Venezuela
Vega
Hugh and Annie
Wed 7 Sep 2016 20:35
We are en route to Bonaire but for once we are ahead of schedule and would have arrived after dark this evening (7th Sept) and so we were faced with three options -
1. Sail the remaining 30 miles to Bonaire and heave to off the island for the night
2. As above but attempt to pick up a mooring in the dark (now we know why others were keen to make the trip under a full moon)
3. Anchor up for the night on one of the Venezuelan offshore islands.
And so here we are in Mangrove Bay on Isla Larga which is in the Aves De Stavento, a large reef to the east of Bonaire. Until you zoom in on the chart only this island shows and thinking we were passing a comfortable nine miles to the north I was under the impression we were giving the island a wide berth. Not so, and as our reluctant navigator was aware, our track took us only three miles to the north of what transpires to be a wreck strewn reef!
Venezuela is generally regarded to be off limits now and our route to Bonaire took us well clear of the mainland (130 miles). However, some have considered the offshore islands to be sufficiently far from the coast and three recent yachts on their way to Bonaire have circulated their thoughts on visiting these islands. Subject to a cautious approach (e.g. not staying anywhere more than two nights) they had a good time and think the islands well worth visiting. We are on our own of course and now we are here feel a bit vulnerable. We passed the coastguard station on the end of the end of the island and tried to call them up on the radio but no sign of anyone just yet. There was what appeared to be a day trip fishing boat as we arrived but If no-one comes by nightfall then we might head off with a view to arriving in Bonaire by first light……………..