Icacos: Luxury Sailing Catamaran All Inclusive Beach and Snorkel

The best part of this six-hour sailing trip is the choice it gives you. You can stretch out on a daybed, float near the boat, try the water slide, or join a guided snorkeling session before settling in for a full Puerto Rican lunch. The spacious 54-foot catamaran keeps the day from feeling like a crowded boat outing.

I especially like the 49-person limit, which leaves room for shaded seating and private restrooms, and the food, which goes beyond the usual sandwiches. Pernil, roasted chicken, rice, salads, fruit, and coconut and passion fruit sorbet make this feel more connected to Puerto Rico. The catch is that snorkeling can be brief, and rough water may affect the ride or the quality of the stop.

The best parts of this Puerto Rico sailing day

• A smaller boat crowd: The catamaran carries no more than 49 people, giving you more space for seating, swimming, and water toys.
• A proper Puerto Rican lunch: Expect pork, roasted chicken, rice or pigeon peas, several salads, fruit, and a sweet sorbet on the return sail.
• Fun built into the boat: Water slides, swings, floating mats, balls, and Frisbees give active visitors plenty to do.
• Drinks included: Water, soft drinks, fruit juice, and tropical rum drinks are covered. Beer and premium-bar items cost extra.
• Beginner-friendly snorkeling: A guided clinic is provided for all ages, with equipment included.
• A useful captain to know: Captain Gabriel receives repeated praise for his professional handling and friendly service, though a particular captain is not guaranteed.

Setting out from Fajardo at 8:45 a.m.

This trip does not leave from central San Juan. You meet at 200 Ave Marina View in Fajardo, on Puerto Rico’s east coast, and the boat returns to that same point. The published departure is 8:45 a.m., but you must arrive at least one hour early. This rule is strict. Arriving late means being marked a no-show, with no refund.

That early check-in is the main logistical nuisance. If you are staying in San Juan, allow plenty of time for the drive to Fajardo, plus parking and finding the marina. The payoff is a full day on the water rather than a short harbor cruise.

Once aboard Getaway Too, you have a single-level catamaran with open areas, shaded places, lounge seating, and private restrooms. That layout matters. You are not climbing through narrow levels every time you want to move from sun to shade, and there is room to keep the day comfortable if a shower passes through.

The boat carries up to 49 people. That is not a private charter, but it is a restrained size for an all-inclusive sailing outing. You will still share the boat with other groups, yet the space should feel less compressed than a large excursion vessel.

The ride to the Cordillera Cays

The sailing itself is part of the experience. Music, drinks, and views set the tone before the swimming stops begin. You can sit in the sun, find cover, or start chatting with the crew about the day’s plan.

The sea may be choppy. That is worth taking seriously if you are prone to motion sickness or prefer calm water. Weather and sea conditions can affect the route, the comfort of the ride, and the snorkeling. Bring sunscreen, reapply it often, and consider whatever motion-sickness remedy you normally use.

The destination is in the Cordillera Cays, an island chain off Puerto Rico’s east coast. The setting is the reason to book this trip: bright water, beach time, and a change from the built-up areas of San Juan. You are not simply riding around the harbor. The boat takes you to a place where you can spend real time in the water and on shore.

The exact balance between sailing, snorkeling, and beach time can vary. Conditions matter, and the day is not presented as a rigid sightseeing schedule. That flexibility is helpful for a relaxed outing, but less ideal if you want a precisely timed list of stops.

Snorkeling with a guided clinic

Snorkeling equipment is included, and a guided clinic is offered for all ages. That makes this a good option if you are new to snorkeling or have children and want some basic instruction before entering the water.

The crew helps you get comfortable with the equipment and explains how to use it. For a beginner, that guidance can make the difference between spending the stop enjoying the water and spending it fighting a mask that leaks.

Keep your expectations sensible. Snorkeling is one part of the day, not the sole purpose of the cruise. At least one version of the route has included a first beach stop for snorkeling and a second stop focused more on relaxing by the beach. The snorkeling may be limited, and water conditions can reduce visibility or shorten the session.

That is the main weakness for serious snorkelers. If your priority is a long session over a dramatic reef, you may find the time in the water too brief. If you want a pleasant introduction, a swim, and the chance to see some underwater life without arranging a specialist trip, the setup works well.

You can also skip the mask entirely. Floating mats, water swings, and open swimming areas mean you are not stuck on the boat if snorkeling is not your thing.

Beach time at Icacos and the surrounding cays

The beach stop is where the day slows down. You can swim, sit on the sand, or remain near the catamaran with a drink. The water and beach are the main visual rewards, and the setting gives you a break from the motion of the boat.

The supplied information does not promise one fixed beach schedule or a guaranteed amount of time ashore. That is important. Your actual stop can depend on sea and weather conditions, so do not book this expecting a long, independent beach afternoon.

Still, the combination works nicely. One stop can give you activity in the water, while another gives you time to simply relax. You can also choose to stay aboard and use the boat’s seating, shade, and water toys. I like that you do not have to force yourself into one style of vacation.

Pack a towel and wear your swimsuit under your beach clothes. You will save time changing and can move from the boat to the water without fuss. A waterproof pouch for your phone is also sensible, though it is not specifically included.

Water slides, swings, and floating mats

The boat is designed for people who want more than a quiet sail. A water slide, two water swings, floating mats, balls, and Frisbees keep the stop lively. The equipment works especially well for families and groups of friends with mixed interests.

You might spend ten minutes on the slide and the rest of the stop stretched out on a mat. That is the point. The activities are available, but they do not control your day.

The water toys also add value to the price. A simple beach transfer and lunch cruise would be easier to find for less money. Here, part of what you are paying for is the boat itself and the range of things to do once it anchors.

Parents should note that the experience is active and open to changing conditions. There is no promise that every toy will be used for a set length of time, and rough water may affect how comfortable swimming feels. Follow the crew’s instructions, especially around the slide and swings.

A Puerto Rican lunch instead of a basic buffet

Lunch is one of the strongest reasons to choose this cruise. The meal features pork, roasted chicken, vegan pigeon peas, fresh green salad, bean salad, pasta salad, and other locally inspired dishes. Specific meals may include pernil, arroz con gandules, pollo asado, bread, and rice.

That is a welcome step above the cold-cut-and-salad spread common on some boat excursions. The food gives you a taste of Puerto Rican home cooking while keeping the meal practical for a day at sea.

There is something here for different diets, including a vegan pigeon pea dish and several salads. Still, the information does not promise a fully separate vegan meal or accommodation for every dietary need. If you have a serious allergy or strict dietary requirement, ask the operator before booking.

Lunch is served as part of the all-inclusive package. Fruit and a sweet treat are also included, and the return sail features coconut and passion fruit sorbet. That final snack is a small but smart touch: you get something cool and local after the beach stop, when the afternoon heat is usually at its strongest.

What all-inclusive means here

The package includes unlimited water, soda, and fruit juice. Tropical rum drinks are included during and after lunch. Piña coladas are among the drinks served, and crew members handle refills during the day.

Beer is not included. Premium-bar items also cost extra. This is an important distinction because the phrase all-inclusive can sound broader than it is. If beer is your usual boat drink, budget for it separately. If you are happy with rum cocktails, soft drinks, juice, and water, the package is more generous.

The crew keeps the social mood moving with music and friendly service. The atmosphere can be festive, but you can also find a shaded corner and take a quieter break. People who want a silent sailing trip should know that music is part of the experience.

Alcohol and sun require some care. Drink water between cocktails, use sunscreen repeatedly, and do not assume the sea breeze is protecting you from the sun. Several details of the trip encourage you to stay outside for hours, so sunburn is an easy way to spoil an otherwise good day.

Is $195 a fair price?

At $195 per person, this is not a budget beach transfer. It is priced as a full-service day on a large catamaran, with food, drinks, equipment, instruction, water activities, and a limited capacity.

I think the value is strongest if you plan to use the boat. Swim, try the toys, take the snorkeling clinic, eat lunch, and enjoy the sail both ways. The price makes less sense if you only want to sit in the shade and spend most of the day on the beach.

You are also paying for convenience. One reservation covers transportation by water, a meal, drinks, equipment, and staff assistance. You do not need to arrange a separate snorkel rental or search for lunch after reaching the cays.

Compared with a private charter, $195 is easier to justify, though this is still a shared experience. Compared with a basic ferry or beach trip, it is a major step up. I would treat it as a special vacation-day purchase rather than an inexpensive way to reach an island.

The 49-person maximum helps protect that value. It does not make the boat private, but it gives you more breathing room than a heavily loaded vessel. Spacious seating, shaded areas, and private restrooms matter during a six-hour outing.

Who will enjoy this most

I would recommend this trip to you if you want a complete day with plenty of choices. It suits families, couples, groups of friends, and first-time snorkelers. Older relatives can relax in the shade while younger family members use the slide or swings.

It is also a strong pick if food matters to you. The Puerto Rican lunch gives the day a local flavor that a generic buffet would miss.

You may want another type of outing if you are a serious snorkeler seeking long time underwater, if you dislike music and social boat settings, or if you need a private charter. The same applies if choppy water makes you uncomfortable.

Animals, including service animals, are not permitted aboard. Most people can participate, but you should consider your own comfort with boarding, swimming, and moving around a boat.

Practical details before you book

Bring a towel, swimsuit, sunscreen, and beach clothes. Wear the swimsuit underneath, since changing can be less convenient once the boat is underway.

Plan to arrive by 7:45 a.m. for the 8:45 a.m. departure. The activity lasts about six hours and finishes back at the Fajardo meeting point.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure. Cancellations or changes made inside that window are not refunded, and late arrival also means no refund. The trip requires suitable weather and a minimum number of people. If the operator cancels for either reason, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

Should you book Getaway Too?

Book it if you want a polished, active beach day with real food, open-bar rum drinks, and room to choose your own pace. The best features are the manageable group size, the clean and spacious catamaran, the generous lunch, and the attentive crew.

Captain Gabriel is a name worth noting for his professional service, but your assigned captain may differ. The main caution is snorkeling: treat it as a pleasant part of the day, not the entire reason to go.

For a first Puerto Rico sailing excursion, this is a well-rounded choice. You get beach time, swimming, basic snorkeling, water toys, local food, and a comfortable ride in one package. Just reach Fajardo early, pack serious sun protection, and remember that the sea decides some of the schedule.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran tour depart?

The tour departs from 200 Ave Marina View in Fajardo, Puerto Rico, and returns to the same meeting point.

What time should I arrive?

The listed departure time is 8:45 a.m., but you must arrive at least one hour beforehand. Late arrival can result in a no-show designation with no refund.

How long does the experience last?

The sailing and beach experience lasts approximately six hours.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and a guided snorkeling clinic for all ages are included.

What food is served?

Lunch includes Puerto Rican-style pork, roasted chicken, vegan pigeon peas, fresh green salad, bean salad, and pasta salad. Other meals may include pernil, arroz con gandules, bread, fruit, and similar local dishes. Coconut and passion fruit sorbet is served on the return sail.

Are drinks included?

Unlimited water, soda, fruit juice, and tropical rum beverages are included. Beer and premium-bar selections cost extra.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The activity requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.