Tobago Cays

Photo © a_broad

Travel Guide Caribbean Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Tobago Cays

Introduction

Even amongst the consummate natural beauty in the Caribbean, the Tobago Cays, part of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, stand out for the exceptional character of their surroundings. An archipelago of five small uninhabited islands surrounded by a shallow water marine lagoon, the entire area is protected from the open Atlantic by a nearly 4 kilometre-long horseshoe reef. The protection of the reef creates an excellent anchorage, attracting as many as 3,000 yachts each year. The Tobago Cays are the centerpiece of the recently-established Tobago Cays Marine Park.

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Cost

Fees for the Tobago Cays Marine Park are collected by park staff in a small skiff. The fee for private visitors is $10 per person. Moorings are available for $45/ day. See the Park Fee schedule for more details.

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Geography

Surrounding the Tobago Cays are several shallow fringing reefs around the islands, and a major bank-barrier reef known as Horseshoe Reef. Other major reefs in the park include World’s End Reef, Egg Reef and Mayreau Gardens. The fringing reefs around Mayreau and the Mayreau Gardens reef are considered to be the most biodiverse and healthy, with Horseshoe Reef and the reef around Petit Tabac being the next richest. Finally, the World’s End and Egg reef, as well as the other fringing reefs are considered to be the most degraded and least diverse in the park. The common corals on the reefs are Montastrea, Porites, Acropora, Millepora and Siderastrea species, as well as patches of soft corals such as Gorgonians (Sea Fans) and sponges. Large fish, such as barracuda and jacks, are occasionally found in the park, although most of the fish species are small. Algae and disease are prominent across all reefs and affect coral health. Surveys in 2007 concluded that most reefs were dominated by dead coral rubble and had live coral cover between 5% and 30%, and all reefs are considered to be in decline.

Most sea grass beds lie within the shallow ‘lagoon’ south of Baradal in the centre of the cays, although there are tiny patches of sea grass near the Horseshoe back reef. The main species of seagrass are Thallassia and Syringodium, with small colonies of loggerhead sponges (Spheciospongia verparium), various soft corals and small colonies of Porites and Siderastrea. The sea grass beds support several species of juvenile fish, green turtles (Chelonia mydas), starfish (Oreaster reticulates), conchs (Strombus gigas) and sea eggs (Tripneustes ventricosus), however there are also significant areas of algae.

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Weather

The Tobago Cays have a hot and humid tropical climate with average daytime temperatures between 28 °C and 30 °C and average nights around 23 °C. Most rain falls between June and October with a chance of hurricanes from August onwards. Therefore, the drier (and slightly cooler) December to April period is the best time to visit weatherwise. Unfortunately prices rise sharply during this period and the months of November and May still have good weather. So budgetwise these latter months may be a good option as well.

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Sights and Activities

Excellent snorkeling can be found along the horseshoe reef and in the Baradal Turtle Sanctuary, where sightings of sea turtles are common.
Scuba diving is possible on the ocean side of Horseshoe reef and at the wreck of the Purunia, a British warship from WWI.
Hiking on the uninhabited islands
Lobster Barbecues can be arranged by the local boat boys.

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Getting There

By Boat

The Tobago Cays are accessible only by boat. Many visitors arrive by cruise ship or private yacht. Day trips and water taxis are available from nearby Union Island and several area resorts.

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Getting Around

The only way to get around the islands is by foot. Boat is the only way to get around between the 5 small islands.

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Eat

Boat Boys can provide freshly-baked bread and groceries from Union Island, or fresh seafood. Just make sure that any seafood you purchase was caught outside the Marine Park.

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