A full day under sail

About this experience

East Island Excursions sails out of Puerto del Rey, which the topuertorico.org travel guide calls one of the largest marinas in the Caribbean. You meet 45 minutes before departure, park for free in the marina and board a catamaran that the listing says carries up to 80 guests and is usually near full. In the slow season a smaller boat may run instead. The sail out takes about 45 minutes.

Here is the thing to know before you book: the cay is usually Icacos, but the listing says the captain may choose Cayo Lobos or Palominos on the day. Once anchored you get about an hour and a half on the beach. Icacos has no dock for tour boats, so expect to climb down a ladder and wade in. After that the boat moves to a reef for one to two hours of swimming and snorkeling, with a BBQ buffet lunch served on board, before the sail home.

That split matters. A catamaran day gives you a restroom, shade and food, which the island itself does not have: Discover Puerto Rico lists no bathrooms, food vendors, stores or permanent shade on Icacos. The trade is time on the sand. If you want most of the day on the beach, the water taxi beach day drops you off for hours. If you want the boat to do the work, this is the one.

• About 45 minutes of sailing each way from Puerto del Rey
• Roughly 90 minutes on the beach at the cay, usually Icacos
• One to two hours of swimming and snorkeling over a reef
• BBQ buffet lunch, sodas, local beer and rum drinks on board
• Free parking at the marina, hotel pickup listed as an option

How the day runs

1. 45 min beforeCheck in at Puerto del Rey

   The marina is on State Road 3 at km 51.4 in Fajardo. Park in the marina lot and find the check-in point.

2. About 45 minSail to the cay

   Out past the mainland toward La Cordillera. The captain picks the cay for the day, usually Icacos.

3. About 90 minBeach time

   The boat anchors off the beach and you wade or swim in. Walk the sand, float in the shallows, then head back on board.

4. 1 to 2 hReef swim and lunch

   The catamaran moves to a reef. Snorkel gear is handed out, and the BBQ buffet is served on board.

5. AfternoonSail back

   The catamaran sails back to Puerto del Rey.

What's included

Who it suits

What guests say

Tips before you book

• Arrive the full 45 minutes early. Puerto del Rey is huge and the walk from the lot to the boat takes a while.
• Wear water shoes or sandals you can wade in. You climb off the boat into the shallows.
• Bring reef-safe sunscreen. Discover Puerto Rico asks visitors to use it around Icacos and to keep off the coral.
• Leave the cooler and the speaker at home: the listing does not allow them on board.
• Pick a weekday if you can. Weekends around Icacos bring party boats and a crowd.

Read next:

• Tours side by side
• Getting there
• What to do

Frequently asked questions

Compare with

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