Full Charter All Inclusive for Icacos and Palomino

The best part of this private Fajardo charter is its simple rhythm: guided snorkeling at Tortuga Reef, a long beach stop at Cayo Icacos, then more sand and swimming at Palomino. The boat carries lunch, drinks, floats, music, and the gear, so you can travel light with only a towel and sunblock.

I like the private, small-group setup and the way the day mixes active water time with unhurried beach time. I also like the practical touches: a clean, spacious boat, a restroom onboard, working snorkel equipment, and a BBQ lunch already handled. The main consideration is the price, which is $1,350 for up to six people, so it makes the most sense when your group can share the cost.

Key points to know before you book

• Tortuga Reef comes first: Start with guided snorkeling before settling into beach time.
• Two island stops in one day: Visit Cayo Icacos for about four hours, then spend about two hours at Isla Palominos.
• Everything is supplied: Snorkel gear, floats, a floating mat, food, soft drinks, water, juice, beer, rum, snacks, and lunch are included.
• Private charter for up to six: Only your own group takes part, with personalized service from the crew.
• Lunch is a real meal: The BBQ spread includes chicken, pasta salad, bread, and fruit.
• Bring the basics: Towels and sunblock are not provided. Start at Sunbay Marina in Fajardo at 9:00 a.m.

Starting at Sunbay Marina in Fajardo

Your day begins at Sunbay Marina in Fajardo at 9:00 a.m. The activity ends back at the same marina after roughly seven and a half hours, making this an easy choice if you are staying in or near Fajardo and want a full day on the water without arranging a separate transfer.

The marina has parking, bathrooms, and showers. It is also near public transportation, although this charter is designed around meeting at the marina rather than collecting you from your hotel. A private marina setting can make the morning easier, since you have a clear place to arrive, board, and get organized.

I would arrive with your towel and sunblock ready. Those are the two items not included, and you will want both from the beginning. The boat supplies the rest of the day’s essentials, including snorkeling equipment, floating gear, food, drinks, and water.

This is a private activity for your group only, with space for up to six people. That matters here. On a beach-and-snorkel outing, the difference between a private charter and a large shared boat is often the pace. You are not trying to keep track of a big crowd or fit your meal and beach time around strangers.

Tortuga Reef: the active start to the day

The first major stop is Tortuga Reef, where the crew provides guided snorkeling. Beginning with snorkeling is a smart plan. You get your main water activity done while the day is still fresh, then move to the beach for a slower stretch.

Snorkeling equipment is included, and one especially useful detail is that the gear is described as fitting well and not leaking. That may sound minor, but a poor mask can ruin an otherwise good reef stop. If you have snorkeled before, you know the routine: constant fogging or water in the mask turns a pleasant swim into repeated adjustments.

The word guided also matters. You are not simply dropped near the reef and left to guess where to look. The crew can help organize the activity and direct you through the snorkeling portion. The provided information does not promise a particular list of fish, coral, or water conditions, so I would keep your expectations grounded. The appeal is the chance to see marine life in clear water with equipment and crew support, not a guaranteed wildlife show.

You should also remember that snorkeling depends on the sea and weather that day. The charter includes the stop, but no coastal operator can control visibility, current, or wave conditions. The boat itself is described as clean, comfortable, and in top condition, which helps, but you should still be prepared for a natural environment rather than a perfectly controlled one.

After snorkeling, the boat moves to Cayo Icacos. This first island stop takes about four hours in total, including the reef visit, beach time, and lunch. That generous block is one of the strongest features of the day. You are not rushing through a ten-minute photo stop before being called back aboard.

Cayo Icacos: four hours for sand, swimming, and lunch

Cayo Icacos is the main event. The island is known here for crystal-clear water and white sand, and the schedule gives you enough time to enjoy the setting rather than simply see it from the boat.

The beach portion is flexible in feel. You can swim, use the provided floaters, stretch out beneath the beach umbrella, or take a break from the water. The floating mat gives your group another way to enjoy the sea without needing to swim continuously. Music is also available onboard and adds a social touch for groups that want a lively day rather than a quiet outing.

The umbrella is a particularly useful inclusion. Caribbean sun can be strong, and a patch of shade gives you a place to cool down between swims. Still, an umbrella is not a substitute for sunblock. Bring your own, apply it before boarding, and reapply during the day.

Lunch is served during the Icacos stop. The BBQ meal includes chicken, pasta salad, and bread, with fruit and snacks also available. This is more useful than a light snack-only arrangement because the outing lasts most of the day and includes physical activity. You do not have to leave the island in search of food or carry a separate picnic.

Drinks include water, Pepsi, 7UP, Diet Coke, Capri Sun juice, one box of Medalla beer, and 1.75 liters of rum. Chips and fruit round out the snacks. The alcohol is generous for a private group, but you should pace yourself. Sun, swimming, and rum can combine quickly, and the boat ride back is more pleasant when everyone stays comfortable.

The lunch and beverage package also help explain the group price. You are paying for a private boat, crew, fuel and travel between stops, snorkeling equipment, a full meal, drinks, and beach supplies, not just transportation to an island. At $1,350 for six people, the cost works out to $225 per person before any extra expenses. For six people who want a private day, that can be fair value. For two or three people, the same total becomes much harder to justify.

Isla Palominos: a second beach with a different pace

After the Icacos beach and lunch period, the boat sails to Isla Palominos for about two hours. This gives the day a useful change of scene. Instead of spending every hour in one place, you get a second beach setting and another chance to swim or relax.

The Palomino portion is shorter and comes later, so I would treat it as a relaxed final stop rather than a second full excursion. By this point, you will have already snorkeled, eaten, and spent several hours at Icacos. The two-hour stay lets you enjoy more sand and water without adding another complicated activity to the schedule.

The exact character of your time at Palominos will depend on conditions and on what your group prefers. You might find that some people want another swim while others prefer the shade, floats, music, or a quiet break. The private format gives you room to settle into that choice without a large group dictating every minute.

The boat then returns to Sunbay Marina. Since the total experience lasts about seven hours and thirty minutes, the schedule includes the boat travel, boarding, transitions, and both island stops. It is a full-day commitment, but not so long that the outing becomes an all-day endurance test.

What the private boat changes

A private charter is not automatically better for every person, but it is valuable for a group with shared priorities. Families, couples traveling together, and friends who want control over the day may appreciate having only their own party aboard.

The boat is described as spotless and spacious, with a restroom onboard. Those details carry more weight after several hours in the sun. A clean boat makes the ride more pleasant, while an onboard restroom means you do not need to rely entirely on facilities ashore.

Music, floats, and a floating mat make the setup social and easygoing. The day is not built around lectures or a packed list of formal activities. It is built around getting to the islands, helping you snorkel, feeding you, and giving you time to enjoy the water.

The crew members associated with the experience are Jon and Sid. Their role is practical as well as friendly: helping with the snorkeling setup, serving food and drinks, and catering to the group’s needs. The crew’s local experience in the area is useful because island conditions and water access can shape how the day feels.

A private trip also means you should discuss preferences early. If one person wants to snorkel for a long time and another wants to stay on the beach, tell the crew. The tour is promoted as personalized service, and a small group is the best setting for making the schedule work for everyone.

Value at $1,350 for up to six people

The $1,350 price is per group, not per person, and the maximum group size is six. That makes the math important.

At six people, the price is $225 each. At four people, it is $337.50 each. At two people, it is $675 each. The experience becomes a much stronger value as your group fills the boat.

You are getting roughly seven and a half hours of private use, two island stops, guided snorkeling, a meal, alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks, snacks, floats, an umbrella, and onboard restroom access. You also avoid paying separately for snorkeling equipment or arranging lunch on the islands.

I would compare this with the kind of day you want, not just with the cheapest boat ticket. A lower-priced shared trip may be fine if you mainly need a ride and a beach stop. This charter is aimed at people who want privacy, a supplied meal, a stocked cooler, and control over the group.

The food is straightforward rather than fancy: BBQ chicken, pasta salad, bread, and fruit. That is exactly the right level for a beach day. You are not paying for a restaurant meal, but you are getting something more substantial than packaged snacks.

The price also includes the convenience of not carrying your own cooler, beach mat, or snorkel set. For some groups, that alone removes a fair amount of planning. For others, especially smaller groups, the total price may feel high despite the inclusions.

What to bring and how to prepare

Pack lightly, but do not forget the two things the charter does not supply: a towel and sunblock. You will also want a swimsuit, dry clothes for the return ride, and any personal items you need for a long day outdoors.

The supplied water, juice, soft drinks, beer, rum, snacks, and lunch mean you do not need to pack food and beverages. If anyone in your group has dietary needs, allergies, or strong food preferences, ask about them before booking because the included meal is specifically chicken, pasta salad, and bread.

A mobile ticket is provided, which keeps the booking confirmation easy to carry on your phone. Confirmation arrives at booking. The activity allows service animals, and most people can participate, but the information does not give a detailed list of mobility arrangements aboard the boat. If anyone in your group needs specific assistance, contact the provider before reserving.

The marina has showers and bathrooms, which are useful before departure and after returning. Parking is available as well. These are small conveniences, but they make a seven-hour water outing easier to manage.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the 9:00 a.m. start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund, with cut-off times based on local time. That policy gives you some flexibility, but you should watch the forecast and make decisions early.

Who will enjoy this Fajardo charter most

I would recommend this outing to a group of up to six people who want a private day rather than a scheduled group cruise. It suits people who like a mix of snorkeling, swimming, beach lounging, food, drinks, and music.

It is also a good fit for a group with different energy levels. One person can snorkel, another can use the floating mat, and someone else can stay under the umbrella. The two island stops give you both an active start and a slower finish.

Families may appreciate the restroom, lunch, shade, floats, and private setting. Couples or small groups should look closely at the per-person cost, since the total does not drop when fewer people join.

This may not be the right pick if you want a long, highly technical snorkeling session, a quiet boat with no music, or a low-cost beach transfer. The day is designed as a complete social outing, not a specialist reef course or a bare-bones ferry ride.

Should you book it?

Book this charter if you can gather six people and want the ease of having the boat, crew, food, drinks, snorkeling gear, and beach setup arranged in one package. The strongest reasons are the private format, the generous four-hour Icacos stop, the second beach at Palominos, and the full BBQ lunch.

Think twice if your group is small or if you mainly want to reach an island cheaply. At full capacity, the price is easier to defend. With only two people, it becomes a premium day.

For the right group, this is a well-organized way to experience two of Puerto Rico’s popular island beaches without spending the day managing supplies and logistics yourself. Bring a towel, use plenty of sunblock, and let Jon and Sid handle the boat-day details.

FAQ

How long does the Icacos and Palomino charter last?

The experience lasts approximately seven hours and thirty minutes, beginning at 9:00 a.m. and ending back at Sunbay Marina in Fajardo.

Where does the tour begin and end?

It begins at Sunbay Marina, Parcelas Beltran Barrio, Fajardo, Puerto Rico 00738, and returns to the same meeting point.

How many people can join the private charter?

The private activity is priced for a group of up to six people. Only your group participates.

What food and drinks are included?

Lunch includes BBQ chicken, pasta salad, and bread. Fruit and chips are also included. Drinks include water, Pepsi, 7UP, Diet Coke, Capri Sun juice, one box of Medalla beer, and 1.75 liters of rum.

Are snorkeling equipment and floats provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, floaters, a floating mat, and music are included. Guided snorkeling takes place at Tortuga Reef.

What do I need to bring?

You need to bring a towel and sunblock. The marina has bathrooms and showers, and parking is available.