All inclusive Private Tour to Icacos and Palomino Island

The best part of this Fajardo boat trip is the freedom to shape your own four-hour outing. Your group gets a private 30-foot power catamaran, then chooses between Icacos and Palomino Island, with the captain adjusting the stops to suit the sea and weather. It is a simple way to trade a crowded group boat for your own floating base.

I like the included food and drinks, since you do not need to pack a full cooler, and I like the easy water access, with snorkel gear, float belts, and a mat already on board. The main drawback is that the four-hour window can pass quickly, especially if you want both beach time and snorkeling. Weather can also change the plan, and one trip was canceled on the morning of departure because conditions were poor.

Key points at a glance

• Private boat for up to six: You pay $850 per group, not per person, so the value improves sharply when your party is close to the six-person limit.
• Icacos or Palomino Island: The captain chooses the best stop or combination for the day’s weather and sea conditions.
• Food and drinks included: Turkey, ham, and vegetarian sandwiches come with chips and fruit, along with water, sodas, beer, and rum drinks.
• Easy water time: Snorkels, float belts, a float mat, and USCG-certified safety equipment are supplied.
• Optional water scooter: Seabob or water scooter rentals may be available for an additional fee, so ask before departure if that interests you.
• Strong family appeal: Families praise the attentive captains, calm swimming areas, and the ability to adjust the pace for children.

Leaving Fajardo on a private power catamaran

The trip begins at Safe Harbor Puerto del Rey in Fajardo, at 4900 State Road 3, Km. 51.4. Free parking is included, and the activity returns you to the same marina. That makes this a handy choice if you are staying in or around Fajardo and want a boat day without arranging separate transport.

The boat is a 30-foot power catamaran. A catamaran gives you a broad platform and more room to move than a small runabout, though this is still a compact boat rather than a full-day yacht charter. The private setup matters most here. You are not sharing the captain, snacks, schedule, or swim stops with another booking.

The group limit is six people. At $850 for the whole boat, six people pay about $142 each before any optional add-ons. A party of four pays about $213 per person, while two people pay $425 each. I see the clearest value for families or friend groups that can fill most of the available seats.

You receive confirmation when booking, and the operator asks you to reserve a few days ahead. That is sensible for a private boat, especially if your dates are fixed. Confirm the start time, preferred island, drink choices, and any food allergies before you arrive.

Choosing between Icacos and Palomino Island

The plan is flexible rather than fixed. You may visit Cayo Icacos, Palomino Island, or different spots around them, depending on the weather on the day of your trip. That flexibility is useful because sea conditions can affect both comfort and water clarity.

Icacos is known here for its beach and clear turquoise swimming water. The boat usually stops near a beach area where the water is around three to five feet deep. That is a practical depth for casual swimming, floating, and families who want water time without immediately heading into deeper water.

Palomino offers the same basic appeal: a Caribbean island stop with sand, clear water, and time to swim. The exact balance between beach, snorkeling, and boat time depends on the captain’s judgment. One family outing to Palomino included adults and children, with the captain paying close attention to the younger members of the group.

Do not treat the island choice as a guaranteed fixed itinerary. The operator may change the stop or skip snorkeling if the weather turns. That is not ideal if you have your heart set on one exact beach, but it is the safer and more comfortable way to run a small boat trip.

Beach time in three to five feet of clear water

Once the boat reaches the island area, the day slows down. You can swim from the boat, use the float mat, or head toward the beach and spend time in shallow water. Float belts are provided, which makes the setup easier for children and anyone who is not a confident swimmer.

The shallow water is one reason this trip works well for mixed-age groups. You can relax without needing to organize a separate beach rental, and the captain can help you make use of the floating equipment. Children aged one and older may join the activity, though adults remain responsible for watching them in the water.

The beach stop also gives you a break from the boat. Four hours is not a long outing, so you will want to decide early how much time you want to spend on sand versus snorkeling. If your group likes to linger, tell the captain. The private format allows more adjustment than a standard shared excursion.

Bring sunscreen and use it often. One person specifically found that reapplying sunscreen was important, and the tropical sun can catch you even when a breeze makes the boat feel cool. You should also bring anything personal you want for the beach, since the included food and drinks are useful but not a replacement for every item you may need.

Snorkeling without packing a gear bag

Snorkeling equipment is included, along with USCG-certified safety equipment. That saves you from renting basic gear elsewhere and makes it easy to try snorkeling even if it is not the main reason for booking.

The captain selects the snorkeling area based on conditions. This is a good feature of a private charter, since the crew can judge where the water is most suitable rather than forcing the boat to follow a rigid route. Captain Nomar received especially strong praise for helping with snorkeling and keeping an eye on safety.

Keep your expectations measured. The supplied information does not promise a particular reef, marine life sighting, or guaranteed snorkeling stop. If waves or weather are not right, the captain may shorten or skip this part. One family still considered the trip a favorite day after poor weather forced the group to miss snorkeling and return early.

That is the central tradeoff: you get flexibility and a captain making real-time choices, but you do not get a locked-in list of stops. If your priority is guaranteed snorkeling for most of the trip, ask how conditions are expected to affect the plan before booking.

Sandwiches, fruit, beer, and rum drinks

The food is casual and practical. The boat provides turkey, ham, and vegetarian sandwiches, plus chips and fruit. Water and sodas are included, along with beer and rum drinks such as piña coladas or rum pouches.

This arrangement works well for a four-hour trip. You can eat when you want instead of leaving the water to find lunch, and the snacks help take the edge off without turning the outing into a formal meal. If you have allergies, tell the operator in advance. The crew specifically asks you to report food allergies before the trip.

There is one small point to clarify. One outing did not offer the advertised rum drinks or piña coladas, and the operator apologized and said it would check with the captain. I would confirm the exact drink selection before departure if cocktails are important to your plans.

You can also bring food that suits your group. That is helpful for picky children, dietary restrictions, or anyone who wants more than sandwiches. Remember that alcoholic drinks are included, but you should keep your own limits in mind when swimming or using the floating equipment.

Captains who shape the pace

The captains named in the available information include Angel, Jorge, Nomar, Kyle, and Luis. The exact captain depends on the date, but the service style is clear: the crew aims to adjust the experience around the group.

Angel is noted for looking after families, including children and a baby, and for helping a group adjust the timing of its stops. Jorge is described as especially warm and engaged, while Captain Nomar is associated with snorkeling help and attention to safety. Kyle and Luis also received strong praise for friendly service and making sure groups had what they needed.

There was even an occasion when a couple arrived late and the captain was able to make the outing work. I would not count on late arrival being harmless, but it shows why direct communication with the operator matters. Call or message as soon as you know you may be delayed.

The private format gives you more control, but it does not mean every request can be granted. The captain still has to work around wind, rain, water conditions, safety, and the four-hour limit. A good approach is to arrive with one or two priorities, such as beach time plus snorkeling, rather than an overpacked schedule.

Is $850 good value?

At first glance, $850 is a sizeable price for four hours. The calculation changes when you divide it among a full group of six. You are paying for exclusive use of the boat, a captain, fuel-related operation, snacks, lunch items, drinks, snorkeling gear, floats, and parking.

For six people, the cost is roughly $142 per person. That is a reasonable private-boat price if your group values space, a custom pace, and the ability to avoid sharing the day with strangers. For three people, the per-person cost is about $283, and the value becomes more personal and less budget-friendly.

Optional water scooter rentals cost extra. The available information also refers to a Seabob as a particularly fun add-on, but you should confirm the current name, price, and availability before counting on it. This is not necessary for a good day, but it could appeal to older children and adults who want more action than swimming and snorkeling.

The tour had more than ten bookings in the previous month and a 4.9 rating from 47 ratings, with 98 percent recommended. Those figures suggest strong demand and generally reliable satisfaction, but they do not erase the weather risk or the occasional service mismatch, such as missing rum drinks.

Who will enjoy this four-hour outing most

I would choose this trip for a family or friend group that wants a relaxed private day on the water. It suits people who care about beach time, shallow swimming, snacks, and a captain who can adjust the plan rather than follow a fixed group schedule.

It is also a good fit for mixed-age groups. Children from age one can join, a bathroom is available, and float belts and a mat reduce the amount of equipment you need to organize. Still, a boat day requires close supervision, especially around the water and alcohol.

Couples can enjoy it too, but the price is harder to justify for only two people. If privacy is your top priority and you want a boat reserved only for you, the cost may still make sense. If your main goal is simply reaching an island as cheaply as possible, a shared boat would likely offer better per-person value.

This is less suitable for someone who wants a tightly timed, activity-heavy schedule. Four hours goes quickly, and bad weather may remove one part of the plan. It is best approached as a flexible beach and boat outing, not as a guaranteed checklist of every possible water activity.

Booking details worth knowing

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancel within 24 hours, or make changes during that period, and you should not expect a refund.

The experience requires good weather. If poor conditions cause the operator to cancel, you will be offered another date or a full refund. One morning cancellation caused a group to lose the chance to find another boat later that day, so keep a backup beach plan if your schedule is tight.

Service animals are allowed, the marina is near public transportation, and most people can participate. The tour ends at Safe Harbor Puerto del Rey, where free parking is available. Ask about your group’s specific needs before booking if mobility or medical concerns could affect boarding or water activities.

Should you book the Icacos and Palomino charter?

Book it if you have four to six people, want a private boat, and prefer a relaxed plan built around swimming, beach time, snacks, and drinks. The included gear and food simplify the day, while captains such as Angel, Jorge, Nomar, Kyle, and Luis have shown a strong focus on families and personal service.

Think twice if your budget is tight, you have only two people, or you need guaranteed snorkeling and a fixed island stop. Weather can change the route, cocktails may need confirming, and four hours is short for a long list of activities.

For the best value, fill the boat, tell the operator your food needs, confirm the drinks and any water scooter rental, and arrive ready to let the captain adjust the route. That is when this private Fajardo outing makes the most sense.

FAQ

Where does the private boat tour start?

It starts at Safe Harbor Puerto del Rey, located at 4900 State Road 3, Km. 51.4, Fajardo, Puerto Rico.

Where does the activity end?

The boat returns to the same meeting point at Safe Harbor Puerto del Rey.

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts approximately four hours.

How many people can join the private charter?

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

Which islands can the tour visit?

The outing can visit Cayo Icacos or Palomino Island. The captain chooses the best stops based on the weather and conditions on the day.

What food is included?

The boat provides turkey, ham, and vegetarian sandwiches, along with chips and fruit. You may also bring additional food that suits your preferences.

What drinks are included?

Water and sodas are included, along with beer and rum drinks such as piña coladas or rum pouches. Confirm the available cocktail choices before departure.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, float belts, a float mat, and USCG-certified safety equipment are included.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

If the operator cancels because of poor weather, you will be offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the experience starts.