SISTERS

Located approx. 1.5 miles from land on the Caribbean side of Tobago are the "Sisters", a group of rocks about 100ft high out of the water. They sink down to 150ft around the rocks this creates a slope which is covered in soft corals; because of the distance from land and the depth of water large pelagic fish congregate here.

On many dives we have seen Whale and Hammerhead sharks in the area, and in the rocks live Turtles, Moray eels and Lobsters.

There is a slight drift and this helps push the diver along as with all our drift dives the dive master carries a surface marker which the boat follows.

Travelling by boat to sisters also gives the diver an opportunity to see the beauty of the Caribbean coast.

FLYING REEF

Located on the Atlantic side of Tobago, Flying reef normally has a gentle drift between 0-2 kts of current. The dive runs from east to west with the current. The depth is max at 55ft/18m.

The diver follows the edge of the reef with the sand on the left and coral sloping up to the right to shallow water approx. 25ft/8m.

On the dive it is possible to see Stingrays, Turtles, Nurse shark and Sand sharks, schools of big eye and glass eye snapper as well as many different types of reef fish like Parrotfish, French angelfish and Porcupine fish. There is also a large ship's anchor surrounded by Pork fish and Schools of Bermudan chub.

This is a great introduction to drift diving ,the journey to flying reef takes about 10 mins from the Pigeon Point and is a beginner to intermediate dive.

DIVERS DREAM

Located on Drew Shoal 2.5 miles off Crown Point on the southern end of the island. The Atlantic currents push nutrient full water up and around this shallow plateau creating a virtual feeding ground for all types of marine life. Divers drop into 65ft/20m and follow a series of Barrel sponges which angle with the current towards the dive site which ascends to the plateau at around 20ft/7m There are two sides to dive, the left side has large overhangs where Nurse shark's tend to hang out. The right hand side where a series of large rock formations begin, these rocks give protection from the strong current allowing the diver to study the amazing amounts of fish, every thing from Blue Wrasse to large African Pompano, Turtles, Nurse and reef Shark's and the barracuda all oblivious to the current.

Because of the strong currents between 0-5kts this dive can last between 30-45mins and is treated as an advanced dive, it is advisable to start out on the gentler drifts first.

KARIWAK

This is a great reef for beginners and as an orientation dive. The reef is close to Store Bay beach and is usually flat and has no drift, thus making perfect conditions for "Discover Scuba Diving" courses and other PADI training.

The diver descends down a line into 18ft/6m on to a sandy bottom. Following the reef with sand to the right and coral sloping up to the left the diver decends to deeper water approx.40ft/14m.

On the dive it is possible to see Moray Eels, Southern Stingray and Electric rays, Angel fish, Scorpion fish and many more types of reef fish. Trumpet fish can be seen here too even though they try hard to imitate the soft coral.

LONDON BRIDGE

Diving the St. Giles area is always weather dependent, so you won't know until you leave Man of War Bay if you will be able to dive these offshore rocks. Not until you arrive at London Bridge will you know whether the waves, surge and current will allow you to dive through the bridge. If there is even the slightest swell, the funnelling effect of the rocks leading to the hole accentuates its effect, making the passage through the hole unsafe.

From the surface, London Bridge is easily identified; the largest of a group of rocks to the north of St. Giles has a hole right through the middle like a polo mint. Half of the hole is above the surface and the bottom half is submerged. The waves delight in crashing through the hole then rushing back as if they fear what lies on the other side.

The boat driver, manoeuvres the boat carefully in the entrance to the hole. So close are the rocks, executing a backward roll seems likely to risk a bang on the head. Of course, you should be positioned safely and drop into the water to begin your descent to the entrance of the hole. From the northern side, the entrance is wide; the bottom is at 35 feet and about 15 feet across.

The base of the hole is made up of huge slabs of rock like a magnified cobbled street. As you begin to swim through and the hole narrows, feel the thrust and tug of the water movement. The fish sway back and forth, suspended in space. Tangs, ocean surgeonfish, French angelfish, trunkfish and trumpetfish occupy the channel. The vertical walls are encrusted with yellow and orange sponges and probably a whole lot more.

Toward the end of the passage, it narrows to around 3 feet. The vertical sides tower above. At the end of the hole there is a lip and the instructions given in your dive briefing should be clear: swim over and immediately down to get out of the surge and current. Tip over the edge and find yourself at 45 feet, in an area of sand punctuated with big blocks like giant chess pieces. You'll soon be dwarfed by the terrain.

Just as with all Caribbean reefs, there is an abundance of parrotfish. Midnight parrotfish are not a common sight on most reefs, but you'll see many on this site. These big fish are midnight blue with lighter bright markings on the head above the mouth. Stoplight and princess parrotfish are also common around London Bridge. Smaller reef fish, such as bi-colour damselfish and chromis, create soft clouds across the hard rocky surface.

The current will carry you around a corner, look up at the rugged structures above you. Angular rocks shoulder away the waves as they rush at the cliff face. The wall looks like a series of giant steps; another impression that this terrain is meant for creatures larger than humans.

Over the rock, another wall awaits our inspection. Spend the remainder of the dive slowly drifting along the wall at 30 feet. Swim away from the wall slightly to make your ascent, to give the boat room to manoeuvre. But, as soon as you begin to go up, the current may whisk you away. So, simply hang in it while you do your safety stop.

London Bridge combines an exciting and unusual submarine terrain with colourful interesting marine life. If the weather is right, it is definitely a dive to do!

MAVERICK WRECK

Lying in 100ft of water is the wreck of the M.V Maverick, once a passenger ferry between the twin islands of Trinidad and Tobago. The Scarlet Ibis as it was then called served for many years before being replaced with a bigger faster ferry.

The top of the Wreck is 55ft and descent is down a line attached to the bow usually passing though a school of bait fish with Bonito fish darting in and out upon reaching the bow "Jacob" a resident Jew fish comes to greet the divers, weighing approx. 150lbs he is an impressive host to the ships tour.

Because of the depth the dive usually lasts 30-35 mins and it is possible to penetrate the ship even as far as the diesel engine rooms. Reef building crabs, sennet fish and clams add to this interesting dive site.

MT IRVINE WALL

Mt Irvine actually has three dive sites, the "Wall" is a shallow 30ft dive close to shore interesting for the crevices where Moray Eels, Rock Lobster and Spiny Crabs live.

Mt Irvine Extension is a deeper dive site following the outcropping rocks of Mt Irvine Bay, Large Groupers, Snapper and Hawksbill Turtles enjoy this beautiful reef which is big enough for several dives. A favorite visitor is the Spotted Eagle Ray, Although they tend not to approach divers they do circle and are often seen in pairs.

Rainbow Reef is in the center of Mt Irvine Bay 50- 70ft, the reef is so named because of the schools of Rainbow Runner seen here, there is also a large fisherman's type anchor possibly 17th century wedged upright as if to stop a ship running aground!

JAPANESE GARDENS

Japanese gardens runs along the side of Goat Island which is located at Speyside at the north end of the Island. As the name suggests this site is a veritable garden of corals both hard and soft and the colors are exceptional.

The dive begins in 50-60ft and curves around Goat Island, there can be strong currents on the curve so it is advisable to stay close to the coral and out of the main stream. Just around the curve there are some rocks that the diver must pass though followed by some small caves where Nurse sharks like to hang out. From here the current usually helps the diver along passing over large Brain corals and passing large schools of Jacks.

KELLISTON DRAIN

This long plain of lush coral drops from 30' to 60' then slopes off steeply. Home of the World's biggest Brain Coral! This single colony is about 10ft(3M) high and 16ft(5.3M) across, and is the largest single brain coral colony in the world! Comprised of millions of individual coral animals, huge as it is, the colony is very fragile. The adjacent reef is full of colorful sponges, great branching corals and is occupied by many large barracuda and, frequently, large green morays. This is also where Tobago's famous Manta Rays show up in season!

As a matter of interest the house on Goat Island was once owned by Ian Fleming, the author of the James Bond (007) books.