cloudy waters

[Richard Banks]

I am going to Tobago for the first time in early November and trying to decide where to head for. Castara sounds wonderful but as a keen snorkler I am worried about reports of cloudy water in the wet season. Is this unique to Castara or the same for all the beaches on the north coast?

[Paul Tallet]

Hi Richard

The sea water can get cloudy at any time of year and the reason is either heavy rain or heavy surf crashing on the sandy beaches.

Some areas don't get too badly affected and these would include Arnos Vale, Buccoo Reef (Glassbottom Boat trip) and some areas off Speyside (also boat trips).

Generally, the further out you swim the clearer it gets ... from Castara you can swim out about half a mile to the end of the headland on the north east end of the beach ... the are some rocks out there in deep water to the left of the headland plus the option of going round the end of the headland into another small bay where the conditions are often very clear.

Englishman's Bay also has a nice reef just off it's eastern side but you need to be a strong swimmer to get in and out of the sea there if the surf is heavy.

Hope this helps.

Regards

[Brian Taylor]

also the cuurents in castara wash away the cloudy water very fast. the other day we had some heavy rain and the whole bay was brown (as every bay the has a river going into the sea) and the next morning it was clear and people went out snorkelling again...I would say: no worries!

steph