Snorkeling Buccoo Reef

[Joanne Green]

We've been to Tobago 2 other times & have always stayed in Castara. I had always dismissed Buccoo Reef as a snorkle spot because I had read how much the reef had suffered from overuse. But occasionally someone makes a very positive comment to the effect that it's a great snorkling experience, so maybe we want to give it a try. If we drive down from Castara, who is a good tour operator in the area & where do we get the boat? We don't want a "booze cruise" -- just snorkeling!!

All of you who stay in the Crown Point area -- please advise!

Joanne Green

[Paul Tallet]

Hi Joanne

Firstly I would like to express my shock and amazement that you don't want a 'booze cruise' ... but never mind ...

Duck was the last gentleman to take me there and in Castara you have more options with King David Tours and Ali Baba ... they can all do what you want (and leave the booze behind if you really insist ).

Buccoo Reef is good in places ... I would like to snorkel near the surf where it is really dangerous so don't listen to me

Have a good time.

Regards

[Joanne Green]

Hi Paul-
You really like to live on the edge -- don't you?

I just didn't know if it would be more cost effective for us to drive to Bucco & take a boat from there. Any comments, folks?

Joanne

[Steve Pitts]

I would like to snorkel near the surf where it is really dangerous so don't listen to me

Paul - A friend of mine was 'out there' fishing a few months ago and encountered a very persistant bull shark.

Hi Joanne - You could try to find a dive operator at Pigeon Point. Extra Divers springs to mind.
Personally, I would try the snorkeling at Arnos vale. No boat required.

Cheers
Steve

[Paul Tallet]

Ah Ok Steve ... good point ... Arnos Vale it is then

Regards

[Steve Pitts]

Ah Ok Steve ... good point ... Arnos Vale it is then

Chicken!

The shark in question was actually up on the 'flat' (shallow water), inshore of the reef itself and quite close to the Nylon Pool.

Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water

[Paul Tallet]

Hmmm ... I have just had a thought Steve

The last time I went to Arnos Vale I met one of those giant green sea slugs with very big, pointy teeth and a hateful bear-like expression on it's face.

Yes ... a huge Green Moray Eel ... I reported on it on this forum last January (2009), just after I had spent rather a long time using the Arnos Vale Hotel toilet facilities (which are also very good!).

Joanne ... you can find this monster if you swim across the deep part of Arnos Vale and reach the breakwater to the north end of the beach where it hides in about 20 feet of water under a large Rock.

Best of luck and may I wish you a thrilling snorkelling experience

Regards

[Joanne Green]

Paul...
I'm not sure that I'm ready for a "Close Encounter of the Third Kind", but I'm sure that my husband, Dick, is game. We'll let you know if we saw "it".
Joanne

[Paul Tallet]

Hi Joanne

You should both be safe if you stay at the surface.

Tell Dick not to go diving down to take a closer look and he should be fine.

Take care and have a wonderful holiday and make sure Ancle behaves too

Regards