La Tortuga

La Tortuga is a shallow lagoon spot located off Venezuela's coast, characterized by a distinctive sand spit system separating turquoise lagoon water from deeper ocean. The spot features a northwest-facing coastline with a long curved sand barrier creating a protected lagoon environment. The shallow lagoon bottom and scattered reef patches visible in the satellite imagery provide natural wave damping, making this primarily a flat-water riding area suitable for freestyle and light wind conditions. Best conditions occur with northeast to east winds providing side-shore to side-onshore approach across the sand spit. Wind reliability is moderate at 51.8%, with average winds around 12 knots and small average wave heights of 0.79m. The spot works best for beginners and intermediate riders seeking protected, shallow-water conditions. Key considerations include watching for sudden depth transitions at the sand bar, avoiding scattered rocks visible in the lagoon, and monitoring current flows around the spit junction. Access and navigation require local knowledge due to shallow areas.