myTobago – your questions, review and comment about Tobago

Trying to identify our next trip and it looks like November is about the soonest that we can get off. I dive and she birdwatches. Done Bonaire, Roatan, Cayman, Jamaica, Costa Rica, Belize, and Isla Margarita/Venezuala for diving/bircing and Tobago looks pretty good. Any experience with the November time frame and recommendaitons for lodging (probably two weeks) would be greatly appreciated.

thanks
Joe

Hi there Joe,

Tobago is certainly the place to go if you want great diving and birdwatching! My parents are avid bird watchers and have been returning for 7years because they still haven't seen all the birds they want to see! I on the other hand, dive and can quite honestly say I have had some of the most amazing dive experiences there!

November should be a lovely time to go weather wise with temps ranging between 22C and 32C(71-89F) and has average rainfall of 183mm (7.2 inc). Its also before peak time, which usually starts around Dec 15th, so it probably won't be so busy.

In terms of accommodation it really depends what your after. There are loads of B&Bs and guesthouses which are often family run and can be quite basic, but in my opinion they are one of the best places to stay to get a real feel of the island and the Tabagonian lifestyle. There are also numerous hotels popping up, my personal recommendation is the Rex Turtle Beach. There are mixed reviews about it on the site, but I feel that this hotel provides a simple, friendly, comfortable and unforgettable stay. It is not posh or glitzy, but that is not what I want from a hotel. I prefer to try and blend in and feel comfortable. I have returned to this hotel for 7 years now and I know that the hotel has a huge number of returners each year!

Hope some of this is helpful!

Kitty

Joe, if you want the best diving and especially after November this year with all the excess rainfall you should book up Charlottesville or Speyside. BWI is excellent. In November you are coming to the end of the rainy season so nothing is guaranteed, but up that end of the island the waters (for some reason) seem to be clearer quicker if there is heavy rainfall. I waited till mid December to go diving off Crown Point and waters were still a bit murky.

Hi Joe,
I have been to Tobago diving for the past 2 years in late October or November. Its the end of the rainy season so you can still expect the odd day of heavy rain but the diving is still fine. The vis can drop a bit with a few days rain but I have never seen less than 8 to 10m and it can get up around 30+.

If its birdwatching and diving then Bluewaters Inn at Speyside will be your best bet as its a great hotel for both pastimes. There is a very good dive centre onsite a lot of bird watchers stay there too.

Have a look back in this forum and you'll find a few reports on the trips.

By the way I'm going back this year, which must say something

Regards
Kevin