Snorkel· Tobago· Windward Islands
Buccoo Reef and Nylon Pool
11° 10.8′ N · 60° 49.6′ W
Tobago's largest reef complex, roughly 7 sq km of reef flats between Pigeon Point and Buccoo Bay, with the Nylon Pool: a knee-to-waist-deep sandbar of luminous turquoise water in the middle of the lagoon. Glass-bottom boats run snorkel trips over the reef and stop at the pool.
Practical
Position is the OpenStreetMap centroid of the reef; the Nylon Pool sandbar lies south of the reef inside the lagoon and is not separately mapped. Protected as the Buccoo Reef Marine Park since 1973 and part of a Ramsar site since 2005. You cannot take your own boat or dinghy in: entering or operating a vessel in the restricted area needs written permission, only registered, insured, permitted vessels may enter, navigation must follow the marked channel, tours run only 10:00 am to 5:30 pm, and fishing, parties, alcohol and jet skis are banned (THA user policy, posted 2022). Go with a licensed glass-bottom operator: tickets are sold only at Booth #15 at the Store Bay Beach Facility and the blue booth beside the waterfall inside Pigeon Point Heritage Park. Rough Guides gives about US$25 for 2-3 hours, usually leaving around 11 am and 2 pm (undated; verify locally). Stand only on sand, never on coral, and do not take shells or coral, which is illegal. The reef is heavily damaged by anchors, collecting and overfishing, so manage expectations. The Marine Park and its activities were closed for about a week after the April 2024 shark incident.
Best for
Easy reef snorkel and the Nylon Pool wade on an organized boat trip
Nearby
- Buccoo Reef Marine Park Restricted Area0.2 NM away
- No Man's Land and Bon Accord Lagoon0.7 NM away
- Buccoo Bay Anchorage0.8 NM away
- Pigeon Point Beach1.1 NM away
- Sunday School (Buccoo)1.1 NM away
- Buccoo Goat and Crab Races (Easter)1.2 NM away
- La Tartaruga (Buccoo)1.2 NM away
- Pigeon Point Fish Market1.2 NM away