Los Roques: The Anglers Best-Kept Secret
The 45-minute flight from Caracas to Gran Roque is unlike any other journey in the Caribbean. As the plane lifts off, the haze of the mainland quickly dissolves into sunlight, and ahead, the sea transforms into a living canvas — a spectrum of blues and greens so intense it feels unreal. By the time the scattered cays of Los Roques come into view, the excitement on board is palpable. Everyone knows they’re about to step into something extraordinary.
For years, Venezuela was misunderstood. Headlines painted a picture of turmoil, but the reality today is completely different: a nation stable, safe, and open for tourism like never before. Nowhere is this more evident than in Los Roques, a national marine park that feels more like a South Pacific atoll than a Caribbean island. Remote yet accessible, unspoiled yet welcoming — it is paradise rediscovered.
From the moment you land, the difference is clear. Alejandro from Yachtservice Los Roques organizes every detail seamlessly: permits, clearances, and the warm welcome that puts any lingering doubts to rest. A few steps from the airstrip and you’re already in barefoot paradise, walking sandy streets lined with hibiscus and bougainvillea. Life here runs on island time, friendly and unhurried.
And then comes the fishing. Los Roques is world-famous for its Pancake Flats — firm white sand, ankle-deep water, and tailing bonefish in endless numbers. Wading across these flats, every cast holds the promise of that explosive run that makes bonefish legendary. Above average in size and unmatched in spirit, the fish here remind you why this archipelago is considered one of the finest fly-fishing destinations on earth.
Yet bonefish are only part of the story. Tarpon lurk in mangrove lagoons, jacks and snapper patrol the beaches, while parrotfish and triggers tempt anglers with their power and stubbornness. Variety is everywhere, and every encounter is played out against the impossible backdrop of Los Roques’ turquoise waters.
And then, of course, comes the offshore adventure. Alejandro didn’t join us for bonefishing, but when it was time to head offshore, his 20+ years as a captain came alive. He knew the spots, the moon phases, the right lure colors — and the results were mind-blowing. In just one long day on the water, we hooked everything: wahoo after wahoo, yellowfin tuna, mahi-mahi, and even fought multiple blue marlin. Ten hours of pure adrenaline, ending with the freshest fish feast we had ever caught ourselves. Glorious days to remember — the kind that turn a trip into a lifetime memory.
Step offshore, and Venezuela shows why it is recognized worldwide as the land of double and triple billfish catches. Blue marlin, sailfish, and white marlin are part of the country’s legendary big-game history. Move inland, and the rivers and lagoons offer another prize: the largest peacock bass on the planet. No other country can deliver this combination — bonefish in saltwater, white and blue marlin offshore, and peacocks in freshwater.
What makes it all unique today is the sense of space. Los Roques is still free of crowds, still pristine, and still safe. For fishermen, sailors, and travelers, it is one of the last true frontiers of the Caribbean — a place where exclusivity comes not from walls or gates, but from nature itself.
Los Roques is not forgotten. It has simply been waiting.