- Duration: a water taxi day can be as short as three hours, which is why it costs less
- Included: on the cheapest option, the crossing only. Food, drinks and snorkel gear are not included
- Best for: travellers with their own gear and a cooler who just want a ride to the beach
- Book ahead: two to three days, since the cheap seats are the first to go on weekends
- Practical warning: cheap does not mean flexible, and a missed water taxi return means waiting for the next boat
How we ranked this list
We ranked by four things, in this order: the starting price per person, what that price actually includes, review volume in the Viator catalogue we work with, and hours spent at the cay so the cheapest option is not simply the shortest.
- Starting price per person first, because that is the question the page is answering
- What is included second, since a bare crossing and an all inclusive day are not the same purchase
- Review volume third, because a cheap boat with 20 reviews is a gamble rather than a bargain
- Hours at the cay last, to catch the options that are cheap only because they are short
What we left out. We left out private charters, which are never the cheap answer for small groups, and anything requiring a rental boat licence. We also left out prices quoted per group, because they cannot be compared honestly to a per person figure.
The cheapest way onto the sand. Water taxi out and back, and you bring everything else yourself.
Check Availability →The next step up, still shared, with two stops and gear included instead of a bare crossing.
Check Availability →Where the value curve flattens. Not the cheapest, but the lowest cost per hour actually spent at the cay.
Check Availability →Prices are indicative starting prices and can change.
Cheapest tour: large party catamaran
A large party catamaran from $80 is the cheapest guided option. Same itinerary as pricier boats, just bigger and louder. Great value if you do not mind crowds.
Water taxi beach package
A water taxi beach package drops you at Icacos for the day and picks you up later, often cheaper than a full catamaran since it skips lunch and bar. Bring your own food.
Save on transport
Self drive to Villa Marina Fajardo instead of paying for hotel pickup. Marina parking is just $5 to $10 a day, far cheaper than a $30 to $50 transfer.
More budget tips
- Bring your own snacks and water where coolers are allowed
- Travel in shoulder months for lower prices
- Go midweek when tours are less full and sometimes cheaper
- Skip the open bar package if you barely drink
Worth knowing
The cheapest tours still include the boat and beach time. The savings come from skipping the open bar, lunch, and small group comfort.
Frequently asked questions
A scheduled water taxi from Fajardo, which sells the crossing and nothing else. You bring your own food, water, shade and snorkel gear, and you pick your own return slot.
No. There is no road and no public ferry, so some form of boat is unavoidable. The cay itself is free to be on once you are there.
If you already own snorkel gear and are happy packing a cooler, yes. If you are going to buy lunch and drinks anyway, an all inclusive boat usually costs less in total.
Share a rental car, leave San Juan early to avoid traffic and use the marina car park rather than circling for street space. Parking is normally five to ten dollars for the day.
