Despite the property boom and frenetic building on much of the coast and in Porlamar, much of the island has been given over to natural parks. Of these the most striking is the Laguna La Restinga .
Launches provide lengthy runs around the mangrove swamps, but they create a lot of wash and noise.
The mangroves are fascinating, with shellfish clinging to the roots. Flamingoes live in the lagoon. There are mangroves also in the Laguna de las Marites Natural Monument, west of Porlamar. Details of Inparques, the national parks office, see Tourist Information . By boat from Porlamar you can go to the Isla de los P jaros, or Morro Blanco, for both bird-spotting and underwater fishing.