Japanese Gardens - Tobago
Japanese Gardens always feels like a bit of a secret, even though it’s right there. We love pulling up to this site, knowing a really relaxed dive is on the cards. It’s shallow, only ever reaching about 15 metres, which means the light always feels bright and golden. The name is spot on – those delicate soft corals really do mimic a meticulously tended garden, swaying gently in the subtle surge. It’s an ideal spot for new divers to build confidence, but honestly, we find ourselves lingering here, camera in hand, on days we just want an easy cruise. Look closely among the coral heads for key brotula tucked away, or watch the hogfish root around in the sand. We often spot schools of bluestriped grunts hovering over the reef, and the parrotfish are always busy munching away. It’s a site for slowing down, appreciating the smaller details, and just enjoying being underwater.
- Location
- Tobago, Trinidad & Tobago, Caribbean
- Coordinates
- 11.180000, -60.730000
- Type
- reef
- Maximum Depth
- 5-15m
- Difficulty
- Beginner
Marine Protected Area: Buccoo Reef
Best Time to Dive in Tobago
The warmest water temperatures in Tobago occur in January, averaging 28.1°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 28.1°C.
Monthly Water Temperatures
- January: 28.1°C (air: 24.4°C)
- February: 28.1°C (air: 24.3°C)
- March: 28.1°C (air: 24.6°C)
- April: 28.1°C (air: 25.1°C)
- May: 28.1°C (air: 25.6°C)
- June: 28.1°C (air: 25.4°C)
- July: 28.1°C (air: 25.4°C)
- August: 28.1°C (air: 25.8°C)
- September: 28.1°C (air: 26.5°C)
- October: 28.1°C (air: 26.1°C)
- November: 28.1°C (air: 25.3°C)
- December: 28.1°C (air: 24.8°C)
Nearby Dive Sites in Tobago
- ADVENTURER 1 (POSSIBLY) - 5m (wreck)
- AGHIA ANASTASIA - 36m (wreck)
- ATHELBRAE - 6m (wreck)
- BALABAC - 3m (wreck)
- BALTIC RESCUER - 7m (wreck)
- BCSL ENDEAVOUR - 26m (wreck)
- BEER CAT - 7m (wreck)
- BIRD OF PARADISE - 5m (wreck)
- Black Jack Hole (reef)
- Black Jack Hole (wall)
- BONANZA - 0m (wreck)
- CAPTAIN HOWARD - 22m (wreck)
- CITY OF CORINTH - 34m (wreck)
- COROMOTO I - 25m (wreck)
- DAMIEN - 3m (wreck)
Nearest Dive Centres to Japanese Gardens
- Dive Shop
- Tobago Dive Experience - ["PADI"]
Marine Life in Tobago
Home to 344 recorded species including 323 reef fish, 5 other, 4 whales & dolphins, 4 sharks & rays, 2 hard corals, 2 sea snails & nudibranchs.
Notable Species
- Goldspot Goby (Gnatholepis thompsoni) - Reef Fish
- Molly Miller (Labrisomus nuchipinnis) - Reef Fish
- Hamlet (Gymnothorax moringa) - Reef Fish
- Spinyhead Blenny (Acanthemblemaria spinosa) - Reef Fish
- Barber (Acanthurus bahianus) - Reef Fish
- Parrotfish (Thalassoma bifasciatum) - Reef Fish
- Saddled Blenny (Malacoctenus triangulatus) - Reef Fish
- Slippery Dick (Halichoeres bivittatus) - Reef Fish
- Harlequin Bass (Serranus tigrinus) - Reef Fish
- Flamefish (Apogon maculatus) - Reef Fish
- Cook (Holocentrus adscensionis) - Reef Fish
- Yellowhead Wrasse (Halichoeres garnoti) - Reef Fish
- French grunt (Haemulon flavolineatum) - Reef Fish
- Gutong (Sparisoma aurofrenatum) - Reef Fish
- Devilfish (Ophioblennius atlanticus) - Reef Fish
- Dusky Cardinalfish (Phaeoptyx pigmentaria) - Reef Fish
- Conklin's cardinalfish (Phaeoptyx conklini) - Reef Fish
- Rusty Goby (Priolepis hipoliti) - Reef Fish
- Colon Goby (Coryphopterus dicrus) - Reef Fish
- Clown Wrasse (Halichoeres maculipinna) - Reef Fish
Recommended Packing List for Japanese Gardens
Based on average water temperature of 28.1°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