The Island of Tortuga — which in fact consists of one big island and three smaller ones — is located some 50 miles west of Isla Margarita. This island used to be a hideout for pirates during the 17th century, but today it is uninhabited, with only some fishermen living here during the lobster season.
La Tortuga is Venezuela's second-largest island, covering 156 square kilometers of largely untouched Caribbean coastline. Named for the sea turtles that once crowded its shores ('tortuga' means turtle in Spanish), this island served as a notorious pirate haven during the golden age of Caribbean piracy. Buccaneers including the famous Henry Morgan used its hidden coves and shallow lagoon waters as staging grounds for raids across the Caribbean.
It is a beautiful island with long white sand beaches and lots of interesting bays and places to visit. The southern shore has some of the most beautiful bays that very few people have ever seen — a calm day and a good dinghy are essential since there are no anchorages suitable for larger boats on this side.
A remarkable map found in the Archivos Nacional de Venezuela shows a Dutch fortress from 1668, strategically positioned on the high plain with its natural harbor in front. This fortress was part of the network of colonial fortifications that made the southern Caribbean one of the most contested waters in the Age of Sail.
During the revolution with Simón Bolívar, wealthy Spanish families hid their most valued treasures on Tortuga in a desperate attempt to save their fortunes from the upheaval sweeping through Venezuela. Many large anchors from colonial vessels can still be found around the island, and a wooden chest containing silver plate was discovered by local fishermen just a few years ago.
Perhaps most remarkably, La Tortuga is the only Venezuelan island where fresh water can be found in natural caves — a feature that made it invaluable to pirates and colonial sailors who could replenish their water supplies here during long Caribbean voyages. These caves remain largely unexplored and add to the island's mystique.
Today La Tortuga is a deserted island where a few fishermen live during the lobster season. The southern part of the island features some beautiful lagoons and landscapes not found anywhere else in the Caribbean — a combination of shallow turquoise waters, mangrove forests, and blindingly white sand beaches that stretch for miles without a single footprint.
The island's interior is flat and arid, covered with scrub vegetation and home to large populations of iguanas and seabirds. The contrast between the harsh interior and the white-sand beaches takes some getting used to. Walk ten minutes inland and you could be in the desert.
Tortuga offers excellent anchoring on the northern and western sides of the island in settled weather. The island has no facilities whatsoever — no restaurants, shops, or fuel stations. Bring everything you need, including more water than you think you will drink.
The fishermen who inhabit the island seasonally are generally friendly and can sometimes be persuaded to share their catch. Spearfishing in the surrounding waters is excellent, with large grouper and snapper common on the outer reefs.
Be aware that the southern coast, while gorgeous, is exposed to swells and has limited anchoring options. Only approach in calm conditions with a reliable dinghy for shore access.
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