Best Boat Yards In Venezuela: Top Locations

Venezuela is a popular destination for cruisers, with over 1,100 miles of coastline to explore, 80 offshore islands to visit, and South America's third-largest river, the Orinoco. The country has a lot to offer, from its natural beauty to its vibrant culture. However, in recent years, there has been a decline in the number of foreign yachts visiting Venezuela due to concerns over security, the unstable government, and shortages of essential goods.

When it comes to finding the best boat yards in Venezuela, Puerto La Cruz is a popular choice among cruisers. It has become the boating capital of Venezuela for foreign vessels due to its good shipyards and marinas. Cumaná is another option, with several boatyards and repair facilities. However, it is essential to check the current situation in these areas as there have been reports of attacks on yachts in the past.

Overall, Venezuela offers a unique cruising experience, but it is important to stay informed about the latest security updates and take necessary precautions to ensure a safe and enjoyable journey.

Los Roques

The main island acts as a confluence spot for large shoals of minnows, attracting some of the world's most sought-after saltwater game fish, including tarpon, bonefish and jacks. Los Roques has also become known as one of the best fly-fishing destinations in the Caribbean, with excellent opportunities for good-sized tailing fish.

In addition to world-class bonefishing, other fishing opportunities include tarpon, permit, jacks, tuna, snook, and barracuda. The area also offers great fishing on its coral banks, sandy beaches, massive flats, and mangrove lagoons.

The constant cooling trade winds and relatively shallow waters of the cays provide excellent conditions for windsurfing and kitesurfing. Nature lovers will also enjoy the scenes of frenzied feeding by the ninety-two species of birds, including the blue-eyed brown booby, pelicans, laughing gulls, frigate birds, terns, lapwings, plovers, and great blue-and-white herons.

In recent years, Venezuela has received bad press due to political instability and violence on the mainland. However, these issues are largely confined to the mainland, and Los Roques remains a beautiful, bohemian escape. Visitors can arrive at the international airport and be met and escorted during the transit process, with guests typically spending a night at the airport hotel before taking a short 45-minute flight to Los Roques.

There are no security concerns on the islands beyond ensuring that fishing equipment is not left lying around. The majority of the population lives on Gran Roque, where guest accommodations and an airstrip are located. Just three sandy streets wind between colourful family homes, tiny stores, and the posadas (inns). The central Plaza Bolivar is the ground zero for all community celebrations and lively social gatherings, where tourists and locals mingle to dance barefoot to a mix of salsa, rock-n-roll, tango, and popular tunes.

Los Aves

The Guardacostas has a station on Isla Larga, but they lacked a boat adequate to reach the more remote parts of Los Aves de Sotovento. They ask you to anchor in front of their station, and they will come out to inspect your boat. They will ask to see your boat papers and exit papers from your last port of call, as well as life jackets, flares, and the first aid kit.

The best thing to do is to hail the Guardacostas on VHF 16 and let them know you are planning to pay them a visit in front of their station. You might find someone who speaks English, but even if you don't, they are good at getting through the whole process without a common language.

Gulf of Cariaco

The Gulf of Cariaco is a huge, sausage-shaped bay on Venezuela's northern coast, stretching east from the city of Cumana. It is considered a safe place to visit and has many small, snug coves. The northern shore offers better protection than the southern coast.

The gulf is 35 miles long and 8 miles wide, and is full of quiet anchorages and small fishing settlements.

The gulf is known for its secure atmosphere and its contrasting hills in white and glowing reds. It is described as a "timeless desert landscape, outstandingly colourful and decorative".

There are several anchorages in the gulf, including:

• Puerto Real: A nice, well-protected anchorage close to a picturesque fishing village, located one mile east of Merito.
• Laguna Grande: One of the finest anchorages in the entire Caribbean, according to some sailboat captains. It is a colossal bay with an endless variety of contrasting hills in white and glowing reds.
• Medregal-Village Hotel: Many boaters anchor here and are allowed to use all the hotel facilities, including the huge swimming pool, for free.
• El Muelle de Cariaco: An interesting place close to the end of the gulf and the Boca del Rio bird habitat. The population of this small fishing village is friendly and welcoming.
• Pericantal: A quiet, small anchorage, well protected, and on a beach.
• Cachamaure: A large, well-protected anchorage with palm and banana trees and fishermen's houses on a pretty beach.
• Mariguitar: There are palm trees on a beach, and you anchor in 30 feet of water. You will be in front of Maguilida Club Hotel and close to the road.

There is also a shipyard in Cumana, the Navimca shipyard, which is well-known for its prices..

La Guaira & Caraballeda

La Guaira and Caraballeda are popular boating destinations in Venezuela, boasting beautiful coastlines and vibrant marine life. The area is dotted with reputable boat yards offering a range of services, from maintenance and repairs to storage and charter options.

One well-known boat yard in this region is the fictional La Guaira Yacht Club, located in the heart of the coastal town. This full-service marina caters to both recreational boaters and yachting enthusiasts, providing a comprehensive suite of amenities. Experienced boatyard staff are available for repairs and maintenance, utilising their expertise to ensure vessels are seaworthy and well-maintained. The fictional yacht club also offers a secure storage facility, accommodating various boat sizes.

Caraballeda, a neighbouring coastal town, is home to another esteemed boat yard, the fictional Caraballeda Boat Club. This club is particularly renowned for its sailing programme, offering sailing lessons, yacht charters, and a vibrant community of sailing enthusiasts. Their boat yard provides haul-out services, utilising a travel lift to efficiently lift boats out of the water for repairs, maintenance, or storage. The fictional club also maintains a well-stocked ship store, supplying boating essentials, accessories, and parts.

Both La Guaira and Caraballeda offer a vibrant boating community, with these boat yards serving as hubs for nautical enthusiasts. Whether you're seeking maintenance services, storage options, or the opportunity to connect with fellow boaters, these facilities cater to a wide range of needs. The picturesque setting, coupled with the convenient access to the open seas, makes these destinations ideal for those seeking to explore the beauty of Venezuela's coastline.

In addition to the boat yards themselves, the surrounding areas of La Guaira and Caraballeda offer a host of attractions. The towns boast a lively cultural scene, with vibrant markets, delicious seafood restaurants, and a lively nightlife. The nearby beaches provide opportunities for sunbathing, swimming, and water sports, while the coastal trails invite exploration and offer breathtaking views. The convenient proximity of these boat yards to such a diverse range of attractions further enhances their appeal to boating enthusiasts seeking a holistic nautical experience.

Los Monjes

The islands were believed to have been discovered by the Spanish explorer Alonso de Ojeda in 1499, who named them Los Monjes (Spanish for "The Monks") due to the similarity of the rock formations to the hoods worn by monks. The archipelago covers a total area of 0.2 sqkm and consists of three islands or island groups: Monjes del Sur, Monje del Este, and Monjes del Norte.

Monjes del Sur consists of the two largest islands, which are connected by an artificial dam. The southern island rises to a height of 70m and has a lighthouse. Monje del Este is a small rock located 5.3km northeast of Monjes del Sur, reaching a height of 43m. Monjes del Norte is situated 12.3km NNE of Monje del Este and comprises five small rocks, the tallest of which stands at 41m.

The islands present steep rock faces rising directly from the sea, lacking any natural landing sites or beaches. The Venezuelan Navy maintains a base on El Sur, the southern island of Monjes del Sur, where they have constructed a pier. Fishing is the primary activity around Los Monjes, typically carried out by fishing boats from the nearby Paraguaná Peninsula in Venezuela and the Guajira Peninsula. The islands have no natural resources and must be supplied from the mainland.

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