Diverse and magnificent, Puerto Rico embodies the beauty of the Caribbean.
From exquisite inhabited and deserted islands to some of the best beaches in the world with crystal clear waters, Puerto Rico will leave you awe-struck from the very beginning.
With so much to do and see, as a tourist, the best way to truly experience the best of Puerto Rico, is via a catamaran tour.
There are several tour operators at the main island that provide a number of day trip options via catamarans.
These catamaran boat tours cover the best islands, atolls, beaches and islets Puerto Rico has to offer.
Ideally, you need to base yourself either at the capital city of San Juan or Fajardo and take as many catamaran day trips as possible to see it all.
With the number of options for both day trip destinations and tour operators, for your convenience, I have made my own list of the absolute must-explore islands, beaches and rainforests along with suggested tours.
These day trips and island tours are the perfect way to explore the best of Puerto Rico creating an unforgettable experience.
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The Best Puerto Rico Catamaran Day Trips and Island Tours
Here are my top catamaran day trips and island tours from Puerto Rico.
I have also provided a few suggested tour operators below each trip recommendation, where possible.
Icacos Island – Cayo Icacos
Icacos Island, also known as Cayo Icacos, is one of Puerto Rico’s unspoiled islands with outstanding marine life, mesmerizing turquoise waters and brilliant coral reefs.
Cayo Icacos is in fact an uninhabited island which tourists can visit via a catamaran from the city of Fajardo, located on the east coast of Puerto Rico.
Icacos Island is part of the La Cordillera Reef Nature Reserve. The island is rich in biodiversity and is quite popular with tourists looking for the best snorkeling tour from Puerto Rico.
While in the clear turquoise waters of Icacos Island, you can enjoy wonderful marine life which includes sea turtles, a host of colorful fishes, unspoilt coral reefs and various other aquatic creatures.
Icacos Island allows you to relax on the white sandy beaches with an unobstructed view of the famous El Yunque National Forest.
Tour operators to Icacos Islands typically include an enjoyable lunch with drinks including the Puerto Rican speciality of rum punch and piña coladas.
A catamaran boat trip to Icacos Island is entertaining for all family members although some tours do restrict little children below the age of 4.
The catamaran to Icacos Island leaves from Puerto Del Rey Marina at Fajardo in the morning and gets you back same day in approximately 6 hours.
Note, if you are based in San Juan, it would take you about an hour to reach the marina at Fajardo via taxi or private shuttle transfer. Do keep this in mind when planning for the trip.
Tour operator suggestions:
East Island Excursions are the most popular option with friendly crew members, luxurious catamarans and well-planned itineraries.
Check here for online booking, prices and complete Icacos Island tour details.
Culebra Island with Flamenco Beach
On a bright sunny day, a catamaran trip to Culebra Island, located on the eastern coast of Puerto Rico should be your absolute top priority.
One of the most beautiful islands in the Caribbean, Culebra Island is also home to Flamenco Beach, widely regarded amongst the top 10 beaches in the world.
Culebra Island is often the first stop for most tour operators. However, you need to note that weather conditions are not always amiable for a day trip.
Water conditions can get quite choppy and often, your catamaran crew members can offer alternate arrangements or visit to other islands near Culebra including Icacos Island.
However, if you are blessed with good weather, then not many islands in the world can get close to the natural beauty of Culebra Island.
Culebra Island is the best beach stop and snorkel tour option when exploring Puerto Rico.
Walking around the silky smooth white sand of Flamenco Beach or snorkeling at the pristine waters with sea turtles, manta rays, tropical fish and a host of exotic marine life is one of the best things you can do in Puerto Rico.
What is interesting is that, although the waters leading up to Culebra Island can get quite choppy, Flamenco Beach itself is almost waveless make it family-friendly and perfect for snorkeling.
Water sports can also include kayaking, paddle boarding etc. and when tired from all the water based activities, you can indulge in a scrumptious buffet lunch with complimentary drinks.
Flamenco beach has immaculate crystal-clear turquoise waters on one side and Culebra National Wildlife Refuge on the other. You can imagine the beauty of the place and its biodiversity.
The rich coral reefs and natural forest reserves make Flamenco Beach a great place for you to swim, walk around, beach comb and just have a great time experiencing this exotic island.
I highly recommend a catamaran day trip to Culebra Island. It will be a highlight of your Puerto Rico trip.
To reach Culebra Island, catamarans leave from Puerto Del Rey Marina at Fajardo and typical total tour time is around 6 hours.
Tour operator suggestions:
Option 1: East Island Excursions: Beach and fun experience by Catamaran
Option 2: Culebra Day Trip by Catamaran from Fajardo with optional San Juan pickup.
Please check with either tour operators if Flamenco Beach is included for the day before booking.
Mosquito Bay, Vieques Island
Vieques Island, located on the east coast of Puerto Rico is not your typical Caribbean Island.
What differentiates Vieques from others, is the presence of Bioluminescent Bay or locally known as Mosquito Bay.
Bioluminescence, a light produced from within the sea by microorganisms giving it a blueish-green glow is a sight to behold.
You may have seen it in movies, shows or documentaries. However, viewing bioluminescence light first-hand is an experience of a lifetime.
Photos or videos cannot do justice to the feeling of standing over the glowing ocean waters at night under a starlit sky.
As you may have guessed, unlike other day trips from Puerto Rico, this is a catamaran night trip.
Also, instead of the typical 6 hours, the tour time is usually only about 1 or 2 hours.
You get to visit Mosquito Bay, to exactly where the ocean glows from within via your catamaran.
If you are truly lucky, there will be a clear sky with shining stars to compliment the blueish glow from the sea.
There are couple of things though to keep in mind before booking this catamaran night trip to Mosquito Bay at Vieques Island.
You will need to purchase a ferry ticket to reach Vieques Island as the catamaran is to be boarded from there.
Tour operators also need you to stay back for the night at Vieques as there are no ferries back to San Juan or other cities after sunset.
Therefore, you need to book your ferry tickets to Vieques and accommodation at the island for the night as soon as you book your Mosquito Bay tour. No refunds are given if you can’t reach the island or have no stay options.
If planned well, viewing the ocean glow thanks to Bioluminescence at night is a wonderful experience, completely worth the travel.
This is especially true if you consider there are very few Bioluminescent Bays in the world and the one in Puerto Rico, Mosquito Bay, is known to have one of the brightest bioluminescence of all the bays.
Tour operator suggestions:
Mosquito Bay, Vieques Boat Tour by Isla Nena Bio Bay Boat Tours
San Juan Bay – Catamaran Sunset Cruise or Day Sail
One of the best ways to explore Puerto Rico is via a catamaran from the San Juan Bay Marina.
As you may have guessed, the sunset cruise or day sail are two different boat tours.
The sunset cruise, is simply breathtaking. You set sail in the evening just before sunset.
While you watch the stunning sunset over the crystal clear Caribbean waters, you go past few of the famous landmarks of San Juan.
Your catamaran crew, act as the local guide while showing you a good time with local rum punch, sparkline wine and other beverages.
The day sails are usually either in the morning or afternoon. The overall mode of operation is similar to the sunset cruise with comparable amenities.
I feel either the sunset cruise or day sail catamaran tour from San Juan Bay Marina, is a lovely way to view some of the most important landmarks of Puerto Rico along with your entire family.
Just note, while there are alcoholic beverages severed on the boat, some operators may offer fresh fruit juices as well. If you are traveling with children or do not consume alcohol, do check with the catamaran tour operator for drinks options before booking.
Tour operator suggestions:
Sunset Cruise: San Juan Catamaran Sunset Sail with drinks
Day Sails: San Juan Bay Day Sail with Drinks
El Yunque National Rainforest with Beach Day Trip
El Yunque National Rainforest is a tropical rainforest that was nominated for one of the natural wonders of the world and is one of the most important ecotourism destinations in all of Caribbean.
Just about an hour’s drive from San Juan, El Yunque National Rainforest is simply brilliant for all nature lovers.
Now, I need to mention here that you can easily do a land only trip to El Yunque National Rainforest.
However, since the scope of our article today is catamaran day trips in Puerto Rico, I suggest combining a few hours at El Yunque with a boat trip to any of the islands nearby for an overall great day.
I do recommend El Yunque National Rainforest though regardless of what you decide later as the rainforest has some of the best flora and fauna you can find in the Caribbean.
The entire forest is rich in outstanding biodiversity and a number of plant and animal species.
Best of all, guided tours within El Yunque National Rainforest take you to some outstanding waterfalls and even a natural water slide that is just pure joy.
You can walk, go for treks, swim under waterfalls, explore the rich natural ecology of El Yunque National Forest for a few hours.
After exploring the forest, make your way to Fajardo or back to San Juan for a catamaran trip for further water based or snorkeling adventures.
Tour operator suggestions:
El Yunque National Rainforest with Bio Bay Kayaking.
El Yunque National Rainforest with Luquillo Beach
What you need to know before you book a Catamaran Day Trip in Puerto Rico
Catamaran day trips and island tours from Puerto Rico are perfect for families, couples or even corporate groups.
You do need to keep a few things in mind though, so that there are no last minute surprises.
1) Island tours are weather dependant. During adverse weather conditions, tours can either be cancelled or you are taken to alternate destinations.
For example, if visiting Culebra Island is not possible, then catamarans usually take tourists to nearby deserted islands for a similar experience.
Do check with your tour operator on their weather related refund policy or if alternate arrangements are acceptable to you.
2) Speaking of refunds, typically all catamaran day trips from Puerto Rico are non-refundable except where the tour company itself cancels for whatever reason.
On most cases, refunds are processed only due to weather related issues.
3) All boat trips are group tours. Typically, each catamaran can take up to 60 people on board.
There are private luxury catamaran tours available as well. However, these can be 5 to 10 times the cost of a standard boat tour.
4) Please check before booking on the inclusions during the trip.
You need to check whether lunch, drinks, snorkeling gear and other amenities are included.
This is important as depending upon the tour operator, inclusions can be different.
5) Day tours typically include box lunches and drinks.
Vegetarians or vegans need to clearly check with the tour operator for the menu that they serve.
Similarly, those who do not consume alcohol need to enquire if non-alcoholic beverages will be served.
6) Each tour will have a specific check-in time. Please ensure you know this timing and plan to reach as early as possible for the tour.
You do not want to get stuck trying to get a taxi or bus and end up missing your scheduled departure.
Enjoy your time in Puerto Rico
Island day trips with family, friends or just on your own are the best.
Puerto Rico offers the best of the Caribbean Islands with pristine azure waters, rich marine life, abundant forest reserves with distinct flora and fauna.
Catamarans are the best way to explore these exceptional islands, go snorkeling and just have a good time on a deserted tropical beach.
So, go ahead and book one or as many catamaran day trips from Puerto Rico and have the time of your life.
