Coche IslandCoche Island at a Glance
About Coche Island
Coche Island is a small Caribbean island in the Venezuelan state of Nueva Esparta, located close to Isla Margarita and part of the same island group that includes Cubagua.
The island is known for sandy beaches, clear water and wind-driven water sports such as windsurfing and kitesurfing owing to its regular trade winds. Its coastline and shallow offshore waters are used for recreational fishing and day trips from nearby Margarita.
Coche has a history tied to the broader maritime and colonial activity of the Caribbean islands of Nueva Esparta but has long remained sparsely settled compared with nearby Margarita and Cubagua.
Coche lies immediately off Isla Margarita in the Caribbean Sea and is administratively part of Nueva Esparta state; it is reached by boat or short flights connecting through Margarita.
- Access: Most access is via boats or short flights that connect through Isla Margarita; the island is commonly visited from Margarita as a day trip.
Best Time to Visit Coche Island
Best during the Caribbean dry season (roughly December-April) when seas are calmer and rainfall is low.
Weather & Climate near Coche Island
Coche Island's climate is classified as Hot Semi-Arid - Hot Semi-Arid climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from 22°C to 32°C. Moderate rainfall (867 mm/year) with a pronounced dry season.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | - | 22° - 30° | 26° | 20 mm | - | - | 4.4 m/s | - | - |
| February | - | 22° - 30° | 26° | 11 mm | - | - | 4.8 m/s | - | - |
| March | - | 22° - 31° | 27° | 15 mm | - | - | 5.1 m/s | - | - |
| April | - | 23° - 32° | 27° | 25 mm | - | - | 5.1 m/s | - | - |
| May | - | 24° - 32° | 28° | 39 mm | - | - | 4.8 m/s | - | - |
| June | - | 24° - 32° | 28° | 123 mm | - | - | 4.5 m/s | - | - |
| July | - | 23° - 32° | 28° | 142 mm | - | - | 3.8 m/s | - | - |
| August | - | 24° - 32° | 28° | 114 mm | - | - | 3.5 m/s | - | - |
| September | - | 24° - 33° | 28° | 83 mm | - | - | 3.5 m/s | - | - |
| October | - | 24° - 33° | 28° | 78 mm | - | - | 3.7 m/s | - | - |
| November | - | 23° - 32° | 27° | 138 mm | - | - | 3.7 m/s | - | - |
| December | - | 23° - 31° | 27° | 79 mm | - | - | 4.0 m/s | - | - |
How to Get to Coche Island
Coche Island (Isla Coche) is part of Venezuela’s Nueva Esparta state just south of Isla Margarita. There is no road bridge - the normal way on/off Coche is by boat (water taxi or small ferry) from ports on Isla Margarita (services depart from towns on Margarita such as Porlamar/Pampatar); crossings are short and scheduled by local operators. Arrange transfers from Porlamar or the nearest Margarita port.
Tips for Visiting Coche Island
- Plan crossings to Coche from Isla Margarita in the morning when sea conditions are usually calmer and water taxis/boats are most frequent.
- Use a licensed water taxi or charter rather than attempting independent boat arrangements; organized transfers drop you close to the main village beaches and are the easiest way to reach services.
- Don't confine yourself to the central resort beaches-rent a local boat or ask locals about nearby snorkeling spots and quieter sandbars that many day‑trippers miss.