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.