Kelleston Drain - Tobago

Kelleston Drain is a drift diver's dream, plain and simple. We love the feeling of being propelled along by the current, watching the scenery glide by almost effortlessly. It’s not about meticulous searching here; it’s about the grand parade. You'll drop in and immediately feel that push, often a pretty strong one, so be ready to go with the flow. The main show is often the big stuff: those graceful eagle rays, sometimes in formation, their wings cutting through the blue. Mantas are around, but we wouldn’t promise them every time. What we do consistently see are schools of jacks, hundreds of them, swirling and flashing as they hold their position against the current or give in and join the drift. There are plenty of colourful reef fish too, like blue parrotfish and grunts, all hunkered down or tucked into the reef structure to escape the main push. Look closely in the quieter patches for the smaller stuff like cryptic clingfish or the bearded gobies. This dive really suits those who enjoy the sensation of flying underwater and aren't afraid of a bit of a ride. Our best tip? Keep an eye out into the blue, because that's where the magic often unfolds.

Location: Tobago, Trinidad & Tobago, Caribbean
Coordinates: 11.160000, -60.710000
Type: drift
Maximum Depth: 10-25m
Difficulty: Intermediate

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)

Nearest Dive Centres to Kelleston Drain

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 Kelleston Drain

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