Full Charter All Inclusive for Icacos and Palomino

Paradise comes with a boat schedule. This private seven-and-a-half-hour charter from Fajardo combines guided snorkeling at Tortuga Reef, long stretches of beach time, a BBQ lunch, drinks, music, and the freedom of having the boat reserved for your own group. I especially like the clean, spacious boat and the thoughtful food-and-drink setup. I also like that the crew, including Jon and Sid, aims to keep the day personal rather than running a large shared excursion.

The main consideration is the price: $1,350 per group of up to six is a serious outlay for a beach day, though it works out to $225 per person when six people share it. You also need to bring your own towel and sunblock, and the itinerary spends much of the day outdoors in strong sun.

Key Things To Know Before You Book

• Tortuga Reef snorkeling comes first: You receive snorkeling equipment and guided time in the water before heading to Icacos.
• Two island beaches fill the day: Icacos gets about four hours, including snorkeling and lunch, followed by about two hours at Palomino.
• The charter is private: Only your group participates, making the day easier to shape around your own pace and comfort.
• Lunch is handled onboard or on the beach: The included meal is BBQ chicken, pasta salad, and bread, with fruit and chips for extra snacks.
• Drinks are part of the package: Water, juice, Pepsi, 7Up, Diet Coke, one box of Medalla beer, and 1.75 liters of rum are included.
• The marina has useful facilities: Sunbay Marina has bathrooms, showers, parking, and access near public transportation.

Why This Fajardo Charter Works Well For A Full Beach Day

This is not a quick boat ride with a short photo stop. The schedule gives you about seven hours and 30 minutes on the water and islands, which is enough time for snorkeling, lunch, floating, swimming, music, and two separate beach settings.

I like the simple rhythm of the day. You leave Sunbay Marina at 9:00 a.m., head to Tortuga Reef for guided snorkeling, spend the main part of the day at Cayo Icacos, then sail to Isla Palominos for the final beach stop. The plan gives you structure without turning every minute into a timed activity.

That balance matters on a private charter. You are not joining a large group that must rush everyone back onto the boat at the same moment. The available information does not promise unlimited flexibility, so I would still ask the crew about timing on the day. But with only your group onboard, you have a better chance of getting the pace you want.

The boat itself is a major part of the value. It is described as clean, comfortable, and in top condition, while specific feedback praises it as spotless and spacious. That is important on a long outing. A cramped or poorly kept boat can turn a beautiful island day into a tiring one. Here, you have a restroom onboard, floating equipment, music, and room to settle in between stops.

Starting At Sunbay Marina In Fajardo

Your morning begins at Sunbay Marina, located at Parcelas Beltran Barrio in Fajardo. The listed start time is 9:00 a.m., and the charter ends back at the same meeting point.

The marina has parking, bathrooms, and showers. Those details may sound ordinary, but they make the outing easier. You can use the facilities before leaving, rinse off after the beach stops, and return to a familiar place at the end. The location is also near public transportation, although no specific route or transfer service is included.

I would arrive ready to board rather than planning a complicated morning at the marina. Bring a towel and sunblock, since those are the two items specifically excluded. Wear a swimsuit under your clothes if that suits you, but the only confirmed packing requirements are the towel and sun protection.

Because this is a private activity, the group size can be as large as six people. The cost makes the most sense when you fill the boat. At the maximum group size, the price comes to $225 per person. For two or three people, the per-person cost is much higher, so compare it with shared boat options if your party is small.

Guided Snorkeling At Tortuga Reef

The first main activity is guided snorkeling at Tortuga Reef. Snorkeling equipment is included, so you do not need to rent a mask, snorkel, or other basic gear separately.

The guided format is useful if some people in your group have limited snorkeling experience. You are not simply dropped into the water and left to figure things out. The crew can help you use the equipment and point out marine life, though the supplied details do not specify the exact route, water depth, or species you will see.

Water conditions can affect any reef outing. Clear water and marine life are central to the appeal of this area, but visibility and comfort depend on the sea that day. I would treat the snorkeling as an important part of the excursion, not as a guaranteed aquarium show.

One encouraging detail is the equipment quality. The specific feedback praises snorkeling gear that did not leak, which is no small matter. A leaking mask can spoil the first half hour of a water activity. Good-fitting equipment lets you spend more time watching the reef and less time adjusting straps.

If you are not a confident swimmer, tell the crew early. Floaters and a floating mat are included, which give you extra options while resting in the water. The information does not state that life jackets or special instruction are available, so ask about any safety needs before entering the water.

Four Hours Around Cayo Icacos

After snorkeling, the boat heads to Cayo Icacos for beach time and lunch. The scheduled stop lasts about four hours, making Icacos the main anchor of the day.

Icacos is presented as a white-sand beach with clear water and marine life. The appeal here is less about checking off a landmark and more about having time to settle into island mode. You can swim, use the floating equipment, sit beneath the umbrella provided in the sand, or simply let lunch break up the long beach visit.

The umbrella is a welcome touch. Sun is part of the Puerto Rico beach experience, but several hours in direct heat can wear you down. Having shade in the sand gives your group a place to cool off, eat, and keep bags out of the strongest sun.

Lunch is BBQ chicken, pasta salad, and bread. Chips and fruit are also included, so you have something to eat before or after the main meal. Water, juice, and soft drinks are supplied as well.

The meal is practical rather than elaborate. That is the right expectation for a boat-and-beach charter. You are paying for a full day on the water, not a restaurant service. The food was specifically praised as delicious, and the drinks were described as plentiful, which suggests the catering is more than a token snack box.

Alcohol includes one box of Medalla beer and 1.75 liters of rum. That can add to the festive mood, but use good judgment around swimming and snorkeling. The most enjoyable version of this day is one where the drinks complement the outing rather than make the water activities harder.

Sailing To Isla Palominos

Once lunch and beach time at Icacos are finished, you sail to Isla Palominos. The scheduled stay is about two hours, giving you a second beach setting before returning to Fajardo.

The change of island helps the day feel varied. Instead of spending all seven hours in one place, you get a morning water activity, a longer first beach stop, and a shorter final stop. Palominos functions as the relaxed closing chapter, with time to swim, float, listen to music, or sit on the beach.

Two hours is enough for a pleasant final stop, but it is not a long visit. If you prefer slow travel, you may wish the itinerary gave Palominos the same amount of time as Icacos. Still, the shorter stop keeps the day moving and gives you another chance to enjoy the water before heading back.

The supplied details do not list specific facilities on Palominos, so do not count on the same marina-style amenities there. The boat remains your base, with its restroom and included floaters. Keep your personal belongings organized, since the day involves moving between the boat, the water, and two beaches.

Food, Music, Floats, And The Private-Boat Advantage

An all-inclusive label can mean very different things from one tour to another. Here, the package covers the major items you would otherwise need to arrange: snorkeling equipment, drinks, food, snacks, floating gear, music, and an onboard restroom.

The floating mat and other floaters are especially useful for a mixed group. Strong swimmers can snorkel, while others can rest in the water or stay close to the boat. The beach umbrella gives you another option when you want a break from swimming.

Music is included, which sets a social tone. That may be a plus for a birthday, family celebration, or group of friends. If you prefer a quiet boat ride, ask the crew if the music can be lowered or turned off. The private format should make that kind of request easier than it would be on a shared boat.

Personal service is another selling point. The crew is described as experienced in the area and happy to cater to group needs. Jon and Sid are the two names connected with the strongest praise, and their friendly handling of the day helped make the outing feel well coordinated.

That said, three published ratings are not enough to establish a long performance record. I would read the strong feedback as a good sign, especially regarding the boat, equipment, lunch, and crew, while keeping normal expectations about weather and sea conditions.

Is $1,350 A Good Value For Six People?

The price is easiest to judge by group size. With six people, you are paying $225 each for roughly seven and a half hours, a private boat, guided snorkeling, two island stops, lunch, snacks, drinks, equipment, and crew service.

That is a strong package for a group that values privacy. You are not paying separately for a snorkeling rental, a meal, soft drinks, floats, or beach shade. The boat also has a restroom, which is useful during a long day away from shore.

For a smaller group, the value changes. At four people, the cost is $337.50 each. At two people, it is $675 each. I would choose this charter for six friends or a family group before choosing it for a couple.

The private setup can also justify the cost if your group has different needs. Parents may appreciate the chance to control the pace. Friends may like having music and drinks without sharing the boat with strangers. A group celebrating a special occasion may find the all-in-one arrangement worth the premium.

You should not book it expecting a bargain beach transfer. This is a full-service private day. The value comes from convenience, space, privacy, and the amount of time included.

Who Will Enjoy This Charter Most?

I would recommend this experience to a group of up to six that wants one easy, well-stocked day on the water. It suits people who want both snorkeling and beach time, rather than choosing between a reef trip and an island visit.

Families can benefit from the private format and floating equipment, though every participant should be comfortable following water-safety instructions. Friends may enjoy the music, Medalla beer, rum, BBQ lunch, and long beach stops.

It also works for mixed-age groups because not everyone has to snorkel the entire time. One person can rest on the floating mat, another can sit under the umbrella, and others can use the snorkeling gear.

I would be more cautious if your main goal is serious snorkeling. The tour includes guided snorkeling, but the available information does not describe a long reef session, advanced instruction, or a specialized marine biology program. The day is built around a mix of water time, food, beaches, and relaxation.

The charter is also less suitable for anyone who dislikes a full sun day. Towels and sunblock are not supplied, and the schedule keeps you outside for most of the morning and afternoon. Bring enough sun protection and use the umbrella as part of your plan.

Practical Details And Cancellation Terms

Confirmation is provided at booking. The activity allows service animals, and the information says most people can participate. Because this is a water excursion, share any mobility, medical, or swimming concerns with the provider before the departure date.

The cancellation policy is straightforward: you can cancel at least 24 hours before the 9:00 a.m. start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund. The cut-off uses local Puerto Rico time.

This excursion is often reserved about 62 days ahead. That booking pattern suggests you should plan early if your dates are fixed, especially when traveling with a group of six. The private capacity is limited by design, so last-minute availability may be tight.

Should You Book The Icacos And Palomino Charter?

Book it if you can fill most or all of the six seats and want a private day that takes care of the details. The strongest reasons are the spotless, spacious boat, reliable snorkeling gear, generous food and drink package, and the chance to visit both Icacos and Palominos without joining a large group.

Think twice if only one or two people are going, since the per-person cost rises quickly. Also reconsider if you want a quiet nature trip, a long technical snorkeling session, or a completely flexible schedule.

For a full group seeking clear water, white sand, BBQ lunch, music, and an easy day from Fajardo, this charter offers a well-rounded package. Bring your towel, sunblock, and a willingness to spend most of the day outdoors. The crew handles nearly everything else.

FAQ

Where does the charter begin and end?

The charter begins and ends at Sunbay Marina, Parcelas Beltran Barrio, Fajardo, Puerto Rico 00738.

What time does the experience start?

The listed start time is 9:00 a.m.

How long does the charter last?

The experience lasts approximately seven hours and 30 minutes.

How many people can join the private charter?

The price covers one private group of up to six people. Only your group participates.

What food and drinks are included?

Lunch includes BBQ chicken, pasta salad, and bread. Snacks include chips and fruit. Drinks include water, Capri Sun juice, Pepsi, 7Up, Diet Coke, one box of Medalla beer, and 1.75 liters of rum.

What should I bring?

Bring your own towel and sunblock. Snorkeling equipment, floaters, a floating mat, food, drinks, and music are included.