September 28, 2003
Los Roques: One of the paradise islands in the world
According to The Observer, Los Roques archipelago is one of the twenty most beautiful island destinations in the world, among Mnemba Island in Zanzibar, Roatan in Honduras, Petit St Vincent in the Caribbean, North Island in Seychelles, Panarea in Italy, Samothraki in Greece, among others.
(The Observer) - Los Roques, Venezuela's Caribbean islands - there are about 40 of them in the archipelago - rarely feature in British holiday programmes, but they've hit the big time with the likes of Leonardo DiCaprio, Antonio Banderas and Melanie Griffith.
They come for sea and seclusion rather than sophistication. Even on the main island, Gran Roque (two miles long and half a mile wide), there are no cars, the streets are sandy and the pelicans greatly outnumber the residents. Forget about posh hotels - holidaymakers either camp, island-hop in sailing boats or stay in posadas (small inns).
Sailing, diving and fishing are the magnets, the archipelago's shallows providing some of the world's best bonefishing. The area was declared a National Marine Park in 1972.
· Last Frontiers (01296 653000; lastfrontiers.com) includes four nights full-board in a posada on Gran Roque and an island-hopping trip, on a 15-day Venezuela tour. The price, excluding international flights, is £1,885.
· A seven-day diving trip including flights from Caracas and B&B accommodation costs from £690 per person with Geodyssey (020 7281 7788).