All-Inclusive Private Charter to Icacos or Palomino Islands

The best part of this Fajardo charter is control. Your group of up to six gets its own boat, then chooses between Icacos and Palomino for a four-hour outing. You can snorkel, swim, sit on the beach, or simply tell the crew to slow the pace. I like the private setting, and I like that snorkeling gear, food, soft drinks, and alcohol are included rather than added one charge at a time.

The main thing to consider is the short duration. Four hours gives you a good taste of the islands, but not a full day of beach wandering and snorkeling. You’ll also need to choose between the morning departure, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and the afternoon run, 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. The afternoon can work well with a relaxed morning, while the earlier trip leaves more of your day open afterward.

Key points at a glance

• Private boat for up to six: You avoid sharing the outing with a large catamaran crowd and can set the pace for your own group.
• Choose Icacos or Palomino: The crew takes you to a good snorkeling area, then positions the boat near your selected island for beach time.
• Four hours, with two departure times: Pick 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. or 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
• Food and drinks are included: Expect fruit, ham and cheese sandwiches, snacks, water, Pepsi, 7UP, juice, Medalla beer, and rum.
• Guided snorkeling is part of the plan: Equipment is supplied, and crew members can help you get comfortable in the water.
• The crew adds a personal touch: Names praised for friendly service include John, Adriana, Syd, Lolo, Oscar, Angel, and Bradley, though your assigned crew may differ.

Leaving Sunbay Marina in Fajardo

You meet at Sunbay Marina, in Parcelas Beltran barrio of Fajardo. The activity ends at the same marina, which keeps the plan simple. You do not need to arrange a second pickup point or figure out how to get back from an offshore island.

The boat is private for your party, with a maximum of six people. That number matters. Six is enough for a family or a small group of friends, but it is not a private yacht experience with acres of room. Still, you get far more say over the day than you would on a large shared excursion.

The crew members are a captain and a first mate. Names associated with recent departures include John, Adriana, Syd, Lolo, Oscar, Angel, Bradley, Jamil, Justin, and Matthew. You cannot request that a particular person will definitely operate your boat, but you can ask about crew assignments when booking if that matters to you.

The ride heads toward the waters around Icacos or Palomino. The route also notes El Faro de las Cabezas de San Juan and the Cabezas de San Juan Natural Reserve as nearby points connected with the outing. These are useful geographic markers, but this is not presented as a land tour or a lighthouse visit. Your main time is spent on the water, at the snorkeling area, and near the island beach.

Choosing between Icacos and Palomino

You select either Cayo Icacos or Isla Palominos. The basic plan is similar for both: the crew takes you to a suitable snorkeling area, then moves close to the chosen island so you can enjoy the beach.

Icacos appears most often in the available trip details and is the clearer choice if snorkeling and beach time are your priorities. It offers white sand, clear water, and the sort of setting that works for a short half-day trip. You can get in the water, use the floating mat and noodles, eat on board, and settle into a simple beach break.

Palomino follows the same general pattern. The information provided does not promise a different set of activities or a separate sightseeing program, so I would choose it because your group prefers that island, not because you should expect a radically different tour. If you are unsure, ask the operator which island has the better snorkeling conditions on your chosen date.

The private format gives you some flexibility, but it does not mean you can ignore the clock. A four-hour charter must include the ride out and back, snorkeling, beach time, and serving food. You get a relaxed pace, but you do not get unlimited time at every stop.

What the snorkeling is really like

Snorkeling is a central part of the outing, not a side option. Equipment is included, and the crew provides a guided snorkeling session. One family described a refresher on using the gear before entering the water, followed by a guided route through coral areas.

That help can make a real difference if you are rusty or if someone in your group feels nervous. One child who was scared at first received patient assistance from a crew member and was able to take part. You should still be comfortable in the water enough to follow safety directions, but you do not need to arrive as an expert snorkeler.

Marine life can vary. Specific sightings reported on these outings include fish, sea turtles, lobsters, dolphins, and even a manatee. Those sightings are possibilities, not promises. Another group saw plenty of fish but no turtles, which is a useful reminder that the sea sets the schedule.

The snorkeling stop may last around 30 minutes for some groups, based on how one family used its time. Your actual timing can change with conditions and your group’s wishes. If snorkeling is your top goal, tell the crew at the start. If your group includes young children or people who prefer floating and swimming, you can ask for more beach and water time instead.

Beach time at Icacos or Palomino

After snorkeling, the boat moves near the island you selected. The appeal here is simple: pale sand, clear water, and a chance to stop doing things for a while.

You may remain on or near the boat rather than receive a formal guided walk across the island. The supplied details focus on enjoying the beach, swimming, and relaxing. A beach umbrella, floating mat, and pool noodles have also been available on some trips, adding comfort for families and anyone who would rather float than snorkel.

This is where a private boat earns its keep. On a shared outing, you follow the group’s schedule. Here, you can tell the crew you want more time to swim, return to the boat for food, or keep the music going while you relax. The crew has been praised for checking on people, keeping drinks and snacks available, and adjusting music to suit the group.

Do not mistake private for silent or isolated. You may see other boats in the same waters, especially near a popular island. The advantage is not owning the whole bay. It is having your own crew, your own food supply, and control over how your small group uses the time.

Food, drinks, and the all-inclusive claim

The food is practical rather than fancy. You receive fruit, ham and cheese sandwiches, snacks, water, Pepsi, 7UP, and juice. That is enough to keep a half-day trip moving without packing a separate lunch.

Alcohol is also included, specifically a case of Medalla beer and rum. If you want to drink, remember that you are still on a boat and should keep safety in mind. The exact serving style is not specified, so do not book this expecting a full bar or custom cocktail service.

The food matters because four hours on the sun and water can make you hungry fast. Having sandwiches and snacks on board saves you from cutting beach time short. Several crew combinations, including John and Adriana, Syd and John, and Adriana and Lolo, were singled out for keeping food and drinks available and checking that everyone was comfortable.

If your group has dietary restrictions, ask before booking. The listed sandwiches are ham and cheese, and no vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, or allergy-specific alternatives are promised. That is one area where the all-inclusive label has limits.

Why the private price can make sense

The price is $750 per group, up to six people. At full capacity, that works out to $125 per person. For a couple, the same price becomes $375 per person, so the value changes sharply with group size.

For six people, I think the price is easier to justify. You are paying for a private boat, a captain and mate, four hours on the water, snorkeling equipment, guided snorkeling, beach time, food, drinks, and a more personal schedule. You also avoid sharing the experience with a boatload of strangers.

For two people, this is a more expensive choice. You should book it for privacy, flexibility, and comfort rather than for the lowest possible island transport price. A shared boat may cost less, but it will not give you the same control over music, pace, snorkeling time, or where your group settles.

The private format is especially useful for families. Children can switch between swimming, noodles, snacks, and beach time without feeling they are holding up a larger group. Parents also have crew members nearby to help with equipment and water confidence, though you remain responsible for supervising your children.

The crew and the feel of the day

The strongest pattern in the service is attentiveness. Names vary by departure, but the crew combinations praised for their warmth include Matthew and Captain Oscar, Syd and Adriana, John and Adriana, Angel and Lolo, Adriana and Justin, and John and Bradley.

The crew’s role goes beyond steering the boat. They explain safety measures, give snorkeling guidance, help with gear, serve food and drinks, arrange floating equipment, and keep an eye on how everyone is doing. One group even encountered a stranded couple during the outing and helped with the situation, though that is not a scheduled part of the experience.

Music is part of the atmosphere. You may be able to choose the music your group wants, which can make the boat ride feel more like a private day out than a standard transfer. The tone described across the available comments is friendly, down-to-earth, and fun without losing attention to safety.

Still, crew style can vary. Do not assume that one person’s experience with John, Syd, Adriana, or Lolo guarantees the same personality on your departure. The consistent expectation should be professional boat service and help in the water, not a particular entertainer or guide.

Picking the right departure time

The morning charter runs from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The afternoon charter runs from 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Choose the morning if you want the rest of the day available after returning to Fajardo. It can also suit families who prefer to schedule the main activity early. Choose the afternoon if you want a slower start or would like to pair the boat trip with another morning plan.

The four-hour window is fixed enough that you should arrive ready to go. Do not plan a tight connection immediately after the return time. Water conditions, boarding, and the ride itself can affect the pace, even when the stated duration is about four hours.

Good weather is required. If poor weather cancels the trip, you are offered another date or a full refund. For a normal cancellation, you receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

Who should book this charter

I would point this trip toward a group of four to six people who want a private island outing without paying for a full-day charter. Families get useful flexibility, couples can enjoy privacy, and friends can set their own music and pace.

It also suits mixed groups. One person can snorkel while another relaxes on the boat, and others can spend the beach stop swimming or using the floating mat. The crew can help beginners, but nobody should feel pressured to enter the water.

This is less suited to someone seeking a long island stay, extensive reef time, or a formal cultural tour. Four hours passes quickly, and the focus is sun, water, snorkeling, snacks, and beach relaxation. It is also not the right pick if you need a specially designed meal unless the operator confirms an alternative in advance.

Service animals are allowed, and the activity is near public transportation. Most people can participate, though the information does not provide detailed accessibility specifications for the boat or beach. Ask the operator directly if you need particular boarding or mobility arrangements.

Should you book the Icacos or Palomino charter?

Book it if your group values privacy, wants included food and drinks, and prefers a flexible day over a fixed large-boat schedule. At $750, the price makes the most sense when six people share it. Icacos is the safer choice if you want the destination most closely tied to the snorkeling and beach experience described here, while Palomino gives you another island option with the same basic format.

Skip it if your main goal is the cheapest way to reach an island or if four hours feels too short. For everyone else, this is a well-rounded half-day on the water: guided snorkeling, clear water, white sand, practical food, and a crew that helps turn a simple boat ride into a personal outing.

FAQ

How much does the private charter cost?

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

How long does the experience last?

The activity lasts about 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.

Do I choose Icacos or Palomino?

Yes. The experience offers a choice between Cayo Icacos and Isla Palominos.

Where does the tour begin?

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

Where does the activity end?

The boat returns to the meeting point at Sunbay Marina.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Use of snorkeling equipment and a guided snorkeling session are included.

What food and non-alcoholic drinks are provided?

The included food consists of fruit, ham and cheese sandwiches, and snacks. Drinks include Pepsi, 7UP, juice, and water.

Is alcohol included?

Yes. The included alcoholic beverages are a case of Medalla beer and rum.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. If poor weather cancels the experience, you are offered another date or a full refund.