Rich and colourful shallow water reefs surround Tobago, making it easy for you to explore the island's spectacular aquatic communities by scuba diving or snorkeling from shore.
The waters around Tobago support approximately 300 different species of coral, including staghorn, elkhorn, fire coral, giant tube sponges and starlet coral. There is also a broad range of reefs, rock pillars, wrecks and extravagant undersea gardens filled with giant sea fans, whips and plumes. Remarkable sites exist off Speyside, Little Tobago and Goat Island on the northeastern side of Tobago where you can drift dive along reefs with sponges the size of bathtubs and bushes of black coral. On the southeast coast are the exceptionally clear Nylon Pool and Buccoo Reef National Park.
During the months of March to July, Manta Reef is the place to see giant rays, although divers also encounter dolphins, marine turtles and sharks.
A one-tank dive starts at US$40 and you are welcome to bring your own gear. You must be a certified diver and present your C card to rent equipment and dive, although some shops offer a supervised resort course or professional instruction leading to PADI certification.
To learn more about diving in Tobago visit the Association of Tobago Dive Operators website.
Conservation Tips
Please help us to preserve Tobago's reefs
- Do not walk on reefs - even if offered plastic shoes by reef tour operators.
- When snorkeling or scuba diving do not touch anything.
- Mind your fins - corals are very delicate.
- Some of Tobago's sites are for experienced divers only - so dive with a registered operator who will know which area suits you best.
- Spear fishing is strongly discouraged
- Please do not drop anchor on coral reefs - anchor on sand or use a mooring.
Buccoo Reef
This is a protected marine park between Pigeon Point and Buccoo Point. Daily tours by glass-bottomed boats allow even non-swimmers to view the reef. When snorkeling, be careful not to step on, touch or break the coral formations.
Nylon Pool
The Nylon Pool is a warm shallow area in the middle of the reef lagoon and is ideal for swimming. Whole day tours to nearby No Mans Land - a sandy spit reaching into the lagoon - are available from licensed tour guides and reef tour operators. Reef tour boats leave from Buccoo Bay and Store Bay.
Speyside Reefs
The various reefs off Speyside vary in depth. The shallow reef areas are excellent for snorkeling while the deeper reefs are great for scuba diving. Glass-bottomed boats conduct snorkeling tours and scuba diving can be arranged through any Dive Shop on the island.
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