Fajardo Snorkeling Lessons
LessonDuration: 1.5 hours
Features
Description
Learn to Snorkel in Las Cabezas de San Juan Nature Reserve in Fajardo!
Duration of Adventure
- 1.5 Hours
Location / Where to Meet
- Check in/ Departure Address: Cabezas de San Juan, Ensenada Yegua, Fajardo 00738, Puerto Rico
- Please check in 20 to 30 minutes before lesson start time.
- There are no restrooms or customer parking at the meeting point. The closest parking and restrooms are located at the Seven Seas Beach about 5 minutes walk. Parking has a cost of USD 5 plus tax per vehicle and the use of toilets USD 1 per person.
Ages & Requirements
- Minimum age of 5 years old.
- Minors under 18 years of age must be accompanied by an adult participating in the activity.
- Minimum of 2 people is required to book the tour.
- There are a maximum of 10 guests allowed on the tour.
- All guests must be able to communicate in English or Spanish.
- Guests who are pregnant, have had recent surgeries, have neck, back, arm, or leg problems, and/or have epilepsy, heart conditions, and dizziness cannot participate.
- For beginners, people who cannot swim, people who can swim, people who have never done snorkeling.
- Guests that show signs of intoxication will not be allowed to participate.
What’s Included
- High Quality Snorkeling Gear (Mask, Snorkel, Fins)
- Use of Rental Snorkel Gear until 4:30 pm the same day as the lesson.
- Marine Life Identification Card
- Water & Light Snack
- Professional guided snorkel experience in the most beautiful coral reef in the eastern part of Puerto Rico.
- Prescription masks are available for minus 3 to minus 4 but are subject to availability.
Not Included
- Gratuity - Never expected but if you have a great experience, please consider gifting 10-25% to your guides!
- You have the option to buy a new snorkel at checkout if you’d prefer not to use a used snorkel (though all snorkels are thoroughly cleaned between tours).
- There is also the option to rent a GoPro, for an extra fee at checkout, with a floating handle that includes a 16 GB SD Card.
What to Bring / Wear
- Swimsuit & Towel
- Mosquito Repellent (Please use a Deet-Free Repellent)
- Reusable Water Bottle
- Reef-Safe Sunscreen
- Extra Layers of Clothing - Sweatshirts and Warm Hats
- Dry Bag
- Snacks & Water
- Required paperwork - Signed medical form if required, waivers, etc.
- Seasickness Medications - If you are prone to seasickness, it is recommended to take sea sickness medication at least 30 minutes to 1 hour before the scheduled snorkel time.
- Waterproof Camera - The company is not responsible for any damaged or lost items.
- Please remove any jewelry, watches, or anything that can get lost or damaged by the water.
Wildlife Guidelines
Please be respectful of the fact that coral is a living organism and any standing, touching, or knocking over will irreparably damage the organism that takes a very long time to grow and is essential to our marine reefs. Please also be respectful of any marine animals including but not limited to turtles, rays, sharks, seals, and dolphins. Please never chase, harass, feed, or TOUCH any of the marine species. Enjoy their company if they approach from a distance and calmly move away from them if in their path.
Check Out Our Tours Here!
ADVENTURE PROVIDED BY Pirate Snorkeling Shack
FAQs
What makes Reserva Natural de Las Cabezas de San Juan special?
Cabezas de San Juan is an area of high ecological value with little swell activity, and protected by a barrier of coral reefs. Located 50 minutes from the capital, San Juan, has the sandy beaches and the steep rocky habitat of marine and migratory birds. The lands and waters of the reserve are refuge and breeding grounds for endangered species, including the manatee and the sea turtle. The reefs and the keys of the coast are natural extensions of the mainland and protect the clear and placid waters with their coral formations and their luxuriant marine life.
What is your commitment to sustainability?
We specialize in introducing guests to the amazing underwater life and natural beauty of Puerto Rico. We are passionate about marine-life and eco-tourism and hope that our guests are inspired to make a commitment to protect our oceans and marine-life too. We ask that you do not touch coral, fish, or turtles and please, never feed the fish anything a human would eat. Help our reefs and oceans by using sustainable practices such as reef safe sunscreen, reusable water bottles, and reusable cups.
Disclaimer: We cannot guarantee the amount or type of fish you will see on our tours. We do not feed the fish to bring them close to visitors. This is harmful to the fish’s natural diet and it interferes with their natural feeding cycles.
What marine life can I see when snorkeling at Fajardo, Puerto Rico’s reefs?
Common sightings include colorful reef fish such as sergeant majors, blue tangs, parrotfish, butterflyfish, and angelfish. You’ll likely see cleaner shrimp and arrow crabs nestled in coral crevices, and schools of grunts and snappers weaving through the reef. Moray eels often peek from holes, while southern stingrays rest in the sand below.
Sea turtles—especially green and hawksbill turtles—are frequently spotted grazing on seagrass or gliding over the reef. Rays, including spotted eagle rays and southern stingrays, are also seen occasionally. While not guaranteed, nurse sharks are sometimes found resting under ledges or cruising through the reef. Lobsters, filefish, trunkfish, and even the occasional barracuda or octopus round out the list of regular reef residents. With visibility often ranging from 30–75 feet (9–23 meters) and a mix of shallow and mid-depth sites (15–80 ft / 6–30 meters), Fajardo offers a rewarding dive experience full of color and life.
What sunscreen can I use and why does it matter?
Common sunscreens contain chemicals that can harm coral reefs, as the particles are small enough to be absorbed by corals, causing toxicity and coral bleaching. Reef-friendly sunscreens are formulated without these harmful chemicals. Reef-SAFE sunscreens go a step further by using non-nano particles, which are too large for corals to ingest, helping to preserve marine ecosystems.
Please avoid sunscreens with oxybenzone, octinoxate, and parabens. Consider wearing sun-protective clothing, like long-sleeve rash guards, as an alternative to sunscreen. If you choose a mineral-based sunscreen, ensure it is labeled ‘non-nano.’
Can I snorkel with a mustache or beard?
You can snorkel with a beard or mustache but it can prevent a tight seal between the mask and your face, which may cause water to leak in. It is often recommended to shave at least your mustache before diving. If you’d prefer not to shave your mustache, please bring petroleum jelly or chapstick with you. If you coat your mustache in that chapstick or jelly, it may be able to seal and prevent water from getting in.
Can I wear glasses or contacts while snorkeling?
Glasses cannot be worn while snorkeling, but contacts are perfectly fine and recommended for the best experience. Prescription masks are not available for rent, but you are welcome to bring your own.
Additionally, there is an automatic correction effect that occurs underwater due to light refraction, making things appear clearer, but contacts or a personal prescription mask will provide the best visibility.
Cancellation Policy
Cancellation policy
Thanks for choosing Pirate Snorkeling Shack. By making the reservation with us, you and each of the participants freely and voluntarily accept each of the following terms and conditions.
General
All cancellations must be made by phone directly with Pirate Snorkeling Shack calling 787-556-0104 48 hours before the scheduled time for the start of the activity, for a full refund of money. If the client cancels less than 48 hours before the scheduled time for the start of the tour or rental, the total cost of the activity will be charged, for the management of expenses. There is no money back.
If the client wishes to make any changes to their reservation, they must contact Pirate Snorkeling Shack by phone at 787-556-0104, at least 48 hours in advance of the scheduled start time of the tour or rental. We can reschedule your reservation for a future date with a rescheduling fee of $ 15 per person for guided tours or $10 per rental item subject to availability. In order to make the change Pirate Snorkeling Shack reserves the right to accept or reject any request to change the date, time or rental item.
Customers with reservations must arrive on time. The time consumption of the rented item and / or tour will begin at the time established in the reservation and will end at the agreed time in the reservation. No show and / or does not arrive on time will be considered as an activity carried out and there is no money back. This policy applies to everyone, including cruise passengers.
Participant agrees to resign the right to receive a refund of the money and agrees not to make claims to the credit card or any other means of digital payments.
Weather Cancellation
Pirate Snorkeling Shack works in the Cabezas de San Juan Natural Reserve, Ensenada Yegua in Fajardo Puerto Rico. By working in a natural environment, all activities are subject to the climatic conditions being optimal for any activity at sea. If we are forced to cancel a experience due to weather conditions, we will offer you the solution that best suits your needs: a new date for the activity, the reservation of another tour or rental of another item or the full refund of your money . However, please note that we are the ones who determine cancellations due to weather conditions. Please do not make the mistake of deciding not to attend because you think the weather might not be right, because if we do the activity and you decided not to attend, you will still be charged for the activity. If you ever have a question about weather conditions, call us at 787-556-0104.
Additional notes
Due to the unique nature and small size of our groups, we are forced to remain firm on our cancellation policy. Please note that on the day of your tour or rental we will be there, on site, waiting and ready to serve you. Regardless of the reason for the cancellation, our time and effort are already invested; We may have even rejected other customers by maintaining their space. Thanks for your understanding!
Availability
Reviews
Location
Address
Reserva Natural Cabezas de San Juan, Carr. 987 Km 5.9 Las Croabas
Fajardo, Puerto Rico, 00738
PR
ASK THE LOCAL EXPERT
✔️Easy, secure, instant booking
✔️No extra fees
✔️Book directly with top-rated outfitters
Discover 5,000+ handpicked human powered adventures.
Book directly with vetted local experts.
Average 4.8 ⭐️ across 185,000 reviews.
Every booking contributes to conservation.
Proud member of The Conservation Alliance and Leave No Trace.