Catamaran Day Trips from Fajardo: Icacos Cay and Culebra
If you only book one thing in Fajardo, make it a day on a catamaran. Turquoise water, white sand, snorkeling over the reef and lunch on deck: it's the trip visitors talk about the most, and the top-selling tour in town.
Fajardo is home to some of the biggest marinas in Puerto Rico, including Puerto del Rey, the largest marina in the Caribbean. From here, catamarans sail out to the small islands off the coast. The two favorites: Icacos Cay and Culebra.
Icacos Cay: the classic
Icacos is a small, uninhabited island about a mile and a half off Fajardo's coast, the largest cay in the La Cordillera Nature Reserve. Think soft white sand, calm clear water and some of the easiest snorkeling around.
Why it's the top seller:
Short sail, so you spend more of the day in the water.
Great for families and first-time snorkelers.
Truly natural: no hotels, no stores, no bathrooms. That's part of the charm, and why going with a tour makes it easy.
Culebra: the longer adventure
Culebra is a small island municipality east of Fajardo, famous for its beaches and clear water. A catamaran day trip to Culebra is a longer sail and a bigger day out, good for people who love the open water. Stops vary by operator, so check the itinerary before you book.
Good to know: the public ferry to Culebra and Vieques no longer leaves from Fajardo; it now leaves from Ceiba. Catamaran tours, though, do leave from Fajardo's marinas.
Icacos or Culebra?
Choose Icacos if you want a relaxed beach day, have kids, or are new to snorkeling.
Choose Culebra if you want a longer sail and don't mind more time on the boat.
Prone to seasickness? A shorter trip like Icacos is usually the easier choice. Take your motion sickness medicine before you board if you need it.
What's usually included
Most catamaran trips include snorkel gear, drinks and lunch, but every tour is a little different. Read the details before booking: what's included, departure marina, check-in time and cancellation policy.
What to bring
Reef-safe sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses. The Caribbean sun is strong, even in winter.
Swimsuit, towel and a cover-up.
Water shoes, if you have them.
A waterproof bag or phone pouch.
Your own mask, if you prefer it to the shared gear.
Sail and snorkel safely
Book with licensed operators only. See all catamaran tours
Wear a life jacket or flotation vest when snorkeling if you're not a strong swimmer, and follow the crew's instructions.
There are no lifeguards on Icacos or at the Culebra stops. Stay with your group, stay close to the boat and never snorkel alone.
Look, don't touch. Don't stand on or touch the coral, and don't feed or chase the fish or turtles.
Leave nothing behind. Take all your trash back to the boat.
Check the weather. Trips can change or cancel when the sea is rough. Hurricane season runs until November 30.
Booking through our link supports Enjoy Fajardo, a non-profit that promotes the town, at no extra cost to you.
Make it a Fajardo weekend
Bio bay at night: kayak Laguna Grande, where the water glows when you paddle. See bio bay tours
A lifeguarded beach day: Seven Seas, run by the Municipality of Fajardo, is the only beach in Fajardo with lifeguards. Follow the flags and check swimsafepr.com before you go.
Eat like a local: breakfast at Las Vistas Café (TripAdvisor's #1 in Fajardo), alcapurrias at a roadside chinchorro like Margis Pincho, seafood in Las Croabas. See where to eat
El Yunque: the rainforest is a short drive away. See El Yunque
Getting to the marina
Fajardo is about an hour from San Juan's airport. Morning catamaran check-ins are early, so staying in Fajardo the night before makes it easy. Find a place to stay in Fajardo
Uber works inside Fajardo, but from San Juan or Carolina it costs around $120 to $140 each way. For a multi-day stay, rent a car. See car rental
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