Tobago Cays

Clifton, Union Island · The Grenadines · Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

The Tobago Cays are a cluster of five small, uninhabited islands in the southern Grenadines, protected as a marine park and widely considered one of the most beautiful anchorages in the Caribbean. Horseshoe Reef, a crescent-shaped barrier reef, wraps around four of the five cays, sheltering a turquoise lagoon of exceptional clarity that is home to a thriving population of green sea turtles. The snorkelling inside the reef is among the finest in the Eastern Caribbean. Green turtles graze on the seagrass beds in water barely two metres deep, seemingly unconcerned by the snorkellers floating above. Patch reefs within the lagoon host parrotfish, blue tangs, French grunts, and queen conchs moving slowly across the sandy bottom. The clarity of the water -- visibility regularly exceeds 20 metres even inside the lagoon -- creates an almost surreal experience of floating above a Caribbean postcard. The outer reef offers a different character entirely. Here, the reef drops off into deeper water, reaching 20 metres on the seaward side. Healthy hard and soft corals cover the slope, providing habitat for a greater diversity of species. Eagle rays glide along the reef edge, nurse sharks rest in sandy alcoves, and schools of jacks and barracuda hunt in the current. The contrast between the tranquil inner lagoon and the more dynamic outer reef means the Tobago Cays offer something for every level of diver. The marine park was established by the St. Vincent and the Grenadines government to protect this irreplaceable ecosystem. Access is by boat from Union Island or neighbouring islands, with day trips readily available. A marine park fee supports conservation efforts. The cays are uninhabited with no permanent structures, adding to the sense of exploring a truly wild place. The combination of turtle encounters, pristine reefs, and jaw-dropping scenery above and below the water makes Tobago Cays one of the Eastern Caribbean's essential diving and snorkelling destinations.