Laguna de La Restinga National Park, National park in Margarita Island, Venezuela
Laguna de La Restinga is a protected wetland between the eastern and western parts of Margarita Island, featuring interconnected lagoons, mangrove forests, and salt marshes. The system spans across a large expanse and creates natural water channels that separate and rejoin the protected area.
The wetland was designated as a national park in 1975 to protect important ecosystems that link two sides of Margarita Island. This official status came after locals recognized how vital these waters were for fishing and wildlife.
Fishing families have practiced their craft in these waters for generations, and you can still see boats launching from small settlements along the shore. The rhythm of the tides shapes daily life for those who depend on the lagoon.
Boat tours departing from the main dock are the best way to explore the lagoon system and navigate through mangrove channels. Weather conditions can change quickly, so it's wise to check conditions before heading out onto the water.
Mangrove formations here create natural tunnels and open plazas where seahorses and crustaceans thrive. These unusual shaped channels and clearings form small ecosystems that visitors rarely see in other places.
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