or Palomino, stop to snorkel with a guide, then settle near the island for sand, swimming, and a slower pace. Crews such as John, Adriana, Syd, Lolo, and Oscar have earned praise for keeping the mood easy while taking safety seriously.

I like the four-hour format, which gives you a real island break without eating an entire day. I also like the practical extras: sandwiches, fruit, snacks, drinks, snorkeling gear, floating mats, noodles, and even a beach umbrella on some trips. The main thing to consider is that four hours passes quickly, especially if your group wants a long snorkel and plenty of beach time.

What makes this charter worth considering

• Private boat for up to six: You avoid sharing your half-day with a large crowd.
• Two departure times: Choose 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. or 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
• Snorkeling comes with guidance: Equipment is supplied, and crew members can refresh you on how to use it.
• Icacos or Palomino: You can select the island that fits your plans.
• Food and drinks are built in: Expect fruit, ham-and-cheese sandwiches, snacks, water, juice, Pepsi, 7UP, Medalla beer, and rum.
• A flexible family-friendly pace: Groups have been able to stay longer at Icacos when everyone preferred beach time over moving on.

A private boat changes the whole feel

A private charter is not just a smaller version of a public boat trip. It lets your group set the tone. You can ask for music, spend more time swimming, or keep the beach stop relaxed instead of following a large group’s schedule.

That matters most for a family or a group of friends with mixed interests. One person can snorkel, another can float, and someone else can sit with a sandwich and watch the water. The captain still controls the route and safety decisions, but the four-hour outing feels personal rather than fixed.

The boat holds up to six people, so the $750 price works out to $125 per person if you fill every spot. For two people, it is a much bigger spend at $375 each. I see the strongest value for families and small groups that would otherwise pay for several seats on a crowded shared trip and want privacy more than the lowest possible price.

The private format also gives you room to request a crew member you already know from a previous visit, though specific staff availability cannot be guaranteed. Names that appear often in the experience feedback include John or Jon, Adriana, Syd or SydMarie, Lolo, Oscar, Bradley, Angel, Jamil, Justin, and Ale. The actual crew on your date may be different.

Leaving Sunbay Marina in Fajardo

You meet at Sunbay Marina in Parcelas Beltran Barrio, Fajardo, Puerto Rico, and return there at the end. The outing runs in one of two blocks: 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. or 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

The morning departure is the safer pick if you want to keep the rest of the day open. You can snorkel, swim, and still have time for dinner or another Fajardo activity. The afternoon trip may suit you better if you want a relaxed morning, but remember that the boat returns at 5:30 p.m., so it uses most of the afternoon.

The route includes views connected with El Faro de las Cabezas de San Juan and the Reserva Natural Cabezas de San Juan. These names appear in the route details for the Icacos and Palomino options, but the main point of the charter is time on the water, snorkeling, and beach time rather than a land visit to the lighthouse or reserve.

You get a mobile ticket, and confirmation arrives when you book. The meeting point is near public transportation, though no transfer from a hotel is included in the supplied details. Plan to reach the marina on your own.

Snorkeling comes first

The crew takes you to a suitable snorkeling spot based on the island you choose and the day’s conditions. This is a guided snorkel, not simply a pile of masks left on the boat. Crew members have refreshed guests on proper equipment use and guided swimmers around coral areas.

That support is useful if you are rusty, nervous, or introducing a child to snorkeling. One family had a patient crew member help a hesitant nine-year-old feel more at ease. Another group spent about 30 minutes over a reef area and saw many fish, though not every outing produces turtles or other large animals.

Marine sightings are never guaranteed. Past outings have included sea turtles, lobsters, dolphins, and even a manatee, but you should treat those as lucky extras, not promised attractions. The reliable part is the chance to look through clear water with supplied gear and a crew member nearby.

The water portion may be the strongest reason to book this trip, but it is also the part most affected by weather, wind, visibility, and your group’s comfort in the water. If anyone in your party does not snorkel, the private format helps because that person does not have to follow a large group’s schedule.

Icacos: the easy choice for beach time

Cayo Icacos is the option most clearly featured in the trip details and feedback. The pattern is straightforward: stop at a good snorkeling area, then move near Icacos for swimming and beach time.

The island is known here for white sand and clear water, with room to slow down after the active part of the outing. Families have used the floating mat and noodles while adults enjoyed drinks and the shore. Other groups chose to stay at Icacos for the rest of the charter because everyone was having a good time.

That flexibility is a real strength. You are not forced to squeeze in another stop just to follow a printed schedule. If the beach is the hit of the day, you can make it the center of the day, within the captain’s safety limits.

Icacos also works well for a mixed group. Strong swimmers can snorkel, children can play with the float gear, and non-swimmers can remain on the boat or enjoy the beach. Still, the beach stop is not a full-day island stay. With only four hours total, the boat ride, snorkeling, and beach portion must share the clock.

Palomino: a second island option

Palomino, also called Isla Palominos in the supplied details, gives you another private half-day choice from Fajardo. The plan remains similar: the crew picks a snorkeling area, then moves near the island so you can enjoy the beach.

The Palomino option may appeal if you have already visited Icacos or simply prefer to let your group choose. The available information does not give a major difference in beach facilities, marine life, or travel time between the two options, so I would not choose Palomino based on a promised sight that is not stated.

Instead, ask yourself what your group wants most: a new island setting, a preferred route, or a repeat visit to a place you already know you like. The captain’s choice of snorkeling location will also depend on conditions. That means the quality of the water stop is not something you can judge from the island name alone.

Food, drinks, and the useful little extras

This charter includes enough food to make the half-day comfortable. You get fruit, ham-and-cheese sandwiches, snacks, Pepsi, 7UP, juice, and water. The inclusion of a real sandwich matters because a four-hour boat trip can feel long if you only have chips and soft drinks.

Alcoholic drinks are also listed: a case of Medalla beer and rum. Drink responsibly, especially if you plan to snorkel or if the sea is moving. The boat crew remains responsible for safety and can set limits based on conditions.

Past outings have also included beach umbrellas, floating mats, and pool noodles. These items are not all spelled out in the formal inclusion list, so I would treat them as useful equipment that may be available rather than a promise for every departure.

Music is another personal touch. Groups have had music selected for them, which helps the boat feel like a private outing instead of a standard transport run. If your group cares about a particular setup, ask before departure rather than assuming every extra is guaranteed.

What the four-hour schedule really gives you

Four hours sounds generous until you count the departure, boat movement, snorkeling briefing, water time, and beach stop. You should expect a compact island escape, not a slow full-day cruise.

The two time slots help you fit the charter around other plans, but each option has a tradeoff. Morning gives you more of the day afterward. Afternoon lets you enjoy a slower start, though you will not have much evening flexibility after returning at 5:30 p.m.

A private boat helps you use those hours better because there are fewer people to load, organize, and wait for. It does not make the ride limitless. If your group wants long snorkeling, a long beach visit, and a leisurely lunch, the full-day option mentioned by past guests may be worth asking about, but this specific booking is the four-hour version.

I would decide your priority before boarding. If snorkeling is the main goal, tell the crew early. If your children mainly want to swim and float, say so. The captain can still make the final call, but clear preferences make a short charter work better.

Safety, comfort, and who will enjoy it

The crew’s role is more than driving the boat. The strongest feedback focuses on attentive service, safety explanations, help with snorkeling, and a friendly tone. Captains and first mates such as John, Syd, Adriana, Oscar, and Lolo have been singled out for checking on people and making the group feel comfortable.

That is especially important for families. A private group allows the crew to notice who needs help rather than treating everyone as one large crowd. It also gives parents more control over the pace, though you still need to supervise children around the water.

Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The experience is near public transportation, but the supplied information does not specify boat accessibility features, so you should ask the operator directly if anyone in your group has mobility needs.

This trip suits you best if you value privacy, personal attention, and a flexible day on the water. It is less suited to someone who wants a long historical tour, a guaranteed wildlife sighting, or several hours on the beach. The lighthouse and nature reserve are part of the route context, but the activity is mainly a boat, snorkel, swim, and beach outing.

Price, cancellation, and weather

At $750 per group of up to six, this is a premium choice for a half-day. With six people, the cost becomes easier to justify because you are buying the boat for your group rather than purchasing six spots on a shared trip. With only two or three people, the privacy is still appealing, but the price per person rises quickly.

The value also comes from the included food, drinks, snorkeling gear, and crew attention. You do not need to arrange separate equipment or pack a full meal. The private setting may be worth more to you than a cheaper shared boat, especially if you want control over music, pace, and beach time.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund. The trip requires good weather, and if poor weather causes the operator to cancel, you are offered another date or a full refund.

Should you book this Fajardo island charter?

I would book it for a group of four to six that wants a quiet, personal half-day with snorkeling and beach time. Icacos is the clearest choice if your group wants white sand, swimming, and a proven family-friendly pattern. Palomino gives you another island option without changing the basic shape of the outing.

I would think twice if you are traveling alone, as a couple, or on a tight budget. The private price makes much more sense when shared across a full group. I would also avoid booking it as your main activity if you need guaranteed wildlife, a long island stay, or a detailed land tour.

For the best fit, choose the morning if you want the afternoon free, choose the afternoon if you prefer a slower start, and tell the crew whether snorkeling or beach time matters most. If those details match your plans, this is a practical way to get clear water, a small-group boat, and a taste of island life without spending an entire day at sea.

FAQ

Where does the private charter start and finish?

The charter starts and ends at Sunbay Marina, Parcelas Beltran Barrio, Fajardo, Puerto Rico.

How long does the activity last?

The charter lasts approximately four hours. You can choose 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. or 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

How many people can join the private boat?

The private activity is for your group only, with up to six people included in the group price.

Can I choose between Icacos and Palomino?

Yes. You can book the half-day charter to Cayo Icacos or Isla Palominos. The crew takes you to a snorkeling spot and then near the island you selected for beach time.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, along with a guided snorkeling tour.

What food and drinks are included?

The charter includes fruit, ham-and-cheese sandwiches, snacks, Pepsi, 7UP, juice, and water. The listed alcoholic beverages include Medalla beer and rum.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The activity requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you can receive a different date or a full refund. For your own cancellation, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.