TOBAGO

Year:2006

Wild diving where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Caribbean Sea

Season: Year-round diving

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.

WIND DANCER

Wind Dancer started her career as a luxury liveaboard with the famous Peter Hughes' Dancer Fleet in 1995 after a complete refit. Wind Dancer carries a maximum of 18 passengers in 9 comfortable staterooms each with private head and shower. The Master Stateroom has a queen size bed, private head and shower, TV/VCR and porthole views. Eight Deluxe Staterooms on the Dolphin Deck have one lower double bed and one single upper bed, private head and shower and porthole views. Beautifully decorated with wooden panelling, each cabin provides a quiet and elegant space for relaxing, reading or sleeping. Towelling robes are provided for your stay on the boat. Clean towels are provided daily and clean sheets are provided mid-week. Complimentary toiletries are placed at the wash basin and each cabin has a built-in hairdryer. Seven crew offer superb service, from morning coffee in your room to taking your tank at the dive platform on your return to the boat or providing hot towels at the end of a night dive.

The dive deck features a water fountain, mask defogging station, weight belt area, two showers, and a supply of fresh towels. Special rinse tanks for cameras are situated on the dive deck. Dive information is displayed on a large board which shows depth and marine life information. For safety and convenience a special hanging bar is raised and lowered from the dive platform and is maintained at a constant 5 metres below the boat during dives. A motorized dinghy is also used for transportation to smaller islands or kept ready to assist divers. Of special interest to underwater photographers is the spacious multi-tiered, carpeted photo-table complete with cleaning materials. A full camera and video rental service is available at daily or weekly rates. The boat has a photo pro on board who will assist you with your photography and also, if you wish, take a customized video of your diving holiday. Wind Dancer offers Nitrox facilities at an extra charge and a range of courses including PADI Advanced Open Water, IANTD, TDI and PADI Nitrox certification and Paul Humann Fish and Creature Identification. A full range of diving equipment is available for rental.

After diving most people head for the sundeck where they can relax (either in or out of the sun) and help themselves to iced drinks and delicious snacks. Freshly baked breads and biscuits show up in the morning and appetizers are served in the afternoon. Beverages and snacks are available at all times in the salon (along with a well-stocked bar). Meals are one of the highlights of the day. Hot breakfasts are cooked to order. Lunch is usually a buffet-style spread and dinner is waiter served. Wine is served with dinner and after dinner drinks are always offered.

Wind Dancer operates out of the main dock at Scarborough on Tobago for 7 nights cruises, departing every Saturday between 7 January-4 February and between 20 May-15 July.

£938 in a Dolphin Deck Deluxe Stateroom.

£1056 in a Master Stateroom.

Includes :

" Airport transfers if arriving/departing on Saturdays.

" 7 nights cruise on Wind Dancer on a twin/share basis with full board, including soft drinks, wine, beer and spirits.

" 5 full days of diving (up to 4 or 5 dives per day, including night dives) plus one or two dives on the last day, cylinders and weights.

Important: In addition, there is a port tax of £38 and a fuel surcharge of £59 (subject to change) which has to be prepaid.

Divers aged 59 or over (and BSAC members of any age): A 10% discount applies (this discount is also applicable to those actively serving in the military, police or fire service).

Non-divers: A 10% reduction applies.

Additional Week: A 10% discount applies.

Single Occupancy Supplement: If you are travelling alone and are willing to share a twin cabin with a fellow passenger of the same sex you can avoid paying any supplement. If you prefer to have a cabin to yourself a 65% supplement applies and the deposit requirement is doubled.

Deposit: £450

FLIGHTS

Wind Dancer packages run from Saturday to Saturday, which means leaving London on Saturday morning unless you plan to stay in Tobago prior to the cruise.

The airfares shown here were typical economy fares 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. Our quote, which will include all taxes and fuel supplements applicable at the time of quotation, as well as our service charge, may be higher or lower than the airfares indicated here. The usual airfare deposit is £100.

EXCEL AIRWAYS

Charter flights operate on Saturday and Thursday morning from London (Gatwick), arriving at Tobago in the afternoon. Return from Tobago on Saturday or Thursday evening, arriving at London on Sunday (or Friday) morning.

Fares between £380 and £680 return (depending on season). Contact us for specific fare information for any particular departure date.

BRITISH AIRWAYS

Depart on Saturday or Thursday morning from London (Gatwick), arriving at Tobago in the afternoon. Return from Tobago on Saturday or Thursday evening arriving at London on Sunday (or Friday, or Tuesday) morning. (Flights are also available on Mondays during the period November-March.)

Concessionary rates are available for connecting flights between Manchester, Edinburgh, Glasgow and London. Please contact our office for details.

£575 for departures 1 January-4 February, 20 May-30 June

£633 for departures 1-14 July

£874 for departures 15 July

Weekend Supplement: £11 each way for departures from London or Tobago on Saturdays.

Includes:

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

COMBINING TOBAGO WITH ST LUCIA

Why not combine a visit to Tobago with a visit to the beautiful island of Saint Lucia? There are daily flight connections.