Grafton Beach

[Jeff P]

Hi there,

in two days i start my first Tobago-Travel. Just wanted to say that this site is perfect to get some information. That´s why I have just one question, all others are goining to be answered here. Thank you to everyone.

Well, I stay with my girlfriend at the Grafton Beach Resort for diving, snorkeling, see the rainforrest and have some fun. Does anyone now if it is possible to have a church service in Black Rock or around? Can anybody say something about the style of a church service there?

By the way, does someone know the dive center at the Grafton Resort? I haven´t found some information

[David Watkins]

Jeff,there are a number of Churches in Blackrock including Episcopalin,Monrovian,Methodist,SDA etc.The nearest RC is in Scarbro'.
As to the diving I think that is on the Grafton or LGC site.Have a good time
David

[Steve Wooler]

Hello Jeff

Welcome aboard!

Tobago is a deeply religious country and every village has several churches of different denominations. They are all very small. I know that you will be more than welcome at any, but haven't got any more information I'm afraid. Black Rock is the nearest village to the Grafton. The hotel will be able to tell you what choices you have when you get there.

Adventure Eco Divers are based at the Grafton hotel. They are OK, but not one of the island's top dive operations. They'll be fine if you are a novice/holiday diver, but if you are more advanced, you might want to read our Dive article (Out & About/Activities/Diving).

[Jeff P]

thanx for the reply.
I´m a PADI AOWD, so I will have a look first at the Adventure Eco Divers.
Maybe i join Extra Divers. This was my first choise anyway, i am just a little afraid to leave my girlfriend alone at the Grafton Beach for hours.
Can´t wait anymore - I want to be there NOW!

[Douglas R]

I think that Steve was a little hard on the guys at the LGC/Grafton dive centre - here is the text of a reply I sent in response to an question raised after my visit to LGC in January:

"The guys at the centre are easy to get to know and it does not take long to feel like one of the gang. You will have to accept that they operate on Tobago time and you will find that dives scheduled for say 9.30 may not get going for half an hour or so for one reason or another ( one day they had a problem with the boat which took an hour to diagnose before the dive was cancelled).

The diving is quiet expensive and, the more of your own kit you can take (fins mask etc) the better. Everyone seemed to use wetsuits but personally I was quite comfortable without. Briefings are minimal but the leaders certainly seemed to have safety well organised; for instance when we did a 40m dive they had a spare tank suspended at 15ft just in case.

All diving is from the boat which sits off the beach - the shop takes care of delivering kit but you are expected to help them get it ashore afterwards. There were some big waves and a heavy swell when we were diving and getting to and from the boat could be challenging.

Local dives (ie within 20/30 minutes boat trip were around USD40 (before kit hire) and generally single tank outings. Trips to the Atlantic side (Speyside) were arranged depending on demand and these were more expensive but well worthwhile as (strange as it seems) the Atlantic was calmer and consquently visibility was better. Obviously these trips are arranged to provide two dives and, with the travelling and lunch, you can expect to be away for most of the day.

If you get the chance go to see the Maverick (a car ferry sunk deliberately in 40m) and the giant brain coral at Speyside. "

Whoever you chose to dive with you will have to face the fact that anything other than a local dive will take a big slice out of your day and therefore you will have to manage relationships with your partner - why not pay for her to have some spa treatments at LGC whislt you are away ?

[Jeff P]

sounds not bad. i´ll see when i am there. 19 hours to go....

i post my experience when i´m back.

see ya,

Jeff