The artisanal fishery
Seasonal fishers work La Tortuga and its cays from three camps: Punta del Este, Carenero and Cayo Herradura.
The main grounds run along the north from Cayo Herradura to Punta Delgada and off the east of the island. A 2007–08 study identified 130 commercial species from 41 families and estimated a catch of 950–1,300 tonnes a year. The most used gear is lobster nets, fish traps and nylon gillnets. Local species include spiny lobster, snappers, groupers, rays and grunts.
Lobster season
Caribbean spiny lobster (Panulirus argus) is the fishers' main source of income. The catch peaks from November to April; from May, as lobster declines, fishing switches mainly to traps and gillnets.
Queen conch (botuto): permanently closed
Queen conch (Strombus gigas), once abundant in the reef lagoon at Playa del Yaque and Punta Delgada, has been decimated; today mostly piles of shells remain on the beach. Although it is under a permanent closed season, the population remains depleted by collection. Please don't buy or eat it.
The same study warns that several species (vermilion snapper, southern red snapper, parrotfish, yellowtail snapper, schoolmaster, rays and others) are caught below the size at which they first mature, which can lead to overfishing. Before you fish or buy seafood, check current rules from INSOPESCA, Venezuela's fisheries institute.
Sport fishing
There is no permanent charter base on the island. Sport-fishing trips are arranged on request from the mainland, mainly from Higuerote and the Lechería and Puerto La Cruz area, where yacht-charter companies offer trips to La Tortuga. See the directory.
Snorkelling and diving
The inner beach at Cayo Herradura is calm, and dive groups head from there to the coral barriers and southern drop-offs. Some camps include snorkelling and trips to nearby cays.
Kitesurfing
The trade winds blow from the east-north-east. According to ERA5 reanalysis data (2016–2025), the windiest months are January to April, with daily mean winds of about 14–15 knots, and the lightest are August to October, at about 10 knots (see Weather & Sea).
Kitesurfing here is occasional and only for experienced, self-sufficient riders: there is no school, equipment rental or rescue service on the island. Bring your own gear, a support boat and a safety plan.