Speyside

Speyside faces Tyrrel's Bay on Tobago's northeastern coast with Little Tobago and Goat Island lying offshore, and it is the island's diving centre. The Guyana current runs through here bringing nutrients and, with them, big animals: manta rays, large schools and some of the healthiest coral around the island. A brain coral in the channel measuring several metres across has been claimed as one of the largest known anywhere.

What you actually see

• The giant brain coral - a colony of several metres across in the channel.
• The drift dives - the current-swept sites between the mainland and the islands.
• Little Tobago - the seabird island offshore, visited by boat.
• The manta rays - large rays regularly seen on the deeper sites.

When to go

January to May is the dry season and generally the calmest. Visibility varies with the Orinoco outflow and is not always good. Diving runs year round with operators in the village.

Honest expectations

Visibility here is variable because of the river outflow from the mainland and can be poor. The currents suit experienced divers rather than beginners. The village is small with limited facilities.

Nearby

Little Tobago is offshore, and Charlotteville is over the ridge.