Private All Inclusive East Coast Keys Tour and Snorkel Experience

Paradise is only a short boat ride away. This private Fajardo charter takes your group to Cayo Icacos and the Palomino islands for snorkeling, swimming, beach time, and wildlife watching. I like the freedom of having the boat to yourself, and I like that food, drinks, floats, and snorkeling gear are included.

The main drawback is the short four-hour schedule. You get a good taste of the islands, but the itinerary can feel full, especially if your group wants long snorkeling and beach sessions. There is also no restroom onboard, so plan accordingly before leaving Marina Puerto Chico.

Key points to know before booking

• Cayo Icacos gets the longest stop: About two and a half hours are set aside for reef snorkeling and beach time.
• The boat is private for up to six people: You can set the pace and avoid sharing the day with a large group.
• Sea turtles are viewed near Isla Palominos: This is a short sightseeing stop, not a snorkeling session.
• Food and drinks are supplied: Expect sandwiches, chips, soda, bottled water, and local beer.
• Captain quality matters: Carlos, Jamil, and Derek receive especially warm praise for their care, local information, and flexibility.
• The price works best for six people: At $715 per group, six passengers pay about $119 each before any separate pickup arrangements.

Starting at Marina Puerto Chico in Fajardo

The adventure begins at Marina Puerto Chico, located at PR-987 in Fajardo. Pickup is offered from a designated hotel or port, which can make the outing easier if you do not have a rental car. Since the listed meeting point is the marina, confirm the pickup details before the day of your trip.

Allow extra time to reach Fajardo. One family arrived about an hour late after underestimating Puerto Rico traffic, and the captain still waited and handled the situation professionally. That is a useful warning, not an invitation to arrive late. Your boat schedule is short, and every lost minute reduces time on the water.

The marina setting also keeps the beginning simple. You meet the crew, board the private boat, and leave without a long line or a large group briefing. The boat has a sun shade, Bluetooth sound system, cooler space, and room for the included food and drinks.

The boat itself is one of the stronger parts of the experience. Families describe it as new, spacious, comfortable, and powerful enough to handle a relatively choppy day with more confidence than a smaller craft. Conditions can still affect comfort, but a solid boat matters when you are carrying children, older adults, or anyone prone to seasickness.

A quick ocean view of El Faro de San Juan

One listed sight is a view of El Faro de San Juan from the ocean. This is a passing view rather than a long stop, so treat it as a scenic extra instead of a major part of the day.

From the boat, coastal views give you a different angle on Puerto Rico than you get from land. Keep your phone ready, but protect it from spray and bring a secure place to store it. The boat’s sound system lets you play your own music, which adds a pleasant private-party feel without turning the trip into a loud group excursion.

Cayo Icacos: reef snorkeling followed by beach time

Cayo Icacos is the main event. The boat first heads to the Icacos Reef area for snorkeling, then moves to the beach for swimming and relaxing. With about two hours and thirty minutes assigned to this stop, you have enough time to do both instead of choosing between reef and sand.

The snorkeling conditions described for this area include clear water and many colorful fish. Some groups also saw other sea life during the trip, including a manatee mother and calf. Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, but the setting gives you a real chance to see more than just reef scenery.

Snorkeling gear is included, which saves you from packing masks and fins. Floating jumbo noodles and a large floating oasis mat are also provided. These are useful for anyone who wants water time without constant swimming, and children often prefer the floating mat to a long snorkeling session.

I would give your group a quick plan before entering the water. Strong swimmers can focus on the reef, while younger children or less confident swimmers can use the floats closer to the boat or beach. The crew can guide you toward a suitable area, but you should still keep an eye on your own group.

After snorkeling, Icacos Beach provides the slower half of the stop. You can swim, sit on the sand, use the floats, or simply enjoy the water. The beach is described as remote and peaceful, though the number of other boats can vary by day. A private charter does not mean you will have the whole island to yourself.

This is also where the private format pays off. If your group wants another swim instead of more sightseeing, the captain can adjust the pace. If the children have had enough water, you can spend more time on the beach. A shared boat usually follows a fixed rhythm, while this trip gives your group more control.

Isla Palominos and the turtle sightseeing stop

The itinerary includes a short visit near Isla Palominos to look for sea turtles. This part lasts about ten minutes, so set your expectations correctly. It is a wildlife viewing stop, not a full water activity.

The turtle area is protected, and snorkeling is not allowed there. You may watch turtles from the boat as they move through the water, which can be a calm and memorable change from the busy energy of reef snorkeling. One group reported seeing many turtles, while another spotted them during the pass-by.

This stop depends heavily on nature and conditions. You might see turtles clearly, or you might get only a quick glimpse. That uncertainty is part of wildlife watching, and the short stop keeps the boat from lingering in a sensitive area.

The captains are also praised for sharing information about the islands and observing wildlife respectfully. That makes a difference here. The best approach is to enjoy the sighting without expecting a staged animal encounter.

Palomino Beach: a second chance to swim and relax

After the turtle viewing, the boat heads to Isla Palominos for about an hour of beach time. This gives you another chance to swim in clear water, stretch out on the sand, or use the floating mat.

The two beach stops feel different in practical terms. Icacos receives the longer combined snorkeling and beach block, while Palomino is a shorter, more relaxed finale after the wildlife stop. If your group prefers swimming over snorkeling, tell the captain early so the time can be used well.

Families with children and older adults may appreciate this flexible structure. Several age groups, from young children to people in their seventies, enjoyed the outing. The boat provides shade, and the floats offer a break from swimming. Still, the sun and moving water can be tiring, so use the shade and drink plenty of water.

Palominito Island and the Pirates of the Caribbean connection

The final listed sight is Palominito Island, or the area where the island was located. The stop lasts roughly ten minutes and is connected with filming locations for Pirates of the Caribbean.

This is a quick scenic pass, not a separate beach visit. It works best as a small piece of local color between the larger water stops. If you are interested in film locations, it adds context to the boat ride. If your priority is snorkeling, swimming, or wildlife, do not expect this stop to take up much of your day.

What comes with the $715 group price

The listed rate is $715 for up to six people. With a full group of six, that works out to about $119 per person. For a group of three, the cost rises to about $238 per person, so the value depends greatly on how many people are sharing the boat.

The package includes:

• Private boat and captain
• Snorkeling gear
• Sandwiches and chips
• Coca-Cola, Sprite, and bottled water
• Local beers
• Sun shade
• Bluetooth sound system
• Jumbo noodles
• Large floating water mat

That is a useful amount of included equipment and food for a half-day trip. You do not need to rent snorkeling gear separately or buy lunch at the beach. The sandwiches are described as enough for a simple midday meal, while the chips and drinks keep the outing easy.

You can also bring your own drinks and food onboard, according to the experience details shared by past customers. The captain can add personal drinks to the cooler. Alcohol is included through local beer, but you should still plan responsibly, especially if you are swimming or boating with children.

The word all inclusive should be read in a practical way. It covers the boat, listed refreshments, gear, and floats. It does not mean every possible expense is covered, and pickup arrangements should be confirmed if you need transportation from your hotel or port.

The captains can shape the quality of the day

Captain Carlos is repeatedly praised for being attentive, professional, flexible, and well informed about the area. He adjusted stop lengths, helped one person who became seasick, shared island history, and made families feel comfortable onboard.

Captain Jamil is also singled out for his friendly manner and information about Puerto Rico’s past. Derek receives praise for a relaxed style and for making the outing feel tailored to the group. The names matter because this is a private charter, where the captain has a direct effect on the mood and pace.

You should still remember that captain assignments can vary. The useful lesson is to tell your captain what your group wants at the start: more snorkeling, more beach time, extra swimming, or a slower pace for children and older adults.

Safety is another strong point in the comments about this trip. One captain was praised for treating safety as a top priority, and another handled rougher water in a boat that felt stable and comfortable. No boat ride is entirely predictable, but attentive crew and clear communication are valuable.

Who will enjoy this Fajardo boat charter most

This experience suits a family or friend group that wants privacy and control. Six people can share the cost, play their own music, bring preferred drinks, and avoid being packed into a larger excursion.

It is also a good fit for mixed-age groups. Children can use the floats, adults can snorkel, and older family members can enjoy the boat, beach, and scenery without needing to participate in every activity. The captain can adjust the rhythm within the four-hour limit.

Snorkelers should like the Icacos reef area, but this is not a dedicated full-day snorkeling expedition. You also spend time on beaches, look for turtles, and make short scenic passes. If you want hours underwater, a longer specialty trip may suit you better.

The outing may be less suitable for anyone who needs an onboard restroom. There is none. It may also be challenging for people who get seasick, although one captain helped a seasick passenger and the boat was described as comfortable in choppier conditions.

Practical tips for a smoother four hours

Wear a swimsuit and bring a towel, sunscreen, and a secure waterproof pouch for valuables. The boat has shade, but you will still spend much of the day near strong tropical sun.

Eat lightly before boarding and use the restroom at the marina. With no restroom onboard, this small step matters.

Arrive early, especially if you are driving from another part of Puerto Rico. Traffic can be slow, and a late arrival cuts into an already compact schedule.

Tell the captain your priorities at the start. The standard plan gives you reef snorkeling, two beach visits, turtle viewing, and scenic passes, but your private group can discuss how to use the time.

Check the weather before you go, while remembering that the operator makes the final call. The experience requires good weather. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you can receive a full refund or move to another date.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made within 24 hours are not refunded, so keep the local cutoff time in mind.

Should you book the East Coast Keys tour?

I would book this tour if you have four to six people and want a relaxed half-day on the water without sharing a boat. The combination of Icacos snorkeling, two beach stops, turtle viewing, food, drinks, and floats gives you a full four hours without many extra costs.

The strongest reasons to choose it are the private setting, spacious boat, flexible pacing, and consistently praised captains, especially Carlos and Jamil. The main cautions are the missing restroom, weather dependence, and the fact that four hours goes quickly.

For a small group of two or three, compare the per-person cost with shared excursions. For a family or group that values privacy, the $715 rate is easier to justify. If the choice is between a crowded boat and your own captain, cooler, music, and beach schedule, this private charter offers a very appealing day around Fajardo.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin?

The tour begins at Marina Puerto Chico in Fajardo, at PR-987, Fajardo, Puerto Rico.

Does the tour end at the marina?

Yes. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

Is hotel or port pickup available?

Pickup is offered from a designated hotel or port. Confirm the exact arrangement when booking.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately four hours.

How many people can join the private boat?

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

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling gear is included, along with floating noodles and a large floating water mat.

Are food and drinks included?

Yes. The package includes sandwiches, chips, Coca-Cola, Sprite, bottled water, and local beers.

Is there a restroom onboard?

No. There is no restroom onboard, so use the facilities at the marina before departure.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Poor weather cancellations are eligible for a different date or a full refund.