Snorkelling from the beach with 7 -yr-old

Jeanette · Post by **Jeanette** » Fri Sep 15, 2006 9:08 pm

Hello,

I just found this forum and I think it looks great! Me and my family, husband, 3yr old and 7 yr old, are thinking of visiting Tobago in Jan-07, 3-4 weeks.

We are looking for a place where you can stay on the beach, a reef that is close to the beach so our we and our son can swim out and snorkel. It´s also important that it should be a protected bay without waves (both for the snorkelling son and the daughter at the beach).

If there is such a beach that also can offer a hotel/guest house right on the beach (or very close at least) that would be great.

It would be nice with a beach where you can swim without risking your life among all jet-skis and water-skiers.

I would very much apreciate your advice. I´ve started to read other posts and will contiune, of course...

Patrick Dankou · Post by **Patrick Dankou** » Fri Sep 15, 2006 9:55 pm

Hello Jeanette,

Sounds like the Blue waters inn in Speyside is what you are looking for....

Lisa Keith · Post by **Lisa Keith** » Sat Sep 16, 2006 1:12 am

Hi Jeanette,

Arnos Vale has an excellent reef which starts five feet from the waters' edge. It's a crescent shaped bay, and doesn't get much in the way of waves at all. If you stay anywhere on the south end of the island, it's worth a drive to for a day out. You can access it via the Arnos Vale hotel in Plymouth, although that might not be the most appropriate place to stay (see the reviews on this website for a non-biased opinion!). It's easy enough to get to though, so wherever you're staying, I'd suggest a visit!!

Enjoy your holiday!
Best regards,
Lisa.

David Watkins · Post by **David Watkins** » Sat Sep 16, 2006 7:20 am

Jeanette,how about Castara?Seabreeze,Beachhouse and The Naturalist are right on the beach.At the first two the reef literally comes up to the beach.
David(74 dtg

)

Paul Tallet · Post by **Paul Tallet** » Sat Sep 16, 2006 2:43 pm

The breakwater and beach off Coco Reef Hotel is best for weak swimmers.

Arnos Vale is Ok if you can find the channel where you can swim safely out without snagging yourself on the coral.

Castara is Ok when there are no heavy seas and, as Patrick says, Batteau Bay is very sheltered but you have to swim a little way to get to the coral.

Mount Irvine (south end) is also Ok.

I would recommend boat trips where they take you out to a sheltered area, check the conditions are right and then plop you in right over the top of the coral ... you have the option of wearing life jackets and the added assurance that the boat is there to pick you up if you get into any difficulty.

Regards

Steve Pitts · Post by **Steve Pitts** » Sat Sep 16, 2006 5:23 pm

Jeanette wrote: We are looking for a place where you can stay on the beach, a reef that is close to the beach so our we and our son can swim out and snorkel. It´s also important that it should be a protected bay without waves (both for the snorkelling son and the daughter at the beach).

Coco Reef Hotel ticks all the boxes.
Calm and safe at all times of the year and with it's own mini - reef within easy swimming / snorkelling distance.

Not the cheapest, but you might get a good deal out of season, say April through to October.
School holidays will be expensive though.

Cheers
Steve

Kevin Hampson · Post by **Kevin Hampson** » Sat Sep 16, 2006 8:38 pm

Hi Steve,
I agree about Coco Reef ticking the boxes, but it's a bit limiting even for kids one morning and you've see it all snorkeling. The reef at Arnos Vale and BWI offer a lot more and would keep kids entertained for a whole holiday. BWI in particular is very sheltered and having the whole bay as part of the hotel is great for kids. You also have the option for snorkeling trips on the reefs off Little Tobago with the glass bottom tours.

Regards
Kevin

Jeanette · Post by **Jeanette** » Mon Sep 18, 2006 4:16 pm

...for the response! I will certainly check out all your suggestions and then maybe I´ll get back with more questions if it´s OK.

I forgot to mention that "small detail" that we try to travel on a budget so maybe the Coco Reef would be too expensive. I will check. We prefer small, clean, functional places, preferrably on the beach.

And at least me and my husband would apreciate if there are a few reefs to choose from.

We will of course rent a car and go on boat trips but those days we just want to stay "at home" it´s so nice with a house reef.

We also dive som we will probably check out some of the diving spots too.

Thanks a lot for your kind answers, I will now do my homework

Jeanette

Steve Pitts · Post by **Steve Pitts** » Tue Sep 19, 2006 6:55 am

Jeanette wrote:

I forgot to mention that "small detail" that we try to travel on a budget so maybe the Coco Reef would be too expensive. I will check. We prefer small, clean, functional places, preferrably on the beach.

Jeanette

Ah.....that knocks the Coco out of the running then.

How about The Conrado Hotel - Pigeon Point Rd?
Right on the beach (between Coco Reef and Pigeon Point).

If you hire a car, then any beach is within approx. 1 hour drive - most a lot less.

Kevin Hampson · Post by **Kevin Hampson** » Thu Sep 21, 2006 3:42 pm

Hi Jeanette,
I think BWI may could still be on your list it's a mid price 3* so you should be OK and its really close to the beach, about 0m. They run boat trips out of the bay and car hire is available on site too if Kee-Kee is still in business.

regards
Kevin

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Snorkelling from the beach with 7 -yr-old

Snorkelling from the beach with 7 -yr-old

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Thanks a lot...

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