Tobago Cays

At long last, we arrived in the beautiful Tobago Cays in the Grenadines, West Indies! Just a short cruise (2 nautical miles) from Mayreau, the Tobago Cays Marine Park consists of five (5) uninhabited islands (Baradal, Petit Rameau, Petit Bateau, Petit Tabac and Jamesby) surrounded by a horseshoe reef. Our first night in the park we picked up a mooring ball directly in front of the turtle sanctuary just off Baradal.

Baradal Island, Tobago Cays

Randy and Ronan diving the mooring ball, Baradol Island, Tobago Cays

Ronan jumping in to dive the mooring

Ronan giving the ‘OK’ on the mooring ball, Baradal Island, Tobago Cays

After receiving the all clear on the mooring, we snorkeled ashore, through, and around, the turtle sanctuary where green and hawksbill turtles feed off the sea grass.

Green Turtle, Baradal Island, Tobago Cays

Green Turtle, Baradal Island, Tobago Cays

Green Turtle, Baradal Island, Tobago Cays Marine Park

We saw hundreds of starfish, so many, that they appeared to form underwater constellations.

Cushion Starfish, just off Baradal Island, Tobago Cays

Cushion Starfish, just off Baradal Island, Tobago Cays

Needless to say, the snorkeling was amazing!

Southern Stingray & Trunkfish just off Baradal Island, Tobago Cays

Palometa & Conch just off Baradal Island, Tobago Cays

Once ashore, we explored the uninhabited island where tortoises, iguanas and birds roam freely.

Baradal Island beach looking out towards the reef, Tobago Cays

Baradal Island, Tobago Cays (spot Pilots’ Discretion)

Ronan setting out to explore Baradal Island, Tobago Cays Marine Park

Ryan setting out to explore Baradal Island, Tobago Cays Marine Park

Tortoise, were plentiful and freely roamed Baradal Island, Tobago Cays

The birds were eating the fruit off the cacti, Baradal Island, Tobago Cays

Iguanas also roamed freely on Baradal Island, Tobago Cays Marine Park

Nesting Birds, Baradal Island, Tobago Cays Marine Park

Our second night in the Marine Park, we picked up a mooring ball in the cut between Petit Rameau and Petit Bateau. We had considered snorkeling ashore, however, we saw multiple sharks and rays swimming just off the boat so we instead opted to take the dinghy ashore. Petit Rameau was inhabited by mostly goats. Petit Bateau has a nice trail that runs around the island and provides nice views of the surrounding islands.

Petit Bateau, Tobago Cays

Pilots’ Discretion moored between Petit Rameau and Petit Bataeu

Hiking Petit Bateau, looking towards Baradal & Jamesby

We have been to multiple marine parks while cruising the Caribbean and have enjoyed the pristine beauty of them all. The Tobago Cays Marine Park was no exception and we highly recommend stopping here for anyone cruising on or around these waters. We would have stayed in the park longer, however, there was some weather moving in and so we opted to leave and continue our journey south towards Grenada. Our next stop, Petit St. Vincent and Petite Martinique . . .