Booking choice: The water taxi beach day, 5 hours. Book this Tour details
The water taxis to Icacos leave from Las Croabas, the small fishing village on the northeast tip of Fajardo. The ride takes about 15 minutes. You are dropped on the island and collected later.
You can walk up and pay the captain, or book the beach day package with umbrellas, a cooler and snorkel gear already on the sand. Both work. Here is how.
The quick answer
Water taxis leave from Las Croabas, carry 6 to 12 passengers, and take about 15 minutes to Icacos. You are dropped off and picked up at an agreed time; Discover Puerto Rico says the last return is usually around 4 p.m. Bring cash for walk-up boats, plus your own food, water and shade.
Is there a water taxi to Icacos?
Yes. Small boats run from Las Croabas in Fajardo, carrying about 6 to 12 passengers, per Discover Puerto Rico.
Discover Puerto Rico describes the water taxi as one of two ways to reach Icacos, alongside the catamarans. You share the ride with other passengers unless you book the whole boat.
It is a ride, not a tour. No commentary, no lunch, no reef stop. The boat goes, drops, and returns.
Where does the water taxi leave from?
From Las Croabas. The beach day package leaves from the dock behind Kayak Village.
The beach day listing spells it out: park at Kayak Village in Las Croabas, walk behind the building to the dock, and look for the blue boat. Walk-up captains work from the same small bay. The San Juan van and boat day also boats from Las Croabas.
Arrive early at weekends. Parking fills up, and the first boats out get the best spots on the beach.
Book the package and skip the haggling: blue boat from Kayak Village, umbrellas and a cooler on the sand.
Book thisHow does a water taxi day work?
The boat drops you on Icacos, leaves, and comes back at the time you agreed. The last return is usually around 4 p.m., per Discover Puerto Rico.
- Out: about 15 minutes across from Las Croabas.
- Landing: expect wet feet. Keep bags off the floor of the boat.
- On the island: you are on your own. No crew, no restroom, no shop.
- Back: the captain returns at the agreed time. Ask for the captain's phone number or WhatsApp, and confirm the time before the boat leaves.
The package version adds a local guide who stays with the group, an optional snorkel session and an optional 45-minute historic hike. The listing says plainly that the boat does not stay with you for the day.
How much is a water taxi to Icacos?
We do not print fares: they vary by season, operator and group size. Check the live fare on the booking page, and bring cash for walk-up boats.
Discover Puerto Rico advises bringing cash because not all providers take cards. Before you board a walk-up boat, agree three things: the fare, whether it covers the return, and the pick-up time. Pay the return leg when you are back, if the captain agrees.
The package includes the umbrellas, the cooler with drinks, snorkel gear and a guide. If you would carry all of that anyway, it is the easier day.
A 15-minute ride, then most of five hours on Icacos with umbrellas, a cooler of drinks and snorkel gear waiting.
Book this Tour detailsWhat do you need to bring?
Food, water, sun protection and shade. The island has no bathrooms, food vendors or permanent shade.
- Water: more than you think. Hours in the sun go through it fast.
- Food: the package listing says to bring your own.
- Shade: an umbrella or a pop-up shelter, unless you book the package.
- Sun: reef-safe sunscreen, a hat, a long-sleeve rash guard.
- Feet: water shoes for the landing and any rocky stretch.
- Bags: a waterproof bag for phones and cash, and a trash bag. Everything you bring goes back with you.
That list follows Discover Puerto Rico's packing advice. Add a towel and something to read.
Water taxi or catamaran?
Water taxi for hours on the beach. Catamaran for a restroom, lunch, shade and a reef stop.
The same island, two different days:
| Water taxi | Catamaran or motorboat | |
|---|---|---|
| Ride | About 15 minutes from Las Croabas | About 30 to 45 minutes from the marinas |
| Time on Icacos | Most of the day | About 1.5 hours on the full-day catamaran |
| Restroom | None on the island | Listed on the Double Dip; ask on others |
| Food and drink | Bring your own (the package adds drinks) | Lunch and drinks listed on most trips |
| Shade | Your umbrella (or the package's) | The boat's cabin or canopy |
| Reef stop | Snorkel from the beach | Usually included |
| Return | Agreed time; last around 4 p.m. | Fixed by the trip |
Small children, anyone who needs a toilet nearby, or a group that does not want to haul a cooler: take a boat. Everyone else should at least consider the taxi.
Prefer the boat? Four hours with a reef stop, a beach stop, a shaded cabin and a restroom.
Book thisShould you book ahead or walk up?
Book ahead at weekends and holidays. On a quiet weekday, walking up usually works.
Discover Puerto Rico recommends booking ahead at weekends. The beach day package offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before, so booking costs you nothing if the weather turns. Walk-up boats are fine midweek, but bring cash and agree terms before you step aboard.
If you are coming from San Juan without a car, the van and boat day handles the drive and the boat in one booking.
From your San Juan hotel to a beach camp on Icacos: van, boat, tent, chairs and a barbecue, about four hours ashore.
Book this Tour detailsWhat can go wrong on a water taxi day?
Sunburn, running out of water, a missed pick-up, and swimming too far out. There are no lifeguards.
The sun is the most common problem: the island has no permanent shade. After that, the pick-up. Write down the captain's number and the time, and be on the beach early; boats work to a schedule.
Swim near the shore. Currents can surprise visitors, and Discover Puerto Rico notes there are no lifeguards. More on staying safe in what to do on Icacos.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the water taxi ride to Icacos?
About 15 minutes from Las Croabas, per the package listing and Wikipedia. Discover Puerto Rico gives 15 to 20 minutes.
What time is the last water taxi back from Icacos?
Discover Puerto Rico says the last return usually leaves around 4 p.m. Confirm the time with your captain before the boat leaves you.
Do Icacos water taxis take cards?
Not all of them. Discover Puerto Rico advises bringing cash for walk-up boats. The package books and pays online.
Does the water taxi stay with you?
No. It drops you on Icacos and returns at an agreed time. For a boat that stays, take a catamaran or the private charter.
Ready to book
Choose your boat
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before on every option listed here.
Water Taxi & Beach Day Package
- Round-trip water taxi, about 15 minutes each way
- Beach umbrellas and a cooler with drinks
- Mask and snorkel, optional guided snorkel
From San Juan: Van, Boat & Beach BBQ
No car: van from San Juan, then a beach camp on Icacos
Double Dip Power Catamaran
- Buffet lunch, fruit and soft drinks
- Beer and gratuities listed as included
- Snorkel gear and floats
