All inclusive Private Tour to Icacos and Palomino Island

Leave the marina behind for clear island water. This private boat charter from Fajardo gives your group a flexible four-hour outing to Icacos or Palomino Island, with time for swimming, snorkeling, beach lounging, and a few cold drinks. I especially like the private boat for up to six people, since you are not tied to a large group’s schedule, and I like that sandwiches, fruit, chips, snorkeling gear, and float equipment are already onboard.

The main consideration is the weather. Your captain chooses the best swimming and snorkeling spots for the day, so the exact route can change. One family had to skip snorkeling and return early because conditions turned poor, though they still considered it a favorite day of their vacation. The trip also requires advance planning, particularly if your dates are limited.

The Best Parts of This Four-Hour Boat Trip

• A private 30-foot power catamaran: Your group gets the boat rather than sharing it with strangers, making it easier to adjust the pace and stop times.
• Icacos or Palomino Island: The captain selects the more suitable destination and swimming areas based on the day’s weather.
• Clear, shallow water: Swimming areas are usually about three to five feet deep, with turquoise water suited to relaxed floating and family play.
• Food and drinks included: Expect deli sandwiches, chips, fruit, sodas, water, beers, and rum drinks or piña coladas.
• Snorkeling and float gear onboard: Masks, snorkels, float belts, a float mat, and United States Coast Guard certified equipment are provided.
• Optional water scooter fun: Seabob or water scooter rentals may be available for an added fee, and one visitor called it a highlight.

Leaving Safe Harbor Puerto del Rey in Fajardo

The trip begins at Safe Harbor Puerto del Rey, located at 4900 State Road 3, Kilometer 51.4, in Fajardo. Free parking is included, and the activity returns to the same marina, which keeps the day simple if you are staying in or around eastern Puerto Rico.

You board a 30-foot power catamaran for a private outing lasting about four hours. That length is useful because it gives you enough time to reach an island, swim, eat, and enjoy the ride without taking up a full vacation day. Still, four hours passes quickly once you add travel time between the marina, the island, and the snorkeling areas.

This is not a scheduled ferry ride with a fixed island timetable. Your captain has room to adjust the order and length of stops. A family traveling with children appreciated being able to shape the day around their needs, and another group arrived late but still found that Captain Luis helped make the outing work.

The boat has a bathroom, an important detail for families and anyone who would rather not spend several hours worrying about the return trip. Children age one and older may participate, and service animals are allowed. Most people can take part, though you should mention allergies before the trip so the crew can plan the food and drinks safely.

Choosing Between Icacos and Palomino Island

The tour focuses on island hopping rather than promising one fixed beach. You may visit Cayo Icacos, Palomino Island, or another suitable nearby stop depending on wind, rain, and water conditions.

That flexibility is practical. A fixed route can sound appealing, but the prettiest snorkeling area is not always the safest or most comfortable place on a given day. The crew changes the stops to match the conditions, which can mean calmer water, clearer visibility, or a better beach for swimming.

Icacos is the more natural-feeling choice of the two. The island is associated with clear water, beach time, and snorkeling, and the boat can stop at several different spots around it. You may spend part of the visit in a shallow swimming area where the water is normally three to five feet deep. That depth suits people who want to stand, float, or help younger children in the water.

Palomino Island offers the same basic pleasures, with beach time and swimming at the center of the visit. One family with adults, children, and a baby found the island especially well suited to a mixed-age group. The crew paid close attention to the children, and the family appreciated the easy combination of snacks, drinks, and gentle water activity.

Do not expect a rigid checklist of named stops. The precise beach and snorkeling location can change. That is a strength for comfort and safety, but it also means you should book this as a flexible sea day rather than a guaranteed visit to one exact patch of coral.

Snorkeling in the Clear Water

Snorkeling equipment is included, so you do not need to pack a mask or rent one at the marina. The boat carries snorkeling gear along with float belts and a floating mat, giving you several ways to enjoy the water even if snorkeling is not your main goal.

The crew takes you to a snorkeling spot when conditions allow. Captain Nomar received especially strong praise for staying attentive to safety while guiding a group through the snorkeling portion. That matters because a private charter is not only about choosing the playlist or beach. A good captain helps you feel comfortable in the water and keeps the group organized.

The water may be clear and turquoise, but visibility depends on the weather. A cloudy or rainy day can affect the quality of the snorkeling stop. One family’s captain changed the plan when conditions did not cooperate, choosing not to force a snorkeling session simply because it had been advertised.

If you are an experienced snorkeler, you may want to bring your own mask for a familiar fit, though the supplied equipment is included. If you prefer a low-effort water day, use the float belts or mat instead. You can also spend your time swimming near the beach, where the shallow water makes the experience less demanding.

Beach Time, Floating, and Family Comfort

The beach stop is the heart of the outing for many people. You can swim in shallow, clear water, sit on the sand, or stretch out on the float mat. The setting gives you a break from the boat without requiring a long hike or complicated transfer.

I see this as a strong option for families because the day does not depend on everyone wanting the same activity. One person can snorkel, another can float, and children can stay in the shallow water. The crew has also been praised for helping families with babies and younger children, though parents remain responsible for supervision in the water.

The float belts are a useful inclusion rather than a throwaway extra. They help less confident swimmers enjoy the water and make it easier to relax during a long swim. The boat also carries United States Coast Guard certified safety equipment.

Bring sunscreen and remember to reapply it. One person specifically wished they had been more careful about sunscreen on a perfect sunny day. Shade and wind can make the sun feel less intense than it is, especially when you spend time on the boat and in the water.

Sandwiches, Rum Drinks, and the Value of an All-Inclusive Charter

The $850 price is for the private group, up to six people, not for each individual. At full capacity, that works out to about $142 per person before any optional water scooter charge. For a couple, the price is much harder to justify, but for five or six people it becomes more competitive with separate tickets, food purchases, equipment rentals, and a shared boat outing.

The included food is straightforward rather than fancy. You receive turkey, ham, or vegetarian deli sandwiches, plus chips and fruit. Water and sodas are included, along with beers and rum drinks such as piña coladas or rum pouches.

This arrangement is valuable because you do not lose beach time looking for lunch or carrying a cooler through the marina. It also makes the boat feel more relaxed. You can eat after swimming, grab a drink during the ride, and keep the day moving at your group’s pace.

There is one small point to clarify before boarding: rum drinks and piña coladas are advertised as part of the package, but one person said those options were not offered during the trip. The provider acknowledged the problem and said it would check with the captain. If those drinks matter to you, confirm them ahead of time rather than assuming every beverage will be available on every departure.

Tell the operator about food allergies before the trip. The included menu is limited to the listed sandwich choices, snacks, and drinks, so you may also bring food that suits your group. The tour specifically allows you to bring anything you prefer for food.

The Captains Make a Big Difference

Several captains are associated with the trips, including Angel, Jorge, Nomar, Kyle, and Luis. The most common praise is directed at their friendliness, care, and willingness to adjust the experience.

Captain Angel has been singled out for attentive service, clear communication, and helping families with children and a baby. Jorge is described by the operator as one of its best captains, and people have appreciated his warm, personal approach. Captain Nomar is a strong name to request if snorkeling guidance and water safety are priorities.

Captain Kyle has been praised for a friendly manner and flexibility, while Captain Luis helped one family keep enjoying the day after weather disrupted the planned snorkeling. These details suggest that the captain is a major part of the experience, not simply the person driving the boat.

That personal service is one of the clearest reasons to choose a private charter. The crew can adjust the timing of each stop, respond to the group’s comfort level, and avoid pushing an activity when conditions are poor. On the other hand, the quality of the day can depend heavily on who is assigned and on the weather.

Water Scooters and Other Optional Extras

Water scooter rentals cost extra. The available equipment is sometimes described as a Seabob, and one person found it exceptionally fun. This can add a faster, more active element to an otherwise gentle beach-and-snorkel outing.

You should treat the scooter as an optional bonus, not part of the $850 package. Ask about availability and price before the trip if it is central to your plans. The standard tour already includes swimming, snorkeling equipment, float belts, and a float mat, so you can have a full day without paying for the extra activity.

Weather, Timing, and the Main Drawback

This is a weather-dependent activity. If poor weather causes the operator to cancel, you are offered a different date or a full refund. That is reassuring, but a same-day cancellation can still disrupt your holiday plans.

One booking was canceled on the morning of departure because of poor conditions. The person had difficulty finding another boat at short notice, even though the afternoon later improved. That is the key practical risk: a responsible captain may cancel to avoid an unpleasant or unsafe day, but you may not have many replacement options that morning.

For that reason, I would avoid scheduling this on the final day of your Puerto Rico visit. Give yourself another beach or sightseeing day afterward. You will also want to keep the morning flexible and avoid booking a separate activity that is difficult to change.

The cancellation policy allows a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded, except when the operator cancels because of poor weather. Any changes within that 24-hour window are not accepted.

Who Should Book This Private Island Trip?

I would recommend it most strongly for a group of four to six people who want privacy, easy logistics, and a mix of swimming and relaxing. Families benefit from the shallow water, float gear, onboard bathroom, included food, and the captain’s ability to adjust the pace.

It also suits friends who want a boat day without being packed onto a large shared vessel. You can spend more time talking with your own group, choose how long to stay in the water, and avoid waiting for strangers to finish an activity.

Couples should think carefully about the price. At $850 for the group, the charter offers privacy and convenience, but the per-person cost is high for only two people. It makes better financial sense if you can share the boat with friends or family.

Strong swimmers and active people may want to add the water scooter. Casual swimmers can simply use the float belts, mat, and shallow beach areas. If you need a guaranteed snorkeling location, guaranteed sunshine, or a fixed island schedule, this flexible weather-based format may not match your expectations.

Should You Book Water Tours PR?

Book this tour if you value a private boat, personal service, and a flexible day more than a fixed route. The strongest parts are the attentive captains, the clean boat, the clear water, and the fact that lunch, drinks, snorkeling gear, and float equipment are included.

I would book it for a family or small group, especially if Captain Angel, Jorge, Nomar, Kyle, or Luis is available. Confirm the beverage choices, ask about water scooter pricing, and leave a weather backup day in your schedule.

Skip it if you are traveling as a couple on a tight budget or need a guaranteed departure in uncertain weather. For the right group, though, the $850 price buys more than a boat ride. It buys privacy, flexibility, and a simple way to enjoy Puerto Rico’s island water without organizing every piece yourself.

FAQ

How much does the private Icacos and Palomino tour cost?

The listed price is $850 per private group of up to six people. Optional water scooter rentals cost extra.

How long does the boat tour last?

The experience lasts approximately four hours, beginning and ending at Safe Harbor Puerto del Rey in Fajardo.

Which island will the boat visit?

The tour may visit Cayo Icacos or Palomino Island. The captain chooses the stops and swimming areas based on the weather and conditions that day.

Are food and drinks included?

Yes. The trip includes turkey, ham, or vegetarian deli sandwiches, chips, fruit, water, sodas, beers, and rum drinks or piña coladas. You may also bring food you prefer.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, float belts, a float mat, and United States Coast Guard certified safety equipment are included.

What happens if the weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes the operator to cancel, you are offered another date or a full refund. If you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time, you can receive a full refund. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded.