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The Los Roques archipelago is a group of small Caribbean islands and sandbanks located approximately 130 km north of Caracas and the coast of Venezuela. The islands of this archipelago are located just 150 km west of the island of Bonaire in the Netherlands Antilles. The islands extend over a total area of 40 km² and are inhabited by less than two thousand people, almost all residing on the island of Gran Roque.
The archipelago’s coral reef covers 1,500 km² of surface. In this area there are 42 coral islands and a few hundred sandbanks. The archipelago is known for its high bio-diversity.
Los Roques is among the most important eco-tourist destinations in Venezuela, thanks to its pristine coral reef, and to the great variety of seabirds that live there or stay there. In fact, the archipelago is the meeting point of over 50 species of migratory birds, including pelicans, gannets and pink flamingos. Underwater there is a large variety of life forms, including dolphins, whales, manta rays, turtles, corals, fish, crustaceans, molluscs, sponges, sea urchins and starfish.
To preserve the unique nature of this group of islands, the area where the archipelago is located became a national park in 1972. The park contributes to preserving the aquatic ecosystem and the resting and reproduction areas of the migratory and sedentary birds that live there. It also regulates the possibility of visits to natural attractions.
HOW TO GET TO LOS ROQUES
Plane: The only means of transport to get to the archipelago is by plane. There are several airlines that connect the only airport in the archipelago (LRV) with the Venezuelan airports of Caracas (Simón Bolívar International Airport, CCS) and Porlamar (Aeropuerto Internacional del Caribe, PMV) on Margarita Island. The flight time between Caracas and Los Roques is 40 minutes.
Ship: Until recently, the Ola Cruises company had a cruise service between La Guaira and Gran Roque. But this service is currently suspended.
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