- Duration: about six hours door to marina, of which four to five are spent at the cay
- Included: crossing, snorkel gear, lunch or picnic on board and open bar on most catamarans
- Best for: first time visitors who want one full beach day without changing boats
- Book ahead: three to five days in winter, one to two weeks over Christmas and Easter
- Practical warning: the cay is uninhabited, so there is no toilet, no shop and no shade beyond the palms
The default first trip. Full day sail, snorkel gear, picnic on board and enough beach time to actually settle in.
Check Availability →The sailing versión of the same day. Slower crossing under canvas, smaller crowd on deck.
Check Availability →Prices are indicative starting prices and can change.
What is Cayo Icacos?
Cayo Icacos is an uninhabited tropical cay inside the protected La Cordillera Marine Reserve, just off the east coast of Puerto Rico. The largest of the public cays in the chain, it offers a long crescent of white sand, palm shade, calm shallow water and a healthy reef 100 meters offshore. There are no buildings, no facilities and no overnight stays.
You reach Icacos only by boat from Villa Marina Fajardo or Puerto del Rey Marina, both 50 minutes east of San Juan along PR-3 and PR-26. Catamaran tours anchor in the bay and you wade ashore or take a small dinghy. Most spend 4 to 5 hours at the cay before sailing back.
Tour types and prices
| Tour Type | Price (adult) | Includes | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small Group Catamaran | From $115 | Sail, snorkel gear, lunch on board, open bar, under 25 passengers | Couples and families |
| Large Party Catamaran | From $80 | Same itinerary, 50+ passengers, louder music | Friend groups on a budget |
| Speedboat Tour | From $120 | 15 min crossing, more beach time, smaller group | Travelers short on time |
| Private Charter | From $700 per boat | Whole catamaran, custom stops, your own crew | Special occasions and small groups |
What to bring
- Reef safe sunscreen, the cay is in a marine reserve and oxybenzone sunscreens are discouraged
- Swimsuit and a beach towel, none provided by most operators
- Water shoes, the beach entry has scattered rocks and coral fragments
- Hat, sunglasses and a long sleeve rash guard for the open deck
- Cash for tips, 15 to 20 percent of tour price is standard for the crew
- Waterproof phone case, you will want photos in the water
Best time to visit
December through April is the dry season with sunny days, calm seas and excellent visibility for snorkeling. May, June and November are also great with fewer crowds. Avoid August through October if you can since this is peak Atlantic hurricane season and tours may be cancelled at short notice.
Ready to visit Cayo Icacos?
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Frequently asked questions
An uninhabited cay inside the La Cordillera Nature Reserve, off the east coast of Puerto Rico. It has a long white sand beach, shallow turquoise water and a reef about 100 metres offshore. There are no buildings and no overnight stays.
Around six hours from the marina and back. That is roughly 30 minutes of sailing each way plus four to five hours at the cay. Add an hour of driving each way if you are starting in San Juan.
Only by private boat or the Fajardo water taxi, which drops you on the beach and picks you up later. There is no ferry and no road, so almost everyone arrives on an organised boat.
No. Everything is on the boat you arrive on, which is why the all inclusive tours are so common here. Bring water, and take every piece of rubbish back with you because it is a protected reserve.
