Islands and cays near Fajardo
Palomino and Palominito
Two of the prettiest names in the Cordillera belong to a pair of cays just off Fajardo: Palomino, a private island with calm, swimmable water, and Palominito, its tiny uninhabited neighbor that snorkelers love. Both sit in clear, sheltered water and are reached only by boat.
Essential details
- Type
- Private island and tiny cay
- Access
- Boat only, organized trips
- Palomino
- Calm swimming and snorkeling
- Palominito
- Tiny snorkeling islet
- Departs from
- Fajardo marinas
- Best season
- Calmest in summer
Palomino, the private island
Palomino is the larger of the two, a private island in the protected water off Fajardo. The draw is calm, shallow swimming and easy snorkeling in a sheltered setting, the kind of place that feels a world away despite the short crossing. Because it is private, access is not a simple matter of turning up. It is typically arranged through organized boat trips, so the practical step is to confirm access and any conditions when you book rather than to plan an independent landing.
Palominito, the little one
Just beyond Palomino lies Palominito, a tiny uninhabited cay sometimes called Little Palomino. It is barely more than a scrap of sand and rock ringed by bright, clear water, which is exactly why snorkelers and photographers love it. Most trips that include it pause offshore so you can slip in and explore the shallows. It pairs naturally with a Palomino stop.
How to visit
Both are boat-only, reached by catamaran day sails, private charters, or water taxis from the Fajardo marinas. They belong to the wider Cordillera cays reserve, so many trips combine them with other cays such as Cayo Icacos. For how the snorkeling here compares, see our snorkeling guide.
What to know before you go
- Confirm access to Palomino. It is private; arrange your visit through an organized trip and check conditions.
- Bring essentials. Water, food, sun protection, and snorkel gear, since facilities are limited or absent.
- Use reef-safe sunscreen to protect the corals and shallows you came to see.
- Leave no trace. These cays are part of a protected area; carry out everything you bring.
Palomino and Palominito FAQ
Palomino is a private island off Fajardo's coast in the Cordillera cays, with calm, protected water popular for swimming and snorkeling. Because it is private, it is reached by boat and access is usually arranged through organized trips.
Palominito is a tiny uninhabited cay near Palomino, sometimes called Little Palomino. It is known for clear, shallow water and snorkeling, and its small, sandbar-like shape makes it a popular boat and photo stop.
Only by boat. Catamaran day sails, private charters, and water taxis from the Fajardo marinas reach them, often as part of a wider trip among the Cordillera cays.
Yes. Both sit in clear, sheltered water that suits snorkeling, and tiny Palominito in particular is a favorite snorkeling and photo stop. Bring or rent gear, since there is little or nothing on the cays.
Palomino is a private island, so general public access can be restricted and is typically arranged through organized boat trips rather than independent landings. Confirm access and any conditions when you book.
Palomino is the larger, private island with calm water for swimming and snorkeling, while Palominito is its tiny uninhabited neighbor, barely a scrap of sand ringed by clear water. The little cay is a favorite snorkeling and photo stop, often paired with Palomino.
Yes. Both sit in the protected Cordillera cays off Fajardo, so many boat trips combine them with other cays such as Cayo Icacos. As with the rest of the reserve, use reef-safe sunscreen and carry out everything you bring.