Full Charter All Inclusive for Icacos and Palomino

Paradise comes with a boarding time. This private Fajardo charter combines guided snorkeling at Tortuga Reef, beach time on Cayo Icacos and Isla Palomino, a BBQ lunch, drinks, and a comfortable boat for up to six people. I like the personal service and the fact that the day includes nearly everything you need once you leave the marina. I also like the well-planned mix of water time, sand, food, and music.

The main thing to consider is the price. At $1,350 per group, the charter is a strong value for six people, but much less so for a couple or a small family. You should also bring your own towel and sunblock, since those are the two notable items not supplied.

Five details that shape the day

• Tortuga Reef snorkeling: The trip begins with guided snorkeling and provided equipment, so you are not left to figure out the reef on your own.
• Two island beaches: You get time at both Cayo Icacos and Isla Palomino, rather than spending the entire day at one beach.
• Private group of up to six: Your boat is reserved for your party, which allows the crew to tailor the pace and help with individual needs.
• A real lunch at the beach stop: The BBQ meal includes chicken, pasta salad, bread, fruit, snacks, and drinks.
• Comforts on the boat: A restroom, floaters, a floating mat, music, water, juice, soda, beer, and rum are included.
• Full half-day commitment: The outing lasts about 7 hours and 30 minutes, with a 9:00 am start and a return to Sunbay Marina in Fajardo.

Starting at Sunbay Marina in Fajardo

Your morning begins at Sunbay Marina, at Parcelas Beltran Barrio in Fajardo. The listed start time is 9:00 am, and the tour returns to the same meeting point after the island stops.

That makes the outing fairly easy to plan if you are staying in or near Fajardo. The marina has parking, bathrooms, and showers, useful before departure or after a full day in salt water. It is also near public transportation, though the information does not specify exact routes or schedules.

I would arrive with your towel and sunblock already packed. The operator handles the rest of the practical gear, including snorkeling equipment, floating gear, food, drinks, and water. Since the boat has a restroom, you do not need to worry about being away from shore for most of the day.

This is a private activity for only your group, with a maximum of six people. That matters more than it may sound. On a shared boat, you follow someone else’s schedule. Here, your party can enjoy a quieter outing and receive more direct attention from the captain and crew.

The boat ride and onboard comforts

The operator places clear emphasis on a clean, comfortable boat in good condition. You can expect a spotless, spacious setting, with a restroom onboard and room for the supplies needed for a full day on the water.

The boat carries snorkeling equipment, floaters, and a floating mat. Those extras make it easier to switch between active water time and simply lying back. Music is also provided, so the mood can be lively rather than silent during the ride between the islands.

Drinks are unusually generous for a private charter. The package includes water, Pepsi, 7UP, Diet Coke, Capri Sun juice, one box of Medalla beer, and 1.75 liters of rum. Alcohol is part of the package, but use common sense around the water. If you drink, keep your swimming and snorkeling plans in mind.

Chips and fruit are also provided. That is helpful because the morning starts with activity before lunch, and a small snack can keep the day moving without making you wait for the main meal.

Guided snorkeling at Tortuga Reef

The first major water stop is guided snorkeling at Tortuga Reef. The guide supplies the equipment and leads the snorkeling portion, which is especially useful if you are new to the activity or want help spotting marine life.

The clear water around these islands is the central attraction. Icacos and Palomino are known for white sand and calm-looking, transparent water, and the reef adds more than a simple swim. You get a chance to see marine life in its natural setting rather than only admiring the islands from the beach.

A practical detail matters here: the snorkeling gear is described as fitting well and not leaking. That can make a huge difference. Poorly fitting masks turn snorkeling into a constant chore, while reliable equipment lets you pay attention to the reef.

I would still ask the crew about the day’s water conditions before getting in. The tour includes guided snorkeling, but the length and ease of the session can depend on the sea. You should be comfortable in the water, or tell the crew if you need extra help. Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed.

After snorkeling, the boat heads to Cayo Icacos for beach time and lunch.

Cayo Icacos, four hours of sand and lunch

Cayo Icacos receives the largest portion of the day, about four hours including snorkeling, beach time, and lunch. That is a sensible choice because it gives you time to slow down instead of racing from one stop to the next.

Icacos is the place to settle into the island rhythm. You can use the umbrella in the sand, float in the water, relax on the beach, or return to the boat as needed. A floating mat and other floaters are included, giving you more options than simply sitting at the shoreline.

The umbrella is a useful touch in Puerto Rico’s strong sun. Still, bring sunblock and apply it early. The operator does not provide it, and the combination of water, white sand, and a long day outdoors can catch you off guard.

Lunch is a BBQ meal of chicken, pasta salad, and bread, with fruit and snacks available as well. It is a straightforward menu, but it suits a beach day. You do not lose time searching for food, carrying a cooler, or returning to Fajardo for a meal.

The lunch also helps justify the all-inclusive price. The package is not simply a boat transfer to two beaches. It covers the meal, drinks, gear, and the practical items that would otherwise add small costs throughout the day.

Cayo Icacos may also be the best place to spend your most relaxed beach hours. You have enough time for swimming, sunbathing, floating, and eating without watching the clock every few minutes. If your group includes people with different interests, that flexibility is valuable. Some can snorkel or swim while others stay beneath the umbrella.

Sailing to Isla Palomino

After lunch and the main beach period at Icacos, the boat sails to Isla Palomino. The schedule allows about two hours at Palomino Beach.

This second stop gives the day a change of scenery. Rather than returning after one island, you get another stretch of white sand and clear water. The timing is shorter than at Icacos, so I would treat Palomino as a final beach session rather than expecting another full activity program.

Palomino works well as the afternoon wind-down. You can use the floating gear, listen to music, or enjoy one last swim before the return to Fajardo. The operator describes both islands as places with beautiful beaches and abundant marine life, but the specific snorkeling time is assigned to Tortuga Reef, not Palomino.

The two-island structure is one of the better parts of the trip. You see more of the area without spending the whole day in transit. At the same time, the schedule is long enough that you do not have to choose between snorkeling and relaxing on the sand.

What the $1,350 price really buys

The total cost is $1,350 for up to six people. With six in the group, that works out to $225 per person. For a private boat day that includes snorkeling equipment, a BBQ lunch, soft drinks, water, juice, beer, rum, snacks, floaters, a floating mat, music, and a restroom, the price can make sense.

The value falls quickly with fewer people. For four people, the cost is $337.50 each. For two, it becomes $675 per person. I would book this mainly when you can fill most or all of the six-person allowance.

You are also paying for privacy and convenience. There is no need to coordinate with strangers, buy lunch on an island, rent snorkeling gear separately, or arrange transportation between beaches. The captain and crew handle the movement between the stops, while your group controls the social atmosphere.

The price may feel high if you only want a short boat ride and a single beach. It is easier to justify if you want a full day on the water and would otherwise spend money on several separate services.

The crew and personal service

The captain and crew have many years of experience in the local area and are prepared to cater to your group’s needs. That is important on a private charter, where the crew is part of the experience rather than just the people operating the boat.

Jon and Sid are specifically connected with the service and are praised for making the day enjoyable. Their role appears to include more than navigation, with help around snorkeling, meals, drinks, and the general flow of the day.

A private charter also gives you a better chance to ask questions or request help. If someone in your party is less confident in the water, tell the crew. If your group wants more beach time or needs a quieter pace, this is the type of setting where those preferences can be addressed more easily than on a large group excursion.

Still, keep your expectations realistic. A boat day depends on weather and sea conditions. The service can provide equipment and guidance, but no operator can guarantee perfectly calm water or identical snorkeling conditions every day.

Who will enjoy this charter most?

I would recommend this experience for families, couples traveling with friends, and small groups celebrating a special day. It suits people who want a private outing with food and drinks already arranged.

It is also a good match for mixed groups. The stronger swimmers can enjoy the reef, while others can stay with the boat, use the floaters, or relax beneath the beach umbrella. The private format removes much of the pressure to keep pace with strangers.

This may not be the right choice if you are traveling alone, as the group price is difficult to justify for one person. It may also disappoint you if your main goal is a long, technical snorkeling session. The snorkeling is guided, but the day is built around a combination of reef time and beaches.

You should be comfortable spending most of a 7-hour, 30-minute day around the water. The boat has a restroom, and the marina has showers and bathrooms, but you will still want to plan for sun, salt, and heat.

Booking and cancellation details

The tour is commonly reserved well in advance, with an average booking time of 62 days. That suggests you should plan ahead, especially if you need a particular date for a group vacation.

You receive confirmation at the time of booking, and the experience uses a mobile ticket. Free cancellation is available when you cancel at least 24 hours before the 9:00 am start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not refunded, and late changes are not accepted.

What to pack for the day

The operator asks you to bring only a towel and sunblock, but I would make those items a priority rather than an afterthought.

Pack sunblock that you can reapply, since the day includes open water and beach time. A towel is not supplied, and you will need it after snorkeling and swimming. The tour supplies food, drinks, equipment, floaters, and music, so you do not need to build a separate beach kit for those basics.

If your group has a preferred snack or nonalcoholic drink, you may want to ask about it before departure. The included supplies are specific: chips, fruit, water, Pepsi, 7UP, Diet Coke, Capri Sun, Medalla beer, and rum.

Should you book the Icacos and Palomino charter?

Book it if you can bring a group of four to six people and want a private, full-day island outing from Fajardo. The best features are the guided Tortuga Reef snorkeling, two beach stops, a well-stocked boat, a proper BBQ lunch, and a crew that offers personal attention.

I would pass if you are traveling as a pair and watching your budget closely, or if you want an excursion focused almost entirely on snorkeling. For the right group, though, this is an easy day to enjoy: show up at Sunbay Marina, bring a towel and sunblock, and let the crew handle the rest.

FAQ

Where does the charter depart from?

It departs from Sunbay Marina, Parcelas Beltran Barrio, Fajardo, Puerto Rico, 00738.

What time does the experience start?

The listed start time is 9:00 am.

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts approximately 7 hours and 30 minutes.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at Sunbay Marina, the same place where it starts.

How many people can join the private charter?

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

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, and the snorkeling portion takes place at Tortuga Reef.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The tour visits Cayo Icacos and Isla Palomino.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes BBQ chicken, pasta salad, and bread. Fruit and chips are also provided.

What drinks are included?

The package includes water, Pepsi, 7UP, Diet Coke, Capri Sun juice, one box of Medalla beer, and 1.75 liters of rum.

Are towels and sunblock provided?

No. You need to bring your own towel and sunblock.

Is there a restroom available?

Yes. The boat has a restroom, and the marina also has bathrooms and showers.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start are not refunded.