Tobago Cays

The Tobago Cays are a group of small, uninhabited islands protected from the sea by Horseshoe Reef. The water and reef colors are a kaleidoscope of gold, brown, blue, turquoise, and green. Small beaches of white sand blend into luminous, clear water. On cloudless nights the stars are cast across the sky like wedding confetti thrown in an excessive gesture of bonhomie. Even squalls can be dramatically beautiful as they approach from afar. The anchorage is, however, open to the full force of the ocean winds, which are sometimes strong.

The best approach is between Mayreau and Baleine Rocks, staying south of One Fathom Bank. Black-and-white day markers help you get the approach right. Petit Rameau and Petit Bateau look like one island for most of the approach. Don’t cut corners, lest you land on a coral head.

You can anchor just west of Petit Rameau, in the cut between Petit Rameau and Petit Bateau, to the north or south of Baradel, or between Baradel and the other islands. Shallow-draft yachts can anchor to the east of Baradel. Moorings are available in the Cays for $45 EC a night, but are neither compulsory nor always reliable, so check. They mainly surround the turtle-watching area. Do not anchor between the moorings and the turtle-watching area.

There are strong currents in the cut anchorage, so using a mooring is recommended.

Local boat vendors ply the Cays during the season, selling everything from ice, bread, and lobsters to jewelry. They are a friendly bunch and very obliging if you need them to bring you ice or bread the next day. If you want to be left alone, they will do that, too. They offer great beach barbecues and water taxis to places like Baradel.

Willie, in Free Willie, is among the helpful vendors and does tasty beach barbecues, as do Captain Kojak and Romeo. Jude has a good water taxi called Bitterz.

Rondel Weeks on Mr. Quality is the only authorized vendor selling the Carriacou Fidel Productions art t-shirts. Each one is a painting by a local artist reproduced on a shirt. Felix-Turtle design by Carriacou artist Felix is the most popular; so popular that one vendor has copied the shirts and pretends to be the artist.

If you want to go diving call Genadines Dive.