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Marine Research Boat Charter in Puerto Rico
A stable, shallow-draft field vessel for biologists, universities and environmental projects studying Torrecilla Lagoon, the Piñones mangrove channels and the reefs of Carolina.
Up to 6 researchers + gear · Bayliner 2200 shallow draft · USCG Master Captain · Base: Cangrejos Yacht Club
A Mangrove Field Study Vessel near San Juan
Research in estuaries and mangroves needs a boat that can get into shallow water without disturbing it. Our Bayliner 2200 has a shallow draft and a stable deck, and Captain José knows every channel of the Torrecilla Lagoon system, the Boca de Cangrejos inlet and the nearshore reefs of Carolina. We work around your sampling plan: early starts, repeat transects or multi-day field campaigns.
Research Charter Support
- Capacity for up to 6 researchers plus technical equipment
- Shallow-draft access to mangrove channels and lagoon sites
- Flexible scheduling: dawn starts, tides, repeat visits
- Stable platform for sampling, photography and observation
- USCG-licensed captain with $1M marine liability coverage
- Invoicing for universities, NGOs and agencies
Who We Support
Universities & Labs
Field courses, thesis fieldwork and graduate research in estuarine and mangrove ecology.
Environmental Projects
Water-quality monitoring, mangrove restoration, bird and wildlife surveys.
Media & Documentation
Photographers and film crews documenting Puerto Rico’s coastal ecosystems.
How to Book a Research Day
- Send your study plan: sites, dates, team size, equipment and permits.
- We confirm the vessel and route and send an all-in quote (fuel and captain included).
- Head out from Cangrejos Yacht Club with free secure parking for your team.
Study Sites for Your Marine Research Boat Charter in Puerto Rico
Cangrejos Yacht Club sits at the mouth of one of the most studied estuary systems on Puerto Rico’s north coast. From the dock, a research charter can reach several distinct habitats in minutes, which means more sampling time and less transit.
- Torrecilla Lagoon: a shallow coastal lagoon with soft sediments, seagrass patches and fringing mangroves, well suited to water-quality and benthic work.
- Piñones mangrove channels (Loíza): narrow, sheltered channels lined with red, black and white mangroves, ideal for bird surveys, root-community studies and restoration monitoring.
- Boca de Cangrejos inlet: the exchange point between lagoon and ocean, useful for salinity gradients and larval transport questions.
- Nearshore reefs off Carolina: accessible on calm mornings for photo transects and visual observation from the boat.
Choosing the Right Vessel for Fieldwork
Most research days run on our Bayliner 2200, a nimble, shallow-draft boat that reaches lagoon and channel sites larger vessels can’t. Documentation crews that need more deck space for camera gear can book the Sea Ray 270 for open-water and reef-edge work. Both boats carry a maximum of 6 people, including your team, as required for our USCG license.
Planning Tips for a Productive Field Day
- Start early. Trade winds usually build through the day, so mornings are calmer for sampling and photography.
- Send your gear list in advance so we can plan weight and deck layout with six passengers.
- Pack sensitive equipment in dry bags and bring shade for coolers holding samples.
- Secure any collection permits from DRNA or federal agencies before your field date. We can share vessel and insurance details for your application.
Research Charter Rates
Field days are quoted from our private charter rates: half-day blocks (4 hours) start at $850 and full days (7 hours) at $1,500, with fuel and a USCG captain always included. Universities, NGOs and agencies can ask about multi-day and seasonal monitoring rates, and we invoice directly.
Teaching a course rather than running a study? See our educational boat tours. Visiting researchers flying into SJU can add private transportation to the dock.
Research Charter FAQs
How much equipment can we bring?
Tell us your gear list. Capacity depends on total weight with 6 passengers.
Can you run multi-day projects?
Yes, we schedule repeat days and seasonal monitoring.
Do you provide invoices and insurance certificates?
Yes, we can provide invoices and proof of insurance on request.
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Plan Your Field Day
Send your project details and we’ll reply with availability and an all-in quote.
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