Diving and Turtles

[Anthony Townsend]

Hi!
We are visiting Tobago for the first time for two weeks at the beginning of April. I understand it is sometimes possible to do a diving course for a day and then do a dive to 6m. I'd like to do more, but I need to consider the rest of the family! do you have any advice and suggestions as to where to go? We are staying near Bon Accord.
We'd like to show the kids some turtles. What would be our best approach?
We are getting more and more excited as our holiday gets closer.

Thanks,

Anthony.

[Mariann G.]

Hi Anthony,

although I am not a diver, I do a lot of snorkeling. In Tobago you can see many interesting things even without diving, for example turtles. I can recommend you Mt. Irvine for that!

Enjoy your time in Tobago,

Mariann

[John Fox]

Hi
An option for you would be to find a local PADI school near home (try yellow pages) to do the theory and confined water training. Take the certificate with you to a PADI centre in Tobago to do the Open Water bit. You could fix up the open water bit over the internet.
The fist part should only take a couple of weeks and the Open Water is, if my memory is correct, about 4 dives. After that you can go on dives to 18 metres or 60 feet in old money.
It is how I learned to dive some 12 years ago and although a bit more expensive using two training centres it avoids taking up too much of the holiday underwater.
Whichever, go for it - it beats snorkelling even though that in itself is great.

[Lisa Keith]

Hi,

I know my reply comes a little late, but I've seen Turtles twice in the last week, both times at Arnos Vale beach, Plymouth. Obviously I can't say for definite that you'll see them, but both times I snorkelled (once at around 10am and the second time at around 3pm a few days later) I saw them - one a Green Turtle, the other a Leatherback. I guess I could be just lucky, but that's gotta be good odds! In fact, the range of fish that you do see (visibility permitting!), make it worthwhile even if you don't actually spy a turtle. There's also a dive shop at the beach who rent snorkelling equipment if you don't have your own, and a beach bar to drown your sorrows if you don't see anything!

Have fun!

[Steve Wooler]

Hi Lisa

Welcome aboard!

How lovely for you. Pity that the Internet and myTobago will be the last thing on most visitors mind while enjoying this glorious weather, or I'm sure that tons of them would be heading over to beautiful Arnos Vale beach.

[Anthony Townsend]

Hi!

Only 17 days to go and counting! Thanks for the reply. I guess I've left the diving a bit late. It wouldn't be right to do the course when I've got my family with me. Can't wait for the snorkelling! t's a good excuse to come back again!

Thanks for the info. on the turtles. Where do I start if I want to show turtles to the kids? Alexander is four and would love to see a turtle.

Thanks,

Anthony.

[Tiff Lynch]

You may not have time to get a whole PADI coarse in... However, why not try a Discover Scuba Dive. I dive myself out in Tobago and recently had two friends out who realy wanted to have a go.. hey had never dived before and tried this. It is something that maybe the whole famil can have a go at. You do all the intro stuff, then go into the pool and for the finale you do a shore dive. Absolute fantastic experience for those that dont want to run the risk of paying for a coarse but want to experience the sights under the water.
If you are staying in Bon Accord. R & S Divers, the office is based at the Toucan Inn will be more than willing to advise you. Go on Give it a go.
will be out there too so may see you at R & Sea.
Have a fab holiday, I am sure you will.