Little Tobago Approach Anchorage
Little Tobago · Bird of Paradise Island
11°17.9'N 60°30.5'W
Depth
5–12m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
90m
Holding
Fair
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
90m
90m with fair holding on sand/coral 5–12m. Significantly Atlantic-exposed — day-only anchorage. Surge and swell common. Use larger alarm radius to allow for any movement. Recommended approach is via licensed day trip boats from Speyside.
About This Anchorage
Little Tobago (formerly called Bird of Paradise Island) is a 450-acre seabird sanctuary 1.5nm east of Speyside — one of the Caribbean's most important seabird nesting sites, home to red-billed tropicbirds, magnificent frigatebirds, red-footed boobies, brown boobies, and Audubon's shearwaters. The island was purchased by Sir William Ingram in 1898 to protect the greater bird of paradise (introduced from New Guinea) — the colony no longer exists but the island retains its sanctuary status and is managed by the Tobago House of Assembly. Day visits are permitted via licensed boat transfer from Speyside. The anchorage approach on the west side is significantly exposed to Atlantic swell and best treated as a temporary position for dropping/collecting snorkellers or divers rather than an overnight anchorage.
Protected From
W · NW
Exposed To
E · NE · SE · N
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free anchoring; THA day visit fee applies to landing on island
- Permit required
- Yes
- Permit details
- Day visit permit from Tobago House of Assembly. Licensed boat transfers from Speyside dive operators include the permit.
Restrictions: Day visits only — no overnight stays on island; licensed boat transfers from Speyside recommended; seabird sanctuary — no disturbance of nesting birds; stay on marked trails on island; no removal of wildlife or plants
Hazards
- !Atlantic swell exposure — surge and uncomfortable anchorage conditions common; day-only
- !Coral patches throughout — anchor with care; visual inspection essential in good light
- !Channel current between Little Tobago and Tobago 1–2kt — factor into dive and dinghy planning
- !Seabird nesting areas — do not approach nesting colonies; stay on marked trails on island
Skipper's Tips
- →Take the licensed boat day trip from Speyside rather than anchoring independently — safer and includes the guided island walk
- →Red-billed tropicbirds are the highlight of the Little Tobago visit — nesting in the cliff faces (Jan–May season peak)
- →The snorkelling around Little Tobago's rocky shoreline is outstanding — part of the Speyside dive area
- →Timing: arrive early morning before the trade wind swell builds — conditions deteriorate through the afternoon
Facilities
No facilities on Little Tobago. All facilities at Speyside 1.5nm west.
Nearest provisions: Speyside village (1.5nm)
Best Months & Season
Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May
Year-round bird sanctuary. Best Jan–May for seabird activity and settled weather. Day-visit-only anchorage — not suitable for overnight. Atlantic exposure makes this challenging in trade wind conditions.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 90m
On Tobago's wild Atlantic coast, swell can build and shift overnight. Safety Anchor Alarm monitors your GPS position continuously — giving you confidence to sleep in even the most remote windward anchorages.
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