Petit Tabac - Tobago Cays
Petit Tabac, for us, is all about that easy Caribbean drift. You drop in, usually somewhere north of the island, and the current just carries you gently along a sloping wall. It’s not a dramatic drop, more a coral-covered incline that bottoms out around 20 metres. We love how relaxed it feels, like the reef is putting on a show just for you as you glide past. You’ll spot plenty of blennies popping their heads out of coral, especially the Pearl and Redlip varieties. Keep an eye out for Dusky Flounder blending into the sand patches at the base of the wall, they’re masters of disguise. Nurse sharks are a frequent sight, usually snoozing under ledges, and we’ve often seen barracuda hanging motionless in the blue. It’s a site that really rewards a slow pace and a keen eye. Our favourite way to dive it is first thing in the morning before any other boats arrive. The light is softer then, and the reef feels quieter, more intimate. It’s perfect for intermediate divers who enjoy a low-effort, high-reward drift, offering great photo opportunities and a chance to really soak in the smaller details of a healthy Caribbean reef.
- Location
- Tobago Cays, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Caribbean
- Coordinates
- 12.620000, -61.360000
- Type
- drift
- Maximum Depth
- 5-20m
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
Marine Protected Area: Tobago Cays-Mayreau MP/MR/Wildlife Reserve
Best Time to Dive in Tobago Cays
The warmest water temperatures in Tobago Cays occur in January, averaging 27.9°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 27.9°C.
Monthly Water Temperatures
- January: 27.9°C (air: 26.2°C)
- February: 27.9°C (air: 26.1°C)
- March: 27.9°C (air: 26.1°C)
- April: 27.9°C (air: 26.7°C)
- May: 27.9°C (air: 27.4°C)
- June: 27.9°C (air: 27.5°C)
- July: 27.9°C (air: 27.6°C)
- August: 27.9°C (air: 27.9°C)
- September: 27.9°C (air: 28.4°C)
- October: 27.9°C (air: 28.3°C)
- November: 27.9°C (air: 27.5°C)
- December: 27.9°C (air: 27.0°C)
Nearby Dive Sites in Tobago Cays
- FEDERAL QUEEN - 50m (wreck)
- HMS PURUNI - 9m (wreck)
- Horseshoe Reef - 3-15m (reef)
Marine Life in Tobago Cays
Home to 256 recorded species including 223 reef fish, 12 hard corals, 8 whales & dolphins, 3 seagrass & algae, 2 sea snails & nudibranchs, 2 sharks & rays.
Notable Species
- Mustard hill coral (Porites astreoides) - Hard Corals
- Finger Coral (Porites porites) - Hard Corals
- Gutong (Sparisoma aurofrenatum) - Reef Fish
- Dark Green Parrotfish (Sparisoma viride) - Reef Fish
- Barber (Acanthurus bahianus) - Reef Fish
- Sheephead (Microspathodon chrysurus) - Reef Fish
- Gutong (Scarus iseri) - Reef Fish
- Sammy Johnson (Scarus taeniopterus) - Reef Fish
- Blue Doctor (Acanthurus coeruleus) - Reef Fish
- Parrotfish (Thalassoma bifasciatum) - Reef Fish
- Blueman (Scarus vetula) - Reef Fish
- Coney (Cephalopholis fulva) - Reef Fish
- Fire coral (Millepora complanata) - Jellyfish
- Flamefish (Apogon maculatus) - Reef Fish
- Hamlet (Gymnothorax moringa) - Reef Fish
- Devilfish (Ophioblennius atlanticus) - Reef Fish
- Greenblotch Parrotfish (Sparisoma atomarium) - Reef Fish
- Yellowhead Wrasse (Halichoeres garnoti) - Reef Fish
- French grunt (Haemulon flavolineatum) - Reef Fish
- Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus) - Whales & Dolphins
Recommended Packing List for Petit Tabac
Based on average water temperature of 27.9°C.
- Shorty or Rashguard - warm 28°C water needs minimal exposure protection
- Mask - essential for every dive
- Fins
- BCD - buoyancy compensator
- Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
- Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
- Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
- Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
- Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories