Private All-Inclusive 22ft Boat Guided Snorkeling Icacos Palomino

The best part of this four-hour private boat trip is its small scale. Your group of up to six gets a 22-foot boat, a Coast Guard-certified captain, and time at Icacos and Palomino without being folded into a large party boat. Captain Alex is especially good with children and first-time snorkelers, while captains George, Jorge, and Raul, also called Mako, have led other outings.

I like the easy all-inclusive setup: snorkeling gear, drinks, sandwiches, fruit, and snacks are provided, and a paddleboard is available. I also like the choice of pace. You can snorkel, swim, sit on the beach, or simply enjoy the views toward Vieques, Culebra, El Yunque, and Las Cabezas de San Juan. The main caution is the boat size. A 22-foot boat gives you a personal ride, but it can feel lively in choppy water, and the supplied lunch may be light for adults with big appetites.

Key points to know before you book

• Private 22-foot boat: Only your group participates, with space for up to six people.
• Two island stops: Plan on roughly two hours at Cayo Icacos and two hours around Isla Palominos, with Palominito included when conditions and timing allow.
• Beginner-friendly snorkeling: The crew provides equipment and hands-on help for children and adults who are uneasy in the water.
• Food and drinks included: Expect water, soda, an aperitif, sandwiches, fruit, snacks, and beer according to the supplied tour details and guest experiences.
• Useful extras: A paddleboard, life jackets, guarded private parking, and snorkeling guidance are included.
• Important value note: The $550 price is per group, not per person, so it becomes much more attractive when six people share it.

A private start from Puerto Chico in Fajardo

You meet at Navea PR Adventure Corp. in Puerto Chico Marina, Fajardo. The tour ends back at the same meeting point, which keeps the day simple if you are staying in or around Fajardo.

The boat carries a maximum of six people. That limit changes the feel of the outing. You are not waiting for dozens of people to board, and you can ask the captain to spend more time helping a nervous swimmer or finding a good snorkeling area. It also means you should think carefully about your group. Six adults with beach bags and gear will have less elbow room than a couple or a family with young children.

The crew includes a Coast Guard-certified captain. Names associated with the operation include Alex, George, Jorge, and Raul, also known as Mako. Francesca, Joel, and George have also worked as hosts or crew members on different trips. Service can vary by departure, but the pattern is clear: the crew takes an active role rather than simply steering the boat and pointing toward shore.

You can expect a short explanation before departure, then a boat ride toward the cays. The views begin before the swimming does. On a clear day, you may see Vieques, Culebra, El Yunque, and Las Cabezas de San Juan in the distance. Those wide views give you a useful sense of how the small islands sit off Puerto Rico’s eastern coast.

Transportation or taxis may be available based on availability, but they cost extra. Free private parking is provided at the meeting point, with a security guard. If you are driving, that parking benefit may save you time and worry.

Cayo Icacos: broad views, clear water, and the main snorkeling session

Cayo Icacos is usually the first major stop and receives about two hours. The island is known for bright sand, clear water, and open views across the northeastern coast. The setting is the reason many people choose this trip instead of staying at a mainland beach.

The snorkeling portion is guided. You receive equipment, a life jacket, and help getting comfortable in the water. Alex has been praised for helping children and hesitant swimmers, including people who began the day unsure about putting their face in the water. That matters more than it may sound. A beautiful reef is not much use if you feel rushed or left alone.

Fish and sea turtles are possible sights. The exact wildlife depends on water conditions and luck, so you should not book this as a guaranteed turtle encounter. Still, the crew actively looks for marine life and can help you spot fish. Some outings have included turtles near Icacos or on the way to Palomino.

After snorkeling, you have time for the beach and a break. Drinks and snacks are kept aboard, and the boat can serve as your base. Some groups use the paddleboard, while others simply sit on the sand or swim in the shallow water.

The drawback is exposure to the weather. There is little reason to expect a calm, shaded pool experience here. Wind, waves, and sun affect the ride and the snorkeling. The company requires good weather and may offer another date or a full refund if poor conditions force a cancellation.

Isla Palominos: beach time with a more exclusive feel

The second main stop is Isla Palominos, with about two hours planned there. The tour presents access to a private island and its beaches, along with views of the island owners’ residence. The private setting gives this stop a different mood from a public beach. You can spend time on shore, swim, take photos, or use the paddleboard without treating the stop as a quick photo break.

The exact amount of beach time can depend on the day’s conditions and the captain’s timing. That flexibility is useful. Captain Alex has been praised for choosing beach stops when crowds are smaller, which can make a major difference at popular island beaches.

Palominos also works well for mixed groups. Strong swimmers can snorkel or paddleboard, while less confident swimmers can stay close to shore or remain with the captain. Families have found the crew attentive with children, including young people who needed extra instruction and reassurance.

Music may be played aboard, creating a more social mood on the ride. This is not a silent nature expedition, but it is not limited to a party-boat atmosphere either. The private format lets your own group set the tone.

You should also know that private access does not mean total isolation. The island is a popular stop, and conditions, boat traffic, or other visitors can affect how quiet it feels. The advantage is the smaller group and personal service, not a guarantee that you will have an entire beach to yourself.

Palominito and the changing edge of the sea

Palominito is a small island associated with marine erosion and visible changes after Hurricane Maria in 2017. The stop offers a chance to see how wind, waves, and storms can reshape a low-lying island.

The available details do not promise a fixed length of time at Palominito. Treat it as an additional point of interest rather than a separate beach day. The captain may include it as part of the route, depending on conditions and the schedule at Icacos and Palominos.

This is one of the more interesting details of the trip because it adds context to the pretty scenery. You are not only moving between beaches. You are also seeing a place affected by a major storm and ongoing marine erosion. Keep your expectations practical: the island is small, and its appeal comes from its setting and changing shoreline rather than a long list of facilities.

Snorkeling help that works for beginners

The strongest feature of this outing is the hands-on approach to snorkeling. You do not need to arrive as an expert swimmer, and the tour is specifically described as suitable for beginners. Equipment is included, along with life jackets and guidance in the water.

The crew has helped children learn how to breathe through a snorkel, move comfortably, and stay calm. That makes this a better pick for a family with mixed confidence levels than a standard boat trip that simply drops everyone at a reef and starts the clock.

Still, you should be honest about your ability in the water. The tour is not recommended for children under two, and the water remains an open-water environment. If someone in your group is nervous, tell the captain early. The private setup gives the crew more room to offer support, but it does not remove the need for reasonable caution.

The boat may reach areas where the water is choppy. Raul, also called Mako, has been praised for handling the 22-foot boat in rougher water, but a smooth ride cannot be guaranteed. If you are prone to seasickness, bring whatever personal remedy you normally use and keep your first snack light.

What the all-inclusive setup really covers

The $550 cost covers the private group, not each individual. For six people, that works out to about $91.67 per person. For four people, it is $137.50 each, and for two, it becomes $275 per person. The value depends heavily on your group size.

Included items are:

• Snorkeling equipment
• Guided snorkeling
• Life jackets
• Paddleboard
• Water, soda, snacks, and an aperitif
• Sandwiches and fruit
• Coast Guard-certified captain
• Private boat
• Guarded private parking

The food is practical rather than a full catered meal. Sandwiches, fruit, and snacks are enough for many people during a four-hour outing, but one family found the lunch modest for adults with larger appetites. I would bring extra food if your group eats heavily, while remembering that sunscreen and towels are not included.

Drinks may include beer, according to the supplied trip details and experiences, but do not rely on any specific brand or quantity. Water and soda are the safer expectations. You should also bring sunscreen and a towel. Those omissions are small, but they are exactly the sort of things that can make a boat day less comfortable if forgotten.

How this compares with a large party boat

A large shared boat can cost less per person and may offer more room, a larger deck, or a livelier onboard scene. This private trip earns its higher group price through control and personal attention.

You can ask for help without feeling like you are holding up a boatload of strangers. A child can get extra instruction. Your group can spend more time snorkeling or sitting on the beach, within the four-hour schedule. You also avoid the common problem of a large excursion where everyone must follow the same pace.

The 22-foot boat is the tradeoff. It gives you a closer, more personal ride, but it is not a floating resort. Six people may find it snug, especially with wet gear and beach items. The smaller boat can also feel more active in rough water than a bigger vessel.

I would choose this trip for a family, two or three couples, or friends who care more about privacy and attentive help than onboard space. I would choose a larger boat if your main goal is a spacious deck, a party atmosphere, or the lowest possible per-person price.

Who gets the best value from the $550 price

The price makes the most sense when you fill the boat. A group of six receives four hours, two major island stops, a captain, snorkeling gear, food, drinks, parking, and a paddleboard. That is a strong package for a full half-day on the water.

For a couple, the calculation changes. You may still value the privacy, but you are paying for the whole boat rather than two seats. Couples who want a quiet, personal outing may find that worthwhile. Couples focused strictly on budget should compare the total against shared excursions.

The tour also saves you from renting snorkeling gear separately or arranging food during the day. That convenience has real value, especially with children. You can arrive, receive your equipment, and let the crew handle the route.

The 4.9 rating from 66 reviews and 97 percent recommendation rate point to a consistently well-received operation. I would not treat those figures as a promise of perfect weather or guaranteed wildlife, but they do support confidence in the crew and overall organization.

Practical details before you commit

Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. Add the age of each person in your group when booking, since the company needs that information and the tour is not recommended for children under two.

Service animals are allowed, and the meeting point is near public transportation. Most people can participate, but open-water snorkeling still requires you to consider individual swimming comfort.

The cancellation policy is simple but firm. Cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund. If weather is poor, the company offers another date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of participants is not met.

Bring sunscreen, towels, and any extra snacks you want. You should also keep belongings secure around the water. One especially thoughtful touch from the crew has been recovering and returning a wallet lost in the sea, but you should not count on recovering anything dropped overboard.

Should you book the Icacos and Palomino boat tour?

I would book this tour if you want a private, family-friendly boat day and your group can share the $550 cost. The best reasons are the small group, guided snorkeling, helpful crew, and easy combination of Icacos, Palominos, and possible Palominito time.

Book with realistic expectations. You are getting a compact 22-foot boat, not a luxury yacht. Lunch is light, towels and sunscreen are your responsibility, and wildlife sightings depend on nature. If those limits suit you, this is a strong way to see Fajardo’s offshore islands without giving up personal attention.

For six people, the value is especially good. For two, compare the price with shared options before committing. Families with young children and first-time snorkelers should give this outing extra consideration because Alex and the other crew members have shown particular care with nervous swimmers.

FAQ

How long is the private boat tour?

The tour lasts approximately four hours and returns to the meeting point at Navea PR Adventure Corp. in Puerto Chico Marina, Fajardo.

How many people can join the private boat?

The 22-foot private boat accommodates up to six people. Only your group participates in the activity.

What islands does the tour visit?

The main stops are Cayo Icacos and Isla Palominos. The route also includes Palominito as a point of interest, depending on the schedule and conditions.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, life jackets, and guided snorkeling are included. The tour is described as suitable for beginners.

Are food and drinks included?

Yes. The package includes water, soda, an aperitif, snacks, sandwiches, and fruit. Beer is also mentioned among the available drinks. Towels and sunscreen are not included.

Is parking available at the meeting point?

Yes. Free private parking is available, with a security guard. Transportation or taxis may be available based on availability for an additional cost.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If the tour is canceled because of poor weather, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded.