Beautiful Places On Earth

Venezuela’s offshore islands are always not very well known. But Islas Los Roques is an exception. Islas Los Roques is an archipelago consists of 40 bigger islands and more than 250 islets as well as cays. The archipelago is surrounded by many cays, making Islas Los Roques one of the best diving spots in the Caribbean. In fact, Islas Los Roques is the biggest and oldest marine park in the Caribbean Sea with a total area of 40.61 square kilometers. One can find countless shoals of fish and numerous corals here. The Los Roques islands had been declared a national park in 1972.

Much of the islands in the archipelago are still deserted, making it a perfect spot for bird watching. There are some 300 species of birds found in Islas Los Roques including the crested ibis that attracts worldwide attention. One can opt to stay in a submarine named Antares III. You can dive with Antares III to the 85 feet underwater world. Other activities include fishing, snorkeling and kite surfing.

Los Roques Archipelago, Venezuela

Islas Los Roques is situated approximately 161 kilometers from La Guaira. You can land on El Gran Roque, one of a few populated islands in the archipelago. The best time in a year to visit Islas Los Roques is from April till December.

Perhaps the most I know about Honduras is the country has qualified to the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. I should have known that Honduras’ Bay Islands are some of the most beautiful islands in the Caribbean Sea. Roatan Island is the largest of the Bay Islands with the best infrastructure, thus becoming the most popular amongst the visitors.

Why Roatan Island is so popular among the visitors to Honduras? This is because Roatan Island is located near the second largest barrier reef in the world, namely the Belize Barrier Reef. The island thus fast becomes an important scuba diving and snorkeling destination in Honduras. Go diving at Roatan Island and you would see bottlenose dolphins, manta rays, parrot fish, blue tangs and whale sharks. Besides coral reefs, Roatan Island also has great beaches.

Scuba diving at Roatan Island, Honduras

Roatan Island is served by Roatan International Airport. There is also regular boat service from La Ceiba, a city on the north Caribbean coast of Honduras to Roatan Island. The best time to visit Roatan Island is January to March every year during the dry season.

Belize is a relatively unknown country in Central America, bordering Mexico in the north, Guatemala in the west and Caribbean Sea in the east. But the country boasts of having the second largest coral reef system in the world after the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. The Belize Barrier Reef is a 300-kilometer long barrier reef system, straddling the coast of Belize, and includes 200 plus small islands, atolls and cays within its boundary.

The Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996. It is home to huge species of plants and animals. Among the most popular destinations surrounding the Belize Barrier Reef are Ambergris Caye and the Great Blue Hole. Ambergris Caye is the largest island of Belize. San Pedro is the only town on the island and is the popular diving spot of Belize Barrier Reef. The Great Blue Hole is another popular scuba diving spot. This large underwater sinkhole lies near the center of Lighthouse Reef and is only 100 kilometers from the mainland Belize. It is said that the hole is a typical limestone karsts formation, formed during the last glacial period. One can find stalactites from the submerged caves underneath the water. See more of the Blue Hole in the video clip below.

Discovering the Blue Hole, Belize Barrier Reef

Cancun is world renowned tourist resort which is located in Mexico’s easternmost state of Quintana Roo, on the Yucatan Peninsula. The hotel zone of Cancun is shaped like a “7” with bridges on each end connecting to the mainland of Mexico. The region surrounding Cancun is sometimes known as the “Mexican Caribbean”.

Being the most popular destination on the Caribbean coast of Mexico, Cancun is well known for its turquoise waters and white sandy beaches. One can engage in activities such as snorkeling, canoeing and even swimming with the dolphins and many more in Cancun. Cancun is also the gateway to the Riviera Maya, a famous archeological district in Mexico.

Cancun, Mexico

December to April each year is the peak season in Cancun. To avoid soaring prices of both airfare and hotel, you may want to visit Cancun in the summer and early autumn months. But it is extremely hot during these months and there is also threat of hurricanes.

It is highly advised that you only drink bottled or purified water in Cancun. Water outside of your hotel is not safe to drink. Also avoid using ATMs in Cancun. Use only those inside your hotel or banks. You do not want to fall victim to identity theft.

There are 2 Andros on earth. Both are islands though. One is an island of the Greek archipelago in the Aegean Sea. Another one is the largest island of the Bahamas in the Atlantic Ocean. This post introduces you to the latter Andros of Bahamas.

Andros is one of the last unexplored corners of the Caribbean. It is the largest island in the Bahamas, yet has the least population with just 10,000. The island is actually composed of 3 major islands of North Andros, Mangrove Cay and South Andros, with an area of approximately 6000 kilometer squares.

Andros is the paradise for divers. It has the world’s third largest barrier reef known as the “Big Yard”. Divers come to explore blue holes and reefs. Blue holes are sinkholes or water filled cave systems, both on land and immediately offshore. In the water, these blue holes are full with marine life. Go snorkeling and you will see sting rays, turtles, sharks and many more. Andros Island is also next to the Tongue of the Ocean, a deep oceanic trench famous for wall diving.

Besides divers, Andros also draws thousands of anglers from all over the world every year. The island is said to be “the bonefish capital of the world”. Bonefish are primarily caught for sport and are game fish much sought after by anglers.

Andros is not all about diving and fishing. On a hike into the flat hinterland, you will see plenty of bird life, 40 species of orchid, wild boars, iguanas and many more. Watch out for hidden sinkholes though. The following are 2 clips on Andros. The second one shows wall diving somewhere at the island. How I wish I am in Andros now!

A Little Bit of Andros

Wall Diving at Small Hope Bay Lodge