St Lucia? Tobago? Two subjects here..

[jcpiota]

Many of the mid-size predators are fished on the local reefs. However, there is abundant smaller schooling life and somethings that are rather unique. It is not uncommon to see normally nocturnal creatures moving openly about the reefs and sandy bottoms during the day. I have had several octopus encounters during mid-day. Eels are also out in the open during the day with good frequency, and the hunt for seahorses is also a fun adventure. The Fisheries are setting up artificial environments, FODs, to help reestablish more mid to upper predators and sustain good game fishing slightly more offshore.

I was down in St Lucia last year. I thought the conditions were good and the reefs very vibrant, but the marine life was in pretty short supply. I suppose like many poor Caribbean countries, much of it had been eaten.

The only thing I know about Tobago diving is that it is supposed to be the one place in the Caribbean where you can reliably see Manta Rays seasonally.

 

[yellowfish]

I just had a friend tell me she dove St Lucia and it was completely disappointing. I asked where specifically she dove, but she didn't remember the names of the dives, but not at Anse Chastenet. Please tell me if you think the marine life is worth the trip to go diving there.

 

[Doc]

In re Tobago...

"Stop and Gawk" diving is my favorite, but going to Tobago is not the reason to get there.

There are two distinct worlds in Tobago, the South which features nearby Caribbean side dive sites with milder currents if any, and a noisier night life on-shore. Up North (Speyside) it is much quieter at night, but the underwater activities found there are the precise reason people go through the travel ordeal to get there. The currents are spectacular and although the images are fleeting- it is something you'll never forget.

Appreciate the well-reasoned advice above by Chauncy19., There is no one here that can coach or judge your abilities over the internet to tell you if you are ready for this kind of diving. The Tobago North dive sites are absolutely the strongest lateral and vertical currents that you can find in the Mar Caribe. It will make Cozumel look like a springtime breeze. You must know when you're ready for this, but it is excellent preparation for the Galapagos.

I am certainly no local expert, but one might assume that tides will indeed be stronger at certain Lunar phases, read http://home.hiwaay.net/~krcool/Astro/moon/moontides/ and note that the position of the Sun relative to the Moon is the key issue, and a very complex calculation, at that. Better advice and consideration should be given to the brownish outflow of tanin soaked brown colored fresh water from the Orinoco River... most likely during the tropical storm season.

Again, the answer is: Depends on where you go, at least in terms of the North and South ends. If "Stop and Gawk" is really what you want, in either case, I would say to go elsewhere. Roatan South shore is my favorite spot for that kind of thing, at least in the Caribbean.

 

[krbnlaw]

We stayed at Anse Chatenet several years ago and Blue Waters Inn in Tobago last month. Anse Chastenet is architecturally gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous and built into the side of a volcanic mountain. We stayed in one of rooms on the beach and did not have problems with bugs or heat. We thought the diving was very good but it's not the first priority for the resort (or the dive shop). We had several late morning dives cancelled because they were using the boat to take guests to a village for some shopping. The reef is healthy but not a lot of fish. Superman is a great dive, the underwater section of one of the pitons. Note there are 118 steps from the restaurant/reception area to the beach/beach bar/dive shop (more steps if you're staying in a room up the hill from the restaurant, of course). There is a beautiful black sand beach with palapas, chairs and wait service for drinks and lunch. They also bring you cool, mint scented wash cloths in the afternoon. It's very romatic and a honeymooners paradise. Tobago is all drift diving and the currents are pretty strong and unpredictable. On a few of our second morning dives, we wereable to slow a bit and take our time. Each first dive of the was staying very close to the divemaster, getting ready to kick hard against current or keep your fins in front to slow yourself when you're going with the current. I've never had to "tack" on a dive, even Cozumel. Divemaster standing instructions are to surface immediately if you lose sight of him, without any safety stop. A bent diver is better than a lost diver here. Make sure you have surface signals and whistles and consider getting a Dive Alert horn if you don't have one. Weather, wind, waves unpredictable as well. We came up on a dive to find our boat fighting 5 foot seas, close to capsizing and barely able to pick us up. He had lost sight of us and was rallying the local fisherman for a search and recovery. We cancelled our last day of diving because it just wasn't worth it. We could have just had bad luck with the weather, it happens. I got the sense though that Tobago is advanced diving all year because of the currents. My husband has been diving for 20 years and I've been diving for 10 years but after the first day we were both anxious each morning waiting for the dive boat to pick us up. Reef is healthy, coral colors different (eg Carolina blue) and vibrant and largest angels I've ever seen. No mantas for us and we were told that it wasn't the time of year to see mantas. Tobago is lovely with very friendly people, great food (especially the roti, calaloo soup and fresh kingfish) and very laid back. Pigeon Point beach is on the other side of the island from Speyside but one of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean in my book. Southern Cross Club in Little Cayman is still at the very top of our list and will be very difficult to top. I'm sure you'll have a great time trying, though!

 

[jcpiota]

Find out what time of year they were there. Rainy season, summer, can lead to significant runoff and reduce viz from 80 to 15 feet. Blue waters can become become more green. For most people this would be frustrated/disappointed. I personally have enjoyed rainy season dives. The challenge is increased. You skills are a little more tested. It's more of a hunt. And don't get me started on the night dives during rainy season, stuff everywhere!

Sometimes it is what you make it.(well, all the time it is what you make it...just didn't want to sound harsh)

I just had a friend tell me she dove St Lucia and it was completely disappointing. I asked where specifically she dove, but she didn't remember the names of the dives, but not at Anse Chastenet. Please tell me if you think the marine life is worth the trip to go diving there.

 

[jcpiota]

Roti and calalo. I'm hungry!

We stayed at Anse Chatenet several years ago and Blue Waters Inn in Tobago last month. Anse Chastenet is architecturally gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous and built into the side of a volcanic mountain. We stayed in one of rooms on the beach and did not have problems with bugs or heat. We thought the diving was very good but it's not the first priority for the resort (or the dive shop). We had several late morning dives cancelled because they were using the boat to take guests to a village for some shopping. The reef is healthy but not a lot of fish. Superman is a great dive, the underwater section of one of the pitons. Note there are 118 steps from the restaurant/reception area to the beach/beach bar/dive shop (more steps if you're staying in a room up the hill from the restaurant, of course). There is a beautiful black sand beach with palapas, chairs and wait service for drinks and lunch. They also bring you cool, mint scented wash cloths in the afternoon. It's very romatic and a honeymooners paradise. Tobago is all drift diving and the currents are pretty strong and unpredictable. On a few of our second morning dives, we wereable to slow a bit and take our time. Each first dive of the was staying very close to the divemaster, getting ready to kick hard against current or keep your fins in front to slow yourself when you're going with the current. I've never had to "tack" on a dive, even Cozumel. Divemaster standing instructions are to surface immediately if you lose sight of him, without any safety stop. A bent diver is better than a lost diver here. Make sure you have surface signals and whistles and consider getting a Dive Alert horn if you don't have one. Weather, wind, waves unpredictable as well. We came up on a dive to find our boat fighting 5 foot seas, close to capsizing and barely able to pick us up. He had lost sight of us and was rallying the local fisherman for a search and recovery. We cancelled our last day of diving because it just wasn't worth it. We could have just had bad luck with the weather, it happens. I got the sense though that Tobago is advanced diving all year because of the currents. My husband has been diving for 20 years and I've been diving for 10 years but after the first day we were both anxious each morning waiting for the dive boat to pick us up. Reef is healthy, coral colors different (eg Carolina blue) and vibrant and largest angels I've ever seen. No mantas for us and we were told that it wasn't the time of year to see mantas. Tobago is lovely with very friendly people, great food (especially the roti, calaloo soup and fresh kingfish) and very laid back. Pigeon Point beach is on the other side of the island from Speyside but one of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean in my book. Southern Cross Club in Little Cayman is still at the very top of our list and will be very difficult to top. I'm sure you'll have a great time trying, though!