As a Heli team member, our employees get to travel to some pretty spectacular places. Clark Winter just returned from an epic few days in Los Roques, Venezuela. So we picked his brain to bring you this trip report. The following is a combination of his experiences, some research, plus a little extra info about this spectacular kite surfing destination.

Just a 30-minute flight from Caracas, the capital of Venezuela, Los Roques is the perfect destination for kiteboarders. You can enjoy stunning views of turquoise waters and white sand beaches while learning how to kitesurf with an expert instructor. The island of Los Roques truly is a paradise for kitesurfers.

About Los Roques

Los Roques is National Park Island Archipelago. It’s about a 30-minute jump-seat-style flight from Caracas, which is the only way you can get there from mainland Venezuela. Once you arrive, they have a “toes-in-the-sand” kind of experience. The vibes are very laid back.

This island archipelago is located in the Caribbean Sea, approximately 90 miles (150 km) east of mainland Venezuela. It’s part of Gran Roque Municipality and Isla de Aves Federal Territory.

There’s a main island called Grand Roque, which is the only one that is inhabited. It has a series of Posadas which are very simple hotels. You pay for everything in cash and they accept mostly USD. It’s moderately expensive, particularly given the fact that it’s in Latin America. Each day, you take a boat from Grand Roque to various kite spots.

The north side of the archipelago is more for kiting while the south side is where most of the dive sites are located. Although you can also kite in the south. The boat rides range anywhere from 10 minutes to 90 minutes before setting up your spot for the day. Get sorted with chairs, umbrellas, snacks, food, and beyond then just kite all day long.

The best kite spots in Los Roques

The kite spots range from a speck of sand with some vegetation to a couple larger islands (some of them even have restaurants). The vibe is incredible. It’s really, really low-key.

Pro tip: set up a boat for the duration of the visit. Book through your Posada or with a local captain by walking down to the harbor and asking around. This is best suited for self-sufficient riders looking to check out some different spots, while beginners would be better off linking up with a local kite school.

Los Roques is best known for its legendary kite safaris. Riders can kite for hours along the coral reef where you’ll find baby sharks, huge tortoises, and stingrays beneath them in crystal-clear water. Safari’s are generally led by a local guide and groups are followed by a boat so you can stop and take breaks along the way. Clark’s group kited for over four hours one day as he noted, “On one safari we did almost 70 kilometers. It was one of the most incredible days of kiting of my life.”

The Caribbean side of Venezuela is home to some of the best kiteboarding spots in the world.

For those who want to learn how to kitesurf, Los Roques is the perfect place. The Caribbean side of Venezuela is home to some of the best kiteboarding spots in the world and there are plenty of spots where you can easily practice your skills without having to worry about other people. Due to the political situation in the country, restrictions have preserved the region from mass tourism and it remains quite local. Los Roques has traditionally been a holiday destination for affluent people from Venezuela, but now kiting is everything.

There are a couple of kite schools but not a lot. This means can rent equipment if you need, but it’s not like other popular kite destinations where there are dozens of schools. It’s definitely advisable to bring your own stuff, particularly from a cost perspective, as well as from an availability perspective.

Some helpful tips for your kite trip to Venezuela

There are only two or three restaurants on the island of Grand Roques, so the focus is more on kiting than on eating or a beach-style vacation. It is also worth noting that most places deal in cash. Clark advised to “bring lots and lots of cash. There were no ATMs or cash machines on the island, and I had a friend who was coming later in the week to bring me more. Some places will deal with Venmo and Paypal, but it can be a little bit tricky and it’s so much easier to have cash on you.”

The other issue is entry from the United States. For many countries, you will need a Visa to enter Venezuela. With some passports, it might be difficult or impossible to obtain a Visa, depending on your country of origin. Contact our team to learn more as these rules change frequently, and it’s important to know about entry requirements before you book. For Europeans and Canadians, entry tends to be much easier. Clark traveled on a Spanish passport and had no issues.

The best time to go kiting in Los Roques

The windy season runs from December to early May. The wind is pretty consistent but not every day. There are also a ton of down-day activities, with the area’s beautiful beaches and scuba diving.

Los Roques is an amazing place to kiteboard, and there are many reasons why. The warm water, beautiful beaches, consistent wind, and clear skies make it perfect for beginners and experienced kiteboarders alike. You can even enjoy some downtime relaxing on one of the many uninhabited islands in the area! If you want to experience this tropical paradise while learning how to kitesurf with an expert instructor, contact our team to learn more about our packages in the area.