Solo in Tobago for 2 days
- Thread starter zeroc0o0l
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Your likely access will be the zone around your entry point, near the airport. In that area and close by to the North West along Pigeon Point you will find many options for day-dive SCUBA Charters.
You can do this area like a backpacker or, if you're traveling on your corporate AMEX card, there are some posh alternatives.
I appreciate that you mention that you have "100 Dives", which can be a valuable piece of information... kind of. In the case of Tobago, likely any of the dive ops that I mentioned above will be quite suitable. Otherwise, the raw number of dives is better understood by "looking at your log book". Most of the "signature dives" of Tobago are located 1.25 hrs North around Speyside and they require advanced skills such as (very) small boat experience and extreme lateral and vertical currents. Yes- even the North end operators can find less challenging dives, but at that point, it's money better spent to dive the South end... you were already there when you flew in (or by ferry).
So, you have gotten all the way to Tobago and you do feel okay with the North end? Hire a rental car or arrange for a "cab". It's quite a ride. Check our "search" here for recommendations on diving in the area of Speyside and Charlottesville. The whole thing is a bit of a hard hump for a two day trip, though... I'd stick with the South End's Crown Point area.
You can do this area like a backpacker or, if you're traveling on your corporate AMEX card, there are some posh alternatives.
I appreciate that you mention that you have "100 Dives", which can be a valuable piece of information... kind of. In the case of Tobago, likely any of the dive ops that I mentioned above will be quite suitable. Otherwise, the raw number of dives is better understood by "looking at your log book". Most of the "signature dives" of Tobago are located 1.25 hrs North around Speyside and they require advanced skills such as (very) small boat experience and extreme lateral and vertical currents. Yes- even the North end operators can find less challenging dives, but at that point, it's money better spent to dive the South end... you were already there when you flew in (or by ferry).
So, you have gotten all the way to Tobago and you do feel okay with the North end? Hire a rental car or arrange for a "cab". It's quite a ride. Check our "search" here for recommendations on diving in the area of Speyside and Charlottesville. The whole thing is a bit of a hard hump for a two day trip, though... I'd stick with the South End's Crown Point area.
Rotan man thanks for the info 
Should have been a little more clear on my level of diving. 20-30 dives in the local dak/cold quarry and a few off shore in New Jersey ( cold, current, low vis). Rest of the dives have been on Bonaire and most shore dives. ( here are some pics from last trip Bonaire ) I like the rent a car and drive south idea, when you say its "quite a ride" could I do that on my own ? Any suggestions on dive shops in the south. PLan to send out a few emails and see how the answers are Thanks again for the info !
Should have been a little more clear on my level of diving. 20-30 dives in the local dak/cold quarry and a few off shore in New Jersey ( cold, current, low vis). Rest of the dives have been on Bonaire and most shore dives. ( here are some pics from last trip Bonaire ) I like the rent a car and drive south idea, when you say its "quite a ride" could I do that on my own ? Any suggestions on dive shops in the south. PLan to send out a few emails and see how the answers are Thanks again for the info !
- Messages
- 10,951
- Reaction score
- 4,147
- # of dives
- None - Not Certified
You would rent the car and drive North along the Atlantic (Eastern) Coast to Speyside and Charlottesville. That's where the crazy currents are. In that area, look to Manta or Blue Water Inn, or just do some research and hook-up while you drive into Speyside. This is where you can see the "world's largest brain coral", the outlying barrier rocks, and appropriately named dives such as Heart Attack, Washing Machine, and African Express (Just consider that name for a moment, the meaning will likely come to you). Certainly no reputable charter will take you to any of those 3 non your first day of dive charter.
The South end (Pigeon Point and Crown Pt), you're pretty much-so going to get dive ops that cater to the Cruise Ship crowd no matter what anyone might say. It is what it is, and everybody gets treated the same, at least for the first day of diving. It's a universal in the world. It is the more developed end by far, and with that comes all of the access to good and bad.
Again, if you have bunches of money and want to stay at the Southern entry point, consider the Hilton and their resident dive operation- it is just up North a bit on the Atlantic side- kind of across the island from Pigeon Point, but still maybe only 20 minutes by car away from each other.
Some South end ops tout that they have access to North End sites, but once you look at the map and calculate what they have to up-charge you for fuel... plus the pounding you're going to take getting there- drive up to Speyside instead.
Tobago is one of the very few Caribbean islands that I would be okay with driving- the roads are very good, although horses can appear out of nowhere, the roads are twisty and mountainous, no reflectors, and the typical crappy rental cars with bad headlights and useless wipers (another island constant). It is a great island to explore along the North End and come down the Caribbean coastline. Waterfalls and such- some you can dive under~ but not on a two day stopover that includes diving.
The South end (Pigeon Point and Crown Pt), you're pretty much-so going to get dive ops that cater to the Cruise Ship crowd no matter what anyone might say. It is what it is, and everybody gets treated the same, at least for the first day of diving. It's a universal in the world. It is the more developed end by far, and with that comes all of the access to good and bad.
Again, if you have bunches of money and want to stay at the Southern entry point, consider the Hilton and their resident dive operation- it is just up North a bit on the Atlantic side- kind of across the island from Pigeon Point, but still maybe only 20 minutes by car away from each other.
Some South end ops tout that they have access to North End sites, but once you look at the map and calculate what they have to up-charge you for fuel... plus the pounding you're going to take getting there- drive up to Speyside instead.
Tobago is one of the very few Caribbean islands that I would be okay with driving- the roads are very good, although horses can appear out of nowhere, the roads are twisty and mountainous, no reflectors, and the typical crappy rental cars with bad headlights and useless wipers (another island constant). It is a great island to explore along the North End and come down the Caribbean coastline. Waterfalls and such- some you can dive under~ but not on a two day stopover that includes diving.
