Known for its vibrant marinas — including the largest in the Caribbean — Fajardo is a top destination for sailing, parasailing, catamaran tours, and unforgettable water activities. It's also home to one of Puerto Rico’s famous bioluminescent bays, where you can kayak through glowing waters, and to the stunning Cabezas de San Juan Nature Reserve for even more outdoor exploration.
Whether you're wondering what to do in Fajardo or planning a full itinerary, here are some of the best things to do in Fajardo during your visit.
Fajardo is known for its incredible snorkeling.
Beaches in Fajardo
Fajardo is home to some of Puerto Rico’s most beautiful beaches, perfect for swimming, snorkeling, and unwinding by the sea. From hidden natural pools to crescent-shaped shores, visiting these beaches is one of the best things to do in Fajardo for any visitor.
Seven Seas Beach
The most popular balneario (beach) in Fajardo presents its visitors with placid shorelines that are ideal for snorkeling, kayaking, hiking, and more. The crescent-shaped Seven Seas beach is lined with palm and almond trees that provide shade for a picnic or just to relax. The beach is surrounded by little food kiosks and restaurants at the entrance of Las Cabezas de San Juan, also known as Parque Pasivo Las Croabas. This stunning, peaceful beach offers gazebos, parking, and camping areas as well as restrooms and showers.
Float around two rock formations at La Zanja.
La Zanja
Perhaps one of the most Instagrammable places in Fajardo is La Zanja (The Ditch), one of the town’s off-the-beaten-path wonders. La Zanja is a natural pool created when the waves from the Atlantic crash on the rocks and fill in the long, “ditch-like” indentation. If you like adventure, it’s about a 20- to 30-minute hike from Seven Seas to this secluded location, and you’ll get to enjoy some scenery along the road less-traveled.
Playa Escondida and Playa Colorá are two of Fajardo's hidden gems.
Playa Escondida and Playa Colorá
Divided by a small peninsula called Cabeza Chiquita (Small Head) are Playa Escondida and Playa Colorá, two of Fajardo’s hidden gems. They make up part of the Northeast Ecological Corridor, and to get to them you will have to do a little bit of hiking. Playa Colorá earned its name because of its reddish-colored sand, which is juxtaposed against the turquoise waters. Meanwhile, Playa Escondida is hemmed in by mangroves, and its golden sand makes it a great location to unwind.
Icacos Island is one of Fajardo's most pristine locations.
Water Activities and Island Adventures
If you love the ocean, Fajardo offers endless adventures. Hop on a catamaran, snorkel vibrant reefs, or explore remote islands and cays teeming with marine life.
Snorkeling at Other Cays and Islets
The Cordillera Natural Reserve is made up of remote keys and cays full of bright and abundant ocean life. Places like Palomino Island, a location owned by El Conquistador Resort, allows you to dive in the waters, play some beach volleyball, practice stand-up paddleboarding, and even snorkel around the reefs.
Fall in love with Icacos Island's diamond-dust shore and stunningly clear waters, where abundant coral reefs are home to schools of fish and other marine creatures. Dubbed as Fajardo's best-kept beach, this piece of paradise is the largest key of the Cordillera Natural Reserve. Don't miss a chance to spend the day working on a suntan and enjoying the ocean breeze.
Take a Daytrip to Icacos Island
Other nearby cays are Cayo Lobos, Cayo Ratones, Cayo Diablo, and Cayo Cucarachas. Charter a catamaran to go beach- and cay-hopping with some friends. Or, have an experience right out of an action movie and book a private mini speed boat tour with the only tour operator offering this experience on the Island, Kayaking Puerto Rico. Just as most catamarans, the mini speed boat tour includes refreshments and snacks to keep you fueled as you explore these Insta-worthy spots.
Watch the water sparkle to life as you paddle through Laguna Grande bio bay in Fajardo.
Attractions and Outdoor Experiences
Beyond the beaches, Fajardo is packed with incredible attractions, including a glowing bioluminescent bay, a historic lighthouse, and scenic parks for family fun and outdoor exploration.
Laguna Grande Bioluminescent Bay
One of the main attractions at Las Cabezas de San Juan Nature Reserve is Laguna Grande, one of the three bio bays in Puerto Rico. The long and narrow canal that leads to the dazzling, glow-in-the-dark waters make this a lagoon, technically, rather than a bay.
You can kayak or cruise in a small boat and experience a surreal moment when the agitation of the water makes it light up thanks to millions of microscopic organisms. Although visitors are not allowed to swim in the lagoon, you can agitate the water with your hands and witness a magical natural spectacle. Be sure to book in advance and take into consideration that the less moonlight there is, the better the experience of this natural phenomenon will be.
Kayaker paddling by Las Croabas Park and Fajardo's Lighthouse, the oldest lighthouse in Puerto Rico.
Fajardo’s Lighthouse
Situated in a headland inside the Nature Reserve, El Faro de Fajardo is Puerto Rico’s oldest lighthouse. The structure is adorned with neoclassical detail and topped with a Spanish colonial tower overlooking the cliff. There, you can visit a nature center and an observation deck with delightful views of the bay.
Las Croabas Park
Head over to Las Croabas recreation park, a “low-intensity” park offering open-air gazebos to relax and enjoy the natural surroundings. You can skate, ride bicycles, fly kites, have a picnic, walk around, and exercise. There are several trails and boardwalks, slides, and swings for kids to play.
Enjoy the Local Food
No trip to Fajardo is complete without savoring its fresh, flavorful cuisine. As the easternmost point in Puerto Rico, Fajardo’s dining scene is known for seafood specialties like lobster, red snapper, and garlic-butter shrimp.
Top spots include Pasión Por El Fogón, a mesón gastronómico celebrated for its shrimp-stuffed lobster and mofongo; Las Vistas Café, a charming brunch spot with panoramic views; and La Estación, where smoky barbecue meets Caribbean flavors. For surf-and-turf dishes with a view, try Sal & Pimienta by the Sea, or enjoy modern takes on local classics at Cinco Nudos inside the marina.
Whether you’re planning a Fajardo getaway or adding it to your Puerto Rico trip, the food alone is worth the stop!
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Things to do in Fajardo FAQs
How do I get to Fajardo from San Juan?
Fajardo is about a 45-minute to one-hour drive from San Juan, depending on traffic. Renting a car is the most convenient way to travel to Fajardo, but taxis, rideshares, and private shuttles are also available for your Puerto Rico trip.
What are the best things to do in Fajardo?
Top things to do in Fajardo include visiting Seven Seas Beach, kayaking through the bioluminescent Laguna Grande, snorkeling at Icacos Island, and hiking to hidden gems like La Zanja.
When is the best time to visit Fajardo?
The best time to travel to Fajardo is during Puerto Rico’s dry season, from December to April. Expect sunny skies, warm temperatures, and ideal conditions for beach days and outdoor adventures.
Is Fajardo walkable?
Fajardo’s main attractions are spread out, so it's best to have a car or arrange tours. Within certain areas like Las Croabas and the marina, walking is possible, but for exploring beaches and nature reserves, driving is recommended.
Can I visit the bioluminescent bay in Fajardo year-round?
Yes, Laguna Grande glows year-round! Tours run nightly, but you'll have the best experience on nights with little or no moonlight. Be sure to book your tour early during your vacation in Puerto Rico.
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