Private Half-Day Sailing and Snorkeling Tour

A private boat makes island time feel easy. This four-hour trip from Fajardo gives your group its own sailboat, captain, and crew, with a choice of Icaco Island or Palomino Island. I like the private setting for families and friends, and I like that snorkeling, paddleboards, floats, food, and drinks are included rather than added one by one.

The main consideration is the fixed, non-refundable price of $695, even if fewer than six people join your group. You also need to choose carefully before booking, since the tour cannot accommodate people with mobility disabilities and the boat’s boarding process can be difficult.

Key points at a glance

• Choose one island: Your group visits either Icaco Island or Palomino Island, with time to swim, snorkel, and relax.
• Private boat for up to six: You will not share the sailboat with another booking.
• Food and drinks included: A charcuterie board, fruit, chips, dips, water, soft drinks, and local beers are provided.
• Water gear is ready: Snorkel equipment, paddleboards, floaties, a floating mat, and an open swim platform are available.
• Four hours from Fajardo: The trip begins and ends at Sunbay Marina in Fajardo.
• Weather matters: Poor conditions can lead to a rescheduled trip or full refund, but ordinary cancellations are not refundable.

Setting out from Sunbay Marina in Fajardo

The tour begins at Sunbay Marina, in the Parcelas Beltran area of Fajardo. This puts you on Puerto Rico’s east coast, a practical starting point for reaching the nearby islands by sailboat.

Your booking is private, with a maximum of six people. That changes the mood of the day. You can spend more time doing what your own group enjoys instead of following the preferences of a larger boatload. If one person wants to snorkel while another prefers the floating mat, the crew can work around that better than on a shared excursion.

The experience lasts about four hours and returns to the same marina. Since the tour operates from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Monday through Friday during the listed operating period, you should check the available departure time when booking. The supplied information does not promise a particular sailing hour.

I also like the simplicity of the meeting arrangement. You do not need to arrange a separate island transfer or find your way back from a different dock. Still, plan your own transport to Sunbay Marina, since transportation to the marina is not listed as part of the package.

Picking between Icaco Island and Palomino Island

The day includes one selected island, either Icaco Island or Palomino Island. That is an important detail. This is not presented as a two-island circuit, so you should book it expecting one island stop, not a race through several beaches.

The choice gives your group some control over the day, although the information provided does not explain exactly how island selection works or whether every departure can offer both options. Ask the operator about the available choice when you reserve. The crew may also spend more time in one area based on what your group wants to do.

That flexible approach suits a private charter. You might prefer a long swim and an easy beach break, or you may want to use the snorkeling gear and paddleboards as much as possible. The crew can shape the stop around those interests instead of treating every minute as a fixed schedule.

The drawback is that four hours passes quickly once sailing time, anchoring, swimming, and returning to Fajardo are all part of the outing. If your goal is to visit several islands or spend a full day on the water, this half-day charter will feel limited.

Sailing the east coast by private boat

The sailboat is the main attraction, not just a way to reach the water. You get views from the east coast of Puerto Rico and the chance to spend the trip outdoors, with music available through the boat’s radio.

A USCG captain and crew handle the sailing. The company has offered private sailing and snorkeling trips on this coast for more than 19 years and is fully licensed. That does not guarantee a perfect day, but it gives the operation a useful level of experience.

The crew also received especially strong praise in the available feedback. One short review highlights how helpful and friendly the captain and mate were. Another praises the crew, the itinerary, and the value. Those points matter on a small boat, where the crew’s attitude can shape the entire outing.

You should expect a relaxed boat day rather than a formal sailing lesson. The information does not promise instruction in sailing, so book this for the ride, scenery, swimming, and water activities rather than for technical sailing training.

Snorkeling, swimming, and easy water time

At the island, you can swim in clear blue water and snorkel using the supplied equipment. Snorkeling gear is included, so you do not have to pack or rent a mask and fins separately.

The tour also provides paddleboards, floaties, and a floating water mat. These extras give your group several ways to enjoy the stop. You can snorkel for a while, climb onto the mat, paddle near the boat, or simply swim from the open swim platform.

The platform is a useful feature for anyone who prefers entering the water from the boat instead of walking from shore. It also makes repeated swims easier during a short outing. Still, you should remember that the boat boarding process can be challenging, and the operator says it cannot accommodate people with mobility disabilities for safety reasons.

The description does not promise a particular species of fish, reef, or underwater site. That is worth noting. Snorkeling conditions can vary, and the appeal here is the combination of island water time and boat access, not a guaranteed wildlife encounter.

Bring your own towel. Towels are not included, and no towel service is listed.

What comes with the food and drinks

The included food is more substantial than a basic bag of chips. You receive a charcuterie board with assorted cold cuts, cheeses, appetizers, fresh fruit, chips, and assorted dips.

For a four-hour trip, that spread can cover a light meal for many people, especially when paired with the drinks. The first review specifically praised the food as tasty, while the second called the overall trip a strong value. Those comments support the idea that the food is a meaningful part of the package, not merely a token extra.

Drinks include water, assorted soft drinks, mixes for drinks, and local beers. Alcoholic drinks are therefore part of the offering, but you should still pace yourself. Swimming, sun, and moving around on a boat are a poor combination with overindulgence.

Lunch is not included. You may bring your own, which is useful if someone in your group needs a larger meal or has dietary requirements. The supplied information does not describe vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, or allergy-friendly options, so ask before booking if that matters to you.

An ice cooler is provided. That helps keep drinks cold and makes the boat more comfortable during the warmest part of the day.

Is $695 a good value for your group?

The price is $695 per group of up to six. At the full capacity, that works out to about $116 per person. With four people, it is about $174 each. For two people, the cost rises to $347.50 per person, so this experience makes far more financial sense for a full group.

The value comes from the private boat and the number of included items. You are paying for a captain and crew, a four-hour sailing experience, one island stop, snorkeling equipment, paddleboards, floats, a swim platform, food, drinks, music, life jackets, and the convenience of returning to the same marina.

A shared boat may cost less per person, but it can also mean less control over the pace and activities. Here, your group can ask to spend more time doing what it enjoys at the selected island. That private control is the strongest reason to consider the price.

The cost is less attractive for a couple or a small group that does not care about having a private boat. Before booking, count your group carefully and compare the total with other east coast sailing options. The tour is best value when five or six people split the bill.

Gratuity is not included. A tip of 10 to 15 percent is customary, so add that to your budget if the captain and crew provide the helpful service described in the feedback. On the full $695 price, that would be approximately $69.50 to $104.25.

Who will enjoy this Fajardo charter most?

I would recommend this trip most strongly to families, couples traveling with friends, and small groups that want a private day on the water. It also suits people who prefer a mix of activities. You do not have to commit to snorkeling for four straight hours when paddleboards, floats, swimming, and beach time are available.

The private format is helpful for groups with different energy levels. Someone can relax with a cold drink while others use the snorkel equipment. The crew can also adjust the time spent at the island according to your group’s interests, within the limits of the four-hour schedule.

This is less suitable for anyone seeking a long sailing voyage, several island stops, or a structured educational tour. It may also be a poor fit if you dislike boats, have difficulty boarding, or need a fully accessible vessel.

Because the tour requires good weather, I would avoid building an extremely tight schedule around it. The operator can offer another date or a full refund if poor weather forces cancellation, but that protection does not apply to personal cancellations.

Booking details worth knowing

Confirmation is normally sent at booking. If you reserve within one day of the outing, confirmation arrives as soon as possible and depends on availability.

The experience is booked about 14 days ahead on average. That is a useful guide, especially if your Puerto Rico plans are fixed. Since the boat holds only your group and no more than six people, popular dates may not remain open close to departure.

The activity ends back at Sunbay Marina. It is near public transportation, although the package does not include a transfer from your hotel or another part of Puerto Rico.

Life jackets are available in all sizes. That is reassuring for mixed-age groups, though you should follow the crew’s instructions about when to wear one.

My call: book it for the private time

Book this Fajardo sailing trip if you have a group of four to six, want a private boat, and value having snorkeling, paddleboards, floats, food, and drinks bundled into one price. The friendly, helpful crew and flexible island time are the features I would put at the top of the list.

Think twice if you have only one or two people, need an accessible boat, or want a full-day island-hopping trip. The $695 charge is fixed, the booking is non-refundable for personal changes, and four hours gives you a pleasant taste of the coast rather than an all-day escape.

FAQ

Where does the sailing tour begin?

It begins at Sunbay Marina, Parcelas Beltran Barrio, Fajardo, Puerto Rico 00738.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point, Sunbay Marina.

How long is the sailing and snorkeling tour?

The tour lasts approximately four hours.

How many people can join the private tour?

The tour accepts a maximum of six people, and only your own group participates.

Which island will the tour visit?

The tour visits one selected island, either Icaco Island or Palomino Island.

Are snorkeling and paddleboard equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, paddleboards, floaties, a floating water mat, and use of the open swim platform are included.

Is food and alcohol included?

Yes. The package includes cold cuts, cheeses, appetizers, fresh fruit, chips, dips, water, soft drinks, drink mixes, and local beers. Lunch is not included, and you may bring your own.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

If poor weather causes the operator to cancel, you will be offered another date or a full refund. Personal cancellations and amendments are non-refundable.