Things to Do in Tobago Cays

Sea turtles here swim alongside snorkelers like household pets, completely unbothered by human presence in waters so clear you can see 100 feet down on a good day. Tobago Cays sits in the southern Grenadines as five uninhabited islets protected by a horseshoe reef that creates the Caribbean's most pristine marine park. Part of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, not France. What makes this place work is what it lacks—no hotels, no restaurants, no infrastructure beyond basic park facilities. The protected lagoon has powder-soft beaches that see only day-trippers and occasional campers. Better than postcards manage to capture.

Food means what tour operators bring or what you pack yourself, since no restaurants operate in this marine park. Most day-trip packages include lunch—grilled fish, rice and peas, and local sides served on the sand. Beach barbecues feature fresh lobster and conch. Sailing charter meals get prepared onboard and range from simple Caribbean fare to elaborate cuisine depending on your operator. Bring snacks and water—sun and swimming drain energy fast.

December through April delivers the most reliable weather and calmest seas, making it peak season for Tobago Cays visits. These months offer the best snorkeling visibility and most comfortable sailing conditions, though you'll pay higher prices and face bigger crowds. May through November brings variable weather with occasional rain. Marine life gets more active and beaches emptier. Hurricane season runs June through November, though direct hits rarely affect the southern Caribbean.