Tobago

Tobago is warm and nice year round. The diving offers excellent drift diving and fantastic coral reefs. The well-preserved wreck of the Maverick is also a highlight.

Tobago is a unique Caribbean paradise. There is no place in the world quite like this tiny twin island republic of 1.3 million ethnically diverse people. Bursting with spirit and a heady mix of cultural activities, beautiful people, eco adventure and culinary delights, Tobago has something for everyone.

Located just off the tip of Venezuela, Trinidad is the energetic heart of these islands, but Tobago is its serene soul. Tobago offers the weary traveler a change of pace. Blessed with warm azure blue seas that lap against pale pink sands of secluded beaches, Tobago is the perfect place to relax in the embrace of lingering, golden sunsets. For the nature lover, Tobago is home to the oldest protected rainforest in the Western Hemisphere and, for those with an adventurous spirit, the waters surrounding the island hosts stunning coral reefs teeming with marine life.

Accommodation >

Accommodation

We have chosen to offer two package trips to well-known dive tourist areas on Tobago: Crown Point in the south and Speyside in the north.

If you are looking for a combination of diving, nightlife and shopping, then Crown Point is the right choice for you. Coco Reef Resort or the Coral Sea Villas are all located here.

On the other hand, if you are after some time to relax, and peace and quite sounds perfect, then Speyside would be your best choice. Speyside Inn is our accomodation choice here.

Read more about our hotels and dive centres by clicking on the alternatives below.

Coco Reef - Crown Point

Coco Reef

Coco Reef is Tobago´s premier beachfront hotel, sitting on ten acres of manicured tropical gardens. It provides the ultimate Caribbean vacation in a casually elegant setting.

Coco Reef is situated on the beautiful southwestern coast of Tobago in the town of Crown Point. It is a short drive from Crown Point International Airport (five minutes) and five kilometers from the capital city, Scarborough.

Within Crown Point there are two banks, ATM machines just a short walk off property, restaurants and bars, mini marts and two of the island's most popular beaches Store Bay and Pigeon Point. Store Bay is to the west of Coco Reef and the world famous Pigeon Point Heritage Park is to the East.

Guestroom facilities

• air conditioning
• satellite TV
• mini bar
• toilet amenities
• hair dryer

Hotel facilities

• two restaurants, two bars
• spa
• vehicle and bicycle rental
• babysitting services
• shopping area
• art gallery
• internet

Sea Shell Villas - Crown Point

Sea Shells Villas

These villas are found just around the corner from the white sands and turquoise waters of Pigeon Point and Store Bay Beaches. Each Seashells Vacation Villa is a privately owned home, set in its own garden, with its own swimming pool.

Each villa accommodates six guests comfortably, offering three air-conditioned bedrooms with ceiling fans and adjoining bathrooms. The master bedroom offers a king or queen sized bed, the others, two single beds. First floor bedrooms feature French doors that open onto balconies. These lead onto the upper deck.

One of its most striking features is the first floor covered deck. Enjoy out-door living and alfresco dining overlooking the pool and garden. The kitchen is also conveniently located on the first floor. You´ll find a refrigerator, microwave, dishwasher, electric stove, toaster, coffee maker & most other utensils you may need. There is also a utility room with washer & dryer. The comfortable living room with television set, stereo system and telephone has french doors that lead onto the pool patio. Step outside and enjoy the freshwater pool (some villas offer jacuzzi), lush tropical garden and barbecue pit.

There is a cleaning service 6 days a week. Additional services such as catering, babysitting, and cribs are available for a moderate fee. Groceries, fresh fruit and vegetable stalls, side walk eateries and restaurants - they are all within easy walking distance or a short drive away. Everything you need for a great holiday is right here at SeaShells Vacation Villas.

Speyside Inn - Speyside

Speyside Inn

The Speyside Inn is a charming seafront hotel on the outskirts of the fishing village of Speyside.The Inn offers eighteen rooms with breathtaking ocean views from quiet balconies. The Hotel also offers self-catering facilities in two appealingly rustic cabins set back into the rainforest with magnificent view over the ocean.

All guestrooms feature ensuite, direct sea view, A/C units or ceiling fans, minibars, and safety deposit boxes.

The hotel restaurant serves complimentary breakfast as well as lunch and dinner. One day a week a live steel band will entertain and on Saturday it's barbeque night.

Dive centres

Located at the Speyside Inn along the golden beach of Speyside bay, and in Crown Point, the Extra Divers dive centre upholds the highest international quality and safety standards. Extra Divers Tobago are members of the PADI Resort Association and of the Tobago Dive Operator Association. The boats always carry DAN O2 kits, marine VHF radio and a recompression chamber is located in Roxborough.

The Speyside dive centre offers three daily dives to the nearby dive sites of the Caribbean. It takes no longer than 5 minutes to reach most sites. Dawn dives and night dives are available.
The dive centre located in Crown Point offers excursions to sites such as Sisters and London Bridge.

Due to the currents most of the dives are performed as drift dives and all divers are provided with safety markers. Although Extra Divers can cater to divers of all levels, they do recommend divers to be at least AOW certified with 35 dives to be able to enjoy Tobagos dive sites to the fullest. All dives are guided by experienced Instructors or divemasters.

About the diving

Tobago's diving has a deserved reputation for wonderful coral reefs and thrilling drift dives. The Guyana current, which flows along the island's Atlantic coast and up through the northern end of the Tobago, provides some of the most spectacular drift dives in the Caribbean. The current attracts an impressive array of species, which includes most of the sharks and rays commonly encountered in the region.

By contrast the Caribbean coast benefits from the influence of the Orinoco River, whose nutrient rich waters support an abundance of marine life. Sheltered reefs of hard and soft corals, colourful sponges and a thriving fish population make diving the Caribbean coast a rewarding experience, regardless of your level of experience. This coast also boasts Tobago's finest wreck, the Maverick, a former car ferry that was intentionally sunk in 1997 and lies in 30 m.

Not all of Tobago´s diving is on coral reefs. Many dives, including some of the best, are around rocks that have become partly or wholly encrusted with sponge and coral. The Sisters lie about a mile off the Caribbean coast. Underwater these rocky outcrops plunge to over 40 metres and periodically attract some exciting species such as scalloped hammerheads.

The majority of dive sites off the Caribbean coast are not exposed to the strong currents that typify the diving off the Atlantic shoreline. Divers staying at the Southern end of the island around Crown Point can dive on Caribbean coast dive sites, the Maverick, the Sisters and a few Atlantic coast drift dives that have been established at the Southern end of Tobago. Over the summer months the influx of warm water from the Orinoco River raises water temperatures. This leads to the appearance of suspended algae particles in the sea, reducing visibility but attracting in turn large numbers of fish.

Dive sites

Diving sites

Kariwak Reef (easy dive)
Easy shore dive off of Crown Point. Perfect for training and night dives.

Mr. Irvine Extension (advanced dive)
Sheltered reef where divers can see schools of reef dwelling fishes, turtles and lobster.

Dutchman Reef (easy dive)
A historical dive where an old canon still exists.

Maverick Wreck (advanced dive)
A must dive for wreck divers. Lying in 33 meters of water, this former car ferry is resting upright, making here an excellent dive site. Having been sunk over ten years ago, she is covered in soft corals and has a rich marine life around her.

Mt. Irvine Wall (easy dive)
A shallow dive along the fringing reef of Mt. Irvine Bay. Seahorses can be seen here.

Arnos Vale (easy dive)
This dive site has a beautiful underwater scenery, with lots of small species to discover.

Culloden Reef (easy dive)
A pristine coral reef which is virtually untouched.

Sisters (advanced dive)
A line of 5 wind eroded rock pillars two kilometers off shore. Mantas and hammerheads are often seen here. Deep crevices where turtles rest, beautiful coral gardens and plenty of ledges for small creatures to hide make this one of the best dives around the island.

London Bridge (advanced dive)
A natural arch with channels to explore.

St Giles (advanced dive)
Large schools of oceanic fish gather here.

Black Jack Hole (advanced dive)
Schools of jack fish, creole wrasse and trigger fish gleam in the crystal clear water.

TDE special (easy dive)
Schools of reef fish not usually seen in schools (snappers).

Japanese Gardens (easy dive)
One of the most beautiful reefs of Tobago, you pass about five different zones of reef fauna.

Cathedral (easy dive)
A good chance of spotting manta rays.

Kelleston Drain (advanced dive)
Admire the Caribbean´s largest brain coral (4.5 m x 6 m) during this drift dive. This dive also offers several different zones of reef fauna.

Book Ends (advanced dive)
An exciting dive where tarpon, barracuda, reef sharks and stingray can be seen.

Shark Bank (advanced dive)
Rock pinnacle covered with colourful coral and sponges. Reef sharks patrol the area.

Cove Reef (easy dive)
Sargassum trigger fish and giant green moray eels inhabit this reef.

Flying Reef (easy dive)
Great southern stingrays patrol the reef edge.

Cove Ledge (advanced dive)
Nurse sharks and turtles gather under the sheltered ledge.

Diver´s Dream (expert dive)
Eagle rays highlight this stunning open ocean drift dive.

Diver´s Thirst (expert dive)
Coral twisted by prevailing currents line the coral staircase of this premier dive site.

Tobago Travel info

Travel info - Tobago

Time: GMT -4 hours

Currency: Trinidad and Tobago dollar (TT$)

Language: English

Visa: Not required for EU citizens

Health: An inoculation for Hepatitis A is suggested for those visiting rural areas. Insect protection is advised. Medical facilities are limited and medical personnel prone to striking. Proof of ability to pay is often required before treatment is given, even in emergencies. Medical insurance with provision for evacuation is strongly advised.

Recompression chamber: Situated in Roxborough

Temperature: Two main seasons - the dry season is from January to May and the wet season is from June to December. Air temperature average 29 degrees Celsius.

Electricity: 110/ 230 volts

Departure Tax: $100 TT (Please note that this can change without notice.)