Seasonal· Tobago· Windward Islands
Tobago Hazards (2024 oil spill, April 2024 shark incident)
11° 8.5′ N · 60° 48.1′ W · approximate
Two 2024 incidents worth knowing about: the Gulfstream barge oil spill that blackened 15 km of Tobago's Atlantic coast in February, and a bull-shark attack off Turtle Beach in April that closed the leeward beaches for a week.
Practical
Position is Canoe Bay, near where the barge grounded (approx; ITOPF puts it about 150 m off Canoe Bay at the island's southern tip). Oil spill: the articulated tank barge Gulfstream capsized and grounded on February 6, 2024, spilling about 4,652 t of heavy fuel oil; heavy oiling ran about 15 km from Cove Reef to Scarborough. Clean-up ended April 21, 2024; the wreck was refloated in August 2024. ITOPF reports oily waste still stored at Studley Park landfill as of late 2025, with about 400 bbl left on the wreck after salvage. Tar balls are possible on Atlantic-side beaches. Shark: on April 26, 2024 a bull shark injured a British visitor about 10 m off Turtle Beach (Great Courland Bay); beaches and coastal waters from Plymouth to Store Bay, including the Buccoo Reef Marine Park, were closed until May 3, 2024. Swim near the boat at dawn and dusk with care, and avoid swimming near fish-cleaning areas. Also: jet-ski activity around Store Bay, Pigeon Point and Buccoo led to a High Court injunction in April 2026.
Best for
Situational awareness before swimming and anchoring
Nearby
- Tobago Jazz Weekend (Beachfront Jazz, Magdalena Grand)1.6 NM away
- Gulf City Mall (Lowlands)1.7 NM away
- Crown Point Fuel and LPG (NP Station)2 NM away
- Kariwak Restaurant (Crown Point)2.2 NM away
- No Man's Land and Bon Accord Lagoon2.2 NM away
- Buccoo Goat and Crab Races (Easter)2.3 NM away
- Crown Point Supermarkets2.3 NM away
- Flying Reef Dive2.3 NM away