Where to Swim & Dive in Tobago

CAUTION: use plenty of sun cream, wear a hat, cover your back particularly when snorkelling, drink plenty of water - 3-4 litres a day, on some remote beaches use mosquito repellent and keep your valuables safe. DO NOT LEAVE RUBBISH. COVER YOUR BACK. WEAR A HAT

SWIMMING

• The windward beaches from south to north

  The winds come from the east - this makes the Atlantic Ocean side - the windward (east) side more windy with light choppy seas. It is often too dangerous to swim on this coast. Nearly all the beaches on this side are classified as dangerous and are better avoided. The exceptions are:

  Lowlands: Even as far south as Lowlands near the Hilton Hotel, the Atlantic waves are too rough for all year swimming.

  • King's Bay

    The main amenity is the changing and wash room with a toilet with a government attendant - a small charge is levied for these services ONLY. You can picnic on the beach FREE. Although you are on the rough Atlantic coast, you are protected by the arms of the bay and it is safe for accompanied children.

  

  • Speyside

    The amenities are associated with hotels and restaurants all along this beach. It is not that clean.

    Seaward, you will pass Jemma's Sea View Kitchen also has a toilet. You can hire a boat to Little Tobago - you must barter and pre-fix a price before you get on board AND if you want to go snorkelling, ensure it and the use of their snorkelling gear is included. The Glass Bottomed Boat is excellent for children.

    PLEASE ENSURE THAT THE BOAT IS CARRYING MORE THAN ENOUGH LIFE-VESTS

    This beach has pebbles and can still get rough.

  • Batteaux Bay

    is a quiet palm tree fringed sandy beach. There are no facilities here - bring your own food and drink - a lot of it. Take care with your valuables and lock the car - it is remote.

• The leeward beaches from north to south

  These beaches are much more sheltered by the Main Ridge, this gives sandy to light gravel shores. Children should be taken to these more suitable beaches but parents do need to supervise them.

  • Pirate's Bay

    A long walk from Charlotteville north. Beware of the strong currents running east to west from the Atlantic to the Caribbean. When you come to this remote beach - bring your own food and drink - a lot of it.

  • Charlotteville

    The beach is not clean enough for swimming, so go south or north out of the village to find good beaches.

  • Bloody Bay

    A very sleepy fishing village with no amenities - excellent for a dip after hiking through the rainforest. This beach can be reached by bus from Scarborough.

  • Parlatuvier Bay

    with a pier for fishing boats - very photogenic. It is a picturesque bay but the water soon becomes too deep for children. Refreshment is available. This beach can be reached by bus from Scarborough.

  • Englishman's Bay

    Many in the south of Tobago will tell you of their world renowned beaches, but for their vested interest. This is undoubtedly the best and is a picture postcard scene of a tropical beach.

    Come to this remote beach - bring your own food and drink - a lot of it. There are no permanent facilities, take care with your valuables and lock the car - it is remote. If you need anything you will have to go to the next village of Castara.

    The 2km long beach is safe and suitable for children under the age of sixty - sun, sea and sand all on this beautiful Caribbean shore. You will not want to leave but pack up soon after sunset as there are millions of mosquitoes waiting for you.

    This beach can be reached by bus from Scarborough.

    You may stay awhile so take care - the sun is strong - cover and cream.

  

  • Castara

    The best kept secret of Tobago. The road passes through Castara and keeps people away, but stop and park along side the bay - swim or help the fishermen draw in their nets - walk to the waterfall or watch the sun go down.

    The main and north beach are safe for children whilst supervised by an adult as there are no life guards. The leeward Caribbean Sea is much calmer than the windward Atlantic side. These two crescent shaped beaches are lined with palm trees which offer some shade.

    There is the changing and wash room with a toilet with a government attendant - a small charge is levied for these services ONLY. You can picnic on the beach.

    Eat at the Clay Citchen of Blue Mango Cottages Down the North Road on the right or 3 minutes up from the beach you will find some of the best Tobagonian food - enjoy On Thursday mornings, the mothers of the school bake bread and cakes. A cooking guru on ITV in the UK was found eating this succulent bread whilst his family swam - his eyes were glazed with pleasure.

    This beach can be reached by bus from Scarborough.

  • King Peter's Bay

    The road turns off seaward between Runnimead and Moria - midway up the north coast and excellent if it is an isolated beach you want. You will need a car to see this picturesque tropical beach. Being very isolated you will have to take care of your valuables. There are no resources, so bring your own refreshments and lots of water to drink.

    WARNING - when is rains, do not shelter under the manchineel (poison apple) trees on the beach, the sap from any part of it will irritate, rain dripping from these trees will irritate your skin - avoid the tree. There was an abandoned fishing boat called 'Kathy' - a reminder of better days.

DIVING

There is a decompression chamber in Tobago. The chamber is located at the Roxborough Health Centre. The unit is multi-person (at least 2 possibly 3) and is equipped with a second lock. Details: Tobago's Hyperbaric or Recompression Facility - Roxborough Hyperbaric Facility (RHF)

• Dive sites off Tobago
• Tobago Scuba Diving: Explore Tobago Underwater Paradise
• Common Questions About Diving In Tobago
• ATDO Certified Dive Shops, Scuba Diving Operators and Diver Training Centers
• Tobago Underwater Carnival - Tobago Dive Festival
• Tobago Travel and Scuba Facts
• Trinidad and Tobago International Game Fishing
• Some reliable Tobago tour guides to arrange an activity/tour or service
• Kayaking in Tobago
• Tobago Carnival Regatta
• Tobago Buccoo Coral Reefs and Buccoo Reef Trust (BRT)
• More details about Tobago Diving and Tobago Tourism: TOBAGO - as a Tourists/Scuba Diving Destination