All-Inclusive Private Charter to Icacos or Palomino Islands

The best part of this Fajardo charter is the freedom that comes with having the boat to yourself. You choose Icacos or Palomino, then set the pace between snorkeling, swimming, beach time, and simply sitting under the sun. Captains such as Jon, John, Adriana, Syd, and Lolo are known for mixing safety guidance with an easygoing, personal touch.

I like the guided snorkeling with gear included, especially for families or anyone who needs a quick refresher before getting in. I also like the generous food and drink setup: fruit, ham-and-cheese sandwiches, snacks, soft drinks, water, Medalla beer, and rum. The main consideration is time. Four hours passes quickly, and the best value comes when you have four to six people sharing the $750 boat price.

Key points

• Private boat for up to six: You avoid sharing the outing with a large group and can shape the pace around your party.
• Icacos or Palomino: Choose between two nearby island settings, with snorkeling and beach time included.
• Two departure windows: Go from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. or from 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
• Guided snorkeling included: Equipment and an in-water introduction are part of the outing.
• Food and drinks are covered: Expect fruit, sandwiches, snacks, water, soft drinks, Medalla beer, and rum.
• Strong family appeal: Floating mats, noodles, attentive crew, and flexible pacing help mixed-age groups enjoy the boat.

A Private Boat Makes Four Hours Feel Personal

This is not a fixed, large-group sightseeing cruise. Escape To Paradise PR takes your party, up to six people, from Sunbay Marina in Fajardo to either Icacos or Palomino for a half-day on the water.

That difference matters. You are not working around a boatload of strangers or waiting for a group to finish one activity before moving on. Your captain can adjust the balance between snorkeling, swimming, beach time, music, food, and rest. One group stayed at Icacos because everyone was having such a good time. That flexibility is one of the strongest reasons to consider this charter.

The boat returns to Sunbay Marina, and the full outing lasts about four hours. You get a morning slot from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. or an afternoon slot from 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. The morning trip gives you an early start and leaves the rest of the day open. The afternoon trip works well if you prefer a slower morning or want to pair the charter with another Fajardo activity.

Four hours is enough for a real island break, but it is not a full-day cruise. You should expect a compact outing rather than a long expedition. If your group wants several snorkeling areas, extended beach time, and a leisurely lunch, the schedule may feel tight.

Choosing Between Icacos and Palomino

The charter offers a choice of Cayo Icacos or Isla Palominos. The operator decides the best snorkeling spot based on the island selected and current conditions, then moves near the island so you can enjoy the beach.

Icacos appears to be the more frequently chosen option in the available details. The route includes the area around El Faro de las Cabezas de San Juan, and the stop is built around clear water, a reef snorkeling session, and beach time. Groups have seen plenty of fish, and some outings have included sea turtles, lobsters, dolphins, and even a manatee. Wildlife is never guaranteed, but the water time clearly offers more than a quick swim.

The beach portion is just as important as the snorkeling. You can swim near the shore, sit on the sand, use a floating mat or noodles, and take a break while the crew keeps drinks and snacks available. If your group includes people who are not keen on snorkeling, Icacos still gives them a useful reason to come along.

Palomino offers the same basic structure: boat ride, guided snorkeling, beach time, food, and drinks. The route notes the Cabezas de San Juan Natural Reserve in connection with this outing. The supplied details do not promise a specific wildlife sighting or a particular beach feature at Palomino, so I would choose based on the operator’s recommendation for the day rather than expecting one island to be universally better.

Ask about the day’s best snorkeling conditions when you arrive. The charter is private, but the sea still decides where visibility and water conditions are best.

What Happens During the Snorkeling Stop

The snorkeling segment is guided, not simply a case of receiving a mask and being sent into the water. The crew provides equipment and gives a refresher on how to use it. That small step can make a big difference for first-time snorkelers, children, or anyone who has not used a mask in years.

One particularly useful pattern comes through in the experience: the crew stays attentive to nervous swimmers. Syd was praised for patiently helping a nine-year-old who felt unsure in the water, while Lolo guided another group safely along the coral area. This makes the outing a better fit for families than a rushed snorkel stop with little personal help.

A typical snorkeling period may last around 30 minutes, based on one family’s outing. You might see schools of fish and coral life, though sightings vary. One group saw no turtles, while other outings included turtles, lobsters, dolphins, and a manatee. I would treat those larger sightings as pleasant surprises, not promises.

The guided format also adds a safety benefit. Jon was specifically praised for explaining marine life and safety measures, and several crew pairings were described as attentive and careful. You still need to be comfortable following water instructions and using snorkeling equipment, but the setup is not hands-off.

If some members of your party prefer not to snorkel, they can spend that time on the boat. The private format means the group does not have to split up because one person needs a slower pace.

Beach Time, Floating Mats, and Room to Relax

After snorkeling, the boat moves near the chosen island for beach time. This is where the charter shifts from activity to easy relaxation.

The crew has provided floating mats, noodles, a beach umbrella, music, and drinks on different outings. These extras matter because they turn a simple beach stop into a more comfortable half-day. You can float, swim, sit under shade, listen to your group’s music, or eat on board without packing a separate lunch.

I especially like that the schedule does not appear to force you through a rigid list of stops. A private group that wants more time on the beach can stay there rather than being hurried away for the next scheduled attraction. That said, the boat still operates within a four-hour window, so flexibility does not mean unlimited time.

The islands are the main event, not a long list of land attractions. The route references El Faro de las Cabezas de San Juan and the Cabezas de San Juan Natural Reserve, but the advertised experience centers on water, sand, and the boat. Do not book this expecting a guided tour of a lighthouse or a nature reserve on foot.

Food and Drinks Included on the Boat

The food is simple, practical, and well suited to a half-day on the water. You receive fruit, ham-and-cheese sandwiches, snacks, juice, Pepsi, 7UP, and water. There is also a case of Medalla beer and rum listed among the inclusions.

This is not a restaurant meal, and you should not expect a broad menu. But for four hours of swimming and snorkeling, sandwiches and fruit are exactly the sort of provisions that keep the day moving. You do not need to interrupt the outing to find lunch, and the crew keeps checking that everyone has something to eat or drink.

The alcohol inclusion is useful for adults who want a beer or rum drink after getting out of the water. It also means parents should be clear about which drinks are intended for which members of the group. Anyone who prefers not to drink has plenty of non-alcoholic options.

Food is one area where the private setup helps. Your group can eat when ready rather than waiting for a large boat service. Music is also part of the atmosphere, and the crew has adjusted it to suit the group.

The Crew Sets the Tone

The experience depends heavily on the captain and first mate, and the crew names connected with these trips include Jon, John, Adriana, Syd, Lolo, Angel, Jamil, Justin, Bradley, and Ale.

Across the available feedback, the repeated strengths are attentiveness, friendly service, safety, and an ability to keep the mood relaxed. Jon was praised for his marine-life explanations and safety instructions. Syd helped a nervous child snorkel. Adriana appears in several pairings and is repeatedly described as attentive and welcoming. Angel and Lolo were praised for making the snorkeling stop comfortable and fun.

The crew also seems willing to adapt. One party helped set the pace and decide how long to spend on different parts of the outing. Another group chose to remain at Icacos rather than add more movement to the day. That is the practical value of booking private.

You should still remember that crew assignments can change. If a particular captain or mate is important to you, you can request them, but the supplied details do not promise a specific pairing. The consistent benefit is the private service style, not a guaranteed individual guide.

Is $750 a Good Value?

The price is $750 per group of up to six people. At six people, that works out to $125 per person. For four people, it is $187.50 each. For two people, it becomes $375 each, so the economics improve sharply as your group gets larger.

That price includes the boat, crew, snorkeling equipment, guided snorkeling, food, non-alcoholic drinks, beer, rum, and island time. You are also paying for privacy and control over the schedule. Compared with a shared outing, the main value is not just the number of included items. It is the ability to spend the half-day with your own family or friends.

I think the charter makes the most financial sense for a group of four to six. Families with children may also find the extra privacy worth the cost because a tired child, hesitant swimmer, or non-snorkeler does not disrupt a large group schedule.

For two people, I would compare the total price with other private boat options in Fajardo before booking. The experience can still be excellent, but the per-person cost is high. A couple who cares most about privacy, personal attention, and a quiet pace may find it worthwhile. A couple focused mainly on reaching the island at the lowest cost may prefer a shared excursion.

Who Will Enjoy This Charter Most?

I would recommend this outing to families, friend groups, and couples who want a private half-day on the water. It works particularly well for mixed groups where some people want to snorkel and others mainly want to swim, eat, and relax.

It is also a good fit if you want staff support without giving up control. The crew handles the equipment, guides the snorkeling, provides food, and checks on the group, but you still decide how to spend the available time.

The experience may be less suitable if you want a long, packed sightseeing day or a formal nature tour. The focus is recreation. You come for clear water, beach time, snorkeling, and a comfortable boat ride, not museums, extended walks, or a detailed history program.

Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The activity is near public transportation, but no separate transfer is included in the details provided, so plan to reach Sunbay Marina in Fajardo on your own.

Timing, Weather, and Practical Details

The meeting point is Sunbay Marina, Parcelas Beltran Barrio, Fajardo, Puerto Rico, 00738. The activity ends back at the same marina, which makes planning before or after the charter fairly simple.

You receive confirmation when booking, and the activity uses a mobile ticket. The charter runs only in good weather. If poor weather causes a cancellation, you receive the option of a different date or a full refund.

For a full refund when canceling yourself, cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

I would arrive ready for both water and sun, though the supplied details do not specify a required packing list. Your most important decision is choosing a time that matches your group’s energy. Morning gives you cooler early hours and a free afternoon. Afternoon allows a slower start and may suit people who do not want to rush out of bed.

Should You Book the Icacos or Palomino Charter?

I would book this private charter if your group has four to six people and values personal service more than the lowest possible price. The combination of guided snorkeling, flexible beach time, food, drinks, and a boat reserved for your party gives the outing a clear purpose.

Choose it for the private setting, not because it promises a specific animal sighting or a long list of island attractions. The strongest parts are the attentive crew, the freedom to set the pace, and the easy mix of swimming, snorkeling, and rest.

If you are traveling as a larger family or group of friends, the $750 rate can be sensible. If you are a couple, study the per-person cost carefully. Either way, ask about current sea conditions and the better snorkeling option between Icacos and Palomino on the day of your trip.

FAQ

How much does the private charter cost?

The charter costs $750 per group, with up to six people included.

How long does the activity last?

The excursion lasts about four hours.

What departure times are available?

You can choose from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. or 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Where does the charter begin?

The meeting point is Sunbay Marina, Parcelas Beltran Barrio, Fajardo, Puerto Rico, 00738.

Does the boat return to the marina?

Yes. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

Can I choose between Icacos and Palomino?

Yes. The charter offers a choice of Cayo Icacos or Isla Palominos.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and a guided snorkeling session are included.

What food and drinks are provided?

The charter includes fruit, ham-and-cheese sandwiches, snacks, Pepsi, 7UP, juice, water, a case of Medalla beer, and rum.