CUMANA (POSSIBLY) - Los Roques Archipelago

Okay, let's talk about the *Cumana*. This isn't your usual deep, dramatic wreck dive; it’s a shallow, sun-drenched playground, and we absolutely love it for that. The old ferry, built back in '41, settled here after a pretty benign end in '85, and now it just sits in about 8 metres of water, feeling almost like a permanent fixture of the reef. What makes the *Cumana* stand out is how completely integrated it is with the surrounding environment. We’re talking about a wreck that's less a stark metal skeleton and more a living, breathing part of the reef. You glide over the deck, which is now a mosaic of hard corals, and the light here is just incredible. It filters through the shallow water, illuminating every crevice and every schooling snapper. We’ve spent hours just poking around the superstructure, finding lobsters tucked into shadowy corners and watching parrotfish nibble at the encrusted metal. Our favourite part? Definitely finning through the old car deck, where the light shafts create these ethereal blue corridors. It’s an easy, relaxed dive, perfect for photographers or anyone who just wants to soak up the atmosphere of a wreck that’s found peace with the ocean. You'll see green sea turtles cruising past, often oblivious, and the sheer volume of schooling fish using the wreck for shelter is impressive. A real joy, especially if you catch it in the calm morning light.

Location: Los Roques Archipelago, Venezuela, South America
Coordinates: 10.896334, -64.117750
Type: wreck
Maximum Depth: 8m

Marine Protected Area: Laguna de La Restinga

Best Time to Dive in Los Roques Archipelago

The warmest water temperatures in Los Roques Archipelago occur in January, averaging 27.5°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 27.5°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

January: 27.5°C (air: 26.4°C)
February: 27.5°C (air: 26.2°C)
March: 27.5°C (air: 26.2°C)
April: 27.5°C (air: 26.7°C)
May: 27.5°C (air: 27.2°C)
June: 27.5°C (air: 27.5°C)
July: 27.5°C (air: 27.6°C)
August: 27.5°C (air: 28.1°C)
September: 27.5°C (air: 28.7°C)
October: 27.5°C (air: 28.6°C)
November: 27.5°C (air: 27.8°C)
December: 27.5°C (air: 27.2°C)

Nearest Dive Centres to CUMANA (POSSIBLY)

Scubadiving Margarita

Marine Life in Los Roques Archipelago

Home to 342 recorded species including 288 reef fish, 24 hard corals, 17 sharks & rays, 3 other, 3 seagrass & algae, 3 whales & dolphins.

Notable Species

Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas)
Elkhorn coral (Acropora palmata) - Hard Corals
Mustard hill coral (Porites astreoides) - Hard Corals
Dark Green Parrotfish (Sparisoma viride) - Reef Fish
Blue Doctor (Acanthurus coeruleus) - Reef Fish
Sheephead (Microspathodon chrysurus) - Reef Fish
French grunt (Haemulon flavolineatum) - Reef Fish
Gutong (Scarus iseri) - Reef Fish
Blueman (Scarus vetula) - Reef Fish
Stripy (Katsuwonus pelamis) - Reef Fish
Barber (Acanthurus bahianus) - Reef Fish
Cola (Ocyurus chrysurus) - Reef Fish
Sammy Johnson (Scarus taeniopterus) - Reef Fish
Hawksbill Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata)
Gutong (Sparisoma aurofrenatum) - Reef Fish
Butterfly (Chaetodon capistratus) - Reef Fish
Schoolmaster (Lutjanus apodus) - Reef Fish
Bluestriped Grunt (Haemulon sciurus) - Reef Fish
Allison's Tuna (Thunnus albacares) - Reef Fish
Fire coral (Millepora complanata) - Jellyfish

Recommended Packing List for CUMANA (POSSIBLY)

Based on average water temperature of 27.5°C.

Shorty or Rashguard - warm 28°C water needs minimal exposure protection
Mask - essential for every dive
Fins
BCD - buoyancy compensator
Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories