Snorkeling, BBQ and crystal clear water
[Advertising due to linking] A boat tour on the Caribbean coast with Alibaba Tours is probably one of THE classics par excellence on Tobago! For many years Brian “Alibaba” Taylor has been exploring the coast with tourists. From Castara we go with snorkel stops in Arnos Vale and the Buccoo Reef to the BBQ to No Man´s Land. When stopping at the nylon pool on the way back you can dance to Caribbean rhythms in the shallow water. We have made this trip several times and are always thrilled. Also in 2019 the excursion is again an absolute “must”.
Starting point Castara
Already during breakfast on our balcony in the “Alibaba´s Sea Breeze” we can see the yellow boat in the bay of Castara. Alibaba is already busy inviting the utensils for the day and checking the technology. If desired, the two outboard engines not only ensure proper propulsion, but also require good maintenance. The point is not so unimportant at all with the selection of its route offerer. An engine failure at sea can be dangerous, so please pay attention to reliability and references!
Small luggage thanks to full service on board
We have an appointment for 9am at Little Bay beach in Castara. In our waterproof backpack we have snorkels and masks with, towels, sunglasses, camera and underwater camera, spare T-shirt, caps and tidy sunscreen. Sun protection is incredibly important on this tour.
At the start it’s not too hot yet, you can refresh yourself at the snorkel stops – an invitation to underestimate the power of the sun at noon!
Just like our seven fellow passengers, we do not have to worry about our physical well-being. Stephanie Taylor has prepared ice-cold drinks and many delicious things for the BBQ and delivered them on board! To get on the boat, we first have to walk a few meters into the crystal clear and warm water. As it stands up to our hips, it goes over the stainless steel ladder it over the railing into the interior. After a warm welcome, Brian and his assistant Jeromy briefly explain the course of the day to us, then it’s finally time to cast off!
Rugged coast and wild birds
We leave the bay of Castara to the south and have a beautiful view of the green island from the sea. While we leave the white beach of Castara behind us, cliffs, rocky outcrops and lonely rock formations extend along the coast. Again and again we reduce the speed, in order to be able to regard the innumerable bird species from the proximity. Thanks to his entertaining narrative, we learn a lot about the local birdlife and the behaviour of the individual species. Did you know that the Brown Boobie is specialized in stealing the prey from the frigate bird and feeding its offspring with it?
In the background uninhabited and green areas draw an almost unreal panorama. The partly rugged cliffs could just as well be home to Scotland. Unlike most Caribbean islands, Tobago is not of volcanic origin, but separated from the American continent a long time ago. Palm trees run through the landscape and give it a beautiful green shimmer.
Living underwater world in Arnos Vale
In the bay of Arnos Vale we stop for our first snorkeling stop. If you like, you can now put on your own equipment or equipment borrowed on board and explore the underwater world. On the beach there is the ruin of a former hotel, the beach and the water are deserted. Perfect conditions to watch fish, corals and with a little luck turtles!
We brought our small underwater camera and recorded some impressions for you. But after the snorkeling is before the snorkeling – we continue south!
Lonely coast without bed castles
The coastal landscape becomes much flatter and the water even clearer – amazing how varied such a small island can be. Smaller apartments, boutique hotels and isolated villas blend into the landscape without destroying it. Concrete castles and hotel cocks are in vain – simply beautiful!
We make a short detour at “Turtle Beach”, the long beach is a popular destination for leatherback turtles to lay eggs. Unfortunately we don’t see turtles, because they only go ashore at night, but an unbelievable amount of pelicans settle on the small fishing boats. The big birds sleep or just wait for fishermen to lose some of their catch. In addition, the traditionally made nets (“Pulling Seine”) are pulled in by strong men – something always falls off here for hungry pelicans!
The Buccoo Reef as snorkeling and diving paradise
We pass the bays of Stonehaven, Black Rock and Mount Irvine and head to Buccoo Reef. This sheltered area is just a few kilometres from Buccoo beach and offers the best conditions for snorkelling – divers will also get their money’s worth. The reef offers an impressive underwater world. Large and small fishermen of different species cavort on corals and rocks. As already in Arnos Vale it is enough to keep your head under water to get a fantastic impression of the hustle and bustle in the sea. Even without snorkeling experience, this excursion is an experience.
Relax and BBQ on “No Man´s Land”
The next destination of our trip is now “No Man´s Land”. This small promontory is uninhabited and a popular destination for boat trips. On the rather short stretch from Buccoo Reef to No Man’s Land the water glitters in a turquoise blue that looks almost unreal. A few meters before our destination we stop to collect some firewood, which will later be used to fire the barbecue.
Shortly before the beach we moor the boat and walk a few meters through the warm water on land. Brian and Jeromy bring the big coolers with food and cold drinks ashore – soon it’s BBQ time! While the two guides prepare the charcoal grill and a table we make ourselves comfortable. There are worse things than having to choose between a shady place under a palm tree and a sunny place on a snow-white sandy beach, right? The delicious smell of the grill already indicates that it will soon say “Food is ready”.
The dried driftwood and coconut shells fire the BBQ properly. Both give food and air a pleasant aroma that cannot be achieved with traditional charcoal. Marinated chicken and fish, salad, calalou, Asian noodles – the food is extremely tasty and more than sufficient. On a table the meals are offered as a small buffet, so that each guest can arrange one or more portions completely after his own taste. The food is eaten under palm trees and a traditional fruit punch – with or without rum, if desired – or an ice-cold beer is drunk with it. Now it’s time to say goodbye to No Man´s Land and start the journey home.
Untouched nature in the Bon Accord Lagoon
Directly behind the headland lies the Bon Accord Lagoon. This lagoon, which is embedded in the landscape like a horseshoe, is covered with mangrove forest on the coast. While the branches and tops of the impressive forest are home to many bird species, the underwater root area is a nursery for fish. Numerous species come to this area to spawn and raise offspring in calm waters.
Slowly and quietly we drive with our boat along the coast and get a direct insight into the lively activity on land and in the water. We stop at a somewhat bright place – whoever wants can now go ashore and balance over the mangroves. The unreally fused roots and branches offer a bizarre picture and invite to a cautious excursion. Back on board we continue slowly until we finally leave the lagoon and reach the open sea.
A relaxed atmosphere in the “Nylon Pool
But another highlight is yet to come – the stop at the nylon pool! This sandbank not far from Buccoo Reef owes its name to the English princess Margarete. During her honeymoon in 1962, she noted that the water there was “as transparent as her nylons”. How right the princess is with her statement! Already at the approach one looks at the water almost in disbelief. The white sand on the approx. 1 metre deep bottom can be seen through the crystal clear water without any turbidity.
Nobody keeps it in the boat anymore, especially since the legend says that the stay in the nylon pool is supposed to rejuvenate the body for 10 years. Whether you believe in it or not, the group jumps into the water within a very short time. While Brian is heating up the atmosphere with rhythmic Soca and Reggea music, Jeromy provides us with ice-cold drinks. There is dancing, the sun and enjoyed and just had fun.
Even the most beautiful excursion has an end
Unfortunately it is now hot to say goodbye to this beautiful place and to drive back to Castara. We take another look back at the nylon pool and soon see the charming coastal landscape of Tobago passing by again. With full power we pass Black Rock and Stonehaven before the cliffs of the Colloden Bay and King Peter´s Bay unfold their rough charm again. Soon we reach the Cotton Bay and turn into the finish curve to the bay of Castara. One last time we leave the boat and take many beautiful memories and pictures with us, which we will surely remember for a long time. And one thing is for sure: During our next holiday on Tobago we will do another boat tour on the Caribbean coast with Alibaba Tours!
Alibaba Tours
Address: Depot Road, Castara, Tobago
Contact: +1 868-635-1017
Website: www.alibaba-tours.com
GPS: Latitude : 11.282096 | Longitude : -60.695866
