Grafton Beach Resort

Tobago’s diving has a deserved reputation for enormous brain corals and thrilling drift dives. Mixed with the warmer Gulf Stream, the Guyana current flows along the island’s Atlantic coast from Speyside at the north-eastern end all the way down to Sandy Point in the south-west of Tobago, providing some of the most spectacular drift dives in the Caribbean.

Caribbean Coast Diving

The majority of dive sites off the Caribbean coast are not exposed to the currents that typify the diving off the Atlantic shoreline. Divers staying at the Southern end of the island around Crown Point / Black Rock can dive on the Caribbean coast dive sites, the Maverick, the Sisters and a few Atlantic coast drift dives. Over the summer months, the influx of warm water from the Orinoco River raises water temperatures. This can lead to the appearance of suspended particles in the sea, reducing visibility, but in turn attracting large numbers of fish.

The conditions on the Caribbean coast and southern Atlantic Ocean are moderate all year round and offer perfect conditions for both training, less experienced divers and divers wishing to concentrate on their photography. The diving on the southern end of the Atlantic Ocean (Columbus Channel) offers a bit of current on a shallow fringing reefs with lots of sponges and fan corals. This is good for novice and intermediate divers. Big stingrays and nurse sharks are frequently seen there. One of the most popular dive sites on the Caribbean Sea is the Maverick wreck. This is a former car ferry, which has been resting for more than 20 years in 30m depth near Mt. Irvine Bay.

Speyside Diving

Speyside is a small village located at the remote Northern end of Tobago facing on to the Atlantic coast. The concentration of over twenty excellent dive sites just a few minutes boat ride from Speyside made Tobago’s reputation as a dive destination. Kelleston Drain is one of Speyside’s most renowned dives, home to the largest Brain Coral colony in the Caribbean. Measuring 3m in height and 5.3m across, the Brain Coral marks the culmination of a beautiful drift dive. Other dive sites like Japanese Garden, Runway, Black Jack Hole and Cathedral boast a rich, pristine underwater fauna which is hardly seen anywhere else in the Caribbean. The nearby wreck "Round Table," a former tug boat at a depth of 30m, waits to be explored by adventurous divers. Due to seasonal weather changes, some of the Speyside dive sites can be exposed to strong currents making them more suitable for experienced divers.

Twin centre - ideal option

Tobago offers year round diving on an excellent range of dive sites that will satisfy both novice and experienced divers. A twin centre holiday that covers both Speyside and Crown Point / Black Rock is easily arranged and has always proved very popular with Regaldive guests.

Dive Packs

Options available include 3, 4, 5 and 6 days dive packages (2 boat dives per day). Please discuss your requirements with the Regaldive team, who will prepare a quotation suited to your needs.

Supplements are paid locally for courses and equipment rental.

Tobago is one of the smaller Caribbean islands at just 25 miles long and 8 miles wide.  The coastline is largely undeveloped. Crown Point peninsula in the south of the island is the location of the greatest concentration of hotels on Tobago.  Pigeon Point, a headland just to the north of Crown Point, offers a wide selection of daytime water sports activities.  Both of these areas offer a good choice of restaurants and bars. 

Getting Around

Travelling North from Crown Point and Scarborough, the capital, you'll find deserted beaches and secluded fishing villages.  The Northern end of Tobago is given over to mountainous tropical rainforest, which has been under careful conservation for over 200 years.  On the north-eastern tip of the island travellers reach Speyside, the home of Tobago’s other fine dive sites.

Speyside also attracts ornithologists from around the world, boasting a number of indigenous bird species. The island has managed to retain much of its uncomplicated charm and local costs make it more affordable than many other Caribbean islands.

Please note: There are no local taxis in Speyside as most locals and businesses tend to help each other out. In Speyside, everybody walks! From Nabucco's Resort Speyside Inn (where Extra Divers are based), you can walk to the other end of the village in just 10 minutes. From Nabucco's Resort Speyside Inn to Blue Waters Inn, it takes 15 minutes to walk – a really nice route with beautiful views. Car rental is easy to arrange on Tobago should you wish to explore further afield.

Climate

Warm tropical climate tempered by tradewinds.  Average temperature is 29°C with water temperature averaging 27°C. The early months are dry and sunny. Jun–Nov is the wet season but rain falls in short sharp bursts and most days have plenty of sun.

Underwater Visibility

Tobago’s nutrient-rich waters generally offer visibility in the range of between 20 metres to 30 metres.  A bad day may see visibility drop to 15 metres.  However, divers can enjoy as a result some of the finest reefs in the Caribbean.

Time

Tobago is -4 hours behind GMT

Currency

Trinidad & Tobago dollar (TTD)

Activities

The Tobago mountain range has the oldest protected rainforest in the Western Hemisphere and trips can be organised to appreciate its beauty and diversity.  International tourism is still in its early stages so the experience is a happy mix of local cultures and hotel comforts.

Places to visit include the Buccoo Reef for snorkelling, the Grafton Caledonia Wildlife Sanctuary, the Botanic Gardens in Scarborough and the wetlands of Bon Accord Lagoon.

Flight Information

Virgin Atlantic from Gatwick

Regional add-ons available from selected UK airports. Economy, Premium Economy & Upper Class available.

British Airways from Gatwick

Regional add-ons available from selected UK airports. World Traveller (Economy), World Traveller Plus (Premium Economy) & Club World (Business) available.

Transfers: Approximately 10 minutes for Crown Point and 90 minutes for Speyside.

Departure tax: included in the flight cost.

Visas

Entry requirements vary from country to country, and it’s important to check the latest visa information well before you travel. Some destinations may allow visa-free entry for a limited period, while others require an eVisa or a visa obtained in advance. To ensure you have the correct documentation for your trip, we recommend checking the official advice from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) or contacting the relevant country’s embassy or consulate. Other nationalities should check with their own consulate/embassy.

Passports

Before you travel, make sure your passport is valid for the full duration of your trip and meets the entry requirements of your destination. Many countries require at least six months’ validity beyond your planned return date, while others may have different rules. For the most reliable and up-to-date information, visit the UK Government’s passport guidance or the official travel advice pages for your destination. Other nationalities should check with their own consulate/embassy.

If you’re planning to travel to or via an EU country (with certain exceptions) your UK passport must meet two key requirements, it must be less than 10 years old on the day you enter the country and it must be valid for at least three months after your planned departure date.

Vaccinations & Health Advice

Health and vaccination requirements differ depending on where you're travelling. Some destinations may require proof of specific vaccinations or recommend certain precautions to protect your wellbeing.

We’re not qualified to provide you with specific advice on vaccinations and strongly recommend that you contact your healthcare professional before you travel to discuss the inoculations you may need to consider.

For trusted guidance on health and vaccination advice, refer to the NHS Travel Vaccination Advice, Masta Travel Health or Travel Health Pro websites.