Snorkel· Tobago· Windward Islands
Pirates Bay Snorkel (Man-o-War Bay)
11° 19.8′ N · 60° 33.0′ W · approximate
A fringing reef right off Pirates Bay beach at the mouth of Man-o-War Bay, with coral heads, gorgonians, sponges, schools of reef fish and frequent turtles: the best snorkelling within dinghy reach of the Charlotteville moorings.
Practical
Position is a point about 160 m west of Pirates Bay beach (OpenStreetMap way 30780409) inside the bay's snorkelling zone, derived from the OSM coastline and ERIC's mooring map (approx). ERIC's map marks a snorkelling and diving zone between Mooring Area 1 and the shore: no anchoring, and keep dinghies dead slow. From the boats it is a short swim or dinghy ride; land the dinghy on the beach clear of fishing gear. By land it is a dirt track past the Charlotteville pier and then 144 steps down (Discover T&T; Responsible Travel says 157), and there are no facilities, though OpenStreetMap shows a drinking-water point on the beach. Expect many sea urchins on the rocks (Snorkel Around the World). Reef Check volunteers survey Pirates Bay because it shows the effects of fishing, diving, anchoring and village run-off. ERIC (the Environmental Research Institute Charlotteville) runs guided snorkel trips with marine biologists. Elizabeth Brouse (2012) also rated the water under Fort Campbleton and the rock off the north beach among Tobago's best snorkelling.
Best for
Turtles and reef fish a few strokes from your mooring
Season
Year-round; calmest in the dry season (Dec-Jun)
Nearby
- Pirates Bay Beach0.1 NM away
- Pirates Bay Moorings (Charlotteville)0.1 NM away
- Charlotteville Customs and Immigration0.4 NM away
- Charlotteville Fish Market and Village Shops0.4 NM away
- Charlotteville Jetty and Dinghy Landing0.4 NM away
- Man-o-War Bay Anchorage (Charlotteville)0.4 NM away
- Mike's Offshore Bar and Charlotteville Rumshops0.4 NM away
- Charlotteville Fuel, Water and Laundry0.5 NM away