Icacos Snorkeling Tour from Fajardo
The easy half-day snorkeling tour from Fajardo. Two guided snorkel stops in the clear water around Cayo Icacos, sandwiches and rum drinks on board, and no early alarm. Kids from age 3 welcome, and infants ride free.
★ 4.9 on TripAdvisor · 200+ reviews · Free cancellation up to 24 hours before · Cancellation policy
The day
An Icacos island tour built for first-timers
Not every great day on the water needs to start at dawn. Our afternoon trip leaves Fajardo after the lunch rush and gives you the same impossibly clear Icacos water with a slower, easier rhythm. It is the trip we recommend most often to families and first-time snorkelers.
Two different stops mean two different reefs: one with fish-dense coral gardens, one with calm, shallow water that is perfect for kids and nervous swimmers. Your guide is in the water with you the whole time, the cooler stays open on the boat, and you are back at the marina in time for dinner plans.
Cayo Icacos itself is an uninhabited island inside a protected nature reserve, ringed by a white sandbar and no buildings at all. The water around it is calm and shallow, which is why this is the best beginner snorkeling trip we run. The $109 price covers your gear, drinks and snacks, so there are no hidden costs once you step on board. Curious how it compares to other spots? Read our crew's ranking of Puerto Rico's best snorkeling. For everything about the island itself — how to get there, the reserve rules, even the water-taxi option — see our Cayo Icacos island guide. It's an easy half-day trip from Fajardo, and conditions hold up year-round. Staying in the capital? Our snorkeling-from-San-Juan guide covers the drive and cruise-day math, and the what-to-bring checklist packs your bag.
The schedule
Your Icacos boat tour, start to finish
- 1:15 PM
- Meet the crew at Villa Marina Shopping Center in Fajardo. Park for free, get your mask fitted and listen to the short safety talk. Check-in closes at 1:45 PM.
- 2:00 PM
- Lines off. A short run out to Cayo Icacos in the La Cordillera reserve.
- On the reef
- Snorkel with your guide in the water: coral gardens first, then calmer, shallow water for kids and anyone easing in.
- On the sand
- Beach time on the Icacos sandbar, with snacks and drinks from the boat.
- ~6:00 PM
- Tied up again at Villa Marina, salty and fed, with the evening still yours.
All-inclusive means all-inclusive
What's included, what to bring
Included in your ticket
- Two guided snorkel stops
- Mask, snorkel, fins & flotation device
- Turkey sandwiches, chips & cookies
- Soft drinks, water, rum drinks & piña colada
- Professional guide in the water
- Free parking at Villa Marina
Bring with you
- Swimsuit (wear it there)
- Towel
- Reef-safe sunscreen
- Hat & sunglasses
- Dry change of clothes
- Waterproof camera if you have one
Good to know
Before you book the Icacos snorkeling tour
- Times: be at Villa Marina for check-in at 1:15 PM; the boat leaves at 2:00 PM every day, and you are back around 6:00 PM. Check-in closes 15 minutes before the boat leaves, so build in time for traffic.
- Cancel for free up to 24 hours before your trip.
- Children from age 3 are welcome, and infants ride free.
- For safety reasons, pregnant guests are not permitted on this trip.
- Vegetarian and vegan food options are available for an additional charge. Request them when you book.
- If conditions are unsafe, we may reschedule or reroute to a protected spot and will contact you as early as possible. If the crew calls the trip off for safety, you are not charged.
- The crew speaks English and Spanish.
Questions
Icacos Snorkeling Tour: FAQ
Is this tour good for kids and beginners?
Yes, kids from age 3 can join and no snorkeling or swimming experience is needed. Infants ride free, everyone gets a flotation device, and your guide stays in the water with the group. The second stop is calm, shallow water, and the crew fits your mask before departure so first-timers can ease in.
How much does the Icacos snorkeling tour cost?
The tour costs $109 per person, all-inclusive. That covers both guided snorkel stops, your mask, snorkel, fins and flotation device, food and drinks on board, and free parking at Villa Marina. Infants ride free, and there are no hidden costs once you step on board the boat.
What food and drinks are included?
The menu is turkey sandwiches, chips and cookies, with soft drinks, water, rum drinks and piña colada on board. It is a snack-style spread rather than a full buffet lunch. Vegetarian and vegan options are available for an additional charge if you request them when booking, so the crew can have them ready.
What time does the afternoon tour leave?
Check-in is at 1:15 PM, the boat departs at 2:00 PM daily, and you are back around 6:00 PM. You meet the crew at Villa Marina Shopping Center in Fajardo. Check-in closes 15 minutes before departure, so leave a cushion for traffic if you are driving over from San Juan.
What is the cancellation policy for the Icacos snorkeling tour?
Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before your trip. If the crew calls the trip off because conditions are unsafe, you are not charged for it. Questions about your booking or a change of plans? Reach us by phone or WhatsApp at (787) 209-2127 before your date and we will walk you through it.
What happens if the weather turns on the Icacos tour?
If conditions are unsafe, you are not charged for a trip the crew calls off. Depending on the forecast, we may reschedule your Icacos trip or reroute the boat to a more protected location. We contact you as early as possible, and you can message us on WhatsApp about the forecast before you go.
What marine life will we see?
Expect reef fish like parrotfish, tangs and sergeant majors over the coral gardens at the first stop, with calmer, shallower water at the second. This is wild ocean, so nothing is ever guaranteed, but the reefs inside the Icacos Nature Reserve are known for their clear, fish-dense water.
What should I bring on the Icacos snorkeling tour?
Bring a swimsuit, towel and reef-safe sunscreen; that is the whole essentials list. Wear the swimsuit to the marina. A hat, sunglasses, a dry change of clothes and a waterproof camera are worth adding, because Cayo Icacos has no shade structures. Gear, flotation, food and drinks come with your ticket.
Can pregnant guests join?
No, for safety reasons pregnant guests are not permitted on this tour. If someone in your group is expecting, contact us by phone or WhatsApp before you book and we will help you find the best option for your group. The same policy applies on our Vieques and Culebra excursions.
Where does the Icacos boat tour leave from?
The Icacos boat tour leaves from Villa Marina Shopping Center in Fajardo, on Puerto Rico's east coast, about an hour's drive from San Juan. Free parking is available inside the marina. You meet the crew there, get fitted for gear, and board right at the dock.
How do I get there from San Juan?
Drive or take an Uber east to the Villa Marina Shopping Center in Fajardo; the trip takes about an hour from San Juan. Free parking is available inside the marina if you are driving. Many guests come over in the morning or midday and are back in the city by evening.
Does the crew speak English and Spanish?
Yes, the crew runs every Icacos island tour in both English and Spanish. The safety talk, gear fitting and guiding in the water happen in either language, so mixed-language families and groups can share the same boat. Message us on WhatsApp in whichever language you prefer when you have questions.
More days on the water
Compare with our other trips
Keep the morning. Take the reef.
The Icacos snorkeling tour leaves Fajardo at 2:00 PM every day, and weekend seats go fast. Reserve in about a minute.
★ 4.9 on TripAdvisor · 200+ reviews · Free cancellation up to 24 hours before · Cancellation policy