Miles of deserted white sand beaches, countless
uninhabited islands and teeming coral reefs, Los Roques
Archipelago National Park's natural Caribbean splendor
remains unspoiled and largely undiscovered. Created in
1974, this is the first and only national marine park
in Venezuela with 546,388 acres. Located in one of the
most interesting coral reef formations in the Caribbean
the archipelago is easily accessible by plane from Caracas
and Margarita Island or by an overnight's sailing from
the Venezuelan mainland. Its geographic location allows
for a agreeable climate, away from hurricanes or tropical
storms and with year-round temperatures of 82ºF in
average.
Eighty nautical
miles, some 100 miles off Venezuela's north central coast,
an isolated chain of reef-formed "cayos" (keys)
rise from the depths of the Caribbean to form this archipelago.
Los Roques consists of more than 365 mostly unnamed and
uninhabited islands, islets and keys (One for every day
of the year!). The edge of the archipelago is surrounded
by live, fringing reef that protects its warm and shallow
interior. Its miles of clear, azure water and seemingly
endless white sand beaches are cooled by constant trade
winds.
The area was described
by Columbus as "heaven on earth". Today, divers,
kayaking, windsurfing and sailing enthusiasts, snorkelers,
nature lovers, anglers and sun worshippers find the discoverer's
description is no less fitting now than it was when first
sighted. Most islands are either dry, rocky outcroppings
or mangrove and sawgrass clusters home to iguanas, lizards,
some insects and spiders, bats (the only resident mammal)
and nesting sea turtles. The rich winged life is represented
by magnificent frigate birds, brown boobies, flamingos,
scarlet ibis, pelicans, terns, gulls and herons, just
to name a few, as Los Roques is home to 92 species in
30 families, 54% of which are migratory birds from North
America.
Divers are discovering
a wealth and diversity of dive sites among the splendor
of Los Roques' reefs, walls, caves and caverns, many of
which are still wild, unexplored environs hosting a tremendous
display of life. Giant lobsters, moray eels, great schools
of jacks, bonefish, barracuda, tarpon, mackerel, grouper,
sharks, swirling schools of silvery bait fish and countless
species of small, colorful reef-welling fish and crustaceans
are just a few of these splendid waters' marine inhabitants.
The reef is alive with brilliant soft coral forests, swaying
sea fans, sponges, and urchins as well as brain, fire,
black, antler and gorgonia coral. While there are dives
available for all experience levels, Los Roques is particularly
attractive to intermediate and advanced divers looking
to experience challenging dives off the beaten track.
With limited lodging
and facilities on the islands themselves, chartered sailboats
are available to explore remote regions of the archipelago
that are inaccessible to visitors staying on the main
island of Gran Roque, or that are located farther, like
Las Aves Archipelago. All of our first-class yachts are
crewed by an experienced captain (usually the boat owner)
and chef serving delicious meals of fresh fruit and seafood.
Cruising the tranquil waters of the island's interior
by day, sailboats can moor in a different location every
night. Activities such as fishing, snorkeling, bird watching,
relaxing on-board or on a deserted beach are up to the
whims of each guest, providing a highly personalized experience
for those in search of the ultimate caribbean getaway
without the crowds. Offering exceptional privacy and space
for two, three of four guests in private staterooms, our
selected boats are ideal for such an adventure. Each vessel
is equipped with modern conveniences and equipment to
deliver you to paradise in comfort and style.
Although most travellers spend 3 or more
nights in Los Roques, it is possible to visit as a day
trip from Caracas or Margarita Island. Below the water's
surface, Los Roques' reef and flats thrive with an intense
diversity of marine fishes while the reef itself is a
wild, unspoiled coral wilderness. Since the entire ecosystem
is protected from destruction and over harvesting by the
national park system, this last great Caribbean sanctuary
should remain healthy for generations to come.
Contact
us to include Los Roques
in a customized itinerary of travel to Venezuela.
