Top 10
The Best Things to Do in Fajardo
Activity No. 1 — Top Pick
Private Yacht Charter from Marina Puerto del Rey
Nothing unlocks Fajardo like a private boat charter. When you book with Boating Puerto Rico, your group gets an entire luxury yacht to yourselves, departing from Marina Puerto del Rey — the largest marina in the Caribbean. A licensed captain and mate handle everything while you enjoy the open water, pristine cays, and reefs that are simply unreachable on foot.
Where the charter takes you: Depending on your chosen itinerary and duration, your captain can navigate to Icacos Cay for world-class snorkeling over colorful reef, Palomino Island with its postcard-perfect beach, the remote coves of Culebra, the wild shoreline of Vieques, or even the U.S. Virgin Islands for a true multi-destination sailing experience.
✓ Licensed captain and mate
✓ Fuel and all port fees
✓ Bottled water and sodas
✓ Ice and cold beer
✓ Fresh snacks, fruits, and sandwiches or wraps
✓ Floating mat
✓ Bluetooth music system
✓ Snorkeling gear
Charter durations: 4-Hour, 6-Hour, 8-Hour, Sunset, Overnight, and Multi-Day charters are all available.
Premium add-ons: Elevate your day on the water with optional upgrades: a private catering package, a full BBQ spread grilled onboard, a private chef experience, jet skis for open-water fun, or Seabobs — the underwater jet-propelled boards that turn snorkeling into an entirely new sport. Traveling from San Juan? Add convenient round-trip transportation for just $40 per person, and arrive at the marina without the stress of driving or parking.
Local Tip: The 6-hour charter is the most popular option for first-timers. It gives you enough time to reach Icacos, anchor for snorkeling and swimming, enjoy lunch on the water, and return to the marina at a relaxed pace.
Activity No. 2
Snorkeling at Icacos Cay
Icacos is a small, uninhabited island about five miles off the coast of Fajardo and one of the best snorkeling spots in Puerto Rico. The surrounding reef is teeming with parrotfish, angelfish, sea turtles, and vibrant coral formations. The water is shallow enough for beginners yet interesting enough to keep experienced snorkelers underwater for hours. There are no restaurants or facilities on Icacos, so this is strictly a boat-access destination — another reason a private charter is the ideal way to visit.
Local Tip: Go early. By midday, day-trip boats from Fajardo begin to fill the anchorage. An early departure from Marina Puerto del Rey puts you at Icacos before the crowds arrive.
Activity No. 3
Day Trip to Culebra Island
Culebra is one of the most beautiful islands in the entire Caribbean and it sits only about 17 miles east of Fajardo. Flamenco Beach on Culebra has repeatedly been named among the top beaches in the world, with powder-white sand and water that shifts from turquoise to deep sapphire. Beyond the beach, Culebra offers some of the best reef diving in Puerto Rico, a wildlife refuge, and a relaxed island atmosphere that feels a world apart from the mainland. A private yacht charter is the most comfortable and flexible way to reach Culebra — no waiting in ferry lines, no fixed schedules.
Activity No. 4
Kayaking the Bioluminescent Bay (Laguna Grande)
Fajardo is home to Laguna Grande, one of only three bioluminescent bays accessible to visitors in Puerto Rico. After dark, the microscopic dinoflagellates in the water emit a blue-green glow whenever they are disturbed — the result is a surreal, electric shimmer every time a paddle dips in or a fish darts past. Guided kayak tours depart from Las Cabezas de San Juan Nature Reserve and wind through the mangrove channels before entering the bay. This is one of the most memorable Fajardo activities and a must if you are visiting for more than a day.
Local Tip: Book your bio-bay kayak tour well in advance, especially in peak season. Tours fill up fast and the best glow happens on nights closest to a new moon, when ambient light is lowest.
Activity No. 5
Visit Vieques Island and Mosquito Bay
Vieques is a 52-square-mile island about 8 miles south of Fajardo and two ferry rides from the mainland. The island is home to Mosquito Bay, widely regarded as the brightest bioluminescent bay in the world. On a dark night, swimming in Mosquito Bay produces a full-body glow that has to be seen to be believed. Vieques also offers pristine beaches, wild horses roaming freely, and the Vieques National Wildlife Refuge — a protected area that covers two-thirds of the island. For the most flexible experience, a private overnight charter with Boating Puerto Rico allows you to reach Vieques, anchor for the night, and explore the island at your own pace.
Activity No. 6
Explore Las Cabezas de San Juan Nature Reserve
Often called "El Faro" after its historic lighthouse, Las Cabezas de San Juan is a 316-acre nature reserve on the northeastern tip of Puerto Rico. The reserve encompasses seven distinct ecosystems — dry forest, coral reef, lagoon, mangroves, sandy beach, rocky coast, and seagrass beds — within a compact area. Guided tours lead visitors through the trails, past the restored 19th-century lighthouse, and along the shoreline with views extending out to Culebra and the USVI on clear days. Tours must be booked in advance through the Puerto Rico Conservation Trust.
Activity No. 7
El Yunque Rainforest Day Trip
El Yunque National Forest is the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. National Forest system and it sits just 20 minutes west of Fajardo. Hiking trails range from easy boardwalk loops to challenging ridge climbs with sweeping views of the northeastern coast. The forest is filled with tree frogs called coquis, exotic birds, giant ferns, and waterfalls you can swim in. La Mina Falls and the El Yunque Peak trail are the most popular routes. Combining a morning in El Yunque with an afternoon yacht charter out of Fajardo makes for one of the most memorable days in all of Puerto Rico.
Activity No. 8
Palomino Island Beach Day
Palomino is a small island just off the coast of Fajardo, best known as the backdrop for the El Conquistador Resort. The beaches on Palomino are calm, clean, and far less crowded than many beach destinations in Puerto Rico. The shallow reef on the island's western side is excellent for snorkeling and the surrounding water is calm enough for paddleboarding and kayaking. A private charter with Boating Puerto Rico lets you anchor off Palomino as part of a longer island-hopping day without being tied to a resort's ferry schedule.
Activity No. 9
Fajardo Water Sports: Jet Skis and Seabobs
For thrill-seekers, the waters off Fajardo offer excellent conditions for high-speed water sports. Jet skis are available as an add-on to your private charter through Boating Puerto Rico, giving your group the chance to explore the coast under your own power. Seabobs — underwater scooter-style devices that pull you through the water at depth — are another crowd favorite, turning a standard snorkeling session into something far more dynamic. The combination of a yacht as your base and water toys in the water is a setup you will not find in most Fajardo activity packages.
Activity No. 10
Sailing to the U.S. Virgin Islands
If your schedule allows for an overnight or multi-day adventure, Boating Puerto Rico can take you all the way to the U.S. Virgin Islands. St. Thomas, St. John, and the surrounding cays are accessible by sea from Fajardo in a matter of hours. St. John's Virgin Islands National Park protects some of the most pristine reef and beach in the entire region. A multi-day charter eliminates layovers, ferry schedules, and expensive inter-island flights — you wake up to a different island each morning with everything you need already onboard.
