myTobago – your questions, review and comment about Tobago

My other half and I are planning our first visit to Tobago and myself being a keen but inexperienced snorkeler, wonder if one can visit the Coco Reef hotel beach if you weren't staying at the hotel, as it is supposed to have very easy, good snorkeling. We may possibly decide to stay there but at the moment are tending towards self catering although being a woman I may change my mind!

Hi Joranson

I think somebody did once tell me that non-residents could pay for a the privilege of using the facilties at the Coco Reef, but it certainly won't be cheap.

The best bet is to go up Pigeon Point Road to Bago's Beach Bar and then swim our from Cable Beach, behind the beach bar. Its a very easy swim and you have a pleasant little beach and the facilities of Bago's just behind you.

Thanks for your prompt reply, just what I wanted to hear.

i was told that there were no private beaches in tobago, does that mean that coco reef's beach is open to anyone, the problem is more one of getting to it?

Hi Phil

Yes, all beaches on Tobago are public - but that does not mean that you can cross private land in order to get to them. So, unless you come in from the sea, several beaches can be considered 'private'.

'Coconut Bay' at the Coco Reef is an interesting one. Most of the beach is man-made, on private land, so it is effectively a private beach and therefore whilst they cannot stop you swimming/snorkelling around the lagoon wall, they would have every right to ask you to leave if you went ashore. In technical terms that is a narrow strip of what once to be a scrappy bit of 'public' beach, but I couldn't pinpoint it for you.

hi jorenson
i think if you prefer self catering you'll have no trouble finding beaches to snorkel from
mount irvine beach-out from surfers bar is fantastic-wear beach shoes to get out past the rocks and you'll be amazed at the marine life close to shore
we've seen all sorts of great fish,moray eels,squid and corals just off the beach The bar serves good basic food and is great for liming with the locals and laid back visitors.
we dive most days but if we're not diving we spend the day at surfers bar snorkelling then people watching with a carib/rum punch till the fishing boats come in at 4pm when we buy fresh fish for the bbq
i can also recommend arnos vale and englishmans bay when the seas are right but for beginners pigeon point is so easy my father in law(who said he couldn't swim) got hooked on snorkelling
i'm sure you'll have a great time without paying for the use of a hotel beach-once you've been you'll know what i mean
have a great holiday
mary

thanks steve, that's very helpful