Surfing and other watersports

[J Loow]

Hi!
We're going to Tobago in january next year and I just want to ask som questions. The first on is: Where is the best place to do some regular surfing? And second: Can anyone tell me if it's expensive to rent a jetski and stuff like that? I've never been abroad on vacation before so I'm real excited over this trip and Tobago seems to be a great place.

[Steve Wooler]

Hello J

Welcome aboard!

The best place for surfing is Mount Irvine Bay. Grange Beach, at the western end of the bay, often provides spectacular surfing during the winter months.

Tobago is not a suitable place for jetskiis. The waters are seldom calm enough for anything but the most experienced riders and jetskiis should NEVER be used anywhere near beach where swimmers and others are enjoying the water. Fortunately they are few and far between in Tobago so tend not to be the nuisance they so often can be (and I say this as a keen motorcyclist and jetskiier).

[Hugh S]

Thanks for stating the problems with jetskiis. As a fisherman and beach bather I am opposed to them in most areas. In my "other home", San Francisco, jetskiis have been completely banned in the Bay.

How about windsurfing as an alternative? Takes more muscle power but nothing wrong with a good workout.

[Steve Pitts]

Hi J.

Will you be taking your own board with you?

I'm not 100% sure, but I don't think that you can hire surf boards any more at Mount Irvin. The watersports 'shop' hasn't been open for a couple of years now.

If you take a look at this picture, http://www.mytobago.info/photos/aerial/IMG_4580.htm

You can see the Mount Irvin break to the right-hand side of the headland. It's not a long wave, but is about as good as it gets on Tobago.

There are also some good wave over on the Atlantic side, off the Friendship flats, at the end of the airport runway, but they are never what you would call 'Calfornia' or 'Hawaii' standard.

If you fancy a go at windsurfing or kite surfing, then Pigeon Point is your best bet. See here for ideas - http://www.mytobago.info/sailing02.php

Don't get me started on Jet skis

Have fun
Steve

[J Loow]

okey okey.. take it easy... I know that jetskiis are not a favorite for a lot of people and I apologize for my bad choice of activity. All I wanted to know was if it's expensive to rent for exampel a jetski and other stuff like a divingkits, a catamaran. If it's worth the money to try let's say parasailing, kite surfing and so on. Again I apologize.

The surfing question is not so much for me. It's my boyfriend who's the surfer. And we'll probably not bring our own board. But on the other hand it might be a good opportunity to try kite or wind surfing.

[Steve Wooler]

Hi J

Sorry - this must sound a terrible welcome to the forum. You certainly have nothing to apologise for. Its the other way around.

Nobody is criticising you for asking about jetskiis. The strong reaction is more about the idiotic boys that run the local jet ski service and the injuries that have happened.

Have a look at our article in Out & About/Activities/Sailing & Watersports/Watersports for a list of the firms offering the sort of activities you mention. We provide links to their websites, which may provide details of prices.

[Chris Cross]

Mr. Irvine is the best beachbreak of trinibago for surfing. (My Opinion )

Kiteboarding is nice around Pigeon Point (plane water area) and very rough round the Roxborough Kingsborough Bay area (5 " - 7 ")