This spot has been added by

Cailly Bruno
Cailly Bruno

4 spots added - 121 photos shared

Other contributors You can help us keep this page up-to-date by uploading your pictures to the photo gallery, or by sending us your comments via the contact form

Last updated on

With its two untouched islets linked by a white sand bridge, Cayo de Agua is Los Roques archipelago’s secret treasure. On both sides of the sandbank, you’ll find reefs that will delight snorkeling addicts. In this protected area, moray eels, angelfish, butterflyfish and many other marine species are easily spotted.

Queen angelfish at Cayo de Agua
The queen angelfish is one of the most beautiful fish that can be seen in Cayo de Agua.

How to go snorkeling at Cayo de Agua

Cayo de Agua is a coral cay located at the western tip of Los Roques archipelago, some 150 km north of Caracas. The easiest way to get there is to take a flight to Gran Roque (the only airport in the archipelago), then book a day tour to Cayo de Agua (a 45 minutes to 1 hour trip).

It is also possible to visit the Los Roques archipelago by boat.

Cayo de Agua snorkeling map

Water entrance for snorkeling Cayo de Agua

Enter the water from the beach, on the side you want to explore.

Cayo de Agua snorkeling exploration

There are two recommended snorkeling areas in Cayo de Agua:

1 / The fringing reef extending just south of the sand bridge (zone 1 on the map). It boasts the most vibrant sea life, but some areas are deep and the sea is not sheltered here. The reef is covered with gorgonians, sponges and corals, and falls on large sandy flats (↕2-4m).

Several species of moray eels (green moray, spotted moray), queen angelfish, wrasses and butterflyfish are found here. In deep sandy areas (↕4-6m), you can also see small groupers, porgies and cero.

Spotted moray eel at Cayo de Agua
Several moray eels species can be seen at Cayo de Agua, including the spotted moray eel.

2 / The coral areas found north of the sandbank (zone 2 on the map). Here, the sea is generally very calm and shallow.

However, the seabed is pretty poor. There are few corals, but the diversity of reef fish (wrasse, butterflyfish, tangs…) makes exploring this area rather pleasant.

Freediver and porgy at Cayo de Agua
In the deepest areas, big porgy swim over the sandy beds.

Restaurants and accommodation

There are dozens of posadas in Gran Roque. Some tours to Cayo de Agua include lunch; inquire when booking.

 

  • Level required Intermediate
  • Protected areaParque nacional Archipiélago de Los Roques
  • Maximum depth18ft/6m
  • Water entranceFrom sandy beaches
  • LifeguardNo
  • Visitor numbersLow
  • Access costsSnorkeling tour price from Gran Roque

MAP Spot

These spots are accessible to anyone with basic snorkeling skills, and feeling comfortable in the water and with his snorkeling gear. You will enter the water from the shore (beach, pontoon, ladder, rocks) or from a boat. The water height in the sea entrance area is reasonable, but you will not necessarily be within your depth. Moderate currents can occur in the area, even when the sea conditions are good. The distance to swim to reach the most interesting snorkeling areas of the spot does not exceed 200 meters.

This level only apply when the spot experiences optimal sea and/or weather conditions. It is not applicable if the sea and/or weather conditions deteriorate, in particular in the presence of rough sea, rain, strong wind, unusual current, large tides, waves and/or swell. You can find more details about the definition of our snorkeling levels on our snorkeling safety page.