Reviewed · ICACOS & PALOMINO ISLAND TRIPS
Fajardo Puerto Rico Private Boat Tour to Cayo Icacos
Cayo Icacos is the star here: an uninhabited island with clear water and pale sand just off Fajardo. You get a private boat, a certified captain, and a host for your own group, so the day can feel far more personal than a crowded shared excursion.
I like the small group limit of six and the useful gear package, especially the snorkeling equipment, floats, cooler, and water toys. I also like that Captain Oscar and Captain Carlos are named in the experience details, giving you a practical point of reference when you meet your crew.
The main thing to watch is food. Snacks, bottled water, soda, and a cooler are included, but one booking experience raised a concern about barbecue food being expected and not provided. Bring your own lunch or confirm the food plan before departure.
In This Review
- Key points to know before you book
- Why Cayo Icacos makes a strong half-day escape
- A private boat changes the feel of the trip
- Meeting at Puerto del Rey in Fajardo
- What the four hours at Icacos can include
- Snorkeling, swimming, and the included gear
- Snacks are included, but plan your own meal
- Captains Oscar and Carlos
- Is $850 a good value?
- Who will enjoy this most
- Weather, cancellation, and practical planning
- My call: book it if your group can fill the boat
- FAQ
- Where does the boat tour begin?
- Where does the tour end?
- How long is the experience?
- How much does the private boat tour cost?
- Is private transportation included?
- Is the boat shared with other groups?
- What equipment is included?
- Are food and drinks provided?
- Can I cancel for a full refund?
- What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?
Key points to know before you book

- Cayo Icacos is the only stated stop: You get about four hours at this uninhabited cay in the La Cordillera Nature Reserve.
- Your group has the boat to itself: The price is $850 for up to six people, not per person.
- Snorkeling and water toys are included: Gear, floats, volleyballs, footballs, drinks, snacks, and a cooler come with the outing.
- Captain Oscar and Captain Carlos are named crew options: The experience is led by a certified captain with a host on board.
- You meet at Puerto del Rey in Fajardo: Private transportation to the marina is not included.
- Weather matters: You can cancel free up to 24 hours before departure, and bad weather may lead to a new date or full refund.
Why Cayo Icacos makes a strong half-day escape

Cayo Icacos is a small, uninhabited island off the east coast of Puerto Rico. It is the largest and most scenic of several cays in the La Cordillera Nature Reserve, and its appeal is simple: bright sand, open water, and no built-up resort area competing for your attention.
For a four-hour boat trip, that simplicity works well. You are not spending the day moving from one distant attraction to another. Instead, you have one main place to enjoy, with time for swimming, snorkeling, floating, playing beach games, or doing very little at all.
I like this kind of plan for families and friends who want a relaxed day on the water without committing to a full-day charter. The short duration also leaves room for dinner or another activity in Fajardo later.
The island is uninhabited, so you should think of Cayo Icacos as a natural stop rather than a developed beach club. The supplied information does not list restaurants, changing rooms, restrooms, or other facilities on the island. Plan around that. Bring anything essential, and do not assume you can buy a meal once you arrive.
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A private boat changes the feel of the trip

The boat is reserved for your party of up to six. That matters more than the word private might suggest. You are not sharing the captain’s attention with a boatload of strangers, and your group can spend its limited time in the way it prefers.
If two people want to snorkel while others would rather float, relax, or play with a ball, the setup supports that mix. The host can help with the gear and keep the outing moving while the captain handles the boat.
A private charter is also easier for groups with different energy levels. Parents can focus on their children, couples can enjoy a quieter ride, and friends can use the boat as a base for a casual day together. You will still need to agree on the pace as a group, since the outing is built around shared time.
The limit is six people. At that size, the $850 group price works out to about $142 per person before any transport or personal food costs. That is a much stronger value when you fill all six places. For two people, the same charter costs $425 per person, so a private boat is best suited to a family or friend group that can share the price.
Meeting at Puerto del Rey in Fajardo
The tour begins and ends at Safe Harbor Puerto del Rey, located at 4900 State Road 3, kilometer 51.4, in Fajardo. You are responsible for getting to the marina because private transportation is not included.
That detail can affect the true cost. If your group has its own vehicle, the arrangement is straightforward. If you need a taxi or another ride to Fajardo, add that expense and extra time to your plan.
The activity ends back at the same meeting point. That makes the four-hour timing easier to manage, especially if you are staying in Fajardo or planning another activity afterward.
Your confirmation arrives when you book, and the ticket is mobile, so you can keep the booking on your phone. I would still check the meeting instructions carefully before leaving for the marina and allow enough time to find the correct harbor area.
What the four hours at Icacos can include

The stated stop is Cayo Icacos, with approximately four hours devoted to the experience. The supplied details do not promise a fixed minute-by-minute schedule, so your captain and host will likely shape the timing around conditions and your group’s interests.
The first part of the outing is the boat ride from Puerto del Rey toward the cay. The private setting lets you settle in without having to make conversation with people you do not know. It also means your group can use the boat’s cooler, snacks, drinks, and equipment from the start.
At the island, the clear water is the main attraction. Snorkeling equipment is included, so you do not have to rent a mask and snorkel separately for this activity. Still, equipment fit can vary, and you should speak up if something does not feel right.
The floats give you another way to enjoy the water without snorkeling. Volleyballs and footballs add a playful option for families and friend groups. These extras are small, but they help the trip work for people who do not all want the same kind of beach day.
Cayo Icacos also offers a simple sandy setting for relaxing between swims. Since the island is uninhabited, do not expect beach chairs, shops, or organized entertainment. That lack of development is part of the attraction, but it also means you should arrive prepared.
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Snorkeling, swimming, and the included gear

The equipment package is one of the strongest practical features. You receive snorkeling equipment, floats, volleyballs, footballs, bottled water, soda, snacks, and a cooler.
That list gives you options without forcing you to pack every item yourself. The cooler is particularly useful in a warm, sunny setting, and the drinks help keep the day simple once you are away from the marina.
The water toys received specific praise in one experience, with the captain anticipating what the group needed. That points to an important benefit of a private charter: the crew can pay attention to your group rather than managing a large crowd.
You should keep your expectations realistic about snorkeling. The supplied information confirms that snorkeling gear is available, but it does not promise particular marine life, reef conditions, or underwater visibility on your date. Water conditions can change, and the captain will have to work within those conditions.
If your group includes children, the floats and ball games may be just as important as the snorkeling. If everyone wants serious underwater exploration, ask about the day’s conditions and the available equipment before setting out.
Snacks are included, but plan your own meal

The official inclusions list snacks, bottled water, soda, and use of a cooler. That is enough for light refreshment during a four-hour trip, but it should not be treated as a guaranteed full lunch.
One booking experience specifically warned that barbecue food had been expected but was not provided. Since the included items clearly list snacks rather than a meal, I would bring sandwiches or other food your group will actually want, especially if you are bringing children.
This is an easy way to avoid disappointment. Ask Charter of the Caribbean exactly what food will be on board, then pack a backup meal if the answer is unclear. Keep your food and drinks in secure containers, and use the cooler provided by the crew.
The food issue does not ruin the value of the charter, but it affects how you prepare. At $850, clear communication about what is included matters. The trip gives you a boat, captain, host, gear, drinks, snacks, and water toys. A barbecue should not be assumed unless the operator confirms it.
Captains Oscar and Carlos

Captain Oscar and Captain Carlos are both named in the available experience information. Captain Oscar received especially strong praise for the way he handled the day, including his attention to the group’s needs and the water toys.
Captain Carlos was also praised for making the private boat experience enjoyable. At the same time, the food confusion connected to that booking shows why you should ask direct questions before departure, even when the captain is helpful on the water.
You may not be able to choose your captain, so focus on what you can control. Confirm the meeting point, food, departure time, and weather plan. Once on board, tell the crew whether your group wants more swimming, more beach time, more snorkeling, or a slower pace.
A certified captain is included, and the presence of a host gives you two crew members working with your group. That should make the day easier than handling a boat and equipment on your own, while keeping the outing private.
Is $850 a good value?

The price is $850 per group of up to six. At full capacity, the cost is about $142 per person for roughly four hours. For a family or group of friends, that can be a fair price for a private boat, captain, host, gear, snacks, drinks, and water toys.
The value drops sharply if only one or two people book. Two people would pay $425 each, before transportation to Puerto del Rey and any extra food. In that case, compare the cost with shared boat trips in the Fajardo area before committing.
The private format is the main reason to pay more. You are paying for control, space, and a group-only setting, not simply transportation to an island. If privacy matters, the price makes more sense. If your main goal is the lowest-cost way to reach Cayo Icacos, a shared excursion may be worth comparing.
The four-hour duration also helps keep the cost and time manageable. You get a focused beach and water outing rather than a long day that may be tiring for young children or anyone who does not want to spend all day on a boat.
Who will enjoy this most
I would recommend this outing for a group of up to six that values privacy and wants a flexible water day. Families can use the floats and balls, while friends can split their time between snorkeling and the sand.
It also suits couples who want a quiet private charter, although the price is easier to justify with more people. Anyone who enjoys a natural beach setting should appreciate Cayo Icacos, provided they are comfortable without the services of a developed beach.
This may not be the best choice if you need included hotel transport, a guaranteed cooked lunch, or a long list of separate island stops. The stated plan centers on Cayo Icacos, and the information does not promise a barbecue or a multi-stop route.
Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The meeting point is near public transportation, but private transportation is not included. If someone in your group has specific mobility or medical needs, confirm details with the operator before booking.
Weather, cancellation, and practical planning
The experience requires good weather. You can cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund, while cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours in advance are not accepted for a refund.
If poor weather causes the operator to cancel, you will be offered another date or a full refund. That policy is useful for a boat trip, since sea conditions can affect both comfort and safety.
Make your plans with that weather rule in mind. Avoid scheduling an important, nonrefundable event immediately after the charter, especially if conditions look uncertain. The boat returns to Puerto del Rey, but the exact flow of the day may depend on the sea.
Bring sun protection, a swimsuit, and any personal items your group needs for several hours outdoors. The operator supplies drinks, snacks, a cooler, water equipment, and floats, but the provided details do not say that towels, meals, or personal transportation are included.
My call: book it if your group can fill the boat
I would book this private Cayo Icacos trip if I had four to six people who wanted a relaxed beach day with their own captain and boat. The clearest strengths are the private setting, the appealing island stop, the included water gear, and the helpful mix of snacks, drinks, floats, and beach balls.
Before paying, I would confirm the food plan in writing and ask about the day’s expected conditions. Do not count on barbecue unless the operator specifically confirms it.
For a small party of one or two, the price is harder to defend. For a full group that values privacy and wants to set its own pace, the $850 cost can be reasonable. Cayo Icacos gives you a simple natural setting, and the private format lets you enjoy it without surrendering the day to a large group schedule.
FAQ
Where does the boat tour begin?
The tour begins at Safe Harbor Puerto del Rey, 4900 State Road 3, kilometer 51.4, Fajardo, Puerto Rico 00738.
Where does the tour end?
The activity ends back at the same meeting point at Safe Harbor Puerto del Rey.
How long is the experience?
The tour lasts approximately four hours.
How much does the private boat tour cost?
The price is $850 per group of up to six people.
Is private transportation included?
No. Transportation to and from the Puerto del Rey meeting point is not included.
Is the boat shared with other groups?
No. This is a private activity, and only your group participates.
What equipment is included?
Snorkeling equipment, floats, volleyballs, footballs, and a cooler are included.
Are food and drinks provided?
Snacks, bottled water, and soda are included. A full meal or barbecue is not listed as a standard inclusion, so confirm the food plan before departure.
Can I cancel for a full refund?
Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund.
What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?
If poor weather causes the cancellation, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.
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