Full Charter All Inclusive for Icacos and Palomino

Icacos and Palomino give you two very different versions of a Puerto Rican beach day: guided snorkeling at Tortuga Reef, followed by long stretches of white sand, clear water, lunch, music, and time to simply float. I like the private boat setup, which keeps the day personal for your group, and I like that the crew handles the practical bits, including gear, food, drinks, and a beach umbrella.

The spotless, spacious boat is another strong point, and the snorkeling equipment has earned unusual praise for fitting well without leaking. The main consideration is price: at $1,350 for up to six people, this makes the most sense for a full group that values privacy and an all-inclusive day.

Key points to know before you book

• Tortuga Reef snorkeling: Your day begins with guided snorkeling and included equipment before beach time.
• Two island stops: You get about four hours around Icacos, then about two hours at Palomino.
• Private group of up to six: No unrelated passengers join your charter.
• Full food and drink setup: BBQ chicken, pasta salad, bread, fruit, snacks, soft drinks, water, beer, rum, and juice are included.
• Comfortable boat: The boat has a restroom, floating mats, music, and space for a relaxed day on the water.
• Bring only the basics: Towels and sunblock are not provided, so pack both.

Starting at Sunbay Marina in Fajardo

The charter begins at 9 a.m. at Sunbay Marina, in the Parcelas Beltran area of Fajardo. You return to the same meeting point after roughly seven and a half hours, so you should plan for a full morning-to-afternoon outing rather than a quick beach transfer.

Fajardo is a practical launch point for the nearby cays. The marina has bathrooms, showers, and parking, which is useful when you are arriving in swimwear or want to rinse off after the outing. The location is also near public transportation, although the tour does not include transportation to the marina.

This is a private charter for your group alone, with a maximum of six people. That detail matters more than it may first appear. You can settle into the boat with family or friends, and the crew can respond to your group’s pace and preferences instead of following a large boat’s fixed routine.

The boat is described as clean, comfortable, and in top condition. A past passenger specifically found it spotless and spacious. Those are not flashy details, but they make a difference on a seven-and-a-half-hour trip, especially when you are carrying wet gear, food, towels, and beach items.

Tortuga Reef comes first

The first major stop is guided snorkeling at Tortuga Reef. Snorkeling equipment is included, so you do not need to rent a mask, snorkel, or fins separately. The crew provides guidance in the water, which is helpful if your group includes first-time snorkelers or people who want to know where to look for marine life.

The equipment deserves special attention. Poorly fitting masks can turn a pleasant snorkel into a frustrating few minutes of leaking water and constant adjustment. Here, the gear received specific praise for staying dry, an unusually useful detail for anyone who has snorkeled before.

The tour description emphasizes clear water and marine life around the reef. Conditions in the sea can change, so visibility and comfort will always depend on the day, but the structure is sensible: you do the active water portion before settling into beach time.

That order also helps you use the morning well. You are not rushing from the marina straight to a towel. You have a planned activity first, followed by a slower stretch at Icacos.

The crew includes Jon and Sid, who are identified as the people making the day enjoyable and managing the experience. The service is presented as personal, with a captain and crew who have years of experience in the area. You can expect help with the snorkeling setup and general attention to your group’s needs, though the information does not promise a particular wildlife sighting or a specific route beyond Tortuga Reef.

Icacos gives you the longest beach stop

After snorkeling, the boat moves to Cayo Icacos for beach time and lunch. This is the longest portion of the day, with about four hours assigned to the island, snorkeling, and the transition into the beach stop.

Icacos is the place to settle in. The appeal is simple: white sand, clear water, a beach umbrella, and time without a tight schedule. The crew sets up an umbrella in the sand, and floating equipment is available for anyone who would rather drift in the water than sit onshore.

Lunch is a BBQ meal of chicken, pasta salad, and bread. Fruit and chips are also included, giving you something light to eat before or after swimming. This is not a restaurant outing, and the menu is limited, but it is well suited to a beach day. You do not have to leave the island to find food, and you avoid paying extra for a meal once you are there.

Drinks include water, Pepsi, 7UP, Diet Coke, Capri Sun juice, one box of Medalla beer, and 1.75 liters of rum. The alcohol allowance is generous for a private group, but you should still use sensible judgment in the sun and around the water. The tour does not mention wine or other spirits, so do not expect a full bar.

The four-hour stop is long enough to make Icacos feel like a real destination rather than a photo stop. You can swim, sit beneath the umbrella, use the floating mat, eat lunch, and return to the water without watching the clock every few minutes.

The tradeoff is that the tour gives Icacos more time than Palomino. If your main goal is to spend equal time on both beaches, this is not that kind of schedule. Icacos is the main beach base, while Palomino gets a shorter final visit.

Palomino closes the afternoon

Once lunch and the Icacos beach period are finished, you sail to Isla Palominos, also called Palomino. The planned stay is about two hours, focused on Palomino beach.

This second island stop gives the day a change of setting. Instead of spending the entire charter in one place, you see another well-known beach in the Fajardo area and get a fresh stretch of sand and water late in the day. The visit is less structured than the reef portion, so you can use the time for swimming, floating, music, or quiet beach time.

You should think of Palomino as a final beach session rather than another full excursion. There is no separate snorkeling program listed for this stop, and the tour does not describe additional activities there. If you want the most organized part of the day, that comes at Tortuga Reef. If you want unhurried beach time, both islands provide it, with Icacos receiving the larger share.

The boat returns to Sunbay Marina after Palomino. Since the total outing lasts approximately seven and a half hours, you have a substantial day on the water without needing an overnight stay or a separate island transfer.

What the all-inclusive price really covers

The $1,350 price is for the entire group of up to six people. At full capacity, that works out to $225 per person. For six people, the cost includes the private boat, crew, snorkeling equipment, lunch, alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks, snacks, fruit, beach equipment, music, and a restroom onboard.

That is a different value calculation from a basic boat ride. You are not simply paying for transportation between Fajardo and the islands. You are paying for privacy, food, drinks, equipment, and the convenience of having the crew organize the beach setup.

The price becomes less attractive with a small group. If only two or three people are sharing the charter, the per-person cost rises quickly, even though the inclusions remain the same. For a birthday, family outing, or group of friends, the private format can make more financial sense than booking several separate activities, but you should compare the total group budget before committing.

The included food is practical rather than elaborate. BBQ chicken, pasta salad, and bread make a filling lunch, while chips and fruit cover smaller appetites. The beverage selection is broad enough for a beach outing, with water, soda, juice, Medalla beer, and rum provided.

One important value point is the included beach gear. You receive snorkeling gear, floaters, a floating mat, and an umbrella. Those items reduce the number of extras you need to rent or carry, although you still need your own towel and sunblock.

A boat built for a full day

A boat can feel very different after one hour than it does after seven. The reported condition here is encouraging: clean, spacious, and comfortable. A restroom onboard is especially useful on a private charter, since you do not need to interrupt the day to return to the marina.

Music is part of the setup, which creates a more social mood for groups who want it. At the same time, the private format means your group controls the atmosphere. You can enjoy the music, talk, eat, or spend time quietly on the beach.

The floating mat and other floaters are useful additions for people who prefer relaxing in the water to active snorkeling. They also make the beach stops feel more complete. The umbrella offers shade, but it will not replace sun protection. Bring sunblock, reapply it, and pack a hat if you use one.

Towels are not included. This is easy to overlook because the tour provides so many other items. Put a towel at the top of your packing list, along with sunblock. You may also want a dry bag for phones and valuables, although one is not listed as included.

Who will get the most from this charter

This outing suits a group of up to six that wants a private day rather than a large shared boat. Families, couples traveling together, and groups of friends can all make good use of the format, especially if they plan to spend much of the day swimming and relaxing.

It also works well for mixed interests. One person can snorkel at Tortuga Reef, another can float, and someone else can stay on the beach. The included lunch and drinks mean nobody has to organize a separate meal during the main part of the day.

Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The tour does not provide a detailed list of mobility accommodations, so anyone with specific access needs should confirm those arrangements before booking. The marine itself has bathrooms and showers, which makes arrival and return easier.

This is less suited to someone who wants a short, cheap boat trip or a packed schedule of many activities. The day is built around water, sand, food, and relaxation. You get guided snorkeling and two beaches, but not a long list of separate attractions.

You should also consider the sun and the alcohol. Seven and a half hours outside can be tiring, and the included beer and rum are best treated as optional extras rather than the focus of the outing.

Booking timing and cancellation

The experience is often reserved about 62 days ahead, so I would not leave a preferred date until the last minute, especially if you are visiting during a busy period. Your booking confirmation arrives at the time of reservation, and the tour uses a mobile ticket.

Cancellation is flexible up to 24 hours before the 9 a.m. start time. You receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours in advance. Cancellations or changes made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund, and the cut-off follows local Puerto Rico time.

Should you book the Icacos and Palomino charter?

Book it if you have a group of up to six, want the boat to yourselves, and value having the day organized from start to finish. The strongest reasons are the guided Tortuga Reef snorkeling, the clean and spacious boat, the reliable-feeling equipment, the BBQ lunch, and the easy access to floats, music, drinks, and an umbrella.

Think twice if your group is small or if $1,350 feels high for a beach day. The private format is the reason for the price, and it is easiest to justify when six people share the cost.

For the right group, this is a well-planned Fajardo outing: active snorkeling first, a long Icacos stop with lunch, then a shorter Palomino beach visit. Bring towels and sunblock, arrive ready for a full day outdoors, and let Jon, Sid, and the crew handle the rest.

FAQ

How long does the Icacos and Palomino charter last?

The experience lasts approximately 7 hours and 30 minutes. It starts at 9 a.m. and returns to Sunbay Marina in Fajardo.

Where does the tour begin and end?

You meet at Sunbay Marina, Parcelas Beltran Barrio, Fajardo, Puerto Rico. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

How many people can join the private charter?

The price covers one private group of up to six people. Only your group participates in the activity.

What food and drinks are included?

Lunch includes BBQ chicken, pasta salad, and bread. Chips and fruit are also provided. Drinks include water, Pepsi, 7UP, Diet Coke, Capri Sun juice, one box of Medalla beer, and 1.75 liters of rum.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

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

What should I bring?

You need to bring a towel and sunblock. Snorkeling equipment, lunch, drinks, floats, a floating mat, music, and a beach umbrella are included.