Too general to catagorise!

[Julie Fletcher]

I'm off to Tobago with my partner and our 6 year old on 4 August (yes, day after tomorrow).
We are staying in the Turtle Beach by Rex and have seen the mixed reports. I have also found out that the sea is too rough for children. Also, it is rainy season and people have told me we will get bitten to death. Has anyone got a pleasant thought that I can take with me? We don't want luxury, just a nice break!

[Annabelle Oconnell]

Hello Julie

Congrats on deciding to have your holiday in Tobago - it truly is gorgeous, you won't regret it.

I haven't stayed at the Turtle, however we are also off to Tobago soon (20th Aug) and we were there exactly this time of year last year: firstly, no mossies at all - we were in the Blue Waters Inn - we took some repellent just to make sure for the evenings.

We had the odd shower, but the weather was still wonderful, sunny, and hot. I think the weather forecast may seem more gloomy than it is.
Unless there is someone out there who can tell us if it's constantly raining?!!

Maybe swimming in the sea with your child will be fine as long as you stick together - i suppose you will be able to find out for sure once you get there!

Don't fret though, just think of all that relaxing time you will have, beautiful surroundings, clean air, sounds of the sea...

Tell us about it when you get back!

[Steve Wooler]

Hi Julie

Welcome aboard!

Annabelle's reply came in just as I was in mid-reply. I basically agree with everything she says.

Read our review of the Rex Turtle Beach. If you go there with an open mind and don't expect 5-star catering then you'll have a brilliant time.

The seas are normally calmer at this time of the year, so its wrong to say that the sea there WILL be too rough. I've seen tons of children swimming there, even in the higher seas at the start of the year. You could be pleasantly surprised.

Despite being the rainy season, you're sure to get lots of sun and come back with a tan. It rains most at night and in short, sharp showers.

Yes, some people get bitten to death in tropical beach resorts - others never get a bite. Follow the advice given in our Miscellaneous/Health & Safety articles and you stand a damn good chance of being one of the latter group.

Believe you me, if it was a dire as you seem to picture it, you certainly wouldn't get so many people falling in love with the island and returning year after year. So, go with an open mind and you'll have a fantastic time.

Let us know how you get on and have a great time.

[Julie Fletcher]

Thanks guys! I think I ought to start packing rather than worrying about it - I'm sure it's a beautiful island.

[Annabelle Oconnell]

Have a great journey Julie! Can't wait to be packing my bags, that's for sure

[Sandra Daniel]

Hi Julie

You are so lucky to be going to Tobago on Thursday. We stayed at RTB in May/June and my youngest of 8yrs found no probs with the sea, obviously you'd keep an eye open but all my boys loved it.

Friends of ours came home on Friday after staying at Coco Reef for two weeks and she is browner than she's ever been ! It did rain quite a bit, but mostly at night. They didn't mention being bitten a lot, so I presume that it wasn't a major problem.

Have a great holiday

Sandra

[Andy D]

Julie,fear not,you WILL have a fantastic time in Tobago,just go with the flow and enjoy,having stayed at the Rex myself i can say that you will have a good time and like Steve said,as long as you go with an open mind,no problem I hope you have a great time and let us all know how it went when you return Enjoy! Andy.

[Julie Fletcher]

Well, I'm excited now and thank you for a wonderful website! We sat down last night and looked at car hire, scuba diving etc and we feel as though we know the place already.

I will definitely let you know how we got on when we get home.

Julie

[Lou W]

Julie, I am so jealous!! You will have a fab time. I've stayed at the rex twice, we've been home 3 weeks and have booked to go back next july! The hotel is clean and the staff are friendly. That's all that matters in my opinion. I've got a little girl and she loved paddling in the sea and didn't find it too rough (although it is a tad noisy).

As for being bitten, the mozzies and sandflies ate me alive. I tried everything from drinking G&T's for 3 days solid, bathing in citronella oil and more alcohol but it didn't work. I can recommend on behalf of my mum avon's skin so soft. She normally gets loads of bites, but only got bit once!

Hope you fab trip!!

Lou W

[Julie Fletcher]

Hi All!

Back now from the lovely Tobago - we had a fabulous time and thanks for all your helpful comments.

After expecting the exterior of the RTB hotel to look awful we were very surprised! It was much betterer than I thought it would be. We were greeted with rum punch and the security guards shook our hands. The manager (think his name was Edmund) was extremely welcoming and treated our 6 year old daughter like a princess all week. You can really tell that they are trying to make a positive impression.

Going with an open mind is the best advice. In my opinion, if you want hotel staff to bow to your every whim then you will be disappointed. They do not take to arrogance kindly. However, if you treat them with respect they will treat you in the same way. They are very friendly especially to the children.

I was (dare I say it) a little disappointed with the beach, purely because I was expecting crystal clear water (which you do get on other parts of the island). However, we did see baby turtles and the fishermen so you can't have everything.

The food was great I think, very good value for money (we went all inclusive).

Anyway, I will give a RTB review over the next few days so won't harp on here.

Thanks again!

Julie