sccabob
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I was think of going away for a vacation somewhere different. What do the folks think about Tabago?
Bob H
Bob H
What about Tobago
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I think it's spelled Tobago. 
It is well discussed here on SCUBABoard, try a quick
Tobago is two divergent worlds. the South end (Pigeon Point) has been dived for many years by European day-trip divers and cruise ship visitors. There is a lot of good diving as the island itself is sparsely developed near the seashore, meaning very limited siltation and run-off... that's what kills the reefs, so the place looks pretty good. That combined with the fairly stiff currents will keep things healthy.
The South end is well populated by day dive-ops, bars, restaurants and everything a cruise ship port would need. I would put it fairly low on my scale of "places to worry about crime", but all of the aforementioned decrease dramatically as you head north and away from the airport/cruise ship areas.
<- click for bigger image
The North end (Speyside/Charlottesville) is just recently becoming well known among SCUBA divers although it attracts 5x more "bird watchers" from England than divers. The people up North are the true hillbilly farmers, and I prefer their company. Real honest to Pete Rastafarians.
The North end is an excellent training ground for the Galapagos as there is no stiffer lateral currents combined with downcurrents to be found anywhere in the Caribbean. Your divemasters will guide you well, decide if you are ready, but understand that comparatively, Cozumel is a gentle breeze. You go to the North End for the roller coaster rides- as most dive operators have no clue how to locate the remaining Mantas~ best done as a night dive which very few visitors have the stomach for. This isn't a plop in the pool, it is the black sweeping ocean where you better have yourself sorted out if you're going for a swim after dark.
Tobago is generally a pita to get to and I would advise spending any connecting flight connections through Trinidad squarely within the airport. There is no diving there and likely nothing you're looking for.
You will find excellent road surfaces that are unlit and unstriped, with no reflectors as the switchback through the mountainous Northern half of the island. It is one of the few islands where I suggest that competent drivers should rent the right-hand drive vehicles and go explore this beautiful tropical Caribbean island. Drive very slowly and don't be a statistical idiot.
I rate Tobago's total island experience within "My Top 5" of the Caribbean.
It is well discussed here on SCUBABoard, try a quick
Tobago is two divergent worlds. the South end (Pigeon Point) has been dived for many years by European day-trip divers and cruise ship visitors. There is a lot of good diving as the island itself is sparsely developed near the seashore, meaning very limited siltation and run-off... that's what kills the reefs, so the place looks pretty good. That combined with the fairly stiff currents will keep things healthy.
The South end is well populated by day dive-ops, bars, restaurants and everything a cruise ship port would need. I would put it fairly low on my scale of "places to worry about crime", but all of the aforementioned decrease dramatically as you head north and away from the airport/cruise ship areas.
<- click for bigger imageThe North end (Speyside/Charlottesville) is just recently becoming well known among SCUBA divers although it attracts 5x more "bird watchers" from England than divers. The people up North are the true hillbilly farmers, and I prefer their company. Real honest to Pete Rastafarians.
The North end is an excellent training ground for the Galapagos as there is no stiffer lateral currents combined with downcurrents to be found anywhere in the Caribbean. Your divemasters will guide you well, decide if you are ready, but understand that comparatively, Cozumel is a gentle breeze. You go to the North End for the roller coaster rides- as most dive operators have no clue how to locate the remaining Mantas~ best done as a night dive which very few visitors have the stomach for. This isn't a plop in the pool, it is the black sweeping ocean where you better have yourself sorted out if you're going for a swim after dark.
Tobago is generally a pita to get to and I would advise spending any connecting flight connections through Trinidad squarely within the airport. There is no diving there and likely nothing you're looking for.
You will find excellent road surfaces that are unlit and unstriped, with no reflectors as the switchback through the mountainous Northern half of the island. It is one of the few islands where I suggest that competent drivers should rent the right-hand drive vehicles and go explore this beautiful tropical Caribbean island. Drive very slowly and don't be a statistical idiot.
I rate Tobago's total island experience within "My Top 5" of the Caribbean.
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There is diving at around Trinidad, e.g., Dive Map for divesites Trinidad Down The Islands, although I've not found any of it to be very exciting.
Also, if one has the time and is at all into birding, the Asa Wright Nature Centre
(Asa Wright Nature Centre) is well worth seeing.
As for just hanging around Port of Spain or the like, forget it. It's dirty with a fair amount of crime and bad attitude.
Regards,
DocVikingo
Loved diving in Tobago -- lots of diverse sites. Lots of fun. Vis wasn't great when we were there but we still had excellent diving and saw a number of pelagics and larger schools of fish. I recommend it!
bubbles01
Registered
What is the viz likely to be like in February? We are staying at the southern end - thank God after reading about the strong currents you are talking about!
Hi Bubbles -- don't be fooled -- the southend has some ripping currents too! We had two high speed dives at Airport and Diver's Dream. If you're not big on a strong current and flying underwater, best have a good conversation with your dive op about where they're taking you. There is definitely some gentle diving in Tobago as well.
bubbles01
Registered
Thanks for the advice - I will certainly do that. One day I really should do my drift diver speciality course rather than just trying to avoid drift diving!
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