Snorkelling: Tobago Snorkelling Sites
The definitive guide to the snorkeling sites of Tobago
Our list of Tobago snorkelling sites is listed in clockwise direction around the coast, starting at Crown Point.
Each site has been given a ranking (§) on a scale of 1 to 5 as a general guide to the quality of the snorkelling at that point. Further information about many of the sites can be read in our main Dive Sites article.
Please take great care. Many of the sites mentioned are only suitable for experienced, fit swimmers and should only be attempted when sea conditions are calm.
Region 1 - Crown Point
No |
Name |
Grade |
Access |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 |
Kariwak |
§§§§ |
Easy swim from Store Bay to the southwest (left of the Bay) |
Snorkels and masks are available from beach vendors. |
2 |
§§+ |
Easy swim from the beach |
The cliffs at the edge of the hotel grounds are in fairly sheltered water and offer reasonable snorkeling. Watch out for boat traffic. |
|
3 |
§+ |
At Coco Reef Resort. Serious swim from Store Bay or Cable Bay. |
A rapidly-developing artificial reef is forming on the rock barrier built to protect the beach at the Coco Reef Resort. |
|
4 |
Buccoo Reef |
§§+ |
Dinghy, boat or glass-bottom boat from Store Bay, Pigeon Point or Buccoo Village to the Coral Gardens. |
Pollution and the uncontrolled actions of glass-bottom boats and visitors have killed the majority of this reef, the third largest coral concentration in the western hemisphere. Most glass-bottom boat operators provide snorkel equipment. |
Region 2 - Lower Caribbean
No |
Name |
Grade |
Access |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
5 |
Mt.Irvine Beach |
§§+ |
Walk or swim to the east (right) side of the Mt.Irvine Hotel beach. |
Watch out for surfers!!! Some snorkel equipment available from beach vendors, but better to rent a the watersports shop. |
6 |
Dutchman's Reef |
§§§§§ |
Dinghy or good swim from beach, out into Mt.Irvine Bay |
Marked by yellow reef markers. |
7 |
Mt.Irvine Bay |
§§§ |
Easy swim to the west (right) of the Mt.Irvine Beach Facilities. |
For advanced snorkelers. The waters wash over and around the northern end of the bay, Rockly Point, and the water is teeming with plankton and marine life. Snorkel equipment available from small shop before the Beach Facilities. |
8 |
§§+ |
Swim west (left) from the beach |
Rich in marine life but only attempt when the water is very calm. |
|
9 |
§§ |
Walk to north (right) end of beach and then easy swim. |
Watch sea conditions and beware of white water. |
|
10 |
§§§§§ |
Arnos Vale hotel grounds |
Some of the best snorkeling in Tobago in relatively sheltered conditions. North (right) end is probably the best. You will regularly see barracuda. Fear not! Don’t hassle them and they won’t hassle you. Snorkel equipment can sometimes be rented from the hotel’s watersports shop. |
Region 3 - UPPER Caribbean
No |
Name |
Grade |
Access |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
11 |
§§§ |
Not as rocky as Arnos Vale, but not as many fish. |
||
12 |
§§§+ |
Easy access from beach |
Remote sheltered black-sand beach. No facilities. Bring own equipment, food and water. Three-mile drive down from village now treacherous and should not be attempted other than by very experienced drivers in a good 4x4. |
|
13 |
§§+ |
Easy access from beach |
Walk to the right from the main beach. Go as far as you can (about 300m). |
|
14 |
§§§+ |
Short swim to either side of the beach |
Beautiful beach, but no sun before 11am. Take care if there is a lot of white water activity. Snorkeling on right side is generally reckoned to be the best. Beach vendors rent equipment. |
|
15 |
§§+ |
Local boat or swim from shore |
Sandy bay with lots of turtle grass. Can suffer from poor visibility due to run-off from the river. |
Region 4 - NOrth End
No |
Name |
Grade |
Access |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
16 |
§§§ |
Boat |
Various opportunities, including Cardinal Rock, Booby Island and Long Rock. Limited opportunity from Charlotteville beach. |
|
17 |
§§§§ |
15-minute walk from village or fishing boat shuttle from village |
Doesn’t get much better than this! Bring your own equipment, food and water. |
|
18 |
Angel Reef |
§§§§§ |
Glass-bottom boat from Speyside (village or Blue Waters Inn) |
Walk to the right from the main beach. Go as far as you can (about 300m). |
Region 5 - Upper Atlantic
There are no snorkelling sites along the Upper Atlantic Coast between Speyside and Bacolet.
Region 6 - Lower Atlantic
No |
Name |
Grade |
Access |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
19 |
§§ |
Easy swim from beach |
Normally associated with Blue Haven Hotel, but public access to the beach is from the highway. |
