TOBAGO

Year:2003

Wild diving where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Caribbean Sea

Season: Year-round diving (optimum: December-May)

Visibility: 15-30 metres

Water temperature: 27-30°C

Just 70 miles from Venezuela, and still little known to most travellers, lies the tropical island of Tobago. Only 25 miles long and 7 miles wide, it is separated from its sister island of Trinidad by a channel of less than 20 miles across. Trinidad, more bustling and vigorous, typifies the rhythms of the carnival, whereas Tobago's natural rhythms are the subtle sounds of jungles, mountains and coral seas. This tiny island's diverse cultural heritage is drawn from a cosmopolitan population. The local cuisine, the lilting tones of Caribbean English and the friendliness of the local people are the essence of the Caribbean, whilst its natural habitats are a reminder of the wildness of the nearby South American jungles. Gentle Trade Wind breezes stir the fronds of tall coconut palms and carry puffy white clouds across the jungle-shrouded mountains.

CHARLOTTEVILLE & SAINT GILES

Leaving the lowlands behind, the road to Charlotteville gradually becomes narrower and more twisting, delving down into palm-covered valleys and rising again over thickly overgrown hills. One seems to be taking a step back in time as one passes through sleepy fishing villages with animals wandering freely between zinc-roofed huts in true Caribbean style. Breadfruit trees, orchids (there are 700 species on Tobago!), butterflies in their thousands, hummingbirds and parrots combine to make this a nature lover's paradise as well as a scuba diver's dream.

Washed by the warm tropical waters of both the Caribbean and the Atlantic, the sandy beaches are reminiscent of ice cream: pale vanilla, café au lait and rich butterscotch. Sometimes deep green, sometimes bright blue, the waters surrounding Tobago are full of nutrients washed down from the Orinoco estuary. In these rich seas, vast quantities of plankton thrive and in their turn support Tobago's complex marine community. Both fringing and patch reefs surround the island. Hard and soft corals compete vigorously for space on every available firm surface, providing cover for numerous multi-coloured tropical fish. Huge Manta Rays, Nurse Sharks and Tarpon are all found from time to time at the dive sites we visit.

The calm Caribbean, the powerful forces of the open Atlantic and the Guyanese current flowing from South America create a unique series of influences and mean that current is always present to some degree at many of the dive sites. Occasionally it can be challenging, but it is always manageable. Many excellent and 'mill pond' calm dive sites are to be found along the Caribbean coast, but some people feel that it is in the high current zones where Tobago's diving reaches its zenith! By choosing Tobago as your holiday destination you can dive both the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, sometimes both in one day!

Many well-travelled divers place Tobago high on their personal list of favourite dive destinations, not only for its superb reef formations, its exciting wildlife encounters and the sheer sense of adventure, but also for the warm welcome from the islanders, the variety of land-based activities available and the delightful and lovely natural beauty of this tropical island. A visit to Tobago is the obvious choice for divers who wish to indulge in their favourite sport as well as have an enjoyable and delightful Caribbean holiday.

Off the northern tip of Tobago lies the small island of Saint Giles, where London Bridge and Marble Island provide us with a fantastic roller coaster adventure through a series of underwater canyons and archways. At Marble Island, in time to the surge from the Atlantic swell, one can swim hard and pop through a narrow keyhole in the rock and shoot out exhilarated and delighted into a totally calm area of sea! Like other offshore sites, the possibility of large pelagics cruising by is always on offer, but there is also a dependable population of Midnight Parrotfish, large Queen Angelfish, schooling chromis, large Tarpon and damselfish. The rocks and canyons are encrusted with corals and sponges.

A longer boat ride away from Charlotteville, a cluster of rock pinnacles breaks the surface of the water at Sisters. The rocks, tumbling away below the waves to a depth of over 40 metres, provide an interesting variety of environments. Festoons of coral grow between the pinnacles and invertebrates abound on the rocks, but it is the offshore position and depth of the pinnacles that make this one of the greatest areas for pelagic sightings! Here you might see huge barracudas or possibly sharks and Greater Amberjacks. Obviously the local conditions determine which species you will encounter, as well as the diveability on any particular day.

SPEYSIDE & LITTLE TOBAGO

On the Atlantic side of the island, off the fishing village of Speyside, are Goat Island and Little Tobago. Here are two gentle and very beautiful dive sites that are quite suitable for even the most newly-qualified divers. Japanese Garden is one of the prettiest reefs, starting at 7 metres. More experienced divers may continue their descent as the reef then dips dramatically to 30 metres. A very healthy growth of hundreds of yellow tube sponges and azure vase sponges flourish alongside purple Creole Wrasse, black-striped Sergeant Majors and angelfish. Angel Reef is famed for its rich abundance of reef fish of all types.

It is in the waters of Batteaux Bay that divers may experience a truly amazing and thrilling encounter. The likelihood of a Manta Ray encounter increases from April to September when the waters of Tobago best serve their feeding requirements, but there are still some records of mantas at other times. Unfortunately, due to too much human intervention, Manta Rays are much more scarce than they used to be. Black Jack Hole is a 100 metres long sloping reef where the abundant local population includes Wahoo, Black Jacks, angelfish, schools of snappers and the occasional Nurse Shark. Wire coral, cascades of starlet coral and festoons of orange sponge form an exotic and beautiful background to this spectacular dive site. The variety of exciting dive sites continues. Ride the 3 knot current of the African Express, or try Kamikaze Cut where a gradually increasing current picks up speed and carries divers between two vertical rock faces and into an area of unexpectedly calm water

SPEYSIDE INN

This small and charming seafront hotel is situated amongst very pretty gardens on the outskirts of the small fishing village of Speyside. All rooms face out towards the ocean and have private bathrooms and a balcony. Behind the hotel rise some of Tobago's highest mountains. The owners pride themselves on their establishment, particularly its fine cuisine. Sample the delights of the three-course dinners, often freshly prepared by the owner herself. Explore the ocean and the land by day and by night enjoy the stars above the romantic Seagrape Terrace.

Transport to and from Man Friday Diving at Charlotteville is arranged by the dive centre. The journey time is about 10 minutes.

Man Friday Diving is one of the best and friendliest dive centres on Tobago. Situated right on the beach only 2 minutes stroll from the village of Charlotteville, this delightful dive centre will soon become a second home. Since Man Friday likes to take a maximum of only six divers on each trip you are guaranteed very personal service! Both before and after diving the beautiful verandah beckons the diver to relax and gaze on the wonderful view across Man-O-War Bay while pelicans and frigatebirds swoop and dive offshore.

Diving is carried out from Man Friday's own dedicated dive boat. Tobago lies at an angle facing into the trade winds and therefore has no real leeward side. The dive sites most susceptible to bad weather are those offshore, so in rough weather you will dive the sites in the sheltered bays of the northwest coast. All divers must dive with the divemaster, who always carries a submersible marker buoy, as the currents on Tobago can be unpredictable. Tobago is the ideal choice for divers who are happy with drift diving. Because of their unique situation, Man Friday Diving is able to offer a variety of dive sites in either the Caribbean Sea or the Atlantic Ocean.

Please note: The dive centre is closed on Sundays so visitors will have a day free for relaxing and exploring the island. Consequently the standard dive package includes 5 days diving, rather than 6 days.

Why not hire a car and explore the island? Guided birdwatching and jungle exploration can be arranged ­ or simply explore by yourself. Walk along footpaths that rise high on mountain ridges, take a dip in cool freshwater pools, streams or waterfalls, and search wetland areas for caiman. Take boat trips out to explore the offshore islands with their abundant seabird populations or perhaps take a trip with the village fishermen and try your hand at sea fishing. Man Friday Diving will be pleased to help you to arrange your out-of-water activities too!

Standard Room

£515 (non-divers: £245) from 16 April-15 December.

£578 (non-divers: £308) from 1 January-15 April, 16-31 December.

Corner Room

£529 (non-divers: £259) from 16 April-15 December.

£592 (non-divers: £322) from 1 January-15 April, 16-31 December.

Tower Room

£550 (non-divers: £280) from 16 April-15 December.

£606 (non-divers: £336) from 1 January-15 April, 16-31 December.

Please note that intermediate rates will apply to stays that straddle seasons.

Includes:

· Transport to and from Man Friday dive centre from Speyside Inn.

· 7 nights room and breakfast accommodation on a twin/share basis at Speyside Inn.

· 5 days diving (2 boat dives daily), dive guide, cylinders and weights.

Airport Transfers: £70 (cost is for a return journey for one or two people).

Additional Nights:

Standard Room

£89 (without diving: £35) from 16 April-15 December.

£98 (without diving: £44) from 1 January-15 April, 16-31 December.

Corner Room

£91 (without diving: £37) from 16 April-15 December.

£100 (without diving: £46) from 1 January-15 April, 16-31 December.

Tower Room

£94 (without diving: £40) from 16 April-15 December.

£102 (without diving: £48) from 1 January-15 April, 16-31 December.

Single Occupancy Supplement:

Standard Room

£22 per night from 16 April-15 December.

£31 per night from 1 January-15 April, 16-31 December.

Corner Room

£25 per night from 16 April-15 December.

£33 per night from 1 January-15 April, 16-31 December.

Tower Room

£26 per night from 16 April-15 December.

£40 per night from 1 January-15 April, 16-31 December.

Deposit: £100

FLIGHTS

The airfares shown are the least expensive fare category available at the time of going to press. We will quote you the airfare applicable, based on current fare levels and booking class availability, at the time of booking. The usual airfare deposit is £100.

BRITISH AIRWAYS

Depart on Thursday or Saturday morning from London (Gatwick), arriving at Tobago in the afternoon. Return from Tobago on Thursday or Saturday evening, arriving at London on Friday or Sunday morning respectively.

£505 for departures 1 January-18 July, 1 September-12 December (excluding Easter).

£885 for departures at Easter.

£625 for departures 13-17 December.

£1015 for departures 18-24 December.

Includes:

· Scheduled flights London (Gatwick)/Tobago/London (Gatwick) by British Airways.

MONARCH AIRWAYS

Charter flights operate on Thursday or Saturday morning from London (Gatwick), arriving at Tobago in the afternoon. Return from Tobago on Thursday or Saturday evening, arriving at London on Friday or Sunday morning respectively. Fares from £410 return. Contact us for specific fare and date information.