Reviewed · ISLAND DAY TRIPS

Full Charter All Inclusive for Icacos and Palomino

★ 5.0 · 3 reviews Operated by Escape To Paradise PR · Bookable on Viator
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The best part of this Fajardo charter is its simple island rhythm: guided snorkeling at Tortuga Reef, a beach stop at Icacos, lunch under your beach umbrella, then a slower afternoon at Palomino. You get a private boat for your group, not a seat on a crowded shared cruise.

I like the well-stocked setup, especially the BBQ lunch, fruit, snacks, water, soft drinks, beer, rum, snorkeling gear, and floating mat. I also like the practical comfort: the boat is described as clean and spacious, with a restroom, and the crew members Jon and Sid have been singled out for making the day easy and fun. The main consideration is the price: $1,350 is a serious outlay for a small group, though it works out to $225 each when six people share it.

Key points to know before booking

Full Charter All Inclusive for Icacos and Palomino - Key points to know before booking

  • Tortuga Reef comes first: You get guided snorkeling before the beach portion of the day.
  • Two island beaches in one outing: Icacos receives about four hours, followed by roughly two hours at Palomino.
  • Private group format: The charter is reserved for your party, with a maximum of six people.
  • Lunch is included: Expect BBQ chicken, pasta salad, bread, fruit, chips, and drinks.
  • The boat carries the essentials: Snorkeling equipment, floats, a floating mat, music, and a restroom are provided.
  • Bring only your personal beach gear: Towels and sunblock are not supplied.

A private island day from Fajardo

This is a full-day boat charter built around two things Puerto Rico does very well: warm-water snorkeling and pale-sand beaches. You meet at Sunbay Marina in Fajardo at 9 a.m., board a boat kept for your group, and spend about seven and a half hours on the water before returning to the same marina.

The private format changes the feel of the day. You are not adjusting your plans around strangers, and the crew can cater to your group’s needs within the fixed route. That matters if one person wants more time floating, another wants to eat early, or your group simply prefers a relaxed pace.

The boat is described as clean, comfortable, and spacious. A spotless boat is not a small detail on a long saltwater outing. You will spend much of the day aboard or moving between the boat and the shore, so a tidy deck, working snorkeling gear, and an onboard restroom make the experience easier.

This charter is also unusually well supplied for a private beach trip. You receive snorkeling equipment, floaters, a floating mat, water, juice, soda, snacks, fruit, alcoholic drinks, and lunch. You still need to bring a towel and sunblock. Pack those first, because they are the two items specifically left to you.

Tortuga Reef and the first snorkeling session

Full Charter All Inclusive for Icacos and Palomino - Tortuga Reef and the first snorkeling session

The first main stop is Tortuga Reef near Cayo Icacos. Here, the crew provides guided snorkeling rather than simply dropping you near the reef and leaving you to figure it out. That is useful if your group includes first-time snorkelers or anyone who wants help spotting marine life.

The water around these islands is known for its clarity, and the reef gives the day a purpose beyond sitting on a beach. You can use the supplied mask, fins, and related equipment, then return to the boat when you are ready. One especially practical detail is that the snorkeling gear has been praised for fitting well and not leaking. Anyone who has spent a beach day repeatedly emptying water from a mask will understand why that matters.

I would still treat snorkeling as weather and water dependent. Clear water does not guarantee perfect conditions every day, and marine life is never a scheduled performance. The value here is the guided access and the chance to see the underwater side of Icacos, not a promise of a particular animal sighting.

The snorkeling portion comes before the main beach period at Icacos. If you want photographs, keep your phone or camera protected and follow the crew’s instructions around the reef. You will also want to apply sunblock before boarding, then use reef-conscious habits in the water and avoid touching coral or marine life.

Four hours at Cayo Icacos

Full Charter All Inclusive for Icacos and Palomino - Four hours at Cayo Icacos

After snorkeling, the boat moves to Cayo Icacos for the longest stop of the day. The plan allows about four hours here, including beach time and lunch. That is enough time to shift gears from active water time to a slower island afternoon.

Icacos is the place to settle under the provided umbrella, swim, float, and enjoy the white sand. The included floating mat gives you another way to use the water without having to swim continuously. Music is also provided, so the mood can be as quiet or lively as your group prefers, depending on how the crew runs the boat and what your party requests.

Lunch is a straightforward BBQ spread: chicken, pasta salad, and bread, with fruit and chips available as additional food. It is the kind of meal that makes sense on a beach. You do not need to leave the island in search of a restaurant, and nobody has to carry a cooler full of food from Fajardo.

The drink supply is generous on paper. It includes water, Pepsi, 7UP, Diet Coke, Capri Sun juice, one box of Medalla beer, and 1.75 liters of rum. Alcohol is part of the package, but you should pace yourself carefully in the sun, especially if you plan to snorkel or spend time in the water. Water is included, so make that your main drink during the active parts of the day.

Four hours at Icacos can be a major advantage for a group that dislikes being rushed. You have room for lunch, swimming, floating, photographs, and plain old downtime. The tradeoff is that anyone who prefers constant activity may find the beach stop long. This is a boat-and-beach day, not a packed sightseeing schedule.

The shorter visit to Palomino

Full Charter All Inclusive for Icacos and Palomino - The shorter visit to Palomino

Once lunch and the Icacos beach time are finished, you sail to Isla Palominos, commonly called Palomino. The planned stop lasts about two hours, giving you a second beach setting without turning the day into a race between islands.

Palomino functions as the final chapter of the trip. By this point, you will have already snorkeled, eaten, and spent several hours at Icacos. The shorter stop lets you enjoy another stretch of sand and water without needing a second full lunch or a long activity program.

I like this order because the active part comes early. You snorkel while the day is fresh, then use Icacos for the main meal and the longest rest period. Palomino becomes a pleasant change of scene rather than another demanding excursion.

The practical limitation is that two hours passes quickly once you include getting on and off the boat. If Palomino is the island you most want to explore, this schedule gives it less time than Icacos. Ask the crew about the exact timing on the day, since conditions and loading can affect how long you are ashore.

Other boats out to the offshore cays from Fajardo:

What the $1,350 price really buys

Full Charter All Inclusive for Icacos and Palomino - What the $1,350 price really buys

The total price is $1,350 per group of up to six people. At full capacity, that works out to $225 per person. For two people, however, the same charter costs $675 each, so the value depends heavily on how many people share the boat.

You are paying for privacy as much as for transport. The boat, captain, and crew are reserved for your party, and the package includes food, drinks, snorkeling gear, floats, music, and beach equipment. When you add those items to a seven-and-a-half-hour outing, the price becomes easier to understand than a bare boat transfer would be.

The strongest value is for a group of four to six people that wants a private day and expects to use the full package. Families and friend groups can split the cost while enjoying a flexible boat setting, a prepared lunch, and two island stops. A couple may find the price harder to justify unless privacy is the main goal.

This is not the right choice if you want the cheapest way to reach one beach. It makes more sense if you want a fully arranged day with snorkeling, meals, drinks, and a crew that handles the practical work.

A boat day designed for comfort

Full Charter All Inclusive for Icacos and Palomino - A boat day designed for comfort

The included equipment removes much of the usual beach-day planning. Snorkeling equipment is supplied, as are floaters and a floating mat. The boat has a restroom, which is particularly helpful on a long outing with food and drinks.

The marina also has bathrooms and showers, plus parking. That gives you useful facilities before departure and after returning. Public transportation is nearby, but the supplied information does not specify routes or schedules, so you should check those details separately if you are not driving.

The boat is reported as spacious and spotless, and that is one of the most important quality markers for this experience. A small, cramped boat can make seven and a half hours feel much longer. Here, the combination of room, a restroom, food, and floats supports a more comfortable day.

Do not forget that towels and sunblock are excluded. You should also plan your clothing around getting wet, even if you intend to spend most of the afternoon on the beach. Keep personal items secure and bring only what you need, since island boat trips are easier when you are not managing bulky bags.

Who will get the most from this charter

Full Charter All Inclusive for Icacos and Palomino - Who will get the most from this charter

This outing fits a group that wants the whole day in one package. It works especially well for:

  • Families or friends who can fill most or all of the six-person capacity
  • Groups that want a private boat rather than a shared cruise
  • First-time snorkelers who appreciate guided help
  • Beach lovers who want two island stops
  • Anyone who values included food, drinks, floats, and music
  • Groups that prefer a relaxed schedule over many short activities

The private setup can also suit a mixed group. One person can snorkel while another stays on the beach, and the group can use the floaters or shaded umbrella without dividing up to follow a large tour schedule.

This may not suit you if you dislike boat travel, want a land-based cultural tour, or prefer several structured activities. It also may not be the best value for a very small party, since the group price does not drop according to the number of people listed here.

Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. No specific age limits or swimming requirements are provided, so contact Escape To Paradise PR if someone in your group has a particular mobility, medical, or water-safety concern.

Timing, booking, and cancellation details

Full Charter All Inclusive for Icacos and Palomino - Timing, booking, and cancellation details

The meeting point is Sunbay Marina, Parcelas Beltran Barrio, Fajardo, Puerto Rico 00738. The start time is 9 a.m., and the activity ends back at the same meeting point after about seven and a half hours.

This charter is often booked about 62 days ahead, which is useful planning information for a popular private outing. Confirmation is provided at booking, and the activity has a mobile ticket.

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the scheduled departure are not accepted for a refund. The cut-off uses local Puerto Rico time, so pay attention to the time zone when making changes.

Should you book this Icacos and Palomino charter?

I would book it for a group of four to six people that wants a private, well-stocked beach day from Fajardo. The strongest reasons are the guided Tortuga Reef snorkeling, the long Icacos stop, the second beach at Palomino, and the fact that lunch and drinks are already handled.

I would think twice if your group has only one or two people and is mainly seeking inexpensive beach access. The $1,350 group price is much easier to defend when shared across six people.

Bring a towel, sunblock, and a relaxed attitude. If you want a comfortable boat, a prepared BBQ lunch, dependable snorkeling equipment, and enough time to enjoy two island beaches without rushing, this is a practical private charter with a clear focus.

FAQ

Where does the boat tour start?

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

What time does the tour begin?

The scheduled start time is 9 a.m.

How long does the experience last?

The full experience lasts approximately seven hours and 30 minutes.

Where does the tour end?

It ends back at the same meeting point at Sunbay Marina.

How many people can join the private charter?

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

Which islands does the tour visit?

The route visits Cayo Icacos and Isla Palominos, also called Palomino.

Is snorkeling included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is provided, and the snorkeling session takes place at Tortuga Reef near Icacos.

What food is included?

Lunch includes BBQ chicken, pasta salad, and bread. Snacks include chips and fruit.

What drinks are included?

The package includes water, Pepsi, 7UP, Diet Coke, Capri Sun juice, one box of Medalla beer, and 1.75 liters of rum.

What should I bring?

You need to bring a towel and sunblock. Towels and sunblock are not included.

Does the boat have a restroom?

Yes. A restroom is available on board.

Are parking and showers available at the marina?

Yes. The marina has parking, bathrooms, and showers.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund.

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