myTobago – your questions, review and comment about Tobago

Hi people, I was wondering if Steve or anybody else out there could shed a little light on a subject matter for me. Basically it's about reef wlking. It came tomy attenion via this website that eager tour operators from Store Bay may offer plastic walking shoes on trips out to Bucco Reef.

I have been to tobago 3 times before and each time i have been on a tour have been offered these. I asked if it as safe to walk in these shoes and if any damage would be done to the rocky bottom.

I was informed wrongly or rightly that walking with these shoes on was more for my protection than the reef as most of the bottom was rocks and any coral on the floorbed had been dead for a very long time.

I never used these shoes or walked on the bottom as i was sceptical but most of the people on these trips did. I spoke to a couple of people and they said that there was no live coral and just a rocky bottom. I also spoke to one of the crew on the boat and he assured me that if this practice wasn't ok they wouldn't be allowed to do it. He also pointed out that most boats offer the shoes.

Can anyone tell me what the sitauin is regarding this matter? Can you walk on the bottom without damaging anything or shouldn't we do this at all. And if we shouldn't then why or why are tourists being given mis-information by locals who own these boats and effectively it is thier livelyhood that will be affected. Can anybogay help out...?

Thanks a lot!

Kevin

a lot of what is classed as reef on the glass bottom boat circuit at buccoo is in fact dead coral and limestone bedrock. however, there are good signs of re-generation in more protected (ie non visited areas) in general, i think your approach is the right one. unless one is able to instantly identify what is under foot the maxim should be to assume that its healthy and to proceed with caution.

even damage to dead corals will be detrimental to the eco system and should be avoided. merely walking on a sandy sea bed will stir up the bottom, which in turn can smother the polyps.

i personally dont do the boat trips so cant vouch for the quality of the info given out - it sounds a bit half and half really - sort of "its dead so you cant damage it any more" which ignores the needs of the system to re-grow

imho of course

regards
paul

Hi Kevin

I don’t understand how, but I replied to this earlier today and somehow have managed to delete the post. Doesn’t make sense. That’s age for you.

Anyway, Paul’s reply is spot on. You should avoid going anywhere that coral is growing or likely to grow. Sadly, the situation is not policed and unscrupulous tour operators still continue to let visitors reef walk. If you find a boat operator that allows this, please refuse and then let us know the details – I will have absolutely no hesitation in naming and shaming them on myTobago.

If you want the definitive opinion on this, may I suggest that you read the excellent article written for myTobago by Dr.Owen Day of the Buccoo Reef Trust ( http://www.buccooreef.org ). The article is available at http://www.myTobago.info/diving05.php

iwas there last summer and used the shoes.basically to protext feet and the reefs.there saved to used, even the tour boat operators were using them.

As you originate from T&T, I would have hoped that you would have known better! I am sorry to say that it is exactly this attitude that has destroyed Buccoo Reef and other wonderful coral reefs around Tobago.

Using the shoes protects you – not the reef. If you walk on the reef, with or without shoes, you will destroy it. Paul’s comments, above, are spot on. Read Dr.Owen’s article mentioned above and accept his comments as a marine biologist of some repute – a man who spends his life dedicated to the preservation of Tobago’s reefs. Do not listen to the comments of some tour boat operator who will say and let you do anything if it increases his chance of earning an extra tip.

The only chance these areas have of any regeneration is if people keep completely away. IMHO the T&T government should pass a law preventing people entering the water in marked areas and only allow entry by specially licensed and controlled glass-bottom boats with responsible captain’s and well-maintained engines (so that they don’t go dumping oil into the water). It’s the only way these areas stand any chance of regeneration.

Thanks to Steve & Paul for the info you guys really know your stuff. It's nice to know that there is a website out there with some proper helpful insightful advice rather than just pushing the mass tourism thing. Wee done!!!! As you are such a wealth on info would you happen to know of a reputable company who do boat tours to the Nylonn Pool then Bucco Reef etc from Store Bay.

I don't want to fall into the trap of going on a trip and then being offered some shoes to reef walk, knowing what i know now i think i may react in an unvafourable way towards the tour operator. I would much rather go with someone who can be trusted and actually knows something about the reef!

I have heard something about Frankies tours does he operate out of Store Bay? Last time i was in Tobago in 1999 i think i paid the equivalant of about 8 pounds for a 2.5 hr trip which i thought was a steal, although i must admit this is on eof the tours i was offered shoes on!! Any idea what i can expect to pay this time around..?
Keep smiling..Kevin

Hi Kevin

I am not embarrassed to admit that the last time I visited Buccoo Reef, in 1980, I broke down in tears at the devastation in the 20 years since my previous visit – and that was when Tobago had only three half-decent hotels and was receiving only a fraction of the visitors it currently enjoys.

I have refused to visit the reef since – Jill has never seen them, period. I’m certainly not saying this to put you off going – it’s just that I would prefer to remember them the way they were, rather than the way they are now.

What I’m getting it is that I simply don’t know the good operators, nor the prices. However, I am sure that somebody who does will be able to answer your questions.

I never really answered your comment about the tour boat crew member who said that reef walking wouldn’t be allowed if it wasn’t OK. I’ve heard this defence before. It doesn’t take into account the lack of politically will. Tobago has always been a drain on Trinidadian resources. The Trinidadian government really doesn’t give a damn about Tobago. Trinidad is an oil-producing nation and considers tourism beneath them. They really couldn’t care less what happens to Tobago, as long as it doesn’t cost them anything. Legislation to protect Tobago’s reefs and to enforce any law would cost Trinidad money. So, nothing is done! The Tobago House of Assembly (THA) has the will, but not the resources, so their hands are tied. Poor little Tobago has been kicked from pillar to post and fobbed off from one country to the next, ever since Columbus discovered it in 1498 and we Brits colonised it. Personally I think that’s why Tobagonians have always been so hospitable – they are just pleased that somebody seems to appreciate and like the island, because history proves otherwise.

That’s my political rant for the day over. Oh, I feel better for that!!!

hi kevin

i think that i'm probably tempted to say forget about snorkelling buccoo, maybe sign up with a padi or bsac shop for a snorkelling qualification and explore some of the other systems in the area which are easily reached from the shore, eg store bay. the qualification will cost a bit more but i suspect that you'll have a much more pleasurable experience and you'll be doing a little towards preservation of the reefs

regards
paul

Dear Kevin
reef boat trips to Bucco Reef cost TTD 90 (approx USD 15 or GBP 10) per adult, children are free of charge with some operators, others charge 50% of the adult rate. There is also a so-called Reef and BBQ available with most of the operators: the cost is anything between TTD 300 and TTD 360 (USD 50-60 or GBP 33-40). After the trip to the reef, there is a beach BBQ at No Man's Land.

Unfortunately, I have personally not come across any reef boat operator that does not offer the shoes to "walk" the reef. We as a tour operator do not recommend Buccoo reef tours anymore for obvious reasons. If clients want to go on the reef, we refer them to Speyside as the reef is much deeper and cannot be walked on. And in Speyside you can go on the glass bottom boat to Little Tobago, and then snorkel along the Angel Reef, which is a very nice excursion and one of our popular tours.

Regards

Kevin Ancell wrote:Hi people, I was wondering if Steve or anybody else out there could shed a little light on a subject matter for me. Basically it's about reef wlking. It came tomy attenion via this website that eager tour operators from Store Bay may offer plastic walking shoes on trips out to Bucco Reef.

I have been to tobago 3 times before and each time i have been on a tour have been offered these. I asked if it as safe to walk in these shoes and if any damage would be done to the rocky bottom.

I was informed wrongly or rightly that walking with these shoes on was more for my protection than the reef as most of the bottom was rocks and any coral on the floorbed had been dead for a very long time.

I never used these shoes or walked on the bottom as i was sceptical but most of the people on these trips did. I spoke to a couple of people and they said that there was no live coral and just a rocky bottom. I also spoke to one of the crew on the boat and he assured me that if this practice wasn't ok they wouldn't be allowed to do it. He also pointed out that most boats offer the shoes.

Can anyone tell me what the sitauin is regarding this matter? Can you walk on the bottom without damaging anything or shouldn't we do this at all. And if we shouldn't then why or why are tourists being given mis-information by locals who own these boats and effectively it is thier livelyhood that will be affected. Can anybogay help out...?

Thanks a lot!

Kevin

Well said, Tanja. I don’t mean to sound patronising, but it’s no wonder that Yes Tourism are possibly the ‘best’ tour operator and ground handling destination management service on Tobago. I wish that everyone involved with tourism on Tobago took the same responsible attitude. Thanks!

I thought it was very sad to see the state of Bucco Reef, and almost everyone was walking on it!
We went out from Pigeon Point and there were several other boats there from Store Bay, and everyone was walking around, the 'captain' even said that it wasn't dead coral which you could see!! My wife said it look like 'a graveyard' and she was absolutely spot on.

The boats go out with the reef no more than half a meter below with their outboard motors churning up everything in sight and drop there anchor anywhere, no one can say that they're not causing any damage!

We went out to Angel Reef by Little Tobago at the end of our holiday, and that was what I had imagined Bucco would be like, absolutely amazing! The reef is about 12 feet down, so no damage is caused and the boats have special anchor point - bouys.

Pictures from Angel reef are on my site at http://www.paul-taylor.de/tobago/Underwater.html, just a oneway cheap camera, but it gives you an idea.