Union Tour Island Trip

[Wendy]

We're off to Tobago in October

Has anyone done this trip?

You fly to Union Island, then travel to Mayero, Tobago Keys and Palm Island during the day.

Has anyone been to any of these islands? Any advice/info would be fab

Thanks
Wendy
X

[Steve Wooler]

Hi Wendy

I haven't tried the tour personally yet, but I remember thinking what a wonderful daytrip it sounded when Yes Tourism ( http://www.yes-tourism.com ) sent me a press release. I haven't got the details to hand, so why don't you send them an email - [email protected] - and I'm sure they'll send you full details.

If you decide to give it a try, be sure to let us know what it's like. It's great to report on all excursions that visitors can experience while on Tobago, even if they're off-island.

[Wendy]

I contacted Yes Tourisem after the wonderful reviews on this site and they sent me an itinery, which looks fab.

Will def report back, just wanted to hear what someone else had to say first

Wendy

[Steve Wooler]

My, that was quick

I thought I’d lost that Yes Tourism press release, but I’d just misfiled it - I get so much stuff through on Tobago that I need a separate computer just to file it all. As you've got the details, there's probably not much point in posting this, but I was nearly finished typing it when your last post came in, so this might be of use to others.

As I’m sure you know, Union Island is beautiful little island in the Grenadines. My understanding is that you are picked up from your hotel at 06:45 am, transferred to Crown Point and take the 40-minute hop over to the tiny airport on Union Island in a 10-seater twin-engine Cessna. You then transfer to an old schooner, Scaramouche, where you have breakfast and lunch (with an open bar) while touring various secluded islands, including Mayero, the Tobago Cays (no connection) and Palm Island. There are various stops for swimming and snorkelling. You get back to Tobago around 7pm.

Sounds like a lovely tour and a nice way to see some more of the Caribbean. The flight over should offer some spectacular views as well. Anyway, you know who to contact for further info.

[Wendy]

You're right it sounds fab, will def post a review when we get back.

Wendy

[Malc C]

Hi Wendy,
Some time ago (about 10 years I guess) my wife and I did a trip similar to this but from St.Lucia. We flew on a 16 seater plane into Union Island (landing there is quite an experience skimming over the corrugated iron roof tops !!). From there we sailed on a catamaran lazily visiting one or two smaller islands which included the Tobago Cays and Palm Island. There were several stops for snorkling and the crew served up a delicious lunch. This trip was definitely the highlight of our holiday and is something which will remain etched in my memory for ever. At the time it wasn't a cheap trip (something of the order of £80-£100 each) but it was definitely worth every penny. How this trip would compare to the cheaper (presumably) options of a day's trip along the coast of Tobago with Kalina Cat's or whoever I can't really say, but to my mind the flight in the light aircraft together with the views of the Caribbean islands proved very memorable. I would be interested to hear of your experiences if you do have the good fortune to go on this trip,
Malc C

[Wendy]

Thanks Malc, we're def going to go now - can't wait

Wendy

[Carl Sherman]

this is my first post here and having browsed the forum for a few weeks now i feel it is time i started to join in, we are travelling to Tobago in October too for our wedding and this sounds like the trip of a lifetime (regardless of cost) that i too would love to participate in (i remember paying $125 to swim with dolphins on the pacific coast of Mexico 6 yrs ago), my only worries about a trip of this intensity is that my (soon to be) wife will be some 5 months pregnant and was wondering if anyone has heard as to whether a trip of this kind would be suitable?

just for the information we are geting married at le grand courlan (not sure if this is a good thing or not judging by what i have read, but i have travelled to a few places in the caribean, Dominican republic, Cuba, Mexico: so i am partially prepared for all eventualities)

[Glyn Kirpalani]

Hi Carl

The general view, and possibly the CAA legal view (?), is that pregnant women of more than 7 months intending a pressurised flight must have a medical clearance as fit to fly. A short flight in an unpressurised cessna won't hurt your wife, but I imagine the motion of the boat will not help any morning sickness (my pregnant wife and I took the awful ferry to Trinidad when she was 5 months and she honked all the way back). She could stay in the shade and being in water relaxes pregnant women (I am reliably informed) as it alleviates the weight. Up to you I guess. As for LGC, we were married above it last year (literally, at Villas at Stonehaven). Most of our wedding guests stayed at LGC, including some BA crew used to posh hotels, and they loved it. We popped in a couple of times - very nice setting, pretty beach etc. They will do you proud I am sure. Regards, Glyn

[James Blackshaw]

We did a day trip last November from St Lucia flying into Union Island.
We were then treated to a days sailing around the Grenadine Islands on a whacking great catamaran. There were only 9 guests plus crew so plenty of space to stretch out. It was one of the highlights of our holiday. Beautiful clear waters, wonderful snorkelling at Tobago Cays, a stop at the island with only a palm umbrella on it. Quite beautiful.
The crew were professional, informative and good natured. A beautiful lobster lunch with wine, beer and of course the statutory rum punch.

I am sure Yes Tourism, as Steve says will organise something similar and we certainly recommend it. The only time there could be disappointment would be if the weather closes in and you cannot leave port. That would be rare.
Enjoy

[Paul Tallet]

I did this trip as a surprise for the family ... and boy ... it was a surprise and a half.

It is worth pointing out that this trip is quite expensive but will become a little cheaper from April 2004 when a Tobago based plane will be available.

Nevertheless, we took a reasonably smooth ride in heavy rain in a 7 seater Cessna to Union Island ... little bit of a white knuckle ride as the plane lands and skims over the tops of the corrugate roofs and palm trees !

Quick view of shark pool and then off to the Scaramouche, a beautiful schooner. We were joined by parties from Grenada and Mustique, total of 17.

We visited Mayreau, Tobago Cays and Palm Island. The Cays were the highlight, the colours stunning.

The crew were superb ... I just could not refuse their endless offers of Rum Punch. The Food was excellent too.

I would not rate this trip for snorkelling, Mayreau was best for this but not spectacular.

This is more of a sightseeing trip and day of relaxation.

I cannot see how it would disappoint anyone ... we met many who have been repeatedly.

Many thanks to Patrick and Tanja of Yes Tourism for organising the day and for keeping my secrets ... a secret !!


Paul