Caribbean Cruising Logs and Web Sites 2004

What are sailors saying about Venezuela?

We are pleased to present cruising logs and other writings about Venezuela by people who have cruised our waters and traveled our country. If you have a story you would like to share, please email the: Webmaster.

Windswept Log - July 15, 2004
by David and Deanna Hoops
on board s/v Windswept

Bahia Redonda Marina is a very nice marina and a great place to spend some time. Many people have come here in the past year and are still here. You can leave your boat in a safe environment and either return home or do some inland touring of South America. Bahia Redonda can accomodate almost 100 boats and it is the biggest marina in the area. There are several additional, although smaller, facilities available nearby but this is where the cruisers like to go. The prices are very reasonable and you can also get good boat work done here.

Webmaster's note: David and Deanna Hoops sold their boat and the original log is no longer available on the web. The new log for Kate, Toby and Rich's Great Adventure

A Flotilla Voyage to a Much Maligned Mecca - March 2004
by Roger Marshall,
Caribbean Compass

This article seeks to dispel many of the negative perceptions that some of the yachting community have of Venezuela - a friendly and much-maligned Mecca.

Having visited Venezuela before and having been so impressed with what it had to offer (see Compass November 2001, "Margarita, Merida and Mochima"), we had a yearning to re-visit the country. Friends already there were discovering that life after the strike had much to offer and were encouraging us to come. In Trinidad we were aware of the many yachties who wanted to expand their cruising experience by going to Venezuela but were hesitant to visit the country for any number of reasons - not least of which were the negative perceptions being publicized. We decided to "test the water" by calling a meeting to see who was serious about visiting Venezuela, and Puerto La Cruz in particular.

Peter York, a marina director, went out of his way giving advice and facilitating a smooth and safe trip to Venezuela. More...

Travels with Viva - Travalog 23 - 2004
by Steve & Pam Jost
on board s/v Viva

In our last travelogue, we were just leaving Grenada for Venezuela , and that is exactly where we are at this time. After returning to Venezuela last summer (2003), we decided to haul out at Bahia Redonda Marina Boatyard and leave VIVA for the summer. As you may recall, we normally haul out in Trinidad to empty our wallets, so this was to be a new experience. As it turned out, we made a good decision, not only because of the drastically reduced prices, but also because of the high quality level of work performed. Over the years, we have come to dread haul out time (particularly in the States) because it usually has included some rather mediocre or shoddy work at grossly exaggerated prices.

VIVA was stored for three months and upon our return we were pleased to find no damage, leaks, mold or security problems. We had the usual bottom job, hull waxing, some interior varnish work, the pedestal LP'd, refrigeration serviced, some very professional stainless fabrication and the engine serviced; all at a fraction of our usual annual expenditure. Pierre, the boatyard owner/manager has a myriad of specialists all stored on his cell phone. One phone call and another specialist was knocking on our hull at 8:00 the following morning. With the economy in Venezuela so depressed, these people really wanted the work. As an added bonus we were able to rent a fully furnished condo in the marina adjacent to the boatyard for $120.00US a week. If you have experienced living aboard for over a week during haul out, you can really appreciate that luxury. More...

Tundra Travels - March 27, 2004
by Brian and Kathy Marsh
on board s/v Tundra

It was difficult to haul anchor at Medregal, but we sailed west on the 17th of February for Laguna Grande. Here we had another wonderful beach reunion with Morning Light and Mystic Jade before motor sailing for Puerto La Cruz on the 19th. It was a picture perfect day and the scenery is spectacular. Ochre cliffs of Mochima Bay are the first notable sightings west of Golfo de Cariaco, then the Caracas and Chiminas Isles form a delightful passageway on the way to Puerto La Cruz. Jagged rocks and coral shelfs below abound. Fishermen in their pineros were everywhere and many pod of dolphin discombobulated our depth sounder, much to our delight. Fifty miles later we dropped anchor in Chimina Segunda. Brian scraped the prop of barnacles in anticipation of resting in harbour for a length of time. Marnel Quatro (4 in Spanish) guided us in by VHF until Arnoldo, the dock master, (of legendary status) guided us into our slip. He handles his dinghy like a tug and is famous here at Bahia Redonda. We enjoyed a reunion with Pete and Lani, meeting Roberto, MariElena, and son, Luis. The latter run our local restaurant in the marina compound. Here we have three boatyards, many marinas, and a large upscale shopping mall only a dinghy ride away. Most excursions out of the marina we do by taxi. The fruit and vegetable market is bustling and colorful. Meats and fish are available in huge quantities. Prawns were the best! More...

Guadeloupe to Curaçao, Venezuela - 2004
by Tania and Marcel
on board s/y Alegría

In Puerto la Cruz we stayed at Bahia Redonda marina and went to Aqua-Vi to be hauled out for new antifouling. Labour is cheap in Venezuela, and it is nice to leave this job to someone else. They also polished the hull above the waterline, and re-painted the blue stripe around the cockpit, which was suffering badly from the UV in the tropics. Unfortunately, they dropped a can of blue paint on our beautiful teak deck, and it took quite a bit of effort to clean it.

Puerto la Cruz has several marinas and recently built housing projects, all built along the waterfront. The area consists of little islands, connected by bridges across narrow canals, which reminded us somewhat of Venice. Some of the housing projects are very nice with colourful houses with balconies, built in colonial style, and some have their own dock. Bahia Redonda marina has a nice social scene with a BBQ night, a film night etc. I gave yoga and dance classes again, and we did water aerobics. Sander Koenen and his wife Mariana, who we first met when we were living in Caracas, spent a weekend with us on board Alegría. We went out, visited Chimana Segunda, and spent the night anchored at Ciénaga on Chimana Grande, just off the coast of Puerto la Cruz for the occasion. We took our dinghy around to Ciéneguita, which is a beautiful, secluded bay, lined by mangroves.

About Alegría: We named our boat Alegría. Alegría is the Spanish word for happiness. We met in Venezuela and had a very happy time there. We both like the Latin culture and so we felt that a Spanish name would be nice. More