Icacos Island: Catamaran Day Sail & Snorkel with Lunch

Summary

Sail from Fajardo to Icacos for reef snorkeling and beach time

You’ll ride a catamaran from Fajardo out to Icacos Island for snorkeling over reefs full of tropical fish—yes, you can even feed them by hand if you’re patient enough. Enjoy lunch onboard with new friends before relaxing on white sand or swimming in clear Caribbean water. Expect laughter from your crew and a salty breeze that sticks with you long after.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Sail and snorkel at Icacos Island

• Board SPREAD EAGLE II catamaran
• Sail 40-50 minutes to Icacos Island
• Snorkel in crystal clear waters
• Explore sparkling beaches
• Observe colorful reef fish
• Enjoy lunch on board

Top questions

How long does the day sail to Icacos Island take?

The sail from Fajardo to Icacos Island takes about 40-50 minutes each way.

Is lunch included on this Icacos Island catamaran tour?

Yes, lunch is included along with snacks and bottled water during your trip.

Do I need my own snorkel gear for this day trip?

No, each passenger gets a new snorkel provided by the crew for snorkeling at Icacos Island.

Are children allowed on this catamaran tour?

Yes, children can join but must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

Is transportation from my hotel included?

No transportation is provided; guests meet directly at the departure point in Fajardo.

What kind of fish can I see while snorkeling at Icacos?

You might spot parrot fish, foureye butterfly fish, sergeant majors, wrasse, and more around the reefs.

Can infants join this day sail?

Infants are allowed but must sit on an adult’s lap throughout the trip.

Is this tour suitable for pregnant travelers?

This tour is not recommended for pregnant travelers due to boat movement and activity level.

What’s included

Your day includes sailing aboard a modern 51-foot catamaran with all taxes and fees covered; fresh bottled water; snacks throughout; a simple lunch served onboard; plus brand new snorkel gear for every passenger so you don’t have to share or bring your own.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll be honest—I nearly lost my hat the minute we left Fajardo. The wind off the water was stronger than I expected, and someone (thank you, Carlos) yelled “Hold on!” as we picked up speed. The Spread Eagle II catamaran felt huge but somehow cozy, with everyone sort of clinging to their bags and sunglasses at first. I could smell sunscreen and salt—plus something sweet from the snacks they’d already set out. It’s about a 45-minute sail out to Icacos Island, but it didn’t feel that long. Maybe because I was too busy watching the water change color every five minutes.

Our crew—Carlos and Li—kept things light. Li handed out new snorkels (no sharing germs here) and showed us these laminated fish charts. She laughed when I tried to pronounce “wrasse”—I definitely butchered it. When we finally anchored near Icacos, everything went quiet for a second except the waves slapping the hull. That’s when you notice how clear the water is—like looking through blue glass—and you can see the sand ripple underneath. Jumping in was a shock (not cold, just so bright), and suddenly there were parrot fish everywhere. Someone brought bread and the fish just swarmed around our hands—felt ticklish, honestly.

Lunch was simple but hit the spot after swimming—sandwiches, fruit, chips. We ate right on deck with wet hair and salty fingers while Carlos told us about growing up nearby (“I used to sneak out here as a kid,” he said). There’s not much shade on Icacos itself but nobody seemed to care; everyone just spread towels on the sand or floated in shallow water. The sun got fierce by early afternoon—I forgot to reapply sunscreen on my knees (still peeling). We headed back with skin warm from sun and salt, kind of sleepy but happy.