Los Roques attractions and things to do

There are three main “things to do” in Los Roques: Relax, Relax and Relax! Los Roques attractions are the beaches. They are one of the most beautiful in the world! They have soft white sand great for sunbathing, swimming and resting. You can also go hiking, kayaking, snorkeling, scuba diving or simply touring the islands on the little fishermen boats.

Please, be a compassionate traveler! Do NOT use the service of Shark and Dolphin Swims Programs. The capture and transportation process causes the death of thousands of these animals before they reach the aquariums and water parks. Also the average life span of a dolphin in the wild is 45 years; yet half of all captured dolphins die within their first two years of captivity. The survivors last an average of only 5 years in captivity Truth Behind The "Swim-With-Dolphins" Industry

Most of the hotels will pack you a lunch and a beach umbrella for shade. Make sure you firmly arrange a pickup time and place for your return to Gran Roque.

Two volcanic humps mark the western end of Gran Roque and give the archipelago its name. The tallest of these is just 130m (426 ft.) above sea level. There's an active lighthouse on the farthest hump, as well as an abandoned lighthouse on a high hill toward the center of the island. Both make nice little hikes, providing wonderful views of the Caribbean Sea, turquoise lagoon, and surrounding islands. We recommend going early in the morning or in the late afternoon when it is not as hot. The sunset watching from the top of Gran Roque is quite an experience.

The diving and snorkeling around Los Roques is some of the best in the Caribbean. Barrier reefs surround the archipelago, with sheer walls on the southern and eastern flanks dropping off steeply to depths of as much as 900m (2,952 ft). The submarine caves, colorful fish and corals make this experience a real pleasure. Diving shops, certified instructors and equipment are available on Gran Roque.

Almost all of the hotels and local operators will include snorkel equipment (or help arrange rental) as part of their day tours to the outlying cays. A guide will be able to point you to many excellent shallow reefs for great snorkeling. We recommend that you insist on being taken to a live and active reef upon sign up for a snorkel trip. Many of the trips are more geared towards bringing guests to the nearest and most popular cayes, where the reefs may be dead or unspectacular, at best.

Ecobuzos is the most established dive operation on Gran Roque. Rates run around $35 for 1 dive to $65 for a full day of diving including a guide and gear. Your hotel will most likely pack you a bag lunch. Ecobuzos also offers dive packages and certification courses.

Scuba divers will have to pay a one-time $2.35 national park dive fee, in addition to the park's entrance fee paid upon arrival.

A kayak can be rented for a few hours or for the day. Some hotels have them available for the guests. Also the dive shops may arrange a kayak rental for you. Once on the water, do not go too far to avoid being swept into the open ocean. Just paddle from one key to another. You can stop in the shallow waters and enjoy a refreshing swim. We recommend to bring a snorkel and a mask. There are many snorkeling spots on your way in between the islands or at the islands' mangrove areas.

Los Roques Attractions and Other Things to Do