Tobago Questions

[victor]

I am about to make my first visit to Tobago.
We will be staying on the west coast at Turtles.
Any recomendations on the following
Which dive operation to use?
Anything that should be avoided?
Any not diving sites that should be done?
Best car hire firm?
My partner does not dive so I will be fitting in only a few dives while we are there for a week.
Thanks in advance
Victor

 

[Doc]

I am about to make my first visit to Tobago.
We will be staying on the west coast at Turtles.

The west coast at Turtles? Don't know that one, could find nothing on Google. Is it near the port of entry/airport and the strip of places that run along the Western shore North from there? If so, you can't swing a dead cat without hitting some kind of day-dive-op that caters to cruise shippers.

Any recomendations on the following
Which dive operation to use?
Absolutely depends upon the location of "Turtles". The "best" dive ops largely depend upon your abilities. The Southern-half dive ops largeley cater to the occasional diver. Know your abilities. If you go to Charlottesville/Speyside, expect to be treated as an experienced diver. Ripping currents, small boat diving (even at the "large" ops) and some downright advanced stuff. If you aren't prepared for this in terms of equipment, technique or ability, expect an education if you are lucky, distressed interaction with others after your rescue, or possibly two days adrift looking for your boat.

Anything that should be avoided?
Trinidad

Any not diving sites that should be done?
The waterfalls, the drive to Charlottesville, then depending upon your abilities, pocketbook and (I'm not asking if you've seen a Jeep commercial here, Victor) your 4WD driving ability- the road South along the West coast from Charlottesville. It's a loooong walk out if you muck things up. As to that road's condition.... believe little or no information given to you by locals. Just have the knowledge of "when to turn around". This in and of itself may seem simple, but a recent time I did this we couldn't "turn around" and were faced with backing down a narrow two track with the ocean 400' below the right window. Quite exhillarating. The last time... we made it with great difficulty. Ropes and logs, etc. Well worth the bother- the views are fantastic.

The most insane piece of road is the short drive from Speyside to Charlottesville- at least the thing that is really a "paved road".

Best car hire firm?

Kind of the wrong question. Get a Suzuki Samuai. Understand that it's a stick shift on the right side drive. OK so far? The roads are superb, but absolutely unlit, no reflectors, and there are many and several animals that are tied out so they can wander onto the road. It's kinda their version of Pac-Man. Even if the headlights were working (and that is a term open to debate) you will note very quickly that even the landing lights of the space shuttle will not illuminate a mule/horse so as if you could see him anyway.

Are you with me so far? Add into that mixture the fact that about 1/2 the way north from Pigeon Point on the way to Charlottesville via Speyside and points in between, about half way there- just when you are really enjoying driving in 4th gear... that's when you hit an incredible, mountainous serries of switchback roads, dramatic cliffs, rock slides, and oh... did I mention livestock? If you do this in the daylight, all well and good. Try second, maybe third gear. At night? 15 mph might be a good target.

My partner does not dive so I will be fitting in only a few dives while we are there for a week.

If they drive, they will have a ball. Go exploring up North. Get a map. Find the high promontory where US Naval coast watchers stood during WW2 and scanned the horizons. See the arch and the sunset.

Thanks in advance
Victor

There has been a LOT of info posted here. Try a search as well, many of us love Tobago. The people are a delight. I would rate the diving plus the combined land experience putting Tobago in the TOP FIVE of my list of the Mar Caribe.

Here's one of ourTrip Reports: http://www.turq.com/trips/trinidad5.html

 

[victor]

RoatanMan
Unfortunately read your trip report after I had booked my holiday, it was done at the last minute, so not much time to do any research.

I am Scottish so driving on the left is right, as is a stick shift. I drive a Toyota Landcruiser so I am used to a 4x4, however we do not get off-road that often here. I will remember to be careful.
Turtle is on Turtle beach, I think, so north west of Scarborough, in the southern half of the Island. I am not planning to do much diving this trip, more of a rest up and recharge the batteries, so I will try keep my diving simple, shallow, and quiet, I can just hear your gales of laughter coming across the pond. I will take care and listen to the pre-dive briefing with greater care than normal.
I had planed to drive around the island, looks like I should start early and be prepared to abort. Well that’s what’s fun about going to a new place. I was planning to go north up the west coast, however from your description this might not be possible? Well we will, probably give it a try.

I was used to wild life at night, the best sign I have seen was “Beware Hippo’s Crossing” talk about invisible in the dark. Not something to argue with in the VW beetle I was driving.

Thanks for the advice and I will post my experiences when I get back.

 

[Doc]

... however we do not get off-road that often here. I will remember to be careful.

Discretion is the best part of it. Know when to say when. I got into a real roadside mess near Cairngorm. You'll do fine. If you reach an impass, try it from the other side. Could take a whole day to do it, but worth the view. The best view of Charlottesville (as photographed in National Geographic) is from that West coast road.


Turtle is on Turtle beach, I think, so north west of Scarborough, in the southern half of the Island.

Better here than in some other places. Good access from here to waterfalls and scenic drives- as well as quite a wide variety of restaurants. You are driveable to dive at Speyside.


I am not planning to do much diving this trip, more of a rest up and recharge the batteries, so I will try keep my diving simple, shallow, and quiet, I can just hear your gales of laughter coming across the pond. I will take care and listen to the pre-dive briefing with greater care than normal.

Laughter ensues.

Thanks for the advice and I will post my experiences when I get back.

Thanks- we all look forward to when divers do that! Check out RedMan.