TOBAGO CAYS
(ST-VINCENT GRENADINES)

On the chart the Tobago Cays look like five small islands lost in a mass of coral, though accessible through lots of passes and protected to seaward by a huge barrier called Horseshoe Reef and by another further to E called World’s End Reef. The Tobago Cays have beautiful beaches, clear water still with lots of fish and wellprotected anchorages. These delights are no secret and the downside is that in high season the Cays are saturated with sailing boats. In low season the anchorages are a tad less crowded.

Approaches to the Cays
North Pass
Enter between Mayreau and Baline Rocks on 129°. The line is given by two marks in transit, one on the SW of Petit Rameau, the other on the NE of Petit Bateau. These marks are almost invisible at any distance, but when you’re on line the points of the two islands meet.
Caution Follow this route carefully in order to avoid the shoal with less than 1·8m S of Baline Rocks.
South Pass
There are actually several passes from the S, most with doglegs or shoal patches. To me the only one that seems relatively easy is the one that goes between the Sand Cays (see chartlet).
However, note that these banks never dry, even at low water. To enter from S head for the W side of Petit Rameau on 042°. Once past SE Sand Cay, you can head for either Jamesby or Petit Rameau. The pass is best tried in good light and when you already know your way round the Cays a bit.

Anchorages

Note Tobago Cays are a protected zone managed by Tobago Cays Marine Park. Anchoring on the coral and hunting is forbidden and subject to heavy fines. Mooring buoys with a charge for use have been installed to protect the corals and an anchoring tax is now payable to the Park agents.

Popular anchorages:
• between Petit Rameau and Petit Bateau: very popular because it’s so picturesque between the beaches on each island. It’s rare to find anywhere to anchor in high season
•behind Petit Rameau: less popular but rather choppy to very choppy with ENE wind
•behind Jamesby: here it’s even less popular because the best beach and its coconuts are on Jamesby’s windward coast
•behind Baradal: Mooring without a buoy is forbidden along much the W coast of the island to protect the Turtle Area. It’s possible to take a buoy further S, behind the coral reefs.
When the trades are strong, the anchorage is bouncy because of a sharp chop. From these anchorages you can reach areas less accessible to boats by tender for excursions or snorkelling. Mooring on the reef is not allowed so dinghies must be left on the beach.
Here as elsewhere there are omnipresent boat boys offering fish, lobsters or beach barbecues. Caution If you’re swimming, watch out for the boat boys’ craft, which charge round the anchorage at full speed despite the 6kn limit for all boats.

Other moorings in Tobago Cays :