Private All Inclusive East Coast Keys Tour and Snorkel Experience

Cayo Icacos is the star here: a short boat ride from Fajardo brings you to clear water, a reef for snorkeling, and a white-sand beach where your group can spread out. You also get a look at Isla Palominos, possible sea turtles, and Palominito Island, all without sharing the boat with strangers.

I like the private format, since your captain can adjust beach and snorkeling time to suit your group. I also like the practical inclusions: sandwiches, chips, sodas, water, local beer, floats, shade, music, and snorkeling gear. The main catch is simple: there is no restroom onboard, and four hours can feel short if you want long beach stops.

Key points to know before booking

• Cayo Icacos gets the longest stop: About two and a half hours are set aside for snorkeling and beach time.
• The boat is private for up to six people: You can bring your own group, music, and additional drinks.
• Food and basic drinks are included: Expect sandwiches, chips, Coca-Cola, Sprite, bottled water, and local beer.
• Sea turtles are viewed at Isla Palominos: This is a short wildlife stop, not a guaranteed close encounter or snorkeling session.
• Captains set a friendly, flexible tone: Carlos, Jamil, and Derek are among the captains praised for safety, local information, and patience.
• Plan around the missing restroom: Use facilities before leaving Marina Puerto Chico.

A private half-day on Puerto Rico’s northeast coast

This is a four-hour boat outing from Fajardo, built around three things: swimming, snorkeling, and time on pretty island beaches. It works best when you want the freedom of a charter without paying for a full-day boat.

The boat is reserved for your group of up to six. That matters more than it may first seem. You do not have to wait for strangers, follow a fixed group mood, or squeeze into a crowded beach schedule. If your children want more time with the floating mat, or one person prefers to sit in the shade, the captain can usually shape the stops around your group.

The trip begins at Marina Puerto Chico. Pickup is offered from a designated hotel or port, but the listed meeting point is the marina, so confirm the pickup details before you set out. The tour ends back where it starts.

Depending on the day, your captain may be Carlos, Jamil, Derek, or another Encanto Boat Tours captain. The strongest part of the service is the captain’s role. Carlos is praised for explaining the islands, keeping the boat comfortable, and helping when someone felt seasick. Jamil is noted for sharing Puerto Rican history. Derek is described as relaxed and attentive. These details point to a tour where the captain is more than a driver, especially if you enjoy learning a little as you go.

The ride past San Juan’s lighthouse views

The route includes a view of El Faro de San Juan from the ocean. This is not presented as a long stop, so think of it as a passing sight rather than a separate shore visit.

That ocean angle is part of the appeal. From the boat, you get a different view of Puerto Rico than you would from a road or city lookout. The ride also gives you time to settle in, choose music through the Bluetooth sound system, and get drinks from the cooler before reaching the islands.

The boat has a sun shade, which is useful in the open Caribbean sun. Several families also found the boat roomy and comfortable, including a group with children and adults ranging from age five to 68. That does not remove the need for care around the water, but it suggests the setup can work for a mixed-age family.

The ride can be choppy in less settled conditions. One family specifically appreciated having a larger, comfortable boat on a rougher day. If you are prone to seasickness, sit where the captain advises, keep your eyes on the horizon, and tell the captain early if you feel unwell.

Cayo Icacos: reef time followed by the beach

Cayo Icacos receives the largest share of the outing, about two hours and 30 minutes. The plan is to visit the Icacos Reef area first, then move to the beach.

For most people, this is the heart of the trip. The snorkeling area offers clear water and fish, with the chance to see a healthy range of small marine life. Conditions change with wind, waves, visibility, and recent weather, so do not treat any single snorkeling report as a promise. Still, this is the stop where you have the best chance to spend real time in the water rather than simply look at it from the boat.

Snorkeling equipment is supplied. That saves you from packing masks and fins, though you should still bring your swimsuit, towel, sun protection, and any personal water gear you prefer. The boat also carries jumbo noodles and a large floating water mat. Those are handy if some members of your group want to float rather than snorkel.

After the reef, you head to Icacos Beach. The attraction is quiet beach time: swimming, sitting on the sand, floating, and taking in the pale shore and turquoise water. Your group can decide how active to be. This flexibility is especially useful for families with different energy levels.

The beach is not a resort. Do not expect changing rooms, a restaurant, or a full set of land facilities. The boat’s snacks and sandwiches help, but you should eat a little before departure if your group gets hungry quickly. The included lunch is practical rather than elaborate: sandwiches and chips, with sodas, water, and local beer.

Isla Palominos and the turtle-watching stop

The next stop is Isla Palominos, where the activity includes sea-turtle sightseeing for about 10 minutes. This is a short wildlife look, not a long snorkeling session.

You may see turtles in the water, and some outings have also had sightings of other marine life, including a manatee with a calf. Wildlife is never guaranteed, so book this part for the chance to observe animals, not for a promised encounter. If turtles appear, watch respectfully and follow the captain’s directions.

The short timing makes sense. Wildlife viewing depends on conditions and location, and the tour also needs to leave room for the beach. One useful point is that the turtle area is treated as a protected place, so you should not expect to snorkel directly with the turtles. This is a better fit for people who are happy to watch quietly than for anyone seeking a hands-on animal encounter.

After the turtle stop, you spend about an hour at Palomino Beach. This gives you another chance to swim and relax, and it breaks up the day nicely after the longer Icacos stop. Some groups may prefer the first beach, while others will appreciate seeing both. Because this is a private charter, you can tell the captain which kind of stop your group enjoys most, within the time and sea conditions available.

Palominito and the movie connection

The final island sight is Palominito, where the tour makes a brief visit of about 10 minutes. You will see the area associated with where Palominito Island was located and hear about films made there, including Pirates of the Caribbean.

This is a quick scenic and cultural detail rather than a full activity. You will not have a long shore visit here, so keep your expectations in check. It is a nice extra for film fans and anyone who enjoys hearing how familiar screen locations connect with the islands around Puerto Rico.

The stops are packed into four hours. That gives you a good half-day outing, but it also means the boat cannot linger everywhere. If your ideal day is mostly sitting on one beach, a longer charter may suit you better. If you want several different views, a snorkeling session, wildlife watching, and two beaches, the pace is sensible.

What is included, and what you should bring

Encanto supplies more than basic transportation. Onboard, you get:

• Private boat service
• Snorkeling gear
• Sandwiches and chips
• Coca-Cola, Sprite, and bottled water
• Local beer
• Jumbo noodles and a floating water mat
• Sun shade
• Bluetooth sound system

You may bring your own food and drinks as well. The captain can add them to the cooler, which is useful if someone in your group has a particular favorite or does not drink beer.

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a dry change of clothes. A waterproof phone pouch is sensible, although one is not listed as included. Keep your packing light, since the boat already carries food, floats, gear, and a cooler.

The missing restroom is the one practical limitation that deserves real attention. Use the marina facilities before boarding. Four hours is manageable for many people, but children, older adults, and anyone who needs frequent facilities should plan carefully.

Alcohol is included in the form of local beer. If you drink, remember that you are still on a moving boat in strong sun. Water is provided, and it is wise to alternate drinks with water.

Is $715 a fair price for up to six?

The listed price is $715 per group, not per person. At the full six-person capacity, that works out to about $119 per person. For four people, it is about $179 each. With only two people, the same charter costs $357.50 each, so the value improves sharply as your group gets closer to six.

That price includes the boat, captain, food, drinks, equipment, floats, and a private schedule. You are also paying for the ability to avoid a crowded shared excursion. For a family or group of friends, that can make the cost reasonable, especially if you value space and control more than a bare-bones boat ride.

The value is weaker for one or two people unless privacy is your top priority. A shared tour may cost less per person, but it will not give you the same control over music, timing, snacks, and beach preferences. I would compare the total group price, not just the per-person figure.

The boat’s size and comfort also matter. A larger boat can feel worth the money on a breezier or choppier day, and it gives families a little more room to move around. Still, weather can affect the quality of any water outing, no matter how good the boat is.

Who will get the most from this boat tour?

I would choose this for:

• Families who want a private outing with floats and food already onboard
• Friends splitting the cost among five or six people
• Couples who value privacy and do not mind paying more
• Groups with mixed interests, such as snorkelers, swimmers, and beach loungers
• Visitors staying in or around Fajardo who want a half-day on the water
• Anyone who prefers a flexible captain-led trip over a large group schedule

It is less suitable if you need a restroom onboard, dislike boat travel, want a guaranteed turtle encounter, or prefer a long, slow day at one beach. It is also not the right choice if you want a formal meal, since the food is simple sandwiches and chips.

Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The activity is near public transportation. Still, the tour involves boarding a boat, swimming, snorkeling, and moving between water and beach, so you should consider your group’s comfort and mobility before booking.

Weather, timing, and cancellation details

The tour depends on good weather. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you can receive a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund.

Arrive on time. One group underestimated Puerto Rico traffic and arrived an hour late. The captain still waited, but the delay clearly put pressure on the schedule. Since the outing is only four hours, a late start can reduce beach or snorkeling time.

Use the detailed marina directions supplied after booking, and allow extra time for traffic. Confirmation is provided at booking, and the mobile ticket makes the check-in process straightforward.

My verdict on Encanto Boat Tours

I would book this tour for a group of four to six people that wants a relaxed, private half-day rather than a packed public excursion. The strongest reasons are the private boat, the generous Cayo Icacos stop, the included food and drinks, and the chance to tailor the outing with a captain such as Carlos, Jamil, or Derek.

I would skip it only if the lack of a restroom is a serious problem, if you want a full-day charter, or if your main goal is guaranteed wildlife viewing. For everyone else, this is a practical way to see the islands near Fajardo, get real water time, and avoid turning a beach day into a crowded production.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin?

The tour begins at Marina Puerto Chico, located at PR-987, Fajardo, Puerto Rico 00738.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point, Marina Puerto Chico.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately four hours.

How many people can join the private boat?

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

Is pickup available?

Pickup is offered from a designated hotel or port. Confirm the exact pickup arrangement when booking.

What happens at Cayo Icacos?

You visit the Icacos Reef area for snorkeling and then spend time at Icacos Beach. This portion lasts about two hours and 30 minutes.

Can I see sea turtles?

The tour includes a short sea-turtle sightseeing stop at Isla Palominos. Turtle sightings are possible but are not guaranteed.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling gear is included.

Is there a restroom on the boat?

No. There is no restroom onboard, so use facilities before leaving the marina.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund. If poor weather cancels the tour, you can receive a different date or a full refund.