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Tobago enjoys an incredibly rich marine environment. The Guyanese Current sweeps up from the east coast of South America, bringing the plankton-rich water that flows from the mouth of the Orinoco River. The result is a rich stew that feeds the inhabitants of Tobago's extraordinary marine realm.
It's a laid-back island offering a variety of accommodations, from peaceful seaside resorts to elaborate hotels.
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Turtle Beach From March to August, head to Turtle Beach to see endangered loggerhead turtles come ashore to lay their eggs |
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1 Buccoo Reef 2 Bookends 3 Sisters 4 Goat Island Dream 5 Stingray Alley |
Excellent diving surrounds the entire island. The Shallows, a massive plateau off the west end, has some strong currents. There, basket and barrel sponges are sculpted into bizarre forms and surrounded by lush stands of deepwater gorgonians. Pelagics abound here, as well: Watch for turtles, sharks and rays.
Reefs encrust many of the rocky points along the north side of Tobago. Heavily overgrown pinnacles such as The Sisters begin in the depths and shoot straight up and out of the water.
Tobago's most intriguing dive opportunities, though, lie off the west end near Speyside and Batteaux Bay in the cluster of islands called the Giles.
At a site called Bookends the crashing waves coming in off the open Atlantic break on two pinnacles, creating a dense layer of aerated water that looks remarkably like a thick bank of clouds. Curious tarpon drop from these clouds to investigate the divers below. It is an otherworldly, magical place, and the rest of the island shares its allure.
