Palomino Island

The Basics

Palomino Island is exclusively for guests of El Conquistador, a Waldorf Astoria Resort. You must be a registered guest of the resort to access the island, which, despite being less than 1 mile (1.2 kilometers) long and 1,722 feet (525 meters) wide, is the largest of three private islands near Puerto Rico. Spend the day lounging under palm trees, swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, horseback riding along the island’s wilderness trails, getting a massage on the beach, or simply watching the wandering iguanas.

Things to Know Before You Go

• Beach chairs are available for guests’ use.

• You can rent water sports equipment for an hourly fee.

• Iguana’s Café serves a selection of Caribbean dishes and cocktails.

• The ferry to the island and El Conquistador are accessible to wheelchair users.

How to Get There

Palomino Island is east of Puerto Rico and accessible via an 8-minute ferry ride from the San Juan harbor. Although it is a private island for El Conquistador guests, local water taxis also travel to Palomino, dropping off passengers at the beach next to El Conquistador.

When to Get There

The best time to visit Puerto Rico is from mid-April to June in order to avoid the crush of the winter crowds as well as the rainy season. The most affordable time to go, though, is during the fall—but this is also hurricane season and can prove risky, so you may want to consider investing in travelers’ insurance then.

Bioluminescent Bay

Thanks to microscopic plankton that thrive in the shallow Caribbean waters, bioluminescent bays glow fluorescent at night. Right next to the El Conquistador resort, Fajardo (one of three bioluminescent bays in Puerto Rico) is a popular destination for sunset kayak tours, which travel through mangrove trees into the magical glowing waters.

Ways to explore

The private island is not accessible by car or public ferry, so the best way to experience the island is to be a guest of the El Conquistador Resort, or to hire your own private water taxi or boat tour. Luckily, there are plenty of full-day private and shared charters that can take you in and around Palomino Island, with many even stopping at other nearby islands. While it’s possible to stay overnight at the resort on Palominos Island, visiting for just the day is also an option.

Accessibility

The island itself is entirely wheelchair accessible, including the beach, which offers beach wheelchairs. However, the resort’s accessible boat that provides transportation to the island is currently undergoing repairs. Call ahead to see if repairs are complete before you make your plans, or hire a private boat that meets your accessibility needs.

Age limits

None

What to pack

Sunscreen, water bottle, camera

What to wear

Sunglasses, swimsuit, sun hat

Not allowed

Bringing your own food and drink, smoking and vaping

Amenities

Cabana rentals, bar and grill, water sport rentals

Address 

Palomino Island is a private island that is only accessible by ferry, water taxi, or private boat.

Driving

You can’t drive directly to Palomino Island, but you can drive to the ferry terminal where you can catch a boat to take you to the island.

Public transportation

Guests of the El Conquistador Resort can take a private ferry from the terminal in Fajardo to reach the island. Non-guests can hire a private water taxi or join a boat tour, as there is no public ferry available.

Best times to visit

Visiting in the morning will allow you to take advantage of a full day on the island.

Best days to visit

Avoid weekends when the island is busier for the most peaceful experience. Mondays through Thursdays will be your best bet.

Best months to visit

For the best weather, visit Palomino Island (and Puerto Rico in general) during the dry season, from December to April.

Special events

Align your visit to Puerto Rico (and Palomino Island) with major annual festivals like the San Sebastián Street Festival in January or the Noche de San Juan in June.