Trinidad, the southern most island in the Caribbean chain (it's actually south of Caracas) is not for divers; it's smaller sister to the north is. . . . Diving from resort hotels along the southwest coast not comparable to better diving to the north. . . . Mantas are common in the spring, huge coral heads, good fish life, currents and choppy water make it a site for experienced divers (The owner of the Man Friday dive operation disappeared while diving in 1994, never to be recovered; his shop is now operated by his son). . . . Blue Waters Inn is the main dive hotel, on a nice beach, about 15 minutes from all sites. Tobago is covered with rainforest, with good hiking, friendly people, and serene and beautiful beaches. Birding is excellent (visit Bird Island offshore with a guide), but Trinidad's Asa Wright Nature Center, a small hotel with a vista filled with scores of tropical species, is unparalleled, as is the lagoon trip to see 2000 scarlet ibis fly in nightly from Venezuela. . . .

AquaMarine Divers/Blue Water Inn, January 1997, Michael Miller/Anne Selby, Gaston, IN. "Tobago is the model for Defoe's Robinson Crusoe. Has the oldest government land preserve in the Western Hemisphere and is kept as clean as an estate. Blue Water Inn in Speyside is isolated, quiet and perfectly situated in its own bay with a spotless crescent of golden beach. Bird watchers are the primary guests, but AquaMarine Divers is located at the hotel. The food is excellent, rooms are immaculate. . . . Ride to sites in 10 minutes from the pier, back roll into the water, then swim like hell for the bottom. Currents can be strong and the visibility variable: 50­75 ft. (water: 77­81 degrees). Restrictions enforced for drift diving: follow the leader multilevel to 80 feet. Huge sponges contorted into otherworldly shapes, clouds of reef fish and remarkably healthy hard and soft corals, sometimes arranged in monocultural strips from 20­100 feet. No mantas had been spotted for 3 weeks before we came, but there are always huge tarpon around and the world's largest brain coral head. Diving is NOT for beginners. Currents are strong, surge is common close to the reefs and unpredictable. But it is exciting and offers a great new experience."

Aquamarine/Blue Waters Inn, May 1997, Carole Rustand, Colts Neck, NJ. "Hotel on the East side of island, hour from the airport on its' own private cove containing the main reception, bar, gift shop and dining area. Separate hotel rooms and several self contained villas. All beautifully furnished. Sared, the two bedroom villa with its' own patio's, living room, kitchen, dining room all facing the beach. All meals were typical island food, quite good. Some local restaurants to enjoy like Emma's and Spyside Inn. . . . Suit up before leaving the dock and at the dive site don your BC, tank, mask and fins and do a back roll together. Always heavy surge and swift current, too swift to bring a camera and photograph! On one dive several people drifted out and down from the group and had to surface because they could not see or get back to the group. The divemasters were good, but expected everyone to be experienced and did not help unless it was absolutely necessary. You were free to do what you wanted. They did not spend time joking around but were pleasant. Always two divemasters in the water, one leading with a float and the other bring up the rear;b boat followed the float. They were great picking you up. Take off your BC and tanks in the water before climbing aboard. This is for experienced or strong divers only! Coral pristine, there was an enormous brain coral. Lots of fish but did not see mantas. Island is very lush and beautiful. Add a few extra days to see it."

Blair's/Blue Water Inn, May 1997, Rose Mueller, St. Petersberg Beach, FL. "Water 78 degrees, visibility 60 feet. No air conditioning as requested. Prepared to dive at 9:30 finally left at 11:00. A novice rented gear; I saw him shoot to the surface; his regulator leaked and he panicked. Next day I had no buddy as my husband had broken his ear drum, so went with dive leader. Novice went again. Ditched weight belt to abort, but group leader was no where to be found."

Blue Water Inn, June 1997, Laurie Cameron, Danvers. MA. "No tourists. Rented a house on the water in Speyside for $10pp a night and shopped at the local grocery. Dive staff was great, attentive but not overbearing. Tons of fun after work, too! Currents very strong, not for beginners! vis: 50-80 ft. water: 76-80 degrees. Dive staff needs computers since the currents make the diving unpredictable, but since the owner requires them to buy their own, not one had one. Island is beautiful."

Tobago Dive Experience/Blue Water Inn, December 1996, Janet and Steve Peterson, Olympia, WA. "Water 80 degrees; vis 60 to 80 feet. Restrictions: group stay together and be on the surface with 500 psi. Corals in great condition. People friendly. Fun operation, competent management, divemasters. Speyside quiet and laid back. Boats are small open "pirogues" built to accommodate the rough water conditions. . . . Tobago Dive Experience operates out of the Manta Lodge but we stayed at Blue Water Inn which has a nicer beach and is within easy walking distance. Several good restaurants in Speyside; wise not to take the full meal package."

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