Private Snorkeling in San Juan: What to Know Before You Book
A private snorkel tour in San Juan is a simple idea: the reef, the time, and the guide are yours. No one outside your group sets the pace, and you do not share the tour with strangers.
At Jet Snorkel, the Private Group Snorkel Tour takes place at Balneario El Escambrón in San Juan. The tour lasts 1.5 hours and is reserved for you and up to three others, ages 8 and up. One price covers the whole group of up to four.
Who Books a Private Snorkel Tour in San Juan
Couples often book a private tour for a honeymoon, an anniversary, or a quieter outing in the water together. It is also a way to plan a proposal without a larger group nearby.
Families book it when they want the water to themselves, especially if they would rather not keep pace with people they do not know. Birthday trips work the same way: your people, your timing, and a guide who is focused only on you.
A private tour can also help if someone in the group is nervous in the water. Because nobody else is setting the pace, you can take your time getting comfortable. A flotation vest is provided to all guests, and your guide tailors the route to your group’s comfort level. If you don’t know how to swim and want a tour built specifically for that, see our Snorkel Tour for Non-Swimmers.
People who want more time for photos also tend to prefer a private tour. You can linger at a spot you like, or go back for one more look at the reef, without waiting on a larger group to move on.
How a Private Tour Differs from a Group Tour
Jet Snorkel offers more than one way to snorkel in San Juan.
Our Snorkel Tour is a guided outing for guests ages 8 and up. Our Snorkel Tour for Non-Swimmers is also limited to four guests and is designed for people who don’t know how to swim or who don’t feel at ease in larger groups. On those tours, other booked guests may share the same time slot.
The Private Group Snorkel Tour is different. It is reserved for just your group, one to four guests ages 8 and up, with no strangers on the tour. Only one private group is booked in each time slot. Your guide focuses only on you: fitting your gear, adjusting the route to your comfort level, and pointing out the turtles, fish, and coral along the way.
The pace is yours. There is nobody to wait on, and nobody to keep up with. That is often the reason people choose private snorkeling in Puerto Rico over a shared tour.
The price is set up differently too. The private tour is $200 per group (up to 4 guests). That single price covers everyone in your group, rather than a per-person rate. A couple pays the same group price as a party of four, so filling the four spots is the most economical way to book it. A solo guest or a pair can still reserve the tour when having the water to themselves is what matters most.
What You’ll See at Balneario El Escambrón
The tour is at Balneario El Escambrón in San Juan. Along the way, your guide points out the fish, the coral, and, when they are there, the sea turtles.
Sea turtles are part of what many visitors hope to see, and guests do sometimes see them here. They are wild animals, and no honest tour can promise a sighting. If you are lucky enough to have a turtle come through, a private tour gives you the freedom to linger, then continue when you are ready.
The same is true of the reef. If a section catches your attention, you can take another look instead of moving on with a larger group.
How to Plan Your Private Tour
The tour lasts 1.5 hours. Start times are 8:00 AM, 10:00 AM, 12:00 PM, 2:00 PM, and 4:00 PM. Choose the time that fits the rest of your day in San Juan, and plan to arrive 15 minutes early.
Bring a swimsuit, a towel, and reef-safe sunscreen.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people can join a private snorkel tour?
The Private Group Snorkel Tour is for one to four guests, ages 8 and up. Your group has the time slot to yourselves.
Is the price per person or per group?
The online price is $200 per group (up to 4 guests).
Can I book a private tour if I don’t know how to swim?
Yes. A flotation vest is provided to all guests, and your guide tailors the route to your comfort level. You can take your time getting comfortable in the water. If you would rather book a small tour designed for non-swimmers, see our Snorkel Tour for Non-Swimmers.
How long is the tour?
The tour lasts 1.5 hours. Plan to arrive 15 minutes early.
Book Your Private Snorkel Tour
If you want a private snorkel tour in San Juan for a couple, a family, a proposal, or a small group of friends, book the Private Group Snorkel Tour online. Pick a start time, bring up to four people, and spend 1.5 hours in the water at your own pace.
You can also look at our Snorkel Tour, Jet Snorkeling, and LED Night Snorkeling if a different outing fits your trip better.