Private Half-Day Sailing and Snorkeling Tour

Four hours can feel like a real escape. This private sailing trip from Fajardo takes your group to either Icaco Island or Palomino Island for swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, beach time, and open-water views. I like the private group limit of six, which keeps the outing personal, and I like that the crew supplies food, drinks, water gear, and a floating mat. The main consideration is simple: you visit one selected island, not both, and the tour depends on good weather.

The $695 group price looks strongest when you fill the boat. Split six ways, it comes to about $116 per person before gratuity, with a U.S. Coast Guard captain and crew, a charcuterie board, local beers, soft drinks, snorkeling equipment, paddleboards, and other water toys included. Boarding can be difficult for people with mobility disabilities, and the strict cancellation policy means you should check your plans carefully before booking.

Key Points Before You Sail

• One island, chosen from Icaco or Palomino: Your four-hour route focuses on one island so you have time to swim, snorkel, relax, and use the water equipment.
• Private boat for up to six people: Your group does not share the sailboat with unrelated passengers.
• Food and drinks are included: Expect cold cuts, cheeses, fruit, appetizers, dips, chips, water, soft drinks, drink mixes, and local beers.
• A full water setup comes with the boat: Snorkeling gear, paddleboards, floaties, a floating water mat, and an open swim platform are provided.
• The crew has nearly two decades of experience: Bezo Sailing Charters has offered private sailing and snorkeling trips on Puerto Rico’s east coast for more than 19 years.
• Weather and boarding matter: Poor weather can lead to a rescheduled trip or refund, while boarding the sailboat may not work for people with mobility limitations.

Leaving Fajardo From Sunbay Marina

The outing begins at Sunbay Marina in Fajardo, at Parcelas Beltran Barrio, Puerto Rico 00738. You return to this same meeting point at the end, so you do not need to arrange a second pickup location.

Fajardo is a practical launching point for Puerto Rico’s eastern islands. From the marina, the goal is not a long cruise with hours spent simply getting somewhere. The four-hour schedule is built around reaching one nearby island and giving you time to enjoy the water.

I like the way this setup keeps the day focused. You are not trying to squeeze two island stops into a short outing, and your private group can spend more time on the activities that matter most to you. If your group cares more about swimming than snorkeling, or wants to linger with food and drinks, the crew can adjust how you use your time.

The tour operates Monday through Friday, with listed operating hours from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Your confirmation provides the exact booking details, but it is wise to arrive ready for a boat outing, with comfortable clothes and any towel you need. Towels are not included.

Choosing Between Icaco Island and Palomino Island

The tour takes you to one selected island: Icaco Island or Palomino Island. The supplied information does not promise a fixed island for every departure, so your route may depend on conditions, scheduling, and what your group wants to do.

That flexibility is useful. Instead of treating the island as a quick photo stop, the crew can put more attention on swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, or relaxing aboard the sailboat. You may also spend more time at the island if that suits your group better.

The tradeoff is worth understanding before you pay. You will not automatically see both islands during this four-hour trip. If your main goal is to visit several places in one day, this may feel limited. If you prefer a slower outing with room for water play and conversation, focusing on one island makes better sense.

At either stop, expect the main appeal to be clear blue water, beach scenery, and an easy place to get into the sea. The outing is less about a formal island tour and more about enjoying the coast at water level.

Swimming and Snorkeling in Clear Blue Water

Swimming is one of the simplest pleasures on this trip. The boat includes an open swim platform, so you can get into the water without needing to launch from the beach every time. Life jackets are available in all sizes, and the crew provides snorkeling equipment.

I especially like the fact that the gear is included. Snorkeling can become a nuisance when you must rent equipment separately, carry it around, or worry about forgetting a mask. Here, the basic setup is already part of the group price.

The available information does not promise particular fish, coral, or underwater sights, so you should not book this as a guaranteed wildlife excursion. Instead, think of snorkeling as one way to enjoy the island’s clear water. Conditions will shape visibility, comfort, and how long you want to stay in the sea.

You can also swim without snorkeling. That matters for mixed groups, since not everyone needs to be interested in looking underwater. Some people can use the mask and fins while others float, paddle, or sit aboard with a drink.

Paddleboards, Floaties, and the Floating Mat

The water equipment gives your group several ways to spend the afternoon. Paddleboards are available for those who want a little activity, while floaties and the floating water mat suit anyone who prefers a relaxed stretch on the water.

This variety is a strong part of the tour’s value. A private group may include confident swimmers, casual swimmers, and people who simply want to enjoy the view. Having several options means your time does not depend on one shared activity.

You also get an ice cooler, music radio, and life jackets in all sizes. These are small details, but they make a half-day boat outing easier. You can switch between swimming, sitting, snacking, and listening to music without needing to bring a full supply of equipment.

The tour does not list a formal lesson for paddleboarding or snorkeling. If someone in your group is new to the gear, ask the crew for help before heading into the water. The two available ratings specifically praise the captain and mate for being helpful and friendly, which is reassuring for first-time users.

A Charcuterie Lunch Without the Formal Lunch

Food is one of the more generous inclusions. The crew provides a charcuterie board with assorted cold cuts, cheeses, appetizers, fresh fruit, chips, snacks, and assorted dips. Drinks include water, soft drinks, drink mixes, and local beers.

This is best understood as substantial boat food rather than a plated lunch. The tour specifically says lunch is not included, but the snacks and charcuterie can keep you comfortable during four hours on the water. You may bring your own lunch if your group wants something more filling or more specific.

The food also suits the rhythm of the trip. You can eat between swims rather than stopping the outing for a restaurant meal. Cold food is practical on a sailboat, and fruit, chips, dips, and cheese give your group a mix of lighter and more filling choices.

Alcohol is limited in the supplied details to local beers and drink-related mixes. You should not assume that every preferred beverage is provided. If your group has dietary needs, ask the provider before departure, since the menu is described broadly rather than item by item.

What the Four-Hour Schedule Really Gives You

Four hours is long enough for a satisfying water outing, but not long enough to do everything at a leisurely pace. You need to allow time for leaving Fajardo, reaching the selected island, enjoying the water, eating, and returning to the marina.

The private format helps. You are not locked into a large group’s schedule, and the crew can adjust time based on what your group wants to do. If everyone wants to snorkel, you can keep the focus there. If the group prefers beach time and floating, you can make that the center of the outing.

Still, keep your expectations realistic. This is a half-day charter, not an all-day island expedition. You will have to choose your priorities, particularly if you want to swim, snorkel, paddleboard, eat, and spend time on the beach.

I see that as a fair compromise for families and small groups staying in or near Fajardo. You get a clear plan without giving up all flexibility, and you still have much of the day left for another activity.

Why the Private Group Size Changes the Experience

The boat takes a maximum of six people, and only your group participates. That makes the $695 price easier to judge than a per-person fare.

For a full group of six, the base cost works out to roughly $116 per person. For four people, it is about $174 each. For two people, the cost is $347.50 per person, so the charter is much better value for a family or group of friends than for a couple.

The private setup also gives you control over the tone of the day. You can play music, spread out with your own group, and make choices without trying to fit into a boatload of strangers. The crew can respond to your preferences within the limits of the four-hour schedule and weather.

This is the kind of price where group size matters more than a small difference in amenities. With six people who all want to swim and snorkel, the included gear, food, drinks, and crew support create a solid package. With only two people, you should compare it against other sailing options before committing.

A 10 to 15 percent gratuity is customary and is not included. On the full $695 price, that means planning for roughly $69.50 to $104.25 if you choose to tip at that range.

The Crew and the Feel of the Day

Bezo Sailing Charters has offered private sailing and snorkeling adventures on Puerto Rico’s east coast for more than 19 years. The trip includes a U.S. Coast Guard captain and crew, along with a tour guide.

The two available ratings praise the captain and mate for being helpful and friendly. One also highlights the tasty food and beautiful day, while another calls the itinerary memorable and a strong value. Those comments point to the parts of the experience most likely to shape your day: attentive crew service, good food, and a well-paced route.

Of course, no crew can control wind, clouds, or water conditions. The company requires good weather, and poor conditions can lead to a different date or a full refund. That policy protects safety, but it also means you should avoid building an irreplaceable schedule around this trip if the forecast looks uncertain.

Who Will Get the Most From This Sailing Trip

I would recommend this charter for a group of friends or a family of up to six who want a private day on the water. It is especially suitable if your group values choice: swim for a while, use the snorkeling gear, try the paddleboards, eat from the charcuterie board, then relax on the floating mat.

It also works well for groups with different energy levels. One person can snorkel while another uses a floatie, and someone else can remain on the boat with a snack. The captain and crew are there to guide the outing, but the private format leaves room for your group’s preferences.

This may not be the best fit for someone seeking a long sailing voyage, a guided cultural tour, or guaranteed marine-life sightings. It is also not suitable for people who may have trouble boarding the sailboat, since the operator says boarding can be challenging for those with mobility disabilities.

The tour is available near public transportation, which can help if you are not driving. The supplied details do not include hotel pickup, so plan to reach Sunbay Marina on your own unless the provider confirms another arrangement.

Booking and Cancellation Details to Weigh

Confirmation is normally received at booking. If you book within one day of the trip, confirmation arrives as soon as possible and depends on availability.

The experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason after booking. That is a firm policy, so check your group’s schedule before paying. The exception is poor weather: if the operator cancels for that reason, you are offered another date or a full refund.

I would also check the forecast before the final planning stage, even though weather can change. Bring towels because they are not supplied, and consider bringing lunch if the included charcuterie and snacks will not be enough for your group.

Should You Book This Fajardo Charter?

Book it if you can fill most or all of the six seats and want a private, flexible water day with food and equipment included. The combination of one island, clear swimming water, snorkeling gear, paddleboards, floaties, local beers, and a helpful captain and mate makes the package appealing for the right group.

Think twice if you want to visit both Icaco and Palomino, need a fully accessible boat, or are booking for only one or two people. For a full group, the price is reasonable for a private four-hour charter. For a small group, the cost per person rises quickly.

My practical call: choose this trip for shared time on the water, not for checking off several islands. If that sounds like your ideal Fajardo day, Bezo Sailing Charters offers a well-equipped and well-supported way to make it happen.

FAQ

Where does the sailing tour begin?

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

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point at Sunbay Marina.

How long is the tour?

The sailing and snorkeling experience lasts approximately four hours.

How many people can join the private tour?

The tour has a maximum of six participants, and only your group takes part.

Which island will the boat visit?

The route visits one selected island, either Icaco Island or Palomino Island.

Are snorkeling supplies included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included in the tour price.

Are paddleboards and floaties included?

Yes. Paddleboards, floaties, and a floating water mat are provided.

What food and drinks are included?

The crew provides cold cuts, assorted cheeses, appetizers, fresh fruit, chips, snacks, dips, water, soft drinks, drink mixes, and local beers.

Is lunch included?

Lunch is not included, although you may bring your own. The provided charcuterie board and snacks are included.

Are towels provided?

No. You need to bring your own towel.

Is gratuity included?

No. A gratuity of 10 to 15 percent is customary.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

If poor weather causes the operator to cancel, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.

Can people with mobility disabilities join?

The operator says boarding the sailboat can be challenging and cannot accommodate travelers with mobility disabilities for safety reasons.

Is the tour available every day?

The listed operating hours are Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

When will I receive booking confirmation?

Confirmation is normally received at the time of booking. If you book within one day of travel, confirmation is sent as soon as possible, subject to availability.