All-Inclusive Private Charter to Icacos or Palomino Islands

The best part of this Fajardo boat trip is control. Your group of up to six gets its own boat, so you can set the pace instead of following a large catamaran’s schedule. You’ll snorkel at a suitable reef area, then spend time on the white sand of Icacos or Palomino, with crew members such as John, Adriana, Syd, Lolo, and Oscar handling the boat, safety, and refreshments.

I like the easy all-inclusive setup: snorkel gear and a guided water session are included, along with sandwiches, fruit, snacks, and drinks. I also like the relaxed family feel. The crew has helped nervous children with snorkeling, supplied noodles and floating mats, played requested music, and adjusted the outing when a group wanted to stay longer at Icacos.

The main drawback is the short four-hour schedule. You get a taste of snorkeling and island beach time, but not a full day on the water. The $750 group price is sensible for six people, less so for a couple, and the final island choice and route depend on conditions and the crew’s judgment.

Key points before you book

• Private boat for up to six: Your group does not share the vessel with a busload of strangers.
• Two useful departure times: Choose 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. or 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
• Snorkeling comes with guidance: Equipment and a guided snorkel stop are part of the charter.
• Food and drinks are supplied: Expect ham and cheese sandwiches, fruit, snacks, water, juice, Pepsi, 7Up, Medalla beer, and rum.
• Icacos and Palomino offer different moods: Both give you water time and beach time, but the crew selects the best snorkeling area for the day.
• The outing returns to Sunbay Marina: Plan around a four-hour round trip from the Fajardo meeting point.

A private boat changes the whole day

Large boat excursions can be fun, but they set the rhythm for you. A private charter gives your group more say in how the four hours unfold. You can spend more time snorkeling if that is the priority, or move on to the beach when the children have had enough water.

That flexibility is the real reason to book this instead of a shared cruise. You are not paying for a luxury yacht. You are paying for space, privacy, a crew focused only on your group, and a more personal plan.

The boat leaves from Sunbay Marina in Fajardo and ends back there. The activity is listed as lasting about four hours, with no separate admission charge for the island stops. You should allow time before departure to reach the marina, but the supplied details do not include a hotel pickup service.

The group limit matters. Six people can split the $750 price to reach $125 per person, which makes the charter a fair buy for a family or group of friends. Four people pay $187.50 each, while two people pay $375 each. If you can fill the boat, the value improves quickly.

Choosing Icacos or Palomino

The charter offers Cayo Icacos or Isla Palominos. Both are reached from Fajardo and both are used for the same basic pattern: a guided snorkel stop followed by time near the selected island for swimming and beach relaxation.

You do not appear to book a rigid island-hopping circuit. Instead, you choose the island, and the crew decides where snorkeling will work best before moving near the beach. That approach makes sense because water conditions and visibility can change.

Cayo Icacos

Icacos is the option most closely tied to the supplied trip details and the strongest choice if beach time is your main goal. The beach is described as white sand with clear water, and the activity includes time to swim, relax, and use floating noodles or a mat supplied by the crew.

The snorkeling stop comes first or near the start of the outing, followed by a move toward the island. The guided format helps if you have little experience. One crew member can explain how to use the equipment and guide you over the reef area.

The water can be full of marine life, but sightings are not guaranteed. The supplied experiences include fish, lobsters, sea turtles, a manatee, and even dolphins on one outing. Another group saw plenty of fish but no turtles. That is a useful expectation to set: the wildlife can be excellent, but this is not a guaranteed animal-spotting trip.

Icacos also works well for families. A nine-year-old who felt unsure in the water received patient help from the crew, and children enjoyed the noodles and floating mat. If your group includes a cautious swimmer, tell the crew early so they can help you choose a comfortable way to join the snorkel stop.

Isla Palominos

Palomino follows the same four-hour structure. You get a snorkeling session, equipment, guidance, and beach time, with snacks and drinks served aboard the boat.

The supplied information connects this route with the Cabezas de San Juan Natural Reserve. The Icacos route lists El Faro de las Cabezas de San Juan as an attraction. These references provide a sense of the surrounding area, but the details do not promise a land visit to the lighthouse or a guided tour of the reserve.

That distinction matters. Book this for water, sand, and a private boat day, not for an extensive sightseeing tour of Fajardo’s protected areas. If you want a specific landmark visit, ask the operator before departure.

What the four hours look like

The morning charter runs from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The afternoon charter runs from 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. The two choices are practical. The morning slot leaves the rest of your day open, while the afternoon slot can fit a slower start.

The route begins at Sunbay Marina. Once underway, the crew takes you toward the best available snorkeling location for your chosen route. You receive snorkeling equipment and a guided session rather than simply being dropped in the water with gear.

The guided part is valuable for beginners and families. Crew members have given brief refreshers on proper equipment use and safely led swimmers along coral areas. If you are already a strong snorkeler, you can still use the time to look for fish and reef life, but the session is not designed as a long independent expedition.

After snorkeling, the boat moves near Icacos or Palomino for beach and swimming time. This is where the private format pays off. You can settle into the water, relax on the sand, listen to music, or simply enjoy the view without racing to rejoin a larger vessel.

Food and drinks are available during the outing. The included food is simple rather than gourmet: ham and cheese sandwiches, fruit, snacks, water, juice, Pepsi, and 7Up. The alcohol package includes a case of Medalla beer and rum.

That menu is enough to keep a half-day trip comfortable, especially when swimming makes you hungry. If you have dietary restrictions, do not assume the sandwiches will suit you. The stated food is specifically ham and cheese, and no alternate menu is described.

The crew makes the difference

A private boat is only as good as the people running it. Here, the crew role goes beyond driving. Captains and mates help with gear, watch swimmers, keep drinks and food moving, and adjust the mood for the group.

Names connected with especially positive outings include John, Adriana, Syd, Oscar, Lolo, Angel, Justin, Jamil, Bradley, and Jon. Crew assignments can change, so you should not book on the promise of one particular person unless the company confirms it. Still, the repeated praise for different crew combinations points to a broad service strength rather than one lucky pairing.

The crew has been described as attentive, professional, friendly, and relaxed. Those are useful traits on a small boat. You want clear safety instructions without a stiff lecture, and you want help in the water without someone hovering over every moment.

The strongest practical detail is the care shown to less confident swimmers. A crew member patiently assisted a nervous nine-year-old, while another group received a clear refresher on snorkeling and a guided route across the coral. That makes this more suitable for mixed-ability families than an outing built only for strong swimmers.

Music is also part of the mood. The crew has played music chosen by the group, which gives the trip a casual, social feel. If you prefer quiet, say so. A private boat lets you shape the atmosphere more than a shared excursion would.

Food, drinks, and useful extras

The included supplies are one reason the price can work for a full group. You do not need to arrange a separate lunch for a four-hour outing, and you can have drinks close at hand after snorkeling.

Expect Pepsi, 7Up, juice, and water, along with fruit, sandwiches, and snack foods. The alcohol selection is more limited: Medalla beer and rum. This is convenient, but it is not a full bar, and the details do not say how rum is served or what mixers are available.

The crew has also provided beach umbrellas, noodles, and a floating mat. These extras matter more than they may sound. An umbrella gives you shade during beach time, while noodles and a mat help children or tired swimmers enjoy the water without constant effort.

Because the activity is outdoors and weather-dependent, bring the usual sun and swim basics. The supplied information does not list a packing guide, so I would confirm any needs with Escape To Paradise PR before you go, especially if you require special food or equipment.

How this compares with a shared catamaran

The clearest comparison is privacy. On a shared catamaran, you generally accept the group’s music, timing, seating, and water schedule. Here, only your party participates, up to six people.

Several outings have been praised specifically because the group could look across at crowded catamarans while enjoying its own boat. That does not mean the private charter is quieter or more luxurious in every case. It means you have more control and fewer strangers around you.

The private setup is especially useful for families, couples traveling with friends, and groups with mixed swimming ability. It also suits anyone who wants to celebrate without making a whole boatload of new acquaintances.

The tradeoff is cost. A shared trip may be cheaper per person, especially for one or two people. This charter makes the most financial sense when you have five or six people ready to split the fee.

Safety, comfort, and participation

The activity states that most people can participate and that service animals are allowed. It is also near public transportation, though transportation to the marina is not included in the supplied details.

The crew places clear attention on safety during snorkeling and swimming. You can expect guidance with the equipment and help in the water, but you remain responsible for telling the crew about your swimming ability and any concerns.

The boat has been described as spacious and clean in the supplied experiences. Still, this is a boat excursion, not a resort day. You will move between the vessel, the water, and the beach, so anyone uncomfortable with boat motion or swimming should think carefully before booking.

Good weather is required. If poor weather cancels the trip, you can receive a different date or a full refund. For a normal cancellation, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the start time to receive a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

Who gets the most value from this charter

I would choose this for a group of friends who wants a relaxed beach day with drinks and music, or for a family that values personal attention. The crew’s help with children and beginners is a real plus.

It is also a good match for people who dislike crowded boats. You can set your own pace, stay at Icacos while everyone is having fun, and avoid the social pressure of a large shared group.

I would be more cautious if you are a solo visitor or a couple without anyone to share the cost. The $750 group rate does not drop to match a smaller party, so the per-person price becomes high.

I would also look elsewhere if your main goal is a long, serious snorkeling session or a cultural tour of Fajardo. This is a balanced half-day of snorkeling, swimming, food, and beach time. It is not a specialist marine biology trip or a land-based tour of El Faro de las Cabezas de San Juan.

Should you book the Icacos or Palomino charter?

Book it if you can fill most or all of the six seats and want privacy more than the lowest possible price. The combination of a private boat, guided snorkeling, beach time, food, drinks, and flexible pacing is the strongest part of the deal.

Choose Icacos if you want the clearest fit with the described white-sand beach experience and family-friendly water time. Consider Palomino if that island better suits your plans, but confirm exactly what you will see and how the route will run.

My practical call: this is a strong choice for six people, a reasonable splurge for four, and a costly option for two. If you value a relaxed crew, personal service, and freedom from a crowded catamaran, it earns its place on your Puerto Rico schedule.

FAQ

Where does the private charter begin?

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

Where does the activity end?

The charter ends back at the meeting point at Sunbay Marina.

How long does the tour last?

The activity lasts approximately four hours.

What departure times are available?

You can choose 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. or 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

How many people can join the private boat?

The $750 price covers one private group of up to six people.

Can I choose between Icacos and Palomino?

Yes. The experience offers a half-day charter to either Cayo Icacos or Isla Palominos.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and a guided snorkeling tour are included.

What food and non-alcoholic drinks are provided?

The included food consists of fruit, ham and cheese sandwiches, and snacks. Drinks include Pepsi, 7Up, juice, and water.

Are alcoholic drinks included?

Yes. The charter includes a case of Medalla beer and rum.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes the cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund.