DIVING IN TOBAGO

Dives opportunities abound off Tobago. This diving can be as sedate as the simplest, calmest coral reef you have ever seen or as hairy as the most challenging drift dive anywhere.

There are big animals as well as an abundance of brilliantly tinted tropical. The open ocean position of the island means just about anything is likely to come around the corner.

The diving is done in a variety of environments-fringing reefs along rocky point, dramatic offshore rock formation thickly encrusted with corals, sponges, gorgonians and Black Corals, bleu water drift diving and so much more that it is truly mind-boggling

There is an excellent diving available on virtually all sides of the island, with most done off the northern coast and the east and west ends. In the channel between Trinidad and Tobago one finds an expansive plateau known as

The Shallows

This is one of the pinnacles of drift diving. Depths ranging from 50 to 100 feet. Low profile reef shaped. Ever-present current. Basket and Barrel Sponges with bizarre forms, surrounded by deep water gorgonians.

Watch for turtles, Queen and French angelfish and large fish. Keep a special eye out for large oceanic sharks (Bull, Hammerhead and tiger sharks).

Arnos Vale

Maximum of 40 feet, noted for it's population of moray and snake eels as well as sightings of unusual Electric Ray.

Mt. Irvine Wall

30 to 60 feet with excellent encrusting growth cloaking crevices in the rock surface. Best known for open water creatures such as Spotted Eagle Rays and African pompano, as well as for its night dive potential. Batfish and Orange Ball Corallimorphs.

The Sisters

On the northern coast, set of rock pinnacles starting at 140 feet and shooting straight up and out of the water. It's open ocean position is an invitation for exciting pelagic activity. Amberjacks, large Barracuda, sharks, turtles and other large critters.

The Giles

Off the extreme Northeast end of Tobago is a set of formations. The best known is London Bridge.

Rock formation with arch and series of keyholes carve by the flow of the water. An other great area for pelagics.

Batteaux Bay

At the extreme far end of the island, it faces the open spaces of the Atlantic. This is the home of Tobago's Manta Rays, a group of more than a dozen and a half Atlantic Mantas (Manta birostris) spend half the year in the area. The best chance is from January through June.

Bookends

Two rock formations protrude from the surface The wave action pounding against them produces a ten foot layer of heavily aerated water which, from below the surface, takes on the appearance of a thunderous maelstrom. As one floats in the calm area below, Tarpon start to appear, slowly emerging from the mist. It is a primeval scene from the beginning of time, the birth of life in the storm.

Japanese Gardens

Is one of the prettiest sections acres of short Yellow Tube Sponges mixed with Azure Vase Sponges complementing some very nice coral growth in 20 to 85 feet of water.

Black Jack Hole

Is a 300 yard ridge with a multitude of Black Jacks (a deep water relative of Horse eye Jacks) and the occasional Wahoo (considered very unusual in reef diving).

Kamikaze Cut

The current picks you up and sends you screaming through an opening between two vertical rocks faces, depositing you on the other side in a calm, currentless alcove.

John Rock and Sleeper

Rock formations, extensive invertebrate life, turtles and pelagics.

 

MANTAS & LEATHERBACKS

In terms of exotic wildlife, these are the two areas no place in the Caribbean can match. These are the in-water experiences with Tobago's Manta Rays and Leatherback Turtles. Both are equally extraordinary.

The mantas of Tobago seem to be a well kept secret in the North American dive community. This is particularly amazing considering that divers travel to the other side of the world for an experience available within a three hour flight of the United States. These are not simple sightings, these are fully interactive experiences where the animals are easily as interested in us as we are in them. Although there are no guarantees of success, the mantas are regularly encountered directly off Batteaux Bay at least half of the year, with some individuals staying year-round.

As to the great Leatherback Turtles, Tobago is one of three islands in the Caribbean where they nest on the beaches. Prime time for this is April and May and the prime area is on the north western coast from Great Courland Bay (Grafton Beach Resort) to Turtle Beach. There is an active turtle watch that you can register with and these folks will call you when turtles come up to nest. Again, be gentle and respectful of these amazing creatures, especially considering the nature of their activity. In water encounters are exceedingly rare but have been reported.