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Petit Bateau, Tobago Cays

Encompassing five small  islands and one beautiful marine park, the Tobago Cays are a boaters paradise located close to the island of Mayreau in the Grenadines.

The five islands, Petit Rameau, Petit Bateau, Baradal, Petit Tabac and Jamesby, are all in fairly close proximity, each a bit different and each worth exploring.

Petit Bateau – the largest of the five, has a beautiful beach on the north side with views over the shallow channel of Petit Rameau.

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The interior of the island has thick vegetation and is home to large number of iguanas and birds.

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A short hike to the top will reward you with beautiful vistas of the other Tobago Cays Islands such as Baradal and Petit Tabac as well as other islands in the Grenadines chain.

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The tip of Baradal and its beach to the left and Petit Tabac in the distance on the right.

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Jamesby to the left and Union Island in the distance on the right.

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Petit Bateau is easily accessible by dinghy and we brought a cooler ashore to enjoy a meal among the swaying palms.

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The Tobago Cays have gotten a bit more crowded since the first time we visited, but there is still plenty of space to spread out and relax or to explore all that these beautiful islands have to offer.

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Have you been to Tobago Cays? Tell us about it!

See also:

Swimming with the Turtles of Tobago Cays

Petit Tabac

To see more posts on the Grenadines and other islands, check out our Island Blog Directory

 Copyright©Rum Therapy
Pictures and other content may not be re-used without written consent from Rum Therapy, LLC. All information is correct to our knowledge at the time of writing, but be sure to verify current information before your visit.

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Swimming with the Turtles of Tobago Cays

Turtles are not uncommon to see while snorkeling in the Caribbean, although every time I see one I still get a little excited. But this snorkel was different.

We had some time to explore the southeastern shore of Baradal – one of the small islands in the beautiful chain of islands in the Grenadines known as the Tobago Cays. There is a turtle reserve in the clear shallow waters here and we were told that you almost always will see turtles – green turtles and hawksbill turtles- feeding on sea grass there.

The area is phenomenal for snorkeling period, with it’s ultra clear water and abundant sea life and we were anxious to look below the surface.

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Almost immediately I spotted several turtles, one quite close! Now I’m not one to feverishly swim after underwater wildlife (except for that one time that I chased a barracuda while snorkeling – not knowing what it was…NOW I DO.), so I stayed put, calmly just floating in the clearest water I’d ever seen. Both turtles swam away, probably searching for just the right patch of succulent sea grass. But suddenly, one of them turned around and came back my way.

 As I floated there over his feeding ground, he swam right up to me! At first I wasn’t sure if I should be a little nervous or what. I’ve never heard of a green turtle attack on anyone so I continued to watch in amazement. He swam around me and under me – did I look different than other snorkelers?

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Gliding in the grass

 

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Green turtle close up

 

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Pulling sea grass from the ocean floor

He was so close that I could even hear him yanking the sea grass out of the ocean floor.

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Green turtle in Tobago Cays

After what seemed to be quite a long time (it was probably just a few minutes!) my new turtle friend swam off to re-join the others.

Sure enjoyed my close encounter of the turtle kind. Sure nice of him to share his space with me.

To see more posts on The Grenadines and other islands, check out our Island Blog Directory

 

Copyright©Rum Therapy
 Pictures and other content may not be re-used without written consent from Rum Therapy, LLC. All information is correct to our knowledge at the time of writing, but be sure to verify current information before your visit.