Los
Testigos (The Witnesses) Archipelago is composed of some
16 islands, islets and several
high rocks. Los Testigos Archipelago is located some 43
miles north of Rio Caribe in the Sucre
State and about one third the distance from Margarita
to Grenada. This is the easternmost group of Venezuelan
islands in the Caribbean Sea and
the most important from an strategic point of view after
Isla de Aves because they represent the entry gate to
the national territory for the fishing
and tourist embarkations coming from the Antilles and
the Atlantic ocean, which use Los Testigos as the first
port of call in their journeys through the Venezuelan
coasts. There are few
anchorages in the archipelago because the strong winds
and the currents coming into the Caribbean Sea from the
Atlantic get narrower when passing through the islets,
therefore acquiring more speed. The weather conditions
in the archipelago differ from the rest of Venezuelan
islands, the yearly precipitations
reaching 400 mm in average in spite of the group’s isolation.
The environment is considered arid nevertheless, maybe
because the many cactuses, balsam plants and Spanish mosses.
The
archipelago’s waters have an abundant fishing
productivity, and also an equally rich marine fauna,
including a vast colony of frigate birds.
The islands lack all kinds of
public transportation or permanent links to either Margarita
or the mainland, but they are not uninhabited. There are
two year-round populations, one in Playa Tamarindo (Tamarind
Beach) in the Testigo Grande (Big Witness) island, where
live some 70 people from 10 families, and the other in
Iguana Grande (Big Iguana) Island, a fishermen settlement
of some 125 people from 26 families. Iguana Grande Island
also has an elementary school, a church and a secondary
station of the National Army Coast Guard. A protected
area, spear fishing and scuba
diving are strictly forbidden here, but the snorkeling
is interesting and pretty good, there are gorgeous beaches,
huge and wonderful sand dunes, lots of fish and corals
and magnificent views. Troll or hand line fishing
from vessels is permitted and lobster can be bought from
the natives during season (November – April)
A
four days and three nights sailboat tour from Margarita
includes Playa Real (Royal Beach), the most beautiful
anchorage in the archipelago, Playa Tamarindo, the sand
dunes, the lobster rookeries, snorkeling, a hike
up to the lighthouse in Testigo Grande to see the big
iguanas and enjoy the dramatic views and finally Isla
Rajada and its interesting black rock cavern. Top the
visit with a special farewell dinner (including lobster
only in season) before returning to Margarita
and consider spending an optional day in Los
Frailes on the way back.
Contact
us to include Los Testigos
in a customized itinerary of travel to Venezuela.
