The smaller of the two main islands comprising the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, Tobago is situated southeast of Grenada and Northeast of Trinidad in the southern Caribbean, and is positioned just outside the hurricane belt. Featuring a topside area of just 300 square kilometers, this island is home to less than 100,000 people. It is surrounded by beautiful coral reefs and is home to a splendid array of marine life representative of most species found in the Caribbean. Whether you hope to encounter Manta rays or if you simply want to enjoy the company of brightly colored tropical fish as you dive, Tobago is an outstanding place to do just that. While there are dive sites surrounding the entire island, some stand head and shoulders above the rest. Here are just five to get you started planning your holiday to Tobago.
London Bridge
Featuring maximum depth at 100 feet, London Bridge is located in the St. Giles area, which is sometimes undiveable due to weather. While this site is not all that deep, it is subject to surge and current. London Bridge is easily identified from the surface as it is a massive group of rocks with a distinct bridge like appearance. Half of the hole which forms the bridge is submerged and the other half can be seen above the surface. Any time there is a current the funneling effect of the rocks here makes passage through the bridge unsafe. If you are lucky enough to be able to dive this site, you will make your way through massive slabs of rock that look like a huge cobblestoned street. Even when there is no current you will feel the water moving all around you and you will see fish such as ocean surgeonfish, trunkfish, trumpet fish, and gorgeous blue tangs swaying with the rhythm of the sea. The passage narrows as you make your way through it and at the end you have only a space of about 3 feet through which to pass. Once you have passed through the bridge, you will be viewing a Sandy area where huge blocks of rock rise up from the bottom about 45 feet below you, and where massive blue colored Midnight parrotfish abound. Watch for stoplight and princess parrotfish among the many other species you'll find here. As you might expect, this site is suitable for experienced divers only.
Kelliston Drain
At Kelliston Drain, you'll get the opportunity to view one of the biggest known brain corals in the world. This massive single brain coral colony is approximately 16 feet across and about 10 feet tall. All around it you'll find huge branching corals as well as all sorts of colorful sponges. This site is famous for its Manta rays as well as for its green Moray eels and great barracuda sightings. Maximum depth is 120 feet, but the reef top begins at a depth of 54 feet.
Sisters
Between December and April, you have the opportunity to view scalloped hammerhead sharks near these pinnacles. Even if you do not get the opportunity to encounter one of these sharks or even a whole school of hammerheads, you can still enjoy swimming with cherub fish, flame back angelfish, and some other rare fish. The Sisters pinnacles rise up from a maximum depth of about 150 feet to a depth of just about 50 feet beneath the surface. Covered in soft corals and an excellent site for viewing pelagic fish, this is a favorite site for experienced divers.
Mt. Irvine Wall
Located just outside Mt. Irvine Bay, Mt. Irvine Wall features incredible crevices and looks a lot like a gigantic underwater picket fence. Here, you'll find tons of octopus as well as Moray eels, Eagle rays, schooling batfish, pairs of seahorses, and even hawksbill turtles. Depths here are between 30 and 60 feet.
Flying Reef
So named because it runs parallel to the Tobago airport's runway, Flying Reef offers depths between 30 and 50 feet, and is an outstanding place to view stingrays and hawksbill turtles. While the site is normally subject to only a little current it can sometimes speed up and give a double meaning to the name Flying Reef. A great place to drift among nurse sharks and schooling glass eye snapper, big eye, and loads of reef fish, Flying Reef is a great place for all divers.
Topside, there are many hotels and resorts to enjoy, as well as plenty of fun activities like horseback riding, hiking, or just relaxing on the beach or beside the pool. Tobago also has a very interesting history, and there are many intriguing cultural sites to explore. For outstanding diving and an overall enjoyable vacation, look no further than Tobago.