Private All-Inclusive 22ft Boat Guided Snorkeling Icacos Palomino

The best part of this private 22-foot boat tour is the freedom to enjoy Icacos and Palomino without being packed onto a large party boat. You get about four hours on the water, guided snorkeling, beach time, snacks, drinks, and a captain focused only on your group. Alex, Jorge, Francesca, Joel, and Raul are among the crew members associated with the experience.

I like two things right away: the small-group setting makes this a good choice for families and first-time snorkelers, and the package includes useful extras such as sandwiches, fruit, water, soda, beer, snorkeling gear, and a paddleboard. The main drawback is space. A 22-foot boat is intimate, not roomy, and lunch may feel light for adults with big appetites. Bring extra food if your group tends to snack.

Key points at a glance

• Small private boat: Your group of up to six has the boat to itself, with no strangers joining the trip.
• Two island stops: Spend time around Cayo Icacos and Isla Palominos, with Palominito also part of the described route.
• Helpful snorkeling guidance: The crew assists beginners, including children and swimmers who feel unsure in the water.
• Food and drinks included: Expect water, soda, beer or an aperitif, fruit, sandwiches, and snacks, though the exact spread can vary.
• Good family fit: Several captains have helped timid swimmers feel safe and have been attentive with children.
• Useful value for six: At $550 per group, the cost works out to about $92 per person when six people share it.

Why a private boat changes the day

Fajardo is one of Puerto Rico’s best launch points for a day on the water. From the marina at Puerto Chico, the boat heads toward the small cays and islands off the eastern coast. On a clear day, you may have broad views toward Vieques, Culebra, El Yunque, and Las Cabezas de San Juan.

The private format matters more than it may at first seem. On a large excursion, you usually follow a set rhythm. Here, the captain can spend more time helping a nervous snorkeler, finding a calmer place to enter the water, or moving on when your group has had enough beach time. The boat still follows local conditions and the captain’s judgment, but the day feels personal rather than mass-produced.

That setup is especially useful for mixed groups. One person may want to snorkel, another may prefer to paddleboard, and a child may need help getting comfortable with a mask. The crew has shown patience with first-time snorkelers and with children who were not confident swimmers. That kind of hands-on help is one of the strongest reasons to choose this trip over a cheaper shared boat.

The tradeoff is the boat itself. A 22-foot vessel gives you a close-to-the-water ride and a small group, but it does not offer the room of a large catamaran. If you want a wide deck, many shaded seats, or a party atmosphere with dozens of people, this is not the right match. If you want your own captain and a quieter outing, the compact boat works in your favor.

Leaving Fajardo for Cayo Icacos

The meeting point is Navea PR Adventure Corp at Puerto Chico Marina in Fajardo. The tour ends back at the same place. Free private parking is available with a security guard, which is a useful detail if you are driving to the marina.

The first major stop is Cayo Icacos, a small island known for clear water and bright beaches. The tour allows about two hours here. That time may include guided snorkeling, swimming, beach time, and a chance to enjoy the views from the boat.

The snorkeling is not presented as an advanced expedition. It is aimed at ordinary visitors, including beginners. The captain helps you with the equipment and points out fish. The setting can also produce the kind of wildlife encounter that makes a boat day memorable: several groups saw sea turtles, along with schools of colorful fish. Wildlife is never guaranteed, but the crew actively looks for good snorkeling areas and helps you spot what is in the water.

If you are new to snorkeling, listen closely during the first few minutes. The crew has helped people learn how to breathe through the mask and move comfortably in the water. One captain even worked patiently with a young swimmer who began the day unwilling to snorkel and later changed his mind. That is a strong sign that the tour is not designed only for confident swimmers.

Still, you should be honest about your own comfort level. Life jackets are included, and the guides provide support, but this is an ocean outing. Water conditions can change, and the boat may move through choppy water. One captain was praised for handling the 22-foot boat in rougher conditions, but the ride is not always perfectly smooth.

Icacos also gives you the classic postcard scenery. The beach and water are the main attraction, not a formal sightseeing program. You will have time to swim, sit, take photographs, and enjoy the island at an unhurried pace. Music may be played on board, but the tone can be relaxed rather than rowdy.

Two hours around Isla Palominos

The second main stop is Isla Palominos, with about two hours planned there. The tour describes access to a private island and its beaches, along with views of the striking residence owned by the island’s owners.

That private setting is a key part of the experience. You are not simply stopping at another crowded public beach. The sense of exclusivity gives the afternoon a slower feel, especially for couples, families, or a group marking a birthday or other special occasion.

The Palominos portion may also include more water time. Snorkeling here has produced sightings of sea turtles, and the crew may help you scout for fish. A paddleboard is included, so you can switch activities if you want a break from swimming.

The two island stops balance each other well. Icacos is the main early stop for snorkeling and beach scenery, while Palominos adds another beach and a more private setting. Captains may time the beaches to avoid the biggest crowds when conditions allow. That flexibility is useful, but you should not treat it as a promise that you will have every beach entirely to yourself.

What Palominito adds to the route

Palominito is a small island with a separate character. Its shape and shoreline have been affected by marine erosion, especially after Hurricane Maria in 2017. The visible changes make it an interesting place to see how storms and the sea can reshape a small island.

The supplied route information includes Palominito as part of the experience, but it does not specify a fixed visit length or guarantee a landing. Think of it as a possible sightseeing feature within the boat route rather than a separate, timed stop equal to Icacos or Palominos.

That distinction matters when planning your expectations. The headline experience is the combination of Icacos and Palominos, snorkeling, and beach time. Palominito adds a point of interest, but your exact route can depend on weather, water conditions, and the captain’s decisions.

Food, drinks, and the practical meaning of all-inclusive

The boat includes snorkeling equipment, life jackets, a paddleboard, water, soda, an aperitif, and snacks. In practice, the food has included small sandwiches, fresh fruit, and a cooler with drinks. For a half-day trip, this is enough to keep most people comfortable without stopping to arrange lunch elsewhere.

I like this arrangement because it lets you board and settle into the day. You do not need to rent masks or fins separately, and you do not have to carry a full cooler onto a small boat. Drinks are also useful after time in the sun and salt water.

Keep the word all-inclusive in perspective. Towels, sunscreen, and gratuity are not included. Transportation or taxi service may be available based on availability, but it costs extra. Bring your own towel and sunscreen, and pack more food if adults in your group have large appetites. One family found the sandwiches and fruit perfect for the children but a little small for adults.

Beer has been available on some outings. If children are joining, the mix of water, soda, and other drinks gives the group options. Since the exact snacks and beverages can vary, do not book this expecting a full restaurant-style lunch.

Captains who make beginners feel at ease

The captain is central to the quality of this experience. Names connected with the tour include Alex, Jorge, Francesca, Joel, and Raul, also called Mako. Your assigned crew may differ, but the service pattern is clear: the captain handles the boat, explains the route, assists with snorkeling, and keeps an eye on the group.

Alex has been singled out for calm instruction, family care, and island knowledge. He has helped children and hesitant swimmers get comfortable, called ahead to remind guests of their scheduled time, and even recovered a wallet lost in the water after the trip. Jorge has been praised for clear communication and a respectful manner. Raul has helped with paddleboarding, taken group photos, and pointed out fish.

Francesca and Joel have also served as hosts, with music, snorkeling help, and an easygoing approach. These details matter because a private boat puts you in close contact with the crew. You are not one face in a crowd. A patient captain can turn a worried first snorkel into the best part of the day.

The captain’s role is not just customer service. It also involves safety and judgment. The boat is operated by a Coast Guard certified captain, and life jackets are supplied. Conditions, beach access, and snorkeling locations can change, so the captain’s call should guide your choices during the outing.

Is $550 a fair price for six people?

The price is $550 per private group of up to six. Fill every seat and you pay about $92 per person. That is a reasonable figure for a four-hour private boat with a captain, snorkeling equipment, snacks, drinks, a paddleboard, parking, and two island areas.

For a couple, the arithmetic is different: the cost is $275 per person. That is not a budget boat ride, but you are paying for privacy rather than simply buying two seats on a shared vessel. For four people, the price comes to $137.50 each. The more people you bring, the stronger the value becomes.

I would compare the price with what you actually want. If your priority is the lowest possible fare and you do not mind sharing a boat, a group excursion may cost less. If you value control over the pace, personal help in the water, and space for only your own family or friends, this package earns its price.

The included extras improve the calculation. Buying snorkeling gear, drinks, lunch, parking, and a paddleboard separately would add cost and planning. The main thing not to overlook is food quantity. The included meal is more like a light boat lunch than a large feast.

Who should book this Fajardo boat tour?

This is a strong fit for:

• Families with children over age two
• Couples who want a private day on the water
• Small groups celebrating a birthday or special occasion
• First-time snorkelers who want hands-on help
• Groups with mixed swimming ability
• Visitors staying in or near Fajardo who can reach Puerto Chico Marina

Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The tour is not recommended for children under two. You should also add each traveler’s age when booking so the operator has the right information for your group.

I would be more cautious if anyone in your party gets seasick, dislikes small boats, or needs a large amount of shade and room. The trip is also weather dependent. A rough day may mean a different route, a rescheduled date, or cancellation with a full refund.

What to bring and what to expect

Pack a towel, sunscreen, and any extra snacks your group may want. Wear a swimsuit and bring whatever dry clothing you need after the water, since towels are not supplied.

Arrive ready for a boat-based day, not a formal guided tour on land. The experience includes scenic views, swimming, snorkeling, beach stops, music on some outings, and time with your own group. You will need to be comfortable getting on and off a small boat and following the captain’s instructions around the water.

Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. The tour has free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded. Since weather can cancel the outing, keep some flexibility in your schedule if possible.

Should you book it?

I would book this tour if you want a private, family-friendly boat day with real help in the water, not a loud group cruise. The strongest reasons are the small group size, the captain’s personal attention, the chance to see turtles and reef fish, and the simple all-in package of gear, food, drinks, and paddleboard.

I would skip it if your main goal is a cheap excursion, a large shaded deck, or a full lunch. For six people who want Icacos, Palominos, snorkeling, and a flexible pace, $550 is a solid value. For a couple, it is a special-occasion splurge. Either way, pack sunscreen, bring a towel, and leave room for the captain to adjust the route to the sea.

FAQ

Where does the boat tour start?

The tour starts at Navea PR Adventure Corp at Puerto Chico Marina in Fajardo, Puerto Rico, ZIP code 00738.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately four hours.

How many people can join the private boat?

The private boat accommodates up to six people per group. Only your group participates in the activity.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The main stops are Cayo Icacos and Isla Palominos. Palominito is also described as part of the route, though no separate visit length is provided.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and life jackets are included, along with a guided snorkeling experience.

Is food included?

Yes. The package includes snacks, water, soda, and an aperitif. The food provided has included small sandwiches and fruit. Towels and sunscreen are not included.

Is a paddleboard available?

Yes. A paddleboard is included with the private boat tour.

Is the tour suitable for children?

Most people can participate, but the tour is not recommended for children under two years old. You should provide each traveler’s age when booking.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund. Free cancellation is also available when you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time.