Noronqui Reef - Los Roques Archipelago
Noronqui Reef is one of those spots that just sticks with you. We love diving a wall that starts shallow, maybe 5 metres, and drops gently to 20. It's an easy dive, perfect for getting back into things, and the coral coverage here is exceptional. We're talking huge stands of elkhorn and dense fields of finger coral, all healthy and bustling. Look closely and you’ll find little blennies like the sailfin and orange-spotted tucked into crevices, their tiny eyes watching you. The sheer volume of fish is impressive, too. Schools of grunt and snapper drift over the reef, and the demoiselles dart around with typical energy. We've often seen sheephead and butterbun cruising by, and if you’re patient, a reef scorpionfish blends perfectly with the corals. Our favourite part? The remote feeling. You often have Noronqui all to yourself, making for a peaceful dive, just the sound of your own bubbles and the gentle sway of the water. This site is a fantastic choice for those who appreciate healthy coral ecosystems and uncrowded, relaxed diving.
- Location
- Los Roques Archipelago, Venezuela, South America
- Coordinates
- 11.930000, -66.810000
- Type
- reef
- Maximum Depth
- 5-20m
- Difficulty
- Beginner
Marine Protected Area: Archipiélago Los Roques
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)
Nearby Dive Sites in Los Roques Archipelago
- Boca de Cote - 10-30m (drift)
- CARMINA - 20m (wreck)
- Cominoto el Hoyo - 10-25m (reef)
- Cominoto el Velero (wreck)
- Cubagua - 5-20m (reef)
- CUMANA - 9m (wreck)
- CUMANA (POSSIBLY) - 8m (wreck)
- Dos Mosquises - 5-18m (reef)
- Farallon
- Gran Roque West
- Ichao el Tunal
- INDEPENDENCE - 40m (wreck)
- La Ensenada - 5-15m (reef)
- La Guasa
- La Pecha
Nearest Dive Centres to Noronqui Reef
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 Noronqui Reef
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