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ICACOS ISLAND, NEAR FAJARDO, THE MOST BEAUTIFUL BEACHES !

A STRING OF LITTLE ISLANDS - THE CORDILLERA NATURE RESERVE

Looking back towards Fajardo, Puerto Rico from Cayo Icacos in the Cordillera Keys Reserve.

Icacos Island is one of the string of islands off the north east tip of Puerto Rico which form the Cordillera Keys Nature Reserve. Palomino, Palominito, Diablo, Lobos, Ratones and Icacos Islands and many large rocks such as Cucaracha. They are administered by the Dept. of Natural Resources of Puerto Rico. ( Palomino and Lobos are private islands.)

Icacos Island is big enough so that you cannot walk around it easily. The ocean side is rough and rocky with waves breaking over the rocks and the leeward side is very calm and lovely. Beach exploring is great for anyone who doesn't want to spend much time in the water. The problem with exploring Icacos is getting yourself out of this incredible water to go exploring!

'Beachrock' is rock that forms near mid-tide level beneath the sand on tropical beaches. It is a very distinctive rock that forms rapidly. Tidal fluctuation constantly forces calcium carbonate-rich waters through the sands where evaporation and off-gassing of carbon dioxide probably help stimulate precipitation of calcium carbonate. Within a few years, crystals of aragonite, a common marine form of calcium carbonate, precipitate between the grains, welding them together to form a very hard limestone. When sea level rises, as it has done during the past 18,000 years, any beachrock that formed several thousand years ago becomes submerged. . . . quote from geologist Eugene A. Shinn

 

Visit Icacos Island on your own, if you just want to swim in heavenly turquoise waters and laze at the beach, This is NOT a snorkeling trip.

WATER TAXI - Boat drop-off & pick up to Cayo Icacos: $100. 2 - 4 people. ( "taxi service" ) to Icacos Island between 8-10 AM and pick up to return to Las Croabas after 3:30 PM. ( $25 per person if more than 4 people ). You should bring an umbrella as the sun is fierce . . . but the water is beautiful! I recommend Icacos for the day more than Palominitos, it's a bigger island with more to do.

Please take Sun block, water and snacks. a towel and dry shirt. Wear a long sleeve white or light blue shirt then you really won't get sunburned. Icacos is a deserted small island and there are NO facilities. No vendors, etc. You must bring everything and remove all your trash.

The boats leave from two docks in Las Croabas, a small 'village' which is past the entrance to the El Conquistador Resort in Fajardo and past Seven Seas Beach. At the end of road there is a small cove with lots of boats at anchor and two docks, a wooden dock, across is a cement dock. Boats leave from either dock. Use one of the more reliable boats leaving from the cement dock. If you want a reservation with a reliable Captain call Elena and she will give you a number. Elena Tel. 787-426-0979.

 

 

Please note: This is also where the biobay kayak tours leave at night. Los Bohios Restaurant is very good and Calizo's Restaurant is terrific. Most fun might be La Estacion.

Snorkeling: You can snorkel/explore around the edges of Icacos but there is no real reef you can readily access from the shore. FOR REEF SNORKELING CLICK HERE

Snorkel the offshore reefs with Elena by motorboat. 3 islands, several reefs.

 
Waiting to be picked up at the end of the day from Icacos. Dos Marinas condos in the background.

 

Cayo Icacos seen from the air. Photo courtesy of Father Sanchez.


A hike around the south tip of Icacos is a lot of fun and adventure. You would need shoes and water to attempt it, plus a hat and long sleeved shirt. This bird colony is on a rock island behind Icacos.. Totally protected by ocean all around it.

 

Snorkel the offshore reefs with Elena by motorboat. 3 islands, several reefs.