Palomino Island Private Night Snorkeling Experience

Yes. We will be provided you a flotation belt, so no expert knowledge of swimming is required. The vessel is equipped with US Coast Guard approved life jackets. Our tour guides are also trained lifeguards. If you choose not to join the snorkeling sessions and only enjoy the trip and beach explorations, that is fine too. 

TripOutside recommends knowing how to swim before snorkeling, but participation is ultimately up to you and the tour operator's discretion.

• Check ocean conditions and only snorkel at lifeguarded beaches. The chance of rescue is much higher with trained lifeguards present.
• Never snorkel alone. Always bring a buddy. Beginners should consider booking a guided tour.
• Rest after flying. Flying can dehydrate and exhaust you—give your body at least a day to acclimate before snorkeling.
• Test your gear on land or in a pool first. Make sure your mask fits snugly, you can breathe through the snorkel, and you know how to clear water if needed.
• Practice with fins. You should be able to scissor kick while swimming. Avoid doggie paddling—it won’t get you far.
• Don’t wear fins on land. Walk into the water, get past the waves, then put your fins on. Remove them before exiting.
• Take it slow. Breathe calmly, relax, and avoid overexertion to keep your heart rate low.
• Know your limits. If you’re feeling tired, anxious, or unsure about conditions, skip the snorkel session. Panic in the water is dangerous.
• Stay aware of currents and tides. Even experienced swimmers can get pulled out. Know how to identify rip currents and how to escape them (swim parallel to shore).

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.

Snorkeling at night around Palomino Island opens up a whole new side of the reef that you don’t get to see during the day. As the sun sets and the water grows dark, many daytime reef fish tuck themselves into the coral to sleep, while a completely different cast of creatures comes out to explore. You may spot lobsters crawling across the sand, octopuses hunting for prey, or eels slithering from their daytime hiding spots. Nocturnal fish like squirrelfish and soldierfish become active, their large eyes glowing in the beam of your light. If conditions are right, you might even see the reef sparkle with bioluminescence—tiny organisms that create a magical glow when disturbed in the water.

Snorkeling at night is an entirely different adventure—it’s less about the bright, bustling reef scenes of the day and more about mystery and discovery. With a snorkel light in hand, your focus narrows to what’s illuminated right in front of you, making every encounter feel more up close and personal. Creatures that stay hidden in the daylight, like octopuses, lobsters, and crabs, come out to forage, and the reef feels alive in a whole new way. The calm and quiet of the nighttime sea adds an extra layer of excitement and wonder, and the possibility of witnessing bioluminescence makes the experience unforgettable. It’s the perfect way to see Palomino Island’s underwater world from a whole new perspective.