Sailing & Watersports: sailing Charters & Tours
A guide to sailing charter operators and day-trip sailing excursions around Tobago
Being a small island surrounded by sea, it is natural that visitors will want to enjoy Tobago’s waters from the deck of a boat. The leeward side of the island has lots of great bays, with fantastic snorkelling sites, and the perspective from the sea is very different to that seen when touring by car.
For their own safety and comfort, day trippers should only venture out on boats surveyed and inspected by the local government. These boats can be easily identified as they must display a registration number consisting of the letters ‘TL’ plus a three-digit number. The law requires that these boats are fully insured and carry a Motor Launch registration license onboard. They are also supposed to have qualified, competent crew. Most dive shops, and 99% of the fishermen’s pirogues, are not insured to take passengers, so you are strongly advised to treat these vessels with caution - they are licensed as simple fishing vessels and can be identified by the registration number, which starts with ‘TF’ (typically ‘TFT’ or ‘TFG’) followed by a four digit number.
Sailors will love the seas around Tobago. However, those of a more delicate constitution may find conditions heavier than they would like at some times of the year. Most operators carry sea-sickness tablets, but it is best to go prepared. All the tours follow the same basic format: departure from Mt.Irvine Bay (or Pigeon Point); a sail up the Caribbean coast; possibly a mid-morning snorkelling stop; a longer lunch and snorkelling stop (three of the firms use Cotton Bay and the charm of this lovely little bay can be rather spoilt when there are several boats present); and then a return with possibly another snorkelling stop along the way.
There are four main sailing excursion operators and these are listed below, in alphabetical order. All four are based in the south-west of Tobago and offer complimentary collection and transfer to all/most accommodation in Region 1 (Crown Point) and Region 2 (Lower Caribbean). We have quoted prices, where we have them, but it is important to use these only as a guide and to check before booking. Most tours cost in the region of US$70-$85 per person. In addition to these operators, there are a number of smaller services offering snorkelling and beach barbeque tours in small, pirogue-style boats.
Coast Runner
A new contender in the Tobago coastal charter market is Coast Runner, a 32-foot 'deep V fun boat'. This new operation offers snorkelling and fishing trips along Tobago's Caribbean coast.
Based At: |
Store Bay (Region 1) |
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Telephone: |
(868) 631-0642 |
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CocoMotion
CocoMotion is a 31-foot (10m) speedboat boasting twin 200-horsepower engines. The boat has a top speed of 55 knots, although the speed on normal tours seldom exceeds 35 knots, offering a high-adrenaline ride to thrill-seekers with a tough constitution. The business has operated under the ownership and management of Marlon Winter-Roach and Rachel Crew since September 2003.
The cockpit seating area of CocoMotion is protected by a small sunshade, but high-factor sun block is essential to protect against the combined affects of sun and salt spray – although, to be fair, this is advisable on all sailing trips. Being a speedboat, there are obviously no facilities, such as toilets (heads), so careful planning is the order of the day.
CocoMotion operates from Mt.Irvine beach and trips normally involve a combination of speeding along the coast, generally to Emerald Bay (Castara) with two stops for snorkelling at the best spots. As with the other sea tours, the inclusive package provides round-trip hotel transfers, an open bar (beer and soft drinks), barbeque lunch and the supply of snorkeling gear.
A full review is available by clicking on the CocoMotion tab.
Based At: |
Mt.Irvine Bay Beach |
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Telephone: |
(868) 639-2449 |
Email: |
Island Girl (Natural Mystic)
Natural Mystic is a 40-foot (12m) trimaran and Island Girl a 43-foot catamaran. Natural Mystic is currently undergoing a full refit and all tours are being operated aboard the new Island Girl by owner Scott Clarke.
Island Girl is licensed to take 40 passengers, but tours are limited to just 26 people. Weather permitting, tours operate out of Mt. Irvine Bay and sail up to Cotton Bay.
In common with the other operators, tours aboard Natural Mystic/Island Girl are fully inclusive and include transport to and from your hotel, free drinks and a barbeque lunch with dessert. The catering, in particular, gets regular rave reviews. Snorkelling equipment is provided.
A full review is available by clicking on the Island Girl tab at the top or bottom of these pages.
Based At: |
Mt.Irvine Bay Beach |
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Telephone: |
(868) 639-7245 |
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Sand Dollar Sailing Charters
Sand Dollar is a partnership between two yacht-owning captains. Both captains have considerable experience and the business has been operating in the waters of Trinidad & Tobago for several years. Founder, Captain Gary and his 35-foot Beneteau yacht, are based in Trinindad; whilst partner Markus Grundmann and his 35-foot Dufour are based in Tobago.
The partnership offer day charters, sunset sails, weekend packages and extended cruises. These charters will particularly appeal to amateur sailors and yachtsmen because the passengers are the crew and are actively encouraged to get "hands on".
Sand Dollar are the only source of bareboat charters that we are aware of in Tobago waters.
Based At: |
Store Bay |
Website: |
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Telephone: |
(868) 680-7175 |
Email: |
Splash Sports
Owned by Ellis John, of Tobago Dive Masters, this service comprises of sailing tours on a fully motorised 50-foot (15m) catamaran called Maestro del Mar. This is a motorised catamaran, not a sailing catamaran.
The company offers three regular scheduled tours per week, on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Shorter sunset tours are also offered. After complimentary transfer from the your hotel, the tours depart from Mt.Irvine Bay and, weather and conditions permitting, travel up the Caribbean coast to Englishman's Bay before returning to Cotton Bay (known locally as Big Bay) for a BBQ lunch. The return journey visits the Nylon Pool, No Man's Land and the Bon Accord Lagoon.
The boat can take up to 30 passengers and trips are subject to a minimum of ten passengers. Current prices (Nov '03) are US$75 p/p, inclusive of hotel transfers, BBQ lunch and drinks (beers, rum punch, soft drinks). Early reports have been very positive.
Based At: |
Mt.Irvine Bay Beach |
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Telephone: |
(868) 639-0222 |
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Tobago Princess
Owned by Tony Roth of Tobago Sea Sports, this new service started in 2007 and utilises a custom-built 50-foot (15m) tri-maran, powered by twin outbound engines. The twin-deck boat can carry up to 92 passengers, including crew, and is fitted out with large-screen Plasma TV, DVD, CD-palyes and Las Vegas style gaming machine with special mood lighting for hot party nights. The company offer day cruises, sunset cruises and 'late nite party' cruises.
Based At: |
Plymouth |
Website: |
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Telephone: |
(868) 639-4221 |
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Smaller Sailing Craft
In addition to the above specialist sailing tours, a number of general tour operators operate smaller boats, normally based upon the local pirogue-style vessel, and offer various variations of sailing along the coast, snorkelling, swimming and beach barbeque. Operators involved include Alibaba Tours and King David Tours, both of Castara, Frankie Tours & Rentals and Woody's Tours of Mason Hall. Contact details for all these services can be found on our General Fishing Tour Operator page.
