myTobago – your questions, review and comment about Tobago

We are planning to visit Arnos Vale having heard how good & safe the snorkelling is there. We are undecided as to whether it is worth having lunch or afternoon tea here having heard more negative reports recently about this resort. Has anybody been here recently either to eat or for the birdwatching?

Many Thanks

Donna

Hi Donna,

I had afternoon tea and fed the birds at Arnos Vale Hotel a couple of months ago, i was disappointed at the afternoon tea as i thought it was very expensive and the staff were a bit abrupt, but the place is a lovely setting and there were different varieties of birds which came to feed and some were very tame.

The hotel is in a wonderful setting and you could wander around the hotel grounds and enjoy the view. It is a shame that a hotel in such a prime location looks tired and in need of money spending on it. But worth a trip for the birds alone and yes the snorkelling is very good there - lots of juvenile fish to see.

We usually take some time out to visit Arnos Vale when we are on the island.

On our last visit during August, we noticed a significant hike up on the cost of staying for tea...... which you have to pay for on entry at reception..... but the quantity and range of birds is worth the unofficial 'entrance fee' plus the 'tea/cakes' which follow. Staff were friendly and the tea service fine.

Snorkelling is excellent especially on calmer days. I wouldn't recommend the beach as the best place to swim per se but the range of fish to see makes it one of the best spots on the island.

Regards,

Bob.

We went to Arnos vale for birdwatching and tea a few weeks ago. The birdwatching bit is superb, but because we arrived late, the tea had finished, but then we saved ourselves a few dollars I suppose. I did try to order a couple of cokes instead but getting them was a problem due to the fact that the staff had to empty their pockets to find some change. Very bizarre.
But the birdwatching was good - the usual suspects plus a very tame orange-winged parrot.
Jason

Been reading that arnos vale is great snorkling i got to get my self there.

Tho living down at crownpoint i just wondering what is the perferd route there. Hire a car/ getting bicyckels ? And how long does it take the car route up there?:

And can i hire some snorkling equipment there or do i hire it down in crowpoint area?

Hi Mikael

Its a 25 minute drive, give or take, from Crown Point to Arnos Vale - a little too far for a bicycle ride unless you're a serious bike rider. There's a decent dive shop there (Tobago Dive Experience) and I think I heard that they rent snorkelling gear - perhaps Lisa could confirm if she reads this. If not, its worth you while contacting them.

Steve Wooler wrote:Hi Mikael

Its a 25 minute drive, give or take, from Crown Point to Arnos Vale - a little too far for a bicycle ride unless you're a serious bike rider. There's a decent dive shop there (Tobago Dive Experience) and I think I heard that they rent snorkelling gear - perhaps Lisa could confirm if she reads this. If not, its worth you while contacting them.

Fast and informative answers as always =).

Thx alot Steve

Hi
I´d visit Arnos Vale this summer, I was walking from Crown Point! At that time, august, the shop was open and they had some guests who learned to dive too.
So, they do have equipment but I don´t know if they rent them out.
Ronald

Did I hear my name mentioned??!!

Yes, there's a dive shop on the beach there and they rent snorkelling equipment. It's rented out on a daily basis, so be prepared to spend a long time in the water, and it might be an idea to bring a tee-shirt to stop your back getting burnt. The snorkelling is excellent!

Have fun,
Lisa.

Lisa Keith wrote:Did I hear my name mentioned??!!

Yes, there's a dive shop on the beach there and they rent snorkelling equipment. It's rented out on a daily basis, so be prepared to spend a long time in the water, and it might be an idea to bring a tee-shirt to stop your back getting burnt. The snorkelling is excellent!

Have fun,
Lisa.

Great =).

See u there then in 7-8 weeks or something then =)

Hi

Also don't forget to put waterproof suncream on the back of your legs. I burnt mine whilst snorkling in the Maldives !!

Jill

Hi,

We are visiting Tobago in May this year and were considering taking our two daughters, age 10 and 12 to Arnos vale for the day to snorkel from the beach and then see the birds at afternoon tea. Would anyone reccomend this as an activity for their age? I have been there once but did not go in the sea and cannot remember what it was like, they have only snorkeled in calm water before. Also would we have to pay to go to the beach in the morning and would we have to pay for the tea if we were already there?

Thanks

Linda

Hi Linda

Entry to Arnos Vale hotel and beach is free, so you won't have to pay.

Depending on the time of year and to some extent the state of the tide, the sea can be calm, but with a 'vigorous' set of breakers along the beach line. This is very typical of many of the steep beaches on the Caribbean side of Tobago. The beach is steepest in front of the hotel swimming pool and resturant terrace, so perhaps would be safer for youngsters (and oldsters) towards the right hand side of the beach, which is less steep and the water generally shallow.

The only real problem is getting out of the sea and onto the steep end of the beach. The undertow can be quite strong and may be a little un-nerving for a novice swimmer - especially with snorkelling kit on - as it tends to drag your feet from under you. I've seen a few people loose their footing and fall over, only to get slam-dunked by the next wave.
Mind you, the local kids love this end of the beach and find any old floatsom, like big chunks of polestyrene packaging, to body board on.

In case you hadn't noticed, the picture on the myTobago home page (the scene with the hammock) is Arnos Vale beach and bay. As you can see, it's protected from all but the heaviest seas, so once beyond the breakers it's safe enough for a confident swimmer.

The afternoon tea is rather expensive, for what you get, in terms of tea and cakes, but the views and the birds do add to the value rating.

Cheers
Steve