My boyfriend and I are thinking of spending two weeks in Tobago in November. We are considering staying in Speyside (Blue Water Inn) for easy access to good diving and snorkelling but we are concerned about whether there will be enough to entertain us in the evenings.
Can anyone let us know whether it's just the hotel bar locally or whether other bars / restaurants etc will be accessible (either on foot or a short taxi ride)?
Many thanks,
Can't wait to visit the island!
Marie.
Nightlife, North East Tobago
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Steve Wooler
- myTobago Editor & Chief Anorak
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Hi Marie
Welcome aboard!
Check out the posts in the Blue Waters Inn forum for more information, but basically there is virtually NO nightlife - as you would understand it in London - in Tobago, much less in Speyside. Yes, there are a couple of small local bars in Speyside and these will give you lots of local atmosphere.
I know I'm speaking from the viewpoint of an old foggie (well, I hope I'm not), but the truth is that something about the nature of Tobago means that almost every visitor somehow seems to WANT to crash out remarkably early by home standards. This applies to everyone I've ever spoken to, young or old. It gets light just before 6am and very few places have thick curtains, so you tend to wake early. In every hotel I've ever stayed at on Tobago the bars are emptying by 10:30 and by 11:00 we're invariably the only people left. It's not boredom, it's simply that the island is so relaxing, and you chill out so totally, that nobody seems to want late nights. It's very hard to explain or understand until you've been there.
Perhaps some of the younger divers and other visitors to Speyside and the Blue Waters Inn would add their comments, please.
Welcome aboard!
Check out the posts in the Blue Waters Inn forum for more information, but basically there is virtually NO nightlife - as you would understand it in London - in Tobago, much less in Speyside. Yes, there are a couple of small local bars in Speyside and these will give you lots of local atmosphere.
I know I'm speaking from the viewpoint of an old foggie (well, I hope I'm not), but the truth is that something about the nature of Tobago means that almost every visitor somehow seems to WANT to crash out remarkably early by home standards. This applies to everyone I've ever spoken to, young or old. It gets light just before 6am and very few places have thick curtains, so you tend to wake early. In every hotel I've ever stayed at on Tobago the bars are emptying by 10:30 and by 11:00 we're invariably the only people left. It's not boredom, it's simply that the island is so relaxing, and you chill out so totally, that nobody seems to want late nights. It's very hard to explain or understand until you've been there.
Perhaps some of the younger divers and other visitors to Speyside and the Blue Waters Inn would add their comments, please.
Steve Wooler
myTobago.info - the definitive Visitor Guide to Tobago
myTobago.info - the definitive Visitor Guide to Tobago
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Marc Jones
No help if you are staying at BWI but the nearest I saw to a "London style buzz" was at Pelican Reef. ie it was a noisy "pub" style bar with lots of people drinking and having fun.
In fact I thought to myself "if only me and a few mates were over here" briefly before remembering my current role as family man
In fact I thought to myself "if only me and a few mates were over here" briefly before remembering my current role as family man
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Kevin Hampson
- Tobago Fanatic
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- Location: South Devon
Hi Marie,
the bar at BWI shuts normally around midnight, we had a few extentions last year but I think the latest was around 1am. There seem to be too sorts in BWI divers who stay up late and Birdwatchers who don't.
There are a few other bars and restauraunts in Speyside and its about 15 minutes walk, take a torch if the moon is not out its a bit dark. 10pm seems to be the general closing time. I did not notice any clubs, discos etc it's not really that sort of place.
5 days to go
Kevin
the bar at BWI shuts normally around midnight, we had a few extentions last year but I think the latest was around 1am. There seem to be too sorts in BWI divers who stay up late and Birdwatchers who don't.
There are a few other bars and restauraunts in Speyside and its about 15 minutes walk, take a torch if the moon is not out its a bit dark. 10pm seems to be the general closing time. I did not notice any clubs, discos etc it's not really that sort of place.
5 days to go
Kevin
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David Watkins
- Bude Cool Boy
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Marie Lewis
Thanks for the responses - this is really helpful.
The idea of a laid back holiday is very appealing! I guess we were concerned that we'd end up eating/drinking in the same place everynight... However, it sounds like there a couple of restaurants and bars to choose from for variety, and presumably some more restaurants in Charlottesville if we want a change?
Cheers,
Marie.
The idea of a laid back holiday is very appealing! I guess we were concerned that we'd end up eating/drinking in the same place everynight... However, it sounds like there a couple of restaurants and bars to choose from for variety, and presumably some more restaurants in Charlottesville if we want a change?
Cheers,
Marie.
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Steve Fifield
Marie,
Is this your first visit? If not, I'm sure that you know exactly where you are going, but I thought I should mention a couple of points just in case it is.
Many people have commented on the forum that although the diving is definitely good at Speyside, it is not necessarily better (correct me if I'm wrong!) than other areas that might give you more varied evenings out. I'm not a diver myself (yet) but I don't know if the Hotel Restaurant and a couple of bars will give you enough variety for a two week stay? It might just be worth considering staying at the west end of the island, where there is considerably (about twenty times) more variety. I know that personally, I would find it much easier to travel a reasonable distance specifically to go diving or snorkelling than just for a meal out, and there are so many Restaurants and bars in the west that you might not want to miss out on if this is your first trip.
Steve F.
Is this your first visit? If not, I'm sure that you know exactly where you are going, but I thought I should mention a couple of points just in case it is.
Many people have commented on the forum that although the diving is definitely good at Speyside, it is not necessarily better (correct me if I'm wrong!) than other areas that might give you more varied evenings out. I'm not a diver myself (yet) but I don't know if the Hotel Restaurant and a couple of bars will give you enough variety for a two week stay? It might just be worth considering staying at the west end of the island, where there is considerably (about twenty times) more variety. I know that personally, I would find it much easier to travel a reasonable distance specifically to go diving or snorkelling than just for a meal out, and there are so many Restaurants and bars in the west that you might not want to miss out on if this is your first trip.
Steve F.
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Sally
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Kevin Hampson
- Tobago Fanatic
- Posts: 353
- Joined: Sun Aug 24, 2003 3:24 pm
- Location: South Devon
Steve/ Marie,
Is the diving better at Speyside?
Well it's generally more challenging, faster drifts and currents, there are more varied sites in very close proximity around Speyside at least 15 within about 15 minutes boat ride from BWI with some dramatic underwater structures and abundant life because of the food being brought in by the prevailing currents. I have certenly seen more and larger shark, tarpon and barracuda than on the Caribean side.
If you are going to Tobago for the diving and chillin' then Speyside is a great base.
Regards & 3 days to go
Kevin
Is the diving better at Speyside?
Well it's generally more challenging, faster drifts and currents, there are more varied sites in very close proximity around Speyside at least 15 within about 15 minutes boat ride from BWI with some dramatic underwater structures and abundant life because of the food being brought in by the prevailing currents. I have certenly seen more and larger shark, tarpon and barracuda than on the Caribean side.
If you are going to Tobago for the diving and chillin' then Speyside is a great base.
Regards & 3 days to go
Kevin
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Geoff M
Marie
I've just returned from 2 weeks at Blue Waters, and didn't find it a problem having to eat & drink in the same place. The bar and restaurant have different menus, and you can mix and match and eat where you want. We walked into Speyside on one occasion ( very hot, dark and rather steep hills), and there are a couple of small bars and Jemmas's restaurant - a must try! We also went to Charlotteville by taxi. It was only about £5 and was a pleasant change. There is also a nice restaurant there, called Sharon and Phebs.
Regarding the diving, I only dived around Speyside, but we did get 'day trippers' up from the Caribbean side who reckoned Speyside was much better.
I'm sure you'll enjoy whetever you decide.
Geoff
ps: I put a report on BWI under accommodation, if you want to have a look.
I've just returned from 2 weeks at Blue Waters, and didn't find it a problem having to eat & drink in the same place. The bar and restaurant have different menus, and you can mix and match and eat where you want. We walked into Speyside on one occasion ( very hot, dark and rather steep hills), and there are a couple of small bars and Jemmas's restaurant - a must try! We also went to Charlotteville by taxi. It was only about £5 and was a pleasant change. There is also a nice restaurant there, called Sharon and Phebs.
Regarding the diving, I only dived around Speyside, but we did get 'day trippers' up from the Caribbean side who reckoned Speyside was much better.
I'm sure you'll enjoy whetever you decide.
Geoff
ps: I put a report on BWI under accommodation, if you want to have a look.
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Paul Makin
- Oh, so Sad!
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diving around speyside definitely more challenging -- usually. last time i went i waited until my last dives of my last week to go (best for last principle) and found no current, mill pond conditions etc 
.
there is lots of exciting diving elsewhere and if you did want a larger selection of eateries/bars etc, BWI might not be the best location (excellent tho it is).
it is much easier to make daytime trips up to speyside for diving than it is to make the journey in reverse for eating when its dark
paul
.there is lots of exciting diving elsewhere and if you did want a larger selection of eateries/bars etc, BWI might not be the best location (excellent tho it is).
it is much easier to make daytime trips up to speyside for diving than it is to make the journey in reverse for eating when its dark
paul
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Ally
hi,
Speyside is absolutely beautiful, but i imagine thst there wouldnt be much to do around there in the evenings. My friend and i went and stayed in orange hill near scarborough. The nightlife we found was brilliant. Divers den in bon accord is a brilliant bar with great nights on tuesday, friday and saturday with club 330 (the only club on the island) above it that they open after midnight on these nights. Also if you visit tobago you must go to Sunday school in Buccoo on a sunday night!
Hope this helps
Speyside is absolutely beautiful, but i imagine thst there wouldnt be much to do around there in the evenings. My friend and i went and stayed in orange hill near scarborough. The nightlife we found was brilliant. Divers den in bon accord is a brilliant bar with great nights on tuesday, friday and saturday with club 330 (the only club on the island) above it that they open after midnight on these nights. Also if you visit tobago you must go to Sunday school in Buccoo on a sunday night!
Hope this helps
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Jan Cox
Hello
Pete (my husband) and I have been holidaying in Tobago every year for the past 10 years and I feel like I've really found my "aahhh" spot! Before our first holiday there, the person who suggested we go to Tobago told me not to expect too much from the nightlife. He said "you get up with the sun, and go to bed with the sun". Yeah, right I thought, but he's not far wrong - for me anyway! After a full day fishing, swimming, snorkelling, lazing, exploring, talking and finally standing with your feet in the sea with a large G&T or Carib in your hand watching those fantastic sunsets, getting my head down between nice fresh crisp sheets is just about all I'm ready for!! Who needs the pleasures of the rat race? Jan.
Pete (my husband) and I have been holidaying in Tobago every year for the past 10 years and I feel like I've really found my "aahhh" spot! Before our first holiday there, the person who suggested we go to Tobago told me not to expect too much from the nightlife. He said "you get up with the sun, and go to bed with the sun". Yeah, right I thought, but he's not far wrong - for me anyway! After a full day fishing, swimming, snorkelling, lazing, exploring, talking and finally standing with your feet in the sea with a large G&T or Carib in your hand watching those fantastic sunsets, getting my head down between nice fresh crisp sheets is just about all I'm ready for!! Who needs the pleasures of the rat race? Jan.