Private All Inclusive East Coast Keys Tour and Snorkel Experience

The best part of this private Fajardo boat tour is control. You are not squeezed onto a large shared excursion, and your captain can adjust the pace for your group. The route pairs snorkeling at Cayo Icacos with white-sand beach time, a turtle sighting near Palominos, and a second beach stop.

I like the included sandwiches, chips, soft drinks, water, and local beer, and I like that the boat has a shade canopy, Bluetooth sound system, and floating mat. The main drawback is simple but important: there is no restroom onboard, and four hours can feel short if you want long snorkeling and beach sessions at every stop.

Key points at a glance

• Private boat for up to six: You get the boat and captain to yourselves, with no strangers joining your group.
• Cayo Icacos gets the longest stop: Plan on roughly two and a half hours for reef snorkeling and beach time.
• Palomino offers turtle watching and swimming: The turtle area is for sightseeing, followed by a relaxing beach stop.
• Food and drinks are included: Expect sandwiches, chips, Coca-Cola, Sprite, bottled water, and local beer.
• A comfortable boat setup: Shade, snorkeling gear, jumbo noodles, and a floating oasis mat make the half-day easier.
• The captain can shape the day: The schedule has a plan, but the private format gives your group more say in the timing.

A private route from Marina Puerto Chico

Your outing begins at Marina Puerto Chico in Fajardo, with pickup available from a designated hotel or port location. Confirm the exact pickup plan when you book, since the listed meeting point is the marina at PR-987 and the activity returns there after the boat ride.

Fajardo is a practical launch point for the islands off Puerto Rico’s northeast coast. From the marina, you head toward clear water, small offshore islands, and beaches that feel far removed from the mainland. The boat ride itself is part of the pleasure, but this is mainly a water-and-beach trip rather than a sightseeing cruise packed with historical stops.

The group limit of six matters. On a shared boat, you follow someone else’s lunch break, swimming preferences, and tolerance for sun. Here, your family or friends can decide if the priority is snorkeling, floating, eating, or simply sitting under the shade and listening to music.

The tour has earned a 4.9 rating from 424 reviews, with 97 percent recommending it. That level of approval fits the strongest parts of the experience: capable captains, a clean and spacious boat, good supplies, and a relaxed private setting.

The boat ride and the view toward San Juan’s lighthouse

At some point along the route, you get a view of El Faro de San Juan from the water. The lighthouse is not presented as a formal stop with time to go ashore, so think of this as a passing coastal view rather than a lighthouse visit.

That distinction helps set expectations. You are not booking a history tour of San Juan, and you will not be walking through the lighthouse. You are seeing Puerto Rico from a different angle, with the coastline and offshore water providing the setting.

The boat is described as new, spacious, comfortable, and powerful enough to handle a relatively choppy day better than smaller craft. That can make a real difference for families, older adults, or anyone who feels uneasy on boats. Still, sea conditions vary, and the operator requires good weather for the trip to run.

A shade canopy offers some relief from the strong Caribbean sun. You also get a Bluetooth sound system, so your group can play its own music. Keep the volume sensible, particularly near wildlife and other boats, but the personal soundtrack is a nice touch on a private charter.

Cayo Icacos: reef snorkeling followed by beach time

Cayo Icacos is the centerpiece of the outing. The first part of the stop takes place around the Icacos Reef area, where you can use the supplied masks, snorkels, and other gear. The water is known for clear visibility, colorful fish, and a pale sandy bottom, although the exact conditions depend on weather and the sea that day.

You are not left to bring your own snorkeling equipment. Gear is included, which saves room in your luggage and removes one more rental decision. The crew can also help your group get settled in the water, though the supplied information does not promise a formal lesson or a dedicated marine guide.

After snorkeling, the boat heads to Icacos Beach. This is where the private format pays off. Your group can swim, sit on the sand, eat lunch, or use the floating equipment without being pushed along by a large tour schedule.

The planned stop lasts about two hours and 30 minutes, making it the longest section of the tour. That should give you enough time to combine reef time and beach time, but you may still need to choose how to divide it. If snorkeling is your top goal, get in the water early. If you have small children or non-swimmers, you may prefer to spend more of the stop near the beach and floating mat.

The beach is remote in feel, with white sand and bright turquoise water. Do not expect shops, changing rooms, or a beach café. The boat is your base, and the included cooler and snacks are especially useful here.

Palominos: turtle watching without getting in the water

The route then moves to Isla Palominos for sea turtle sightseeing. The turtle portion is brief, listed at about 10 minutes, so treat it as a focused wildlife viewing stop rather than a long snorkeling session.

The turtle area is protected, and the activity is sightseeing only. You may see turtles from the boat, but you should not expect to swim among them. That restriction is a good thing for the animals and gives you a chance to watch without chasing or crowding them.

Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, even when conditions are good. Past outings have included turtles, fish, and even a manatee mother and calf, but nature sets the schedule. Your captain may point out wildlife and share information about the area, yet no responsible operator can promise a particular animal on a particular morning.

The short turtle stop also explains why this tour works best for people who want a mix of activities. If your main aim is a long wildlife encounter, the 10-minute plan may feel limited. If you want turtles as one memorable part of a beach day, it fits nicely.

Palomino Beach and the Palominito pass-by

After the turtle viewing, you spend about an hour at the relaxing beach on Isla Palominos. This gives you another chance to swim, sunbathe, float, or eat. The second beach stop breaks up the day and means you are not depending entirely on Icacos for your time ashore.

The beach schedule is flexible in spirit. Captains have adjusted the length of stops for individual groups, allowing more time in a favorite location when conditions and timing permit. That is one of the clearest benefits of paying for a private boat.

The itinerary also includes a brief visit near Palominito Island, listed at about 10 minutes. The island is associated with filming locations for Pirates of the Caribbean, but this is a quick pass-by rather than a full island visit. You should see it as a scenic photo opportunity and a bit of film trivia, not another substantial beach stop.

The day may also include a sandbar or other nearby water stop, depending on the captain, weather, and sea conditions. Since the exact order can change, do not build your expectations around a rigid minute-by-minute schedule.

What comes with the $715 group price

The price is $715 per group of up to six. At the full six-person limit, that works out to about $119 per person. For a couple or a small group, the per-person cost is higher, but you are paying for exclusive use of the boat rather than a seat on a shared excursion.

That distinction makes the value strongest for families and groups of friends who would otherwise book several seats on a crowded boat. You also avoid paying separately for basic drinks, food, snorkeling equipment, and floats.

Included supplies are:

• Bottled water, Coca-Cola, and Sprite
• Sandwiches and chips
• Local beer
• Snorkeling gear
• Jumbo floating noodles
• A floating oasis water mat
• A sun shade
• Bluetooth music system
• The private boat and captain

The sandwiches and chips are more like practical boat food than a full meal. They are enough to keep you going through a half-day on the water, and you can bring additional drinks or food. The cooler can hold your own beverages, including personal choices beyond the included local beer.

Alcohol is included, but drink responsibly. You are still on a moving boat, under a strong sun, and in open water. Water and soft drinks should remain part of your plan, especially for children and anyone prone to seasickness.

There is no restroom onboard. This is the detail I would take most seriously before booking. Use a restroom at the marina or your pickup point before departure, and avoid treating the trip as a full-day outing with no land access.

Captains who shape the experience

Encanto Boat Tours has several captains associated with this experience. Carlos appears often in the supplied feedback, while Jamil and Derek are also praised by name. You cannot assume a particular captain unless the company confirms one, but the captain can have a large effect on a private charter.

Carlos has been praised for explaining the route, sharing local history, helping with seasickness, and keeping food and drinks ready. Jamil is noted for his information about Puerto Rico’s past and for a friendly approach. Derek is described as relaxed and attentive to the group’s preferred pace.

The most useful thing to know is that the captain is not only driving the boat. The captain handles safety, reads the water, helps decide where to stop, and can make the day easier for mixed-age groups. One family ranging from ages 6 to 68 enjoyed the trip, and another group with children ages 5, 7, and 10 found the boat comfortable on a choppy day.

That does not mean the tour is risk-free or effortless for everyone. If you regularly get seasick, bring whatever prevention you normally use and tell the operator ahead of time. One outing included a passenger who became seasick, and the captain was able to help, but prevention is still the wiser plan.

Who will enjoy this half-day charter most

This is a strong pick for families who want several activities without committing to a full day. Children can use the floating mat and noodles, adults can snorkel or relax, and the short boat transfers keep the day moving.

It also suits multigenerational groups. The boat has room for up to six, the itinerary includes both active and quiet stops, and you can spend less time snorkeling if some members prefer to swim or sit in the shade.

Couples and small friend groups should consider the cost carefully. The experience is private and well supplied, but the per-person price rises when only two or three people share the $715 rate. If privacy, music, and schedule control matter to you, the extra cost may be worthwhile. If you mainly want the lowest-priced way to reach Icacos, a shared trip could cost less.

This outing is less suitable if you want a long cultural tour, a formal ecology lesson, or guaranteed close wildlife encounters. The history and local information come through the captain, but the heart of the trip is swimming, snorkeling, beaches, and open water.

Timing, pickup, and practical preparation

The tour lasts about four hours and ends back at Marina Puerto Chico. Pickup is offered from a designated location, which is useful if you are staying at a hotel or arriving through a port, but confirm the exact arrangements before setting out.

Allow extra travel time to reach Fajardo. One group underestimated Puerto Rico traffic and arrived an hour late. The captain still waited, but lateness can disrupt the schedule and create stress for everyone, so build in a generous cushion.

Wear a swimsuit and bring sun protection. You should also bring a towel, dry clothes, and any personal medication you need. The supplied information confirms snorkeling gear, food, drinks, and floats, so you do not need to pack those unless you prefer your own equipment.

A waterproof phone case is useful for photos, but protect your phone and other valuables. The boat has a shade area, not an enclosed cabin, and most of the day is spent around water.

The experience is available with a mobile ticket. Confirmation arrives at booking, service animals are allowed, and most people can participate. If anyone in your group has mobility, medical, or swimming concerns, ask the operator before reserving, since the supplied details do not explain boarding assistance or specific accessibility arrangements.

Cancellation is free if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund. Poor weather can cancel the trip, in which case you are offered another date or a full refund.

Should you book the Encanto private boat tour?

Book it if you want a private, well-stocked half-day on the water and your group includes up to six people. The strongest reasons are the spacious boat, flexible pacing, included food and drinks, good snorkeling access at Icacos, two beach settings, and a chance to see turtles from the boat.

I would especially choose it for a family or group that values comfort and privacy over the absolute lowest price. The four-hour schedule gives you a satisfying sample of the northeast coast without taking the entire day, though serious snorkelers may wish they had more time.

Think twice if the lack of a restroom is a deal breaker, if you need a guaranteed wildlife sighting, or if your group is too small to make the group rate feel fair. For everyone else, this is a well-organized way to reach Icacos and Palominos while keeping the day relaxed and personal.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin?

The tour begins at Marina Puerto Chico, located at 89X7+699, PR-987, Fajardo, Puerto Rico. Pickup is also offered from a designated hotel or port location.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point at Marina Puerto Chico.

How long does the experience last?

The private boat and snorkeling experience lasts approximately four hours.

How many people can join the private boat?

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

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling gear is included in the tour price.

What food and drinks are included?

The boat provides sandwiches, chips, Coca-Cola, Sprite, bottled water, and local beers. You may also bring your own drinks and food.

Is there a restroom onboard?

No. There is no restroom onboard the boat.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes the experience to be canceled, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund.