myTobago – your questions, review and comment about Tobago

I've spend the last week reading this website and have found it very informative and useful. I now have a big problem in that I really can't decide where to stay. I've virtually decided I'm going to fly with Virgin Airways, as I have flown with them before. To ensure I am asking for help on the right things, the priorities are as follows :-

I am a scuba diver of 187 dives, and my husband is a non-diver but we both love snorkelling. I want accommodation to be a good 3, 4 or 5 star and either B & B plan if there are many restaurants around or all inclusive if not. Food must be good, obviously. Diving : I'm a little concerned over the speed of the currents but like everything you get used to it. I'd like to be able to cram in 10 or possibly 12 dives in the 2 weeks we will be there in February 06. What works with my husband and for me to do lots of diving is that I dive 2 dives in the morning so we have the rest of the day together. I looked very closely at Le Grand Coulan but it's morning and afternoon dives. Diving from the beach is also preferable, so I'm not disappearing into vehicles to get to the dive entry points. I'd prefer nitrox but it's not essential. I also looked very closely at Blue Waters Inn and have been in touch with people in another dive forum who have stayed there, and the Hilton, all with good reports. The Hilton dives are via a vehicle so would not be good. Are the hotels near the airport noisy ? Is the diving/snorkelling generally better in the north than the south ? I'm an underwater camera person too and will be buying a strobe before I go out there, so marine life of any form is top on my list.

Not much to ask really !!!!! but it is difficult to decide where to stay if you haven't been there. I've done Antigua, Mexico and St Lucia before, but I stayed in the wrong place in Antigua for diving/snorkelling. Also what is the best mosquito repellent ? What about sand flies ? They ate me alive in St Lucia.......

We both like harbours and particularly fishing boats.

I need to book something fairly soon because I know availability is in demand in the high season.

Thanks in advance
Chrystianne

http://www.chrystianne.com

Hi Chrystianne

I will be posting my review later this week of the two weeks we have just returned from.
It was our second time in Tobago and the only time we have returned to the same hotel.
Like you we have visited many islands in the Caribbean but Tobago has a special place in our hearts.
With your requirement I would have no hesitation recommending the CoCo Reef which has great food is 4*+ and has a good Dive school on the beach (not a diver myself but have heard lots of good things about it) Undersea Tobago. I am sure its covered on this site.
The Coco Reef is just 3min from the airport but honistly you would not know there was an airport within many miles.
We travel virgin and they seem to have it just right (though our recent flight home was delayed as the pilot hung himself at the Hilton).
Have a great time.

JOHN

Hi Chrystianne

Welcome aboard!

You're going to have to wait for one of our dive experts to answer most of your questions (come in, Kevin), but I like to greet new users so while I'm here, here's my two-cents worth.

The first thing is - have you read our Dive articles (in the Out & About/Activities menu above). The various articles will answer many of your questions.

If food is important, make sure you have a car during your stay. You'll need to stay in the south-west for a decent choice of restaurants. Most - but not all - of the dive shops do morning dives. Full details are available in our listings of the dive shops, including those (just two) that offer Nitrox. No, the hotels near the airport are not noisy. You don't need to use the in-house dive shop if you stay at Le Grand Courlan (in fact there are far better alternatives). The diving is generally considered to be better but more advanced, in the north of the island, but there are more snorkelling opportunities in the south. There is no beach diving worth considering.

Thanks Steve and John for your prompt replies, and I wait with interest your report John. I've looked at some of the dive pages on the site, they are very informative - I'll look at Coco reef, thanks. And I'll keep trawling through the site !!! (It's huge !!)

Regards
Chrystianne

Its a very good site with lots of information and good forum's.
The site is also monitored by business in Tobago and acted upon.
I had a very specific examply of this when i was there last week which impressed my wife and I and was a great bonus.
I wont say what it was as i wouldnt want the site used for that purpose.

I have tried to be criticle of the Coco reef but have to say that I find it one of the best hotels I have ever stayed in for a range of reasons.
The management are very in touch with their business.
Regards
John