Snorkeling with the Catamaran Picante

We already read a lot of good things about the catamaran Picante and the coastal trip from Store Bay to Cotton Bay, but unfortunately we didn’t have the time to enjoy this tour in peace. But in this vacation the waiting has an end – today it is finally so far!

Breakfast with sea view

The sun is already laughing from the sky as we prepare our breakfast this Sunday and sit comfortably on the balcony with coffee and toast. The view from our apartment wanders like every morning over the bay of Buccoo and provides us already at the beginning of the day with a special feeling of happiness. So we’ll sail past there later!

Quickly we pack our backpack and take the usual utensils with us for a trip on the water: Sunscreen, cap, sunglasses, snorkel and mask, spare t-shirt and shorts, that’s all we need. Since we quickly get seasick we throw in an appropriate remedy in the apartment. We have had good experiences with Vomex and similar products so far and would not do without them anymore. Too bad are the memories of the last boat tour, which we started without medication…..

Shuttle service included

As agreed at the time of booking, we go to the small square in front of our house and wait for the shuttle to pick us up and take us to Store Bay. Punctually at 9 o’clock a modern and well air-conditioned mini-bus turns on the way in front of the Reef View Apartment. Perfect – most of you have surely already experienced that reliability is unfortunately often not a matter of course. A couple from Canada is already in the car and we are looking forward to an exciting day together.

Careful, high voltage!

At Store Bay we stop a few meters from a huge sign. What is the mysterious thing that happens here that dredging, digging trenches and the like should only be permitted with the utmost caution? The answer is a huge power cable that stretches from Trinidad to Tobago and arrives here at the beach. At a voltage of 33,000 volts, it is advantageous for everyone involved if the cable is not damaged…..

Crossing in a rubber dinghy

Markus Grundmann is already waiting for us at the beach. The native German is captain and owner of the “Picante”. But our first trip together is on a much smaller boat – with a rubber dinghy with outboard motor Markus brings us in smaller groups bit by bit to the “Picante”, which lies quietly in the bay and a few hundred meters before the beach.

Perfection and service down to the last detail

On board it becomes immediately clear that the boat is operated with a lot of passion. The deck is sparkling bright, the morning sun is reflected on the polished railing and the canvas is snow white. This is how we imagine a dream ship!

Assistant Tanja welcomes us friendly and offers cold drinks directly. No matter if beer, cola, water or other wishes – everything is taken care of. We look for a comfortable place on seat bags in front of the one at one of the “trampolines”. In these nets, which are traditionally stretched in the front area of a catamaran, one lies directly above the water and has a fabulous view. There are also plenty of sitting and lying possibilities in the shade – if you like, you can also look over the captain’s shoulder.

After everyone has arrived, Captain Markus Grundmann welcomes the group again and explains the daily routine and the facilities on board. Anyone who has never been to a ship toilet with a hand pump gets valuable information now. Markus has been living on Tobago for more than 20 years and is a passionate sailor. On the coasts around Tobago there is probably no spot which he has not yet sailed. Despite the routine, we feel that sailing with guests is still a huge pleasure for him.

Always along the coast

A few moments later it starts! Besides Captain Markus, Ed and Marcellus take care of the Picante. The anchor is pulled in and the elegant ship slowly sets itself in motion. Because of the wind conditions we use on the way there the auxiliary engine, which moves us leisurely. From now on, the guests will enjoy relaxation, full service and a fantastic view of the Caribbean coast of Tobago. You get into conversation with other guests, laugh a lot and let the sun – and Tanja – spoil you. Today it is again important to use proper sun protection. With every minute the strength increases and the skin is stressed more. So please don’t forget to bring sunscreen with a very high sun protection factor, cap and sunglasses with you on this trip!

We have already visited the coast several times with Alibaba and his boat tour and therefore already know the landscape. The varied beaches and cliffs fascinate again and again. The change from the shallow south with its many sandy beaches to the rougher north shows the diversity of the island.

After approx. 1.5 hours drive we recognize in the distance the preliminary destination of today’s trip, the “Cotton Bay”. This section can only be reached by boat; access from the shore is extremely difficult. After Markus brings the catamaran to a standstill and throws the anchor, a lonely dream beach awaits us, in front of which smaller reefs provide for a lively underwater world.

Snorkeling in the Cotton Bay

The captain will give us important hints for snorkeling on the way, which will help us to explore. Where are the reefs? Which animals can be found there? Where can dangerous currents be, in whose proximity one should not swim?

We feel very well prepared, put on our mask and snorkel and we are ready to go into the water!

A few meters away from the catamaran we find the larger reef which is centrally located in the bay. As we have already seen at Buccoo Reef, this also applies here: The fascinating world of fish corals begins just below the surface of the water. So experience in snorkeling is not necessary to experience anything here. Colourful fish of different species wander around us and don’t bother about our presence.

While we float, swim and snorkel in the pleasantly warm water, Markus keeps an attentive eye on us. Did someone really not listen to where the dangerous current is going? Friendly but certainly there is an appropriate “announcement” to leave the risky area. After all, the bay is big enough to be explored safely and simultaneously by all guests.

A lot of traffic on the underwater motorway

We’ve seen enough of it now and are swimming towards a rocky stretch of coast that surrounds the bay. Here is reef number two and surprises with a completely different structure. Underwater, it runs along the coast, so that the corals merge seamlessly into the rocky land section. Life in the reef is also different. The fish specifically look for passages that protect them from being driven ashore. Like on small roads clownfish and Co move thus by the depths of the corals. At the top the water strikes the coast and the reef partly reaches to the surface – snorkeling is now a little bit cautious. Who wants to get a portion of salt water flushed into the snorkel? Touching the corals is also not recommended – on the one hand every touch destroys the life of the coral, on the other hand the petrified organisms are razor sharp and can lead to serious cuts.

We have now seen enough of the colorful and varied underwater world of Cotton Bay and swim to the lonely sandy beach of the bay. This must be how Robinson Crusoe felt when he went ashore! Untouched nature, crystal clear waters of the Caribbean and rugged, densely overgrown cliffs around background. A beautiful picture of how the cataman Picante lies quietly in the bay and the sun is reflected on the white body.

Delicious Creole cuisine for lunch

Back on board we already have a small lunch buffet waiting for us. Tanja has enriched some typical Creole dishes, so there is something for everyone. With filled plates and cold drinks we return to our beanbag. What a lunch – the “Picante” lies quietly in the bay, only a barely perceptible swing is noticeable. Since the sun is now burning particularly brightly from the sky, Markus and his team have spanned the deck with sun protection. The salt water dries on the skin, while we take turns looking at the island, the bay and the open Caribbean.

Even the most beautiful stop passes by

After a long break it’s time to say goodbye to Cotton Bay. The steel chain with the anchor is slowly pulled up with a motor winch, so that Markus can turn the catamaran elegantly. In the distance to the north we see the outlines of the “Sister Rocks” – but soon the “Picante” is on its way to its home in Store Bay. Since the wind is now blowing perfectly, the auxiliary engine can remain switched off. The sails are set and the breeze fills the sails so tightly that the ship starts to sail properly. Quickly the bays pass us again and the hills behind Arnos Vale become much flatter again. We’re way further from the coast than we were on the outward voyage.

Turtle in sight!

The distance offers a view that covers almost the entire Caribbean coast of Tobago. Beautiful! Suddenly it sounds “turtle port!” And indeed, a giant leatherback turtle is on the final stage of “Turtle Beach” to lay her eggs there. Impressive, how big and elegant these animals can move in the water. I wonder where she comes from. The turtles come partly from Europe or even Australia to Tobago, their own birthplace.

Long dream beaches accompany us

We continue past Black Rock and Mount Irvine until we pass the Buccoo Reef and the Nylon Pool before we reach Buccoo. The panorama now reaches from Buccoo Beach via No Man´s Land and the Bon Accord Lagoon to Pigeon Point – coastal landscape and sea spray with their different green and blue tones an almost kitschy atmosphere. The horizon now shows the outline of Trinidad, the big sister island of Tobago.

Pigeon Point – Tobago’s most famous beach

With “Pigeon Point” we finally pass one of the landmarks of Tobago, the small pavilion with thatched roof at the end of a long footbridge to the Caribbean. We see that the beach is not as crowded as it was during the day. Finally, the MSC Magica, one of the largest cruise ships of the year, entered the port of Scarborough. Pigeon Point is a popular place for day-trippers to spend a pleasant day on the beach and enjoy “full service” on Tobago.

Unfortunately, we have almost reached our goal in Store Bay. Markus steers the “Picante” once again so that we have a view to “Sandy Point” and the small harbour in front of the hotel “Tropicist”. Wistfully we look again back at the open sea and finally pack our things together again. It’s a pity that this day has to end now, it was really an incredibly beautiful day with a great team on board.

No farewell forever

Markus and his crew let the anchor down for the last time, so that the catamaran now lies quietly in the Store Bay again. With the small rubber dinghy we finally go back to land, where we are already expected again by our taxi shuttle.

On the almost 15 minutes drive to Buccoo we think about the pictures of the day and put a smile on our faces. It was simply fantastic and we drive surely with our next Tobago vacation again with the catamaran “Picante”. Organization, cordiality, service, security – everything was just right!

Catamaran Picante “Open Day Charter”

Duration from pick-up to arrival: approx. 9 – 18 o’clock. Pure travel time with the catamaran approx. from 10 o’clock to 17 o’clock

Price: 100 U$ for adults, children under 12 years 50% and children under 6 years free of charge

Services: Shuttle within 15 km of Crown Point, lunch, snacks, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages on board.

Contact: +1868 6204750 or +1868 3698814

E-Mail: picante@yachtpleasures.com

Website: www.yachtpleasures.com