Scuba Diving on Tobago

The Caribbean is usually not one of the preferred areas for scuba diving. Too unspectacular, even boring, the region seems to many advanced and even beginners. We show you that this advantage is unfounded!

A specical Caribbean experience

Most islands in the Caribbean have very little to offer divers. But thanks to several factors Tobago is a first class destination for a scuba diving holiday in the Caribbean. On the windward side, the Atlantic washes nutrient-rich currents around the island, including the Guyana Current. On the other side of the island, the Caribbean provides pleasant warmth. Furthermore, the Orinoco River in Venezuela drives “super water” into the open sea.

These three water sources form the basis of an incredibly diverse environment where everything from tiny macro species to impressively large fish thrives. Most of the species found on the island’s fringing reefs are about twice as large as normal. This is due to the valuable nutrients drifting in the clear water and guarantees fascinating dives. Around Tobago also the largest recorded brain corals of the world irritate and invite to explore.

Tobago is not only an attractive destination for passionate and advanced divers. Even beginners and less experienced will get their money’s worth. Most of the over 40 dive sites around Tobago are suitable for easy reef dives with minimal current. At the spots you will find turtles, eels, groupers and more than 300 other species of marine life. Tobago also offers some harder to dive spots. These dive sites are suitable for advanced divers; you will also find manta rays, tiger sharks and hammerhead sharks.

Practical diving information

Diving on Tobago is relaxed and (for the most part) easy. Both shore diving and boat diving are common. However, most providers prefer to take divers by boat to the spot. It is common to offer beginners and re-entry divers refresher dives in the form of one to two shore dives.

Many of the reefs are quite shallow and protected from strong currents, making Tobago an excellent destination for newcomers just starting out in diving. But even advanced divers will not be bored on the island. At some spots strong currents and depths of up to 30 meters require a lot of routine and experience. No matter if beginner or pro – there is a lot to see!

The best dive sites on Tobago

Dive Spots on Tobago in the Caribbean — Dive Spots on Tobago

Speyside – This area lies on the north-eastern edge of the island, on the Atlantic Ocean. Friends of drift diving get their money’s worth here. The current drives you along the sloping reefs surrounding the offshore islands. Another advantage is the very good visibility around Speyside. The region is home to impressive corals and offers the best opportunities to meet pine turtles, nurse sharks and manta rays. With over 20 dive sites Speyside is the perfect starting point for a diving holiday in Tobago.

Bookends – This spectacular location south of the main Speyside area takes its name from the two large vertical rock slabs that rise just above the water and form an impressive natural amphitheatre. The current can be very turbulent, so that the descent depends on favourable conditions and usually has to take place quickly. Bookends is therefore recommended for more advanced divers. Under water divers can encounter giant tarpoons, nurse sharks, blacktip sharks and numerous shoals of fish against a backdrop of corals, sponges and soft corals.

Japanese Garden – Located on the edge of Goat Island, this is a breathtaking dive site filled with an exquisite selection of colorful corals and suitable for all experience levels. You descend along a steep slope covered by a dense bed of colorful tube, rope and vase sponges reminiscent of a Japanese minigarden. The reef then suddenly falls into the Kamakazee Cut, a passage full of even more colorful corals, and is home to large quantities of mackerel and nurse sharks.

Diver’s Thirst – One of the most popular dive sites off Tobago for advanced divers. Diver’s Thirst requires the right conditions to reach the spot by boat and dive successfully. On a good day this current leads to large schools of fish, turtles, nurse sharks, eagle rays and even manta rays. Larger sharks are occasionally seen.

Diver’s Dream – This dive site is strongly current crossed and offers beautiful gorgonian corals and barrel sponges up to 1.8 meters high. This spot is home to reef sharks and eagle rays, with a little luck tiger or bull sharks can be seen.

Kariwak Reef – Ideal for children and “trial divers”. The reef lies directly at the Store Bay. The area is quite flat and normally without currents, but is home to colourful fish and other marine animals such as squid and eels. The Kariwak Reef is also ideal for night dives.

Mount Irvine Wall – This “wall” near the coast has many crevices with crabs, seahorses and reef fish. Eagle rays and turtles can also be found. The Mount Irvine Wall is often combined with the deeper part known as the “extension”. In the protected coral-reef, among other things, big tarpoons have its home.

MV Maverick – This former car ferry was sunk off Rocky Point in 1997 to create an exciting dive spot on Tobago. Today the wreck is home to breathtaking corals and schools of fish. The top of the boat is at an accessible height of 15 metres, while the bottom is at 30 metres.

Flying Reef – Ideal for a drift dive at a relatively shallow depth. This dive site is known for its large plate coral colonies and huge sponges. Reef fish populate the area as well as stingrays. A perfect spot for those who have never done a drift dive before.

The Sisters – In front of Englishman’s Bay lie “the Sisters”, five rocky peaks that attract hammerhead sharks in winter. Also turtles, manta rays and all kinds of schooling fish can be observed here.

Kelleston Drain – This dive site is known as home to the largest known brain coral in the world. Besides this 5 meter wide giant it is also home to nurse sharks and many soft corals.

Castara – Beautiful bay on the Leeward coast. The beach and the village are ideal for a stopover between dives on this side of the island. The most popular of the many small spots is at the northern tip. An easy dive with some interesting rock formations. The reef is rich in snorkels and lies just below the surface of the water. It is perfect for trial dives and check dives. Great area for beginners and re-entries.

Englishman’s Bay – Another very beautiful bay on the Leeward side of the island. The spot can be easily reached by sea and land. The beach is one of the most beautiful on the island and is ideal for a short break between dives. The north side of the bay offers a gentle reef with lots of fish life. The area is also ideal for snorkelling when the sea is calm.

Cove – Just south of Crown Point lies Cove. With a steep gradient and strong currents Cove is a dive site for advanced divers. Cove is home to a variety of beautiful coral reefs with sea fans, sea rods, brain corals and fire corals. Cove is also inhabited by parrotfish, groupers, creole fish and lobster as well as moray eels, stingrays and occasionally the hawksbill turtle. If you like, go on to Cove Crack. Here you can explore interesting underwater topographies and admire a variety of creatures in the crevices and overhangs.

Snorkeling on Tobago

Tobago was once rated the best snorkeling spot in the Caribbean by USA Today. Thanks to an edge reef system, many of the best snorkeling spots around the island are accessible from the shore. These include the reefs off Englishman’s Bay, Pirate’s Bay, Castara Bay, Arnos Vale and Store Bay. Many providers on Tobago also offer snorkelling boat trips to destinations such as Buccoo Reef, Angel Reef near Goat Island and Lover’s Bay.

Best travel time for a diving holiday on Tobago

Trinidad and Tobago lies outside the Caribbean hurricane belt. The diving season is therefore basically all year round. However, visibility during the rainy season from July to December may be impaired due to runoff from the Orinoco River. In addition, strong storms on land and at sea can be expected from September to mid-November. The main season on Tobago runs from December to the end of April, so in May you can get bargains on flights and accommodation and find good diving conditions.

The visibility ranges from 15 to 30 meters on a good day and up to 10 meters on a bad day. In summer the average water temperature is 30°C, while in winter water temperatures around 27°C can be expected. A climate table and information about the best time to travel to Tobago can be found here.

Our experience

We came to Tobago with little diving experience and carefully looked for a trustworthy base. We found Richie Louis from Wild Turtle Scuba and were not disappointed. In a short report we have summarized for you what we expected from Richie and what we experienced with him.