Los Roques - Venezuela Anchorages
Gran Roque
Last Visited - October 2018
Where We Anchored - 11 56 78 N / 66 40 90 W
There were very few boats anchored here so we had lots of room and really good holding in the sandy bottom. There are lots of local boats/water taxis running around, but they didn't bother us, nor did the mosquitoes – not so lucky on a couple of other islands in Los Roques ! There was a bit of a smell from aviation fuel. There are a few shops ashore, but choice is very limited. We purchased pineapple, tomatoes and limes for a couple of dollars and a bottle of the local rum – very nice. Interesting to wander around the sandy streets lined with attractive posadas (bed and breakfast establishments) and locals. We had a lovely typical Venezuelan meal in the square at CaribAqui. Great service and reasonable prices. We thoroughly enjoyed our time in Gran Roque and Los Roques generally. A unique and beautiful place to visit.
The check in process involves a few different offices, but everyone was very friendly and helpful and it didn't take anything like as long as we had been led to believe. We started at the Inea office and then went to the coast guard to register our details. They visited the yacht next morning for a security inspection and donation of 30 us dollars. They were also very helpful in using an online translator when we struggled with some unusual words in Spanish. 3rd stop was the local parks service where the lady spoke English and advised where anchoring was prohibited, were the best spots for snorkeling were etc...We then moved on to immigration at the airport where we were stamped in and out of Venezuelan waters to save us having to go back to the office when we wanted to leave. The immigration office didn't charge for their service, but were collecting national park fees on behalf of the Venezuelan government and this was very expensive. They started at 300 us dollars, but we eventually talked them down to half of this. They were very apologetic and suggested that it was not the Los Roques islands that were requesting (or benefiting from?) the money.
We subsequently met some cruisers who had gone straight to Crasky island and had the local boat take them to Gran Roque for check in. This meant they avoided the yacht inspection by the coast guard and 30 dollar donation. Not sure how much the water taxi fee was.
Last Visited - October 2018
Where We Anchored - 11 56 78 N / 66 40 90 W
There were very few boats anchored here so we had lots of room and really good holding in the sandy bottom. There are lots of local boats/water taxis running around, but they didn't bother us, nor did the mosquitoes – not so lucky on a couple of other islands in Los Roques ! There was a bit of a smell from aviation fuel. There are a few shops ashore, but choice is very limited. We purchased pineapple, tomatoes and limes for a couple of dollars and a bottle of the local rum – very nice. Interesting to wander around the sandy streets lined with attractive posadas (bed and breakfast establishments) and locals. We had a lovely typical Venezuelan meal in the square at CaribAqui. Great service and reasonable prices. We thoroughly enjoyed our time in Gran Roque and Los Roques generally. A unique and beautiful place to visit.
The check in process involves a few different offices, but everyone was very friendly and helpful and it didn't take anything like as long as we had been led to believe. We started at the Inea office and then went to the coast guard to register our details. They visited the yacht next morning for a security inspection and donation of 30 us dollars. They were also very helpful in using an online translator when we struggled with some unusual words in Spanish. 3rd stop was the local parks service where the lady spoke English and advised where anchoring was prohibited, were the best spots for snorkeling were etc...We then moved on to immigration at the airport where we were stamped in and out of Venezuelan waters to save us having to go back to the office when we wanted to leave. The immigration office didn't charge for their service, but were collecting national park fees on behalf of the Venezuelan government and this was very expensive. They started at 300 us dollars, but we eventually talked them down to half of this. They were very apologetic and suggested that it was not the Los Roques islands that were requesting (or benefiting from?) the money.
We subsequently met some cruisers who had gone straight to Crasky island and had the local boat take them to Gran Roque for check in. This meant they avoided the yacht inspection by the coast guard and 30 dollar donation. Not sure how much the water taxi fee was.
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Francisky
Last Visited - October 2018
Where We Anchored - 11 57 55 N / 66 38 95 W
The entrance to the lagoon looks a little shallow on the charts, but was actually quite easy to negotiate. Lots of boats in here over the weekend with visiting Venezuelans from the mainland. There were also lots of tourists during the day who travel to and from the posadas on Gran Roque via boat.
Last Visited - October 2018
Where We Anchored - 11 57 55 N / 66 38 95 W
The entrance to the lagoon looks a little shallow on the charts, but was actually quite easy to negotiate. Lots of boats in here over the weekend with visiting Venezuelans from the mainland. There were also lots of tourists during the day who travel to and from the posadas on Gran Roque via boat.
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View back towards Gran Roque
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Cayo Pirata
Last Visited - October 2018
Where We Anchored - 11 56 10 N / 66 40 03 W
We had to anchor quite a long way off as the water is very shallow. Great holding in the sandy bottom and the water is gorgeous. There were a number of tourists on the beach on day trips from Gran Roque, and some staying in the few beach houses along the shore. We walked over the sand spit to the next island to look around the very small fishing community.
Last Visited - October 2018
Where We Anchored - 11 56 10 N / 66 40 03 W
We had to anchor quite a long way off as the water is very shallow. Great holding in the sandy bottom and the water is gorgeous. There were a number of tourists on the beach on day trips from Gran Roque, and some staying in the few beach houses along the shore. We walked over the sand spit to the next island to look around the very small fishing community.
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Crasky
Last Visited - October 2018
Where We Anchored - 11 52 89 N / 66 43 69 W
This island has gorgeous beaches all along the west coast and again has great holding in the sandy bottom, although the water is less clear here. Ashore there are a few small restaurants (order in advance) and the usual day trippers. Unfortunately our night in this beautiful anchorage was spoilt by clouds of nasty mosquitoes which meant we decided to head off the next day. Not sure how far out you would need to anchor to escape the little blighters ?
Last Visited - October 2018
Where We Anchored - 11 52 89 N / 66 43 69 W
This island has gorgeous beaches all along the west coast and again has great holding in the sandy bottom, although the water is less clear here. Ashore there are a few small restaurants (order in advance) and the usual day trippers. Unfortunately our night in this beautiful anchorage was spoilt by clouds of nasty mosquitoes which meant we decided to head off the next day. Not sure how far out you would need to anchor to escape the little blighters ?
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Sarky
Last Visited - October 2018
Where We Anchored - 11 53 65 N / 66 48 41 W
We anchored fairly close in initially and were delighted to see lots of turtles all around. Once we had walked on beach we moved our yacht further offshore to try and reduce mosquito impact overnight.
Last Visited - October 2018
Where We Anchored - 11 53 65 N / 66 48 41 W
We anchored fairly close in initially and were delighted to see lots of turtles all around. Once we had walked on beach we moved our yacht further offshore to try and reduce mosquito impact overnight.
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Carenero - Cayo Romensa
Last Visited - October 2018
Where We Anchored - 11 53 53 N 66 52 13 W
We anchored in the mangroves for lunch and bought some lobster from the local fishermen. We then moved out again to overnight to reduce mosquito impact – success ! Quite windy and bouncy in the second area we anchored, but worth it to be bug free.
Last Visited - October 2018
Where We Anchored - 11 53 53 N 66 52 13 W
We anchored in the mangroves for lunch and bought some lobster from the local fishermen. We then moved out again to overnight to reduce mosquito impact – success ! Quite windy and bouncy in the second area we anchored, but worth it to be bug free.
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Cayo de Agua
Last Visited - October 2018
Where We Anchored - 11 49 35 N / 66 56 99 W and 11 49 22 N / 66 56 41 W
This was our last stop in Los Roques and unfortunately the wind had picked up by this time, which meant conditions were not quite so idyllic. We found our first anchorage too rolly although the water was lovely. We then moved to the other side of the island which although exposed to the wind, was not rolly. Lots of reefs this side meant we followed the chart plotter very closely going in with me on the bow keeping lookout. We took the dinghy ashore to walk over the sand spit between the islands that is featured in lots of tourist photos. There were lots of spiky plants ashore so ensure you take shoes. Our friends (clearly made of sterner stuff) remained in the first anchorage spot for the night.
Last Visited - October 2018
Where We Anchored - 11 49 35 N / 66 56 99 W and 11 49 22 N / 66 56 41 W
This was our last stop in Los Roques and unfortunately the wind had picked up by this time, which meant conditions were not quite so idyllic. We found our first anchorage too rolly although the water was lovely. We then moved to the other side of the island which although exposed to the wind, was not rolly. Lots of reefs this side meant we followed the chart plotter very closely going in with me on the bow keeping lookout. We took the dinghy ashore to walk over the sand spit between the islands that is featured in lots of tourist photos. There were lots of spiky plants ashore so ensure you take shoes. Our friends (clearly made of sterner stuff) remained in the first anchorage spot for the night.