myTobago – your questions, review and comment about Tobago

Does anyone have any info regarding cost?
Sound fab but will probably be out of our price range..!

Hi 'M'

I don't know - I can't remember how much it cost on our first trip to Tobago, but it was MUCH more affordable than we expected it to be. No more than a really posh meal out and much more special.

What I wanted to do is encourage you to book it anyway - it is such an amazing experience. Seeing the island from its skies gives you a totally different perspective and allows to appreciate the real beauty of the bits that the road doesn't take you to. It lets you link places up and identify areas you want to visit, it lets you have a nose at other hotels/resorts and you can see shoals of fish and the coral in all its glory. I would go as far as to say it's a once-in-a-lifetime thing that will connect you to Tobago and leave an imprint on you forever. Might sound totally OTT, but that's how we felt after the first time!

Oh, and the helicopter is named 'The Spirit of Andy Harries' after my husband, so you'd be in VERY safe hands I love thinking of a bit of him flying round the island he loved so much.

DO IT!

Rachel

Hi Rachel (or Steve),
Maybe this could be a way to gets Steve’s aerial survey if everyone takes a different bit of the island and sends in the photos.

I must agree with Steve it is great fun I used to do it for a shipping company and take aerial photos of tankers when I worked in Brunei. the only sobering the thing was both the pilot and chopper were ex 'nam complete with bullet holes (yes that included the pilot)


Regards
Kevin

Hi Kevin

I have loads of photos from my first trip. I'll send them on to Steve and see if they are of any use. We went right round the island that first time - it was a bigger helicopter and there wasn't an issue with fuel.

R

Thanks Rachel for that advice and info.
How lovely that the helicopter is named after your husband. What a wonderful thing to do. We shall definitely do the trip now.
Warm regards
Madeleine

Hi Madeleine

You'll love it!

From what I can see from other discussions, it's about £300, so it IS expensive, but still worth every penny. I promise you wouldn't regret it.

Have fun!

Rachel

Hi Guys & Gals

May I please clarify the situation, so that there's no misunderstanding?

Rachel's sightseeing was about five years ago, during her honeymoon/wedding trip. It was with Hummingbird Helicopters, the only helicopter firm on T&T (I believe). Sadly, tourism in Tobago was a fraction of what it is today and the amount of business did not justify keeping a helicopter on the island, so they discontinued the service a couple of years ago.

Tony Vieira, the owner of Hummingbird, remembered Rachel and Andy and when he heard about Andy's tragic illness and our "Holiday Of A Lifetime" arrangements, he immediately offered his support. As a result, Hummingbird provided them with a helicopter transfer from Trinidad to Tobago after the One Day cricket International (which was sadly rained off) and a sightseeing tour of Tobago in the little 3-seater Enstrom helicopter they had renamed "Spirit of Andrew Harries" in memory of Andy. However, this was a special trip for the couple. Hummingbird do not offer sightseeing tours of Tobago. Well, I guess they obviously accept special charters, but this will involve paying for the helicopter to fly all the way over from Trinidad.

Tobago Helicopters is a new joint-venture spin off from Hummingbird Helicopters. They will be based in Tobago and will operate a larger four-seater JetRanger helicopter. Operating to the same high professional standards as Hummingbird, they are currently sorting out the formalities, ground logistics and CAA licensing, etc. I understand that they hope to commence operations in August.

I doubt whether prices have been finalised yet and the figure quoted by Steve was, I understand, based upon a charter from Hummingbird Helicopters in Trinidad. The price for the locally-based 4-seater will obviously work out a lot cheaper, per head, I assume.

Rest assured that I will post a full-update as soon as more solid information is available. Sadly, they are very much in the hands of the civil aviation authorities.

Thanks for clarifying that, Steve. I guess I got all excited after seeing the pics from your trip, and thought that it had all gone through and that they were back in Tobago. Let's hope that happens soon.

I'd still encourage everyone to get in touch with them for that once in a lifetime experience.

Sorry for confusing things.

Rachel