Cruising Guide to Venezuela and Bonaire

Publisher: Cruising Guide Publications, 3rd ed., £27.95
Publication Date: 2006

Ah, the joys of being a reviewer, books like this come your way and I might just keep this one. Chris Doyle’s guides are the de facto standard for Caribbean cruising guides and this third edition comes from the same stable. A marvellously practical blend of advice, photographs, sketch maps and passage planning notes written by people who know the area well. In this case most of the new work has been done by Oscar Hernandez, a Venezuelan diplomat, taking over from another of Chris Doyle’s associates who has gone to ‘build boats in China’. Venezuela is a spectacular cruising ground that has a reputation for danger, the form of muggings and theft from yachts. Oscar takes this seriously and gives advice on where to be cautious and where it is safer. The chartlets and spiral bound form make this an easy book to leave open on the chart table and rely on as the latest new mooring is found for the night. There are sections on planning, exploring inland and anchorages together with detailed information on the cruising ground. These grounds are divided into eight areas from The Gulf of Paria in the east to Bonaire and the offshore islands in the west. If you are going to take one book with you to cruise this area take this one, if you can find me to give it back. – CE