Boat Charters near San Juan and the East Coast

Puerto Rico is part of an archipelago which comprises the main island of Puerto Rico surrounded by 143 other islands, islets, atolls and keys. Included are the inhabited islands Vieques and Culebra, and the many uninhabited islands such as Mona island dubbed the “Galapagos of the Caribbean.” Desecheo island is a national wildlife refuge and Caja de Muertos is a DNER nature reserve. With such an extensive network of islands to explore, check out our list of boat charters and tours to plan your next adventure with some friends! 

San Juan

If you are in the city and don’t plan on venturing out, you still have a couple of options available to you.

San Juan Mini Boats

San Juan Mini Boats is a fun way to view Old San Juan and tour the harbor area. You get to be captain of your own mini boat led by a guide. Each boat accommodates up to 4 guests. Departure is from San Juan Bay Marina, an easy 15 minute taxi or uber from the cruise ship terminal. $195 per boat for a 90 minute tour. 

Phone: +1(787)-409-2485

Book here: https://eastislandpr.com/tours/sanjuanminiboats/

Amazing Grace

Another option in San Juan is a sail on board the Amazing Grace, an 83' topsail schooner. The vessel offers day sail and sunset sail options. It is a great way to view Old San Juan from the water. They offer light appetizers and open bar on the sunset sail. $79 for adults, $69 for kids under 12 on the day sail. $95 for adults and $85 for kids under 12 on the sunset sail. Tours depart from the cruise ship terminal in OSJ between terminals 3 and 4. 

Phone: +1(787) 860-3434  

Book here: https://eastislandpr.com/tours/old-san-juan-harbor-tours/

East Side 

The East side of Puerto Rico is the most popular for short day trips to visit a nearby island. There are numerous options available. 

East Island Excursions

They are probably the most popular charter company with many boats and options available for excursions. They offer excursions to Flamenco Beach in Culebra and the popular Icacos island. They also offer excursions to Vieques and even St. Thomas by request (email for availability). Icacos snorkeling tour is 5.5 hours and you’ll arrive at the island by sailing catamaran. The Flamenco beach tour is all day from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm and you’ll go by power catamaran getting you to the island quicker. They also offer a luxury private catamaran for parties up to 12 passengers. See the website for booking availability and charter times. Tours depart from Puerto del Rey Marina in Fajardo. 

This is the best charter option for all ages as they bring the boat close to shore for disembarking, provide floaties and even windows into the water for watching sealife without getting wet. They have several staff available for safety and to help as needed. They provide a transportation option from the metro area and other popular hotels in the northeast corridor of Puerto Rico for $20 per person. Call for booking options. 

Icacos excursion is $115 for adults and $95 for children under 12.

Flamenco Beach, Culebra excursion is $150 for adults and $130 for children under 12.

Phone: +1(787) 860-3434

Book here: https://eastislandpr.com/

Snorkel and Beach Tour

This outfitter offers powerboat and sailing catamaran tour options. If you don’t know how to snorkel they offer a tour with a snorkeling class included. Snorkeling gear is provided, plus floatation devices if needed. Lunch and drinks are included on all tours. Bringing your own cup is encouraged to help minimize environmental pollution. Not recommended for children under 6. Their online booking calendar shows current availability. Tours are 3 to 6 hours depending on your selection, refer to their website for all available options. All charters depart from Villa Marina in Fajardo.

They offer several other tour options including a sunset sail, a bio-bay combo and private charter options. They offer hotel pickup from the metro area as well as the northeast corridor for $30 per person. Contact them for availability. 

Take the power boat to Culebra for a reef snorkel stop and a beach stop. The duration of the tour is about 6 hours. The 46’ tour boat “Tobias” gets you there quickly, but it can be bumpy depending on the condition of the seas. 

For ages 13 and up it is $130, for ages 5-12 it is $100.

“Traveler” is a catamaran that goes to Icacos and includes snorkel gear, water slide, sea ladder to access the beach and instruction if needed for snorkeling. The 6 hour tour will give you plenty of beach and snorkel time.

For ages 13 and up it is $115, for ages 5-12 it is $95. 

Phone: +1(787)-863-2821

Book here: https://www.snorkelandbeachtour.com/

Simpatico Charters

Simpatico Charters is a small outfitter with one boat that offers dive and snorkel tours. The captain and his PADI certified dive instructor first mate will get you underwater blowing bubbles at the Cordillera reef system. They offer instruction for both diving and snorkeling, with dives available for experienced divers. They will take you to places that are better suited for diving and seeing wildlife, away from the crowds. Their boat, the “Dragon Fruit,” is a brightly colored 32 foot sport fishing boat with a max capacity of 6 passengers. Private and public charters are family friendly. All charters include snorkel gear, a meal and drinks. Rental gear is available for dive charters which includes BCD and regs for an additional $40. All charters are half day, about 4 ½-5 hours and depart from Villa Marina in Fajardo.

Individual 2 tank dives on a public charter are $150.

The private dive charter includes tanks, weights, fins and masks for $850, and a 4 hour private snorkel tour is $775 for the charter (6 people max).

A private, learn to scuba dive charter is available for ages 10 and up. They provide all the gear and instruction with a PADI certified instructor. It is a great way to experience diving before going through the process and expense of getting certified. $850 (6 people max).

Contact: info@simpaticocharters.com

Book here: https://simpaticocharters.com/

Ocean Adventures PR

For a private charter option in Fajardo refer to Ocean Adventures Puerto Rico and their 33 foot world cat power catamaran. They provide a captain, one crew member and have a minimum age of 10 with a maximum capacity of 6 guests. They include snorkel gear, swim mat, lunch, two rum drinks per customer, soft drinks and water. They have some add ons that include yoga, guided meditation and advanced snorkeling experiences. You can rent paddle boards and backpack coolers. Half day charters are about 4.5 hours and full day charters are about 7.5 hours. Charters depart from Renaissance Villa Marina in Fajardo. 

The Culebra experience is an all day charter. It takes about 1.5 hours to get to Culebrita, a smaller island off the coast of Culebra. You can spend anywhere from 3.5 to 6 hours total at the islands. They will take you to Turtle Beach on Culebrita and then Flamenco Beach on Culebra. $1300 (6 people max).

Culebrita day trip takes you to Turtle Beach in Culebrita where you can snorkel, swim and relax. After lunch you can go for a hike and you’ll have lots of time to relax and explore. $1500 (6 people max).

The advanced snorkeling package takes you where most people don’t go and is for experienced snorkelers only. They have morning and afternoon charter options. It is a 30 minute boat ride to the reef and you’ll visit two snorkel spots. $1500 (6 people max).

Cayo Icacos is a 20 minute boat ride and a safe option when the conditions are too poor to go out to Culebra. Morning and afternoon excursion options are available. $750(6 people max).

Cayo Icacos and Palominos is an all day excursion to visit both islands. $1000 (6 people max).

For more details on each charter option and booking schedule visit their website.  

Contact: Captainrobpr@gmail.com

Phone: +1(419)-410-0407

Book here:www.oceanadventurespr.com