Travel and Tourism

Common Questions About Diving In Tobago

  • WHAT IS THE DIVING LIKE?

    • What types of Marine life> can be seen? More details: List of Marine Wildlife on Tobago's Shores

      Manta Rays, Sting Rays, Tarpons, Morays, Parrotfish, Angelfish, Triggerfish, occasional Reef Sharks and many other colorful tropicals. Approximately 700 species of reef fish are native to Tobago.

    • What about Coral formations?

      Atlantic side - Well developed lush sloping reefs. Caribbean side - Primarily rock formations with encrusting sponge & coral growth. Approximately 300 species of Coral are found in Tobago, including the biggest single colony of Brain Coral in the world!

    • Is there any wreck diving or cave diving?

      Yes, the 350'/125M M/V Maverick was intentionally sunk as a dive site in April 1997. This spectacular wreck is home to a Jewfish, an enormous Barracuda, countless schooling fishes and a fast growing coral reef. Don't miss this dive! No cave diving.

    • Is there any Drift Diving?

      A form of drift diving is used, more aptly termed "live boating". The dive boat tracks a surface float trailed by the Dive master. If there is a current present, this would be classified as a Drift Dive.

    • What is the average range of visibility?

      50-90 ft with 100 ft + not being unusual.

    • What is the average water temperature?

      Summer: 27-28 C (81F) and Winter: 25-26 C (78F).

    • What are the depth ranges and are there currents?

      Depth - Between 30-130 ft. The Atlantic has currents 0-3 knots. The Caribbean has minimal 0-0.25 knots.

    • Are the seas rough?

      The Atlantic has a small chop year round. Rough seas may prohibit diving on some sites, but sheltered sites are always available. Caribbean is calm during spring/summer - choppy and can be rough in winter.

    • Is there any beach diving?

      Yes - day or night, but in a very limited number of locations - Most diving is done from boats.

    • Are the dives guided and must everyone be part of a group?

      All dives are guided and for safety we prefer everyone to dive with the group, especially while drift diving on Atlantic dive sites. Groups are often sub divided according to experience, with separate guides.

    • Number and size of boats.

      Four Pirogues, three 31ft and one 28ft all fitted with twin Outboards.

    • Can snorkelers accompany the divers?

      Yes, depending on availability of space.

    • Maximum number of divers per trip?

      Between 6 and 16 depending on boat size.

    • Ratio of divers to staff on boat?

      Usually 6 to 1.

    • Number of dive sites frequented?

      Approximately 30, conditions permitting.

    • What is a typical profile?

      Caribbean: Single tank AM 60ft/50min - Single tank PM 40ft/45min.
      Atlantic: 80ft/40min - 1 hr surface interval followed by 50ft/45min.

    • Is computer diving allowed. Must divers adhere to the profile?

      Computers are fine. Divers must stick to the profile although exceptions may be made at the dive master's discretion.

    • What times do the boats leave and return?

      AM dive/9:30AM return varies if 1 or 2 tk - PM dive/1:30PM, returns 3:00PM.

    • How close are the dive sites?

      Anywhere between 5 minutes to an hour and a half.

    • Are the boats equipped with showers, heads & shade?

      No.

    • Are dive staff members Instructors or Dive masters?

      Yes. They are all either.

    • I'd like to complete my PADI certification in Tobago, what should I bring with me?

      You'll need to bring your referral from your current PADI instructor with you. Also, if you have any medical issues, please bring all official medical documentation with you. If you're already certified, please also bring your PADI certification card (and log book if possible).

    • Do I have to dive according to your dive master's plan?

      Yes, most of our dives in Tobago are Drift Dives, and all dives are led by one of our Dive Masters.

    • Should I bring my wetsuit to Tobago?

      If you wish, if you don't want to lug it with you though, we have them available for rental at the Dive Shop.

    • How does the diving compare to anywhere else in the Caribbean?

      Tobago's position in the extreme lower, south-eastern corner of the Caribbean, below the semi-curved island chain of the Lesser Antilles, is what is actually responsible for its profusion of marine life. Tobago is part of the part of the South American continental shelf, 70 miles off the Eastern Coast of Venezuela. The island sits in the pathway of the North Equitorial Current (the prelude to the Gulf Stream which begins in the lower Caribbean), from the open Atlantic & the Guyana current, which follows the contours of South America's eastern coast. The latter current brings with it some of the nutrient rich waters of the Orinoco River. As these bodies of water collide and intermingle, they generate a rich eco-system for the vigorous sponge, coral and fish communities.

      Other Caribbean destinations may claim to offer awesome drift diving, but these claims are pale compared to Tobago's incredible drifts! Currents are common here! Ranging anywhere from a leisurely one quarter knot to swifter three and four knots, this has a profound effect on some of the sponge colonies. Giant barrel sponges, in particular, are sculpted into bizarre convoluted shapes.

    • What about the viz and other diving conditions...

      Tobago offers diving year round. Water temperatures generally average in the low 80s (degrees fahrenheit) with visibility customarily from 70 - 90 feet. The only time of concern is when the Orinoco River in Venezuela reaches it's height during the rainy season (July through September), pushing the fringing edge of this might tributary all the way up to Tobago's southern coast.

      Ahhh, the marine life is extraordinaire... Of course, what would any dive destination be like without abundant marine life? Tobago has variety, such as schools of Brown Chromis, and Creole Wrasses, swarming from below to feed on the plankton in the upper water column. Mixed within their ranks are Black Durgons, Bogas, Black Jacks, and Rainbow Runners. In addition to these large concentrations of common finny denizens are large Tarpon, Barracuda, mackerel, tuna, turtles, sharks, and Tobago's magnificent mantas. Atlantic Manta Rays are rare throughout the rest of the Caribbean, but Tobago has a reputation for face to face meetings with them. However, even during their peak season, between late December and April, an encounter is still a matter of chance.

      Most of the diving in Tobago is done through the use of a small, sturdy boat called a pirogue. Due to it's geographic location, Tobago marks the mixing point where the Caribbean Sea meets the cool Atlantic Ocean. As a result, the majority of the diving around the island are drift dives. The currents are strongest at the North Eastern end of the island (around the village of Speyside) than it is around the South Western end.

  • EQUIPMENT

    • What size tanks are used?

      Aluminum 80's and some Aluminum 63's.

    • Are the tanks' working pressures compatible with my regulator?

      Yes, all tanks have K valves, and DIN adapters are available. Working pressure is 3000psi/207Bar.

    • Are lights included in night dives?

      No, available for rent at $10

    • Are tanks & weights included for shore diving?

      No, available for rent.

    • What rental equipment is available?

      Regulator & BCD (per dive) $7 - Mask & fins (per day) $10 - Wet suits (per dive) $5 .

    • Is freshwater rinsing & gear storage available?

      Both facilities have rinse tanks and gear storage.

  • SAFETY

    • Are all boats VHF radio equipped. Do they carry first aid & oxygen?

      Some have VHF, all carry first aid kits and oxygen.

    • Is there a hospital close by?

      Yes, 20 minutes from Rex Turtle Beach Hotel, 1 hour from Manta Lodge in Speyside.

    • Nearest Hyperbaric Chamber? How do divers get there?

      The Tobago Hyperbaric Facility at Roxborough is approximately 30 minutes by car from anywhere in Tobago. Details: Tobago's Hyperbaric or Recompression Facility - Roxborough Hyperbaric Facility (RHF)

    • Does a member of staff stay on board during the dive?

      Yes, always.

  • SERVICES

    • Are photography and video rental services available?

      Sea and Sea cameras available for rental. Print film 1hr processing in Scarborough. No E-6 processing on island.

    • Are Advanced and Specialty Courses available?

      PADI: Advanced, Advanced+, Rescue, Medic First Aid, Divemaster
      PADI Specialties: Night, Drift, Deep, U/W Naturalist, AWARE Fish I.D., Equipment, Wreck
      NAUI: Advanced, Rescue, Master Diver
      NAUI Specialties: Night, Deep, Naturalist, U/W Modeling & More

    • Are repair services available?

      Yes, regulator repair limited to Sherwood.

    • Is the staff trained for medical emergencies?

      All are current in First Aid.

    • Does the staff speak English? other languages?

      Native language is English, some staff members speak limited German.

    • What type of instruction/certification is available?

      PADI and NAUI.

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