The bays
Clear water.
M M from Switzerland — CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wuillye lima — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Andry Jonás Rodríguez Valladares — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Yuselys saavedra — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Rjcastillo — CC BY-SA 3.0
Mochima National Park is a mountainous Caribbean coast in northeastern Venezuela. Calm bays of clear green water sit below dry hills that drop to the sea, with red rock cliffs and small white-sand beaches reached only by boat. The park was created in 1973 as Venezuela's second marine park and covers 949 km². It takes in the whole coast between Puerto La Cruz and Cumaná and 32 islands just offshore. Its waters hold many kinds of whales and dolphins. You take a boat from the jetty at Mochima village to the beaches and islands, swim and snorkel over the reefs, see pelicans on the rocks and may spot dolphins on the way. The park is about 35 km in a straight line west of Cumaná. From November to May it is hot with steady winds, and June to October is more humid. Agree the boat price and return time before setting off, and bring water and food, as most beaches have no services. The UK advises against all but essential travel to Venezuela, so check current advice before you go.
Clear water.
By boat only.
On the way.
Mochima Bay, between Puerto La Cruz and Cumaná, Anzoátegui and Sucre states
By boat from Mochima village jetty.
Few; bring your own water and food.