Morrocoy
Venezuela · Falcón · 3 m
Description
Morrocoy is a national park of mangrove channels and low coral islands strung along a shallow bay, and almost all of it is water. Boats leave the villages of Tucacas and Chichiriviche for cays that are little more than a bank of white sand with a fringe of palms, and each one is hired for the day with a hut and a hammock. Cayo Sombrero is the busiest. The mangroves inland hold flamingos and scarlet ibis on the flats. Reefs run along the seaward edge of the islands. The park was declared in 1974 and covers some thirty-two thousand hectares of coast and water.
Length of stay
Recommended length of stay: 2 to 5 days (optimal 3 days)
Travel season
Best time to visit: December – April
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Highlights
- Cayo Sombrero
- Boat trips out from Tucacas and Chichiriviche
- Flamingos and scarlet ibis in the mangroves
- Snorkelling on the seaward reefs
- Cayo Borracho and the quieter cays
- Mangrove channels by kayak
- Cueva del Indio at Chichiriviche
- Fresh fish grilled on the cays
- Diving the coral banks
Getting there
- Seaport:
- Reachable by ship or ferry