myTobago – your questions, review and comment about Tobago

In February 2007, we spent a week holidaying in Tobago and after reading some of the really positive discussions about Stuart on this forum, we decided to spend two days diving with him in the Speyside area.

We are both PADI AOW divers, but it had been a couple of years since our last dives. Even before we arrived the service was efficient and courteous. Stuart came to our villa a few days before we we were planning to dive, for a really thorough diving briefing - we were immediately very reassured.

The diving was excellent and Stuart and his outstanding boat captain Smithy know the area well. We saw plenty of sharks and rays and some of the most amazing coral we've ever seen. We started early each morning and were on the water by 7am. We were very pleased with our decision to dive with him and weren't envious one bit of the big groups setting off as we returned from our morning of diving.

We would have no hesitation at all in recommending Stuart to anyone who is planning a trip to Tobago and who wants fantastic diving, great service and does not want to dive with a huge group of other people!

Thank you for a great trip,

Caroline and Matt Baugh

Three friends and I recently had eighteen dives over six days of excellent diving with Stuart Sampson's Dive Service "Caribstu" (http://www.caribstu.com) around Speyside.

Stuart is an excellent dive guide, full of fun but very professional about briefings, checking gear etc. His boat driver, Smithy, is very experienced. He drops you in at exactly the right spot and was always right there when we surfaced, even after a long drift dive. Those of you who have ever surfaced and wondered where your boat was.. don't worry!

Sadly for us we didn't spot any hammerheads but we did have a "close encounter" with a manta ray (my first time in many years of diving) which was the high point of the week.

For those who want to spend maximimum time underwater at the best spots around Tobago, I recommend you check out http://www.caribstu.com.

Des

I will echo the above comments. We are a family of 4, all beginners. We booked initially just for a scuba dive 2 day course. Unfortunately 2 of us didn't like diving much so didn't continue. However I (dad) and my 18 year old daughter continued and went on to complete the open water course. Had some great diving with Stu who was thorough, professional and yet informal.

So if you want some diving instruction - Stu is a good man.

I also strongly advise diving with caribstu. Initially we were going to dive as a family but because of medical problems neither of my parents could, so me and my sister (tentively!) decided to go it alone despite this being our first time open water diving. Stuart met us prioir to diving and immediately we knew we'd made the right decision. We were reassured and answered on all questions.
The diving was FANTASTIC. Absolutely no complaints on service thanks to Smithy and Sheryl (providing boat captaining and yummy lunch) and a good chat and slice of cake between dives!
We both gained huge leaps in confidence despite our original neuroticism! It was obvious that we were in safe hands. Diving in such a small group was absolutely amazing it was like our own little world.
And of course we saw amazing things... Manta Rays (!!), Sharks , plenty of eagle & sting rays, mating adult turtles, the largest brain coral in the world, Black feather coral, African Pompano etc etc... And that was only in 18 dives!
The only problem is I don't think any future diving is going to match up to this.