All-Inclusive Private Charter to Icacos or Palomino Islands

Clear water, quiet beaches, and your own boat. This private Fajardo charter lets you choose Icacos or Palomino, then sets a relaxed pace for swimming, snorkeling, and beach time. I especially like the private group format and the generous supply of fruit, sandwiches, snacks, and drinks. The main consideration is the four-hour limit, which gives you a pleasant half-day but not much room for a long island stay and several water activities.

The crew adds real value. Captains and mates such as Jon, John, Adriana, Syd, Lolo, Angel, Bradley, and Jamil have earned praise for safety, friendly service, music choices, and patient snorkeling help. You should also know that the route depends on conditions, and the boat may focus on one island and one strong snorkeling area rather than trying to squeeze in every possible stop.

Key points at a glance

• Private boat for up to six people: You avoid sharing the outing with a large catamaran crowd and can help set the pace.
• Two useful departure windows: Choose 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. or 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
• Icacos or Palomino: The crew selects the best snorkeling area for your chosen route, then moves near the island for beach time.
• Food and drinks are included: Expect fruit, ham and cheese sandwiches, snacks, water, juice, Pepsi, 7UP, Medalla beer, and rum.
• Snorkeling help is part of the service: Equipment and a guided snorkeling session are included, with extra patience for less confident swimmers.
• The experience returns to Sunbay Marina: The departure and return point is Sunbay Marina in Fajardo.

Why a private boat changes the day

A half-day boat trip can feel very different depending on who shares the deck. Here, the boat is reserved for your group, up to six people. That matters most if you are traveling with children, older relatives, or friends who want different amounts of swimming and beach time.

You can help set the rhythm instead of following a fixed crowd schedule. One family chose to remain at Icacos because everyone was having such a good time, while another group spent about 30 minutes snorkeling before moving to the beach. That flexibility is one of the strongest reasons to consider this charter.

The boat also avoids the social noise of a packed catamaran. You get your own music choices, your own conversation, and more space to settle into the day. Several groups specifically praised the relaxed atmosphere and the sense that the crew kept checking on them without being overbearing.

There is a practical tradeoff. A private boat does not automatically mean a luxury yacht or a full-day island expedition. This is a four-hour outing, so you need to choose your priorities. If snorkeling, sand, food, and a swim are enough, the time works well. If you want extended beach time, several reefs, and a slow ride between multiple islands, a longer trip would make more sense.

Choosing between Icacos and Palomino

The experience offers two routes: Cayo Icacos and Isla Palominos. You select the island when booking, and the crew takes you toward a suitable snorkeling area before moving near your chosen beach.

Icacos receives the most detailed praise in the available comments. It is associated with clear water, white sand, swimming, snorkeling, and a laid-back beach stop. Groups reported seeing fish, lobsters, sea turtles, a manatee, and even a group of dolphins during their time on or near the water. Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, but the range of sightings shows why the snorkeling portion is more than a quick equipment photo opportunity.

The crew can also guide you through the reef area. One group noted that Lolo gave a refresher on using the equipment and safely guided the swimmers near coral. That is useful if you have snorkeled before but want a little direction, or if someone in your group is nervous in the water.

Palomino gives you a second island option and a similar structure. You still receive guided snorkeling, equipment, refreshments, and time near the beach. The supplied details do not provide as many specific wildlife or beach observations for Palomino, so I would choose it because of your preference, availability, or the crew’s advice for the day rather than expecting an identical experience.

Both routes include scenery connected with the Cabezas de San Juan area. The itinerary identifies El Faro de las Cabezas de San Juan with the Icacos route and Reserva Natural Cabezas de San Juan with the Palomino route. These are part of the surrounding setting, but the main focus of the charter is the water, the snorkeling stop, and the island beach rather than a formal lighthouse or nature-reserve tour.

The four-hour route, step by step

The day begins at Sunbay Marina, Parcelas Beltran Barrio, Fajardo, Puerto Rico 00738. The activity also ends there, so you do not need to arrange a separate return from the island.

You can choose the morning departure from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. or the afternoon departure from 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. The morning slot gives you the rest of the day after returning. The afternoon slot can work better if you want a slower start or have another morning plan.

Once underway, the crew takes you to what they consider the best snorkeling spot for the selected route. The exact place can depend on conditions, which is sensible on a boat trip. Water quality, wind, and comfort matter more than forcing a particular location.

Snorkeling equipment is included, and the session is guided. You can expect the crew to help you get set up and point out marine life. The available comments describe fish, coral, lobsters, turtles, and a manatee, but you should treat those as lucky sightings rather than a promise.

After snorkeling, the boat moves near the chosen island for beach time. This is where the private format pays off. You can swim, relax on the white sand, use floating mats or noodles if supplied by the crew, and decide how much time you want to spend in the water.

Food and drinks are available during the outing. The listed food includes fruit, ham and cheese sandwiches, and snacks. Drinks include Pepsi, 7UP, juice, and water. Alcoholic drinks include a case of Medalla beer and rum. If you have dietary restrictions, ask before booking because the supplied details do not describe substitute meals.

The crew may also provide a beach umbrella, floating mat, and noodles, as one group specifically praised. These items are mentioned in the experience feedback, but the formal inclusion list only clearly guarantees snorkeling gear, food, and beverages. If a particular beach item matters to you, confirm it ahead of time.

Snorkeling for confident swimmers and first timers

The snorkeling portion is a major reason to book this trip, but you should think honestly about your group’s comfort in the water. The crew has been praised for safety instructions and for helping children and cautious swimmers. One guide was especially patient with a nine-year-old who felt nervous.

That personal help is hard to get on a large shared boat. With only your group aboard, you can ask for a refresher, take your time with the mask and snorkel, or stay closer to the boat until you feel comfortable. The crew can also help keep the session organized around the group’s abilities.

Still, this is an ocean outing. The itinerary does not promise calm water, a particular reef, turtles, or any specific marine animal. If your main goal is a guaranteed wildlife encounter, no short snorkeling trip can honestly offer that. The sensible approach is to enjoy the water and treat animals as a bonus.

You may also prefer a beach-focused day if not everyone wants to snorkel. The private boat makes that easier because one person’s lack of interest does not force the entire group into a fixed program.

Food, drinks, and the onboard feel

The included refreshments make the price easier to understand. You are not simply paying for transport to an island. Your group receives fruit, sandwiches, snacks, soft drinks, juice, and water, with Medalla beer and rum also listed.

The food is straightforward rather than elaborate. Ham and cheese sandwiches are practical for a boat, and fruit is welcome after swimming in the sun. Several groups praised the snacks and drinks, including the quality of the beverages and the care taken to keep supplies available.

Music is another small detail that affects the mood. The crew has been praised for playing music chosen by the group, which gives the trip a more personal feel. You can expect a friendly, social outing rather than a silent sightseeing cruise.

Alcohol calls for common sense. Beer and rum are included, but you are still on a moving boat and spending time in the water. Keep your own group’s limits in mind, especially if children or nervous swimmers are aboard.

How the $750 price works for a group

The listed cost is $750 per group of up to six people, not $750 per person. At the full six-person capacity, that works out to $125 each before considering the included food, drinks, snorkeling equipment, and private service.

For a group of four, the equivalent cost is $187.50 per person. For two people, it becomes $375 each, so the value depends heavily on how many people share the boat.

I think the price is strongest for six friends or a family group that would otherwise book several seats on a shared excursion. You are paying for privacy, control over the schedule, and direct attention from the captain and mate. The difference is especially meaningful if you dislike crowded catamarans or want to keep children close.

The value is less obvious for a couple or a very small group. A shared trip may cost less per person, though it would not offer the same control or privacy. Before booking, compare the total private price with the combined cost of individual seats on other boats, not just the advertised per-person rate.

The strong satisfaction record supports the price, but you should not book based on a rating alone. The trip suits people who value service, flexibility, and a smaller group more than a long list of formal attractions.

Crew service and what it adds

The crew is central to the experience. Names associated with especially warm feedback include Jon, John, Adriana, Syd, SydMarie, Lolo, Angel, Bradley, Jamil, Justin, and Red. Crew assignments can vary, so you may not get a particular person unless the company confirms a request.

The repeated praise focuses on attentiveness, safety, friendliness, and fun. Guides have helped with snorkeling equipment, explained marine life, checked on drinks and snacks, and made families feel comfortable. That is useful because a good captain can turn an ordinary boat ride into a relaxed day.

The crew also appears willing to adjust the outing around your group. You might spend more time at the beach, return to the boat for food, or keep the music going while you swim. The precise timing remains flexible, but the overall experience stays within four hours.

One unusual detail is that a group reported stopping to help a stranded couple. That is not a promised part of the route, but it gives you a sense of the practical, hands-on nature of the crew.

Who should book this charter?

I would consider this trip a good fit for:

• Families who want a private boat and close attention from the crew.
• Couples or friends who prefer a quieter outing than a large catamaran.
• Groups with mixed interests in snorkeling, swimming, and beach time.
• First-time snorkelers who would benefit from personal instruction.
• Groups of five or six, where the fixed price makes the cost per person more reasonable.
• People who want included snacks and drinks without arranging every detail themselves.

You may want a different option if you need a full-day trip, a formal lighthouse visit, a guaranteed wildlife sighting, or a detailed island-hopping schedule. Four hours passes quickly once you include the ride, snorkeling, beach time, and food.

Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The meeting point is near public transportation, and confirmation is issued when you book. The activity requires good weather. If poor weather cancels it, you can receive a different date or a full refund.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund, so watch the local cutoff time.

Should you book the Icacos or Palomino charter?

Book it if you want a private, friendly, half-day boat outing with snorkeling, beach time, and food already handled. I especially like it for a family or friend group of four to six people. The private setting, patient water assistance, flexible pace, and included refreshments give the day more personal character than a standard group cruise.

Choose Icacos if its clear water, white sand, and stronger record of marine-life sightings appeal to you. Choose Palomino if you prefer that island or if the crew recommends it for conditions. Either way, go in expecting a well-run four-hour escape, not an all-day expedition.

The best booking tip is simple: gather enough people to share the $750 cost, decide if you want the morning or afternoon slot, and tell the company about any snorkeling concerns before departure. If your group values privacy more than the lowest possible fare, this charter is a strong choice.

FAQ

How much does the private charter cost?

The charter costs $750 per group of up to six people.

How long does the experience last?

The excursion 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.

Does the tour include snorkeling equipment?

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

What food and drinks are provided?

The included refreshments are fruit, ham and cheese sandwiches, snacks, Pepsi, 7UP, juice, and water. Medalla beer and rum are also listed as included alcoholic beverages.

Where does the boat leave from and return?

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