Tobago Cays Marine Park is a cluster of five uninhabited islets in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, wrapped by the roughly 4 km horseshoe reef that shelters a shallow, turquoise lagoon — one of the Caribbean's finest snorkeling spots. Its star attraction is the Baradal Turtle Sanctuary: a buoy-marked, no-boat swim zone off the island's southern beach where wild green and hawksbill turtles graze on seagrass in just 2–5 m of calm, clear water, so sightings are almost guaranteed. Visibility is typically 15–30 m and the water sits at 27–29°C, with coral gardens, parrotfish, rays and schooling grunts rounding out the scene. As of 2026 it remains a ranger-managed protected area reachable only by boat, calmest from December to June.
Baradal turtle sanctuary — reliable encounters with wild green and hawksbill turtles over seagrass
The roughly 4 km Horseshoe Reef — snorkel the sheltered inshore side, scuba the ocean side
Shallow 2–4 m seagrass flats with 15–30 m visibility and warm 27–29°C water
Reef life including parrotfish, surgeonfish, grunts, rays, moray eels, sea fans and coral gardens
White-sand beaches on uninhabited cays and beach barbecues run by licensed operators
Good to know
SafetyThe lagoon looks calm, but currents run through the channels between the cays and along the ocean side of Horseshoe Reef and can push you toward open water. Stay inside the buoy-marked zone, carry a float, and never snorkel alone.
SafetyThis is a busy anchorage with moored yachts, dinghies and tour boats. Keep within the buoyed no-boat swim zone and stay aware of boat traffic on the surface.
SafetyThere are no lifeguards and you are far from medical care. Beginners should go with a guide or captain and take it easy — mask fog and panic are the real risks here, not depth.
SafetyWatch for stings and cuts from fire coral, sea urchins and the occasional jellyfish. Don't touch the reef, wear a rashguard, and use reef-safe sunscreen against the strong tropical sun.
MannersKeep about 2–3 m (6–10 ft) from turtles and never touch, ride or chase them. Give them room to surface for air, and never feed them.
RulesThis is a marine protected area: don't touch or stand on coral, taking shells, conch or lobster and all fishing are banned, a ranger user fee applies, and diving must be with a licensed local operator.
SeasonDecember to June is calmest and clearest. Atlantic hurricane season begins in July and can bring swell, and 2026 is forecast as a heavy sargassum year, so check seaweed and sea conditions before you go.
Practical info
Reachable only by boat, via day tours or water taxis from Union, Mayreau, Bequia or Canouan. Conditions are calmest and clearest from December to June; a park user fee is collected by rangers and diving requires a licensed local operator. Confirm current fees, tour times and sea conditions before you go.
On-site reviews📍 Verified on-site
No reviews yet. If you are here, be the first to leave one.
