This popularity has been matched by a rapid improvement in yachting facilities and services, with new marinas springing up all the time. The islands abound in picturesque anchorages and diving is excellent almost everywhere, particularly among the scores of islets and cays of Los Roques. An increasingly popular destination is the Delta of the Orinoco, much of which can be explored by keeled boats. Those interested in the mountainous interior can leave their boats in the safety of one of the many marinas.
Fuel is widely available and cheap.
The majority of cruising yachts that need work done choose Puerto La Cruz where there are haulout facilities and spare parts can be obtained. Puerto La Cruz has now become the boating capital of Venezuela as far as foreign vessels are concerned, due to the good shipyards and marinas that have opened in recent years. The number of thefts, muggings and even knife attacks reported by visiting sailors has increased in recent years. Margarita, Cuman and Puerto La Cruz seem to be particularly bad areas. Outboard engines and items on deck should be secured and if possibly the dinghy should be lifted out of the water.