Cayo Icacos

Overview

Heads up: a DRNA study from 2017 saw most snorkelers arrive on catamaran tours with no in-water guide, many kicked or stood on the shallow reef and its endangered staghorn coral, and not all wore life vests, so keep fins off the coral and use flotation. Cayo Icacos is a dive and snorkel site in Reserva Natural Arrecifes de La Cordillera off Fajardo, reached only by boat, with no facilities on the cay. A 2005 study found the west side sheltered and most used, with the other sides exposed to the open sea. DRNA's beach inventory calls it an excellent place to snorkel, and in 2017 named the south side among the reserve's busiest areas. Check current DRNA rules.^{[1][2][3][4][5][6]}

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Heads up: snorkelers frequently kicked or touched the shallow reef; not all wore life vests · visitors observed touching/standing on reef and endangered staghorn coral (conservation concern) · Exposure to swell / weather. See safety notes

Habitat & marine life

• reserve-wide: seagrass beds; rocky, fire-coral and elkhorn reefs^[7]
• long strips of reef^[8]
• shallow reef with staghorn coral (Acropora cervicornis) in the mooring-buoy zone^[1]
• reserve-wide: turtles, manatees, sea cucumbers, starfish, juvenile fish, queen conch, stingrays^[7]
• staghorn coral (Acropora cervicornis) in the shallow zones^[1]

Marine life is what sources report having seen or commonly seeing — not a guarantee.

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Access

• Boat dive^[8][9][5]
• about 35 min by tour boat from Villa Marina (Fajardo)^[10]
• popular with sailing charters and catamarans; no facilities on the island^[3]

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Experience & conditions

• Sea Ventures Dive and Snorkel: “operator afternoon snorkel trip aimed at beginner snorkelers and non-certified divers”^[11]

Attributed descriptions from sources, not our rating. Conditions vary; your training, experience and the day’s conditions decide.

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Recent diver reports

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First-hand reports from divers, reviewed before they appear. Conditions change daily; a report describes one day.

Safety considerations

• snorkelers frequently kicked or touched the shallow reef; not all wore life vests^[1]
• visitors observed touching/standing on reef and endangered staghorn coral (conservation concern)^[1]
• Exposure to swell / weather — north, east and south sides exposed to the open sea and less used (older report)^[4]

Ocean conditions change daily. Dive within your training, plan with current local information and consider a local professional guide. Water safety guide.

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Protected area

• Cabezas de San Juan Natural Reserve (Reserva Natural Cabezas de San Juan)

  Natural Reserve · Puerto Rico Conservation Trust · Site position falls inside the official boundary^[12]

  NOAA's MPA Inventory classifies this area's protection level as "Uniform Multiple Use"; fishing: commercial fishing restricted. Anchoring: restricted.^[12]

• Arrecifes de la Cordillera Natural Reserve (Reserva Natural Arrecifes de la Cordillera)

  Natural Reserve · Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources · Site position falls inside the official boundary^[12]

  NOAA's MPA Inventory classifies this area's protection level as "Uniform Multiple Use"; fishing: no site restrictions. Anchoring: restricted.^[12]

Regulations change. Check with DRNA (Departamento de Recursos Naturales y Ambientales) before diving.

See also

Straight-line distance only — not travel time, and not necessarily reached from the same departure point.

• Cayo Lobos — 1.7 mi
• Las Cabezas de San Juan (shore) — 1.9 mi
• Punta Águila (Isla Palominos) — 2.7 mi
• Seven Seas Beach — 2.8 mi
• Palomino Reef — 3.4 mi
• Sand Slide — 4.0 mi