The cays
White sand.
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Los Roques is an archipelago of small islands and coral reefs in the Caribbean Sea north of Venezuela. Clear turquoise water shades into deep blue, with white sand, low cays ringed by reef and colourful fishing boats on the shore. The archipelago has about 350 islands, cays and islets with 40.6 km² of land, and lies 128 km north of the port of La Guaira. Its pristine coral reefs draw visitors, and building and tourism are limited by rules. Its first settlers were fishermen from Margarita Island. You arrive on Gran Roque, the only sizeable village, with sand streets, painted houses and an old lighthouse on the hill. From there you take a boat to the cays to swim and snorkel among coral and fish, and watch the sunset over the water. The centre of the archipelago is about 14 km in a straight line southwest of Gran Roque. You fly in on a small plane from Caracas airport and stay in small guesthouses. The sun is strong, so bring sunscreen and water, and do not touch the coral. The UK advises against all but essential travel to Venezuela, so check current advice before you go.
White sand.
Coral and fish.
Sand streets.
Caribbean Sea, north of La Guaira, Venezuela
By small plane from Caracas airport.
By boat from Gran Roque.