EXPLORING ADÍCORA
Due
to the constant winds and resulting high seas, Adícora's waters do not usually
have the visibility necessary for good snorkeling. However, in the event of
a windless day or two, the visibility will improve and you will find that
the reef actually offers some interesting sights, including brain and other
impressive varieties of coral. I have been lucky enough to see langosta (lobster),
sea rays, puffer fish, and various brightly colored reef fish. The way to
do it is to approach from the South Beach and walk across the reef to the
north side, to the beginning of the boat channel, which is a deep drop-off.
Enter the water here and you can find a nice collection of brain coral and
other sea life to examine. If you travel with the strong current in the boat
channel you are swept out into the South Beach area, in front of the fishermen's
pavilions, where you can just swim in.
Windsurfing Adícora has some quality snorkeling equipment available for rental. Try to get Alex to go with you as the good spots can be easily missed. Your chances experiencing a good snorkeling day are better during the off season for wind, September through early December. If you do find yourself skunked for wind, it's a good way to enjoy your day. (You can find excellent snorkeling and diving any time of the year if you take a few days in nearby Curaçao or Bonaire. On these islands you can find lots of excellent and inexpensive rental outfits with everything from snorkels to tanks.)
WALKING THE NORTH SHORE TO BUCHUACO
If you like to walk the beach, an interesting diversion is a walk along the North Beach (Playa Norté) to the neighboring village of Buchuaco. The beach is sandy and more pleasant than the dusty hard-pack of the South Beach. You will find plenty of swimming opportunities the entire way - it's a good place for a little skinny dipping, as there is usually not a soul in sight. The walk takes about an hour each way, so bring some water, a hat, and definitely wear sun screen.
Walk along the North Beach Road until you've reached the last cottage and the end of the road as well. Hit the beach and you are on your way. Until you reach the clearer reef-protected waters of Buchuaco, the shore break is a little rough, but I have swum there and found the bottom to be sandy and swimming safe. I have also seen others doing the same. Once in Buchuaco, you can walk on the street over to the main highway and flag down a bus or hitch a ride back to Adícora, if you've had enough walking.
Once in Buchuaco, you might be interested in checking out a little bay there that offers some small, clean, waves suitable for surfing (without a sail). From the first point you reach when walking from Adícora, continue walking north along the coast until you have rounded two more small points. Continuing around the third point, you will find a small bay with a deep water opening made narrow by a rocky outcrop that extends into its center (see sketch).
The day I came to Buchuaco, some vacationers from Caracas were surfing just off of that rock-line. They were on short boards and were getting short rides; a long board would probably be more fun here. The beach break seemed surfable as well, though no one was doing it. I was told by a local man on the beach that the beach break was safe to venture into. Surf boards are rare on the peninsula, so you will have to bring your own if you want explore surfing here further. You would definitely want to get a ride to Buchuaco if coming from Adícora with a surfboard.
It is also said that, at times, the North Shore of Adícora - just past the last house and the end of the North Beach Road - offers some decent, small shore break that is good for surfing. This area is known to the locals as Boquerón. The times I've seen it, however, the waves weren't well-formed and the wind was onshore. Surf was better in Buchuaco.
If you do bring a surfboard, you might want to add a visit to the central coast, just north of Caracas, to your trip. This is where most of the surfing takes place. You'll have to rent a car to do this. On the weekends you see many surfers traveling the coastal roads of this region to surf the likes of Los Cocos and Marina Grande. For more information, order a reprint of Volume 2 #10 of The Surf Report, which focuses on surfing Venezuela ($6.00 from Surfer Publications, 714-496-5922). According to The Surf Report, for surfing, Venezuela is "better and more consistent than generally accredited."