myTobago – your questions, review and comment about Tobago

We staying at Coco Reef during mid November(after a week at Blue Waters in Antigua ) and having never visited the Caribbean am getting concerned about insect bites , my wife is very prone to getting bitten and we are getting all sorts of advice and are getting a touch confused / Do we need to take anti malaria tablets or anti hsitamine tablets or both , also what the best insect repellant on the market in the UK (or tobago / antigua ??) , any advice would be appreciated

Hi Mike

Welcome aboard!

Fear not, with a little care and protection, this is nothing but a minor nuisance to all but a very small minority of people who, it is true, can be plagued by mossies and sandflies. My wife Jill fell into this camp the first few times I took her to the Caribbean, but it is now simply not a problem.

The first thing is to read our Insects article (Menu: Odds & Sods/Health Matters/Insects & Nasties). Everything you need you can get here in the UK (Boots, etc).

No, you do not need anti-malaria tablets. Yes, you should take anti-histimine cream (Anthisan) and tablets if you feel you might be prone. There is no such thing as a 'best' repellant. What works for one person may not work as well for another - but just see our article for full details on this whole subject.

Don't worry - you'll have a great time.

Hi we are due to come to Tobago 15th November for a friends wedding!! Counting the days down with regards to sandflies are repellent bands any good and are they availiable for babys and toddlers Have to say all the advice on this site is fantastic and has made my research far easier than I ever imagined!! Keep up the good work
Benita

Hi Benita

Hopefully somebody with little 'uns can pass comment and recommend a brand. However, it has to be said that different remedies work for different kids/people. We were out there with our 16-month granddaughter back in February and although she spent a lot of time on the beach, she appeared immune to sandfly or other problems. We didn't use bands - although that could have been a good idea - and simply sprayed her arms and legs with the same deterrents we used (detailed in the above-mentioned Insects article). You'll be arriving at the end of the wet season, so hopefully be past the time when mossies are at their worst. As I say, some people suffer others don't, but prevention is better than cure.

Many thanks Steve for your quick reply I will keep researching and hope and pray the little beggars snack else where Just for the record how long is the flight from Gatwick to Tobago? Benita

Depends upon which airline you're travelling with and which day or the weeks as they all take different routes and have different stops. Reply in the next 10 mins and I can give you an immediate answer - after that 'Trial and Tribulation' wins over myTobago.

Thanks Steve good choice of tv viewing! We are flying Virgin on a Monday morning Enjoy the final part tonight!!!! Benita

Hi Benita

With normal weather conditions, it's a 9¼ hour flight with a scheduled time of arrival of 3:40pm local time - so you'll have plenty of time to get to your hotel, have a shower and change, swim and then watch the beautiful Caribbean sunsets with a LARGE cocktail.

OK, that's it. I'm closing down for the day. Sorry to abandon you but strange as it may seem, I do have a bit of a another life - if only between 9pm and 11pm. And if I fall asleep during tonight's final instalment, I'll be very cross in the forum tomorrow.