Speyside Bay
Speyside · Speyside Village
11°17.9'N 60°31.7'W
Depth
4–10m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
85m
Holding
Good
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
85m
85m for good holding on sand 4–10m. Atlantic-facing bay — trade wind swell can enter and create surge. Anchor firmly with engine test. Day stop primary; overnight in settled conditions only. Manta ray dive sites offshore are the primary draw.
About This Anchorage
Speyside Bay is one of the Caribbean's premier diving destinations — a small village on Tobago's northeast Atlantic coast, facing the world-famous manta ray aggregation sites that make this area unique. Atlantic manta rays (Mobula birostris — one of the largest ray species) congregate here November–May, attracted by rich upwelling plankton-laden Atlantic water. Dive sites including Kelleston Drain, Angel Reef, and Japanese Gardens are regularly cited among the Caribbean's top 10 dive experiences. The village of Speyside has several dive operators, small guesthouses, and local food. The anchorage faces northeast and receives Atlantic trade wind swell — it is a working anchorage for the dive activity rather than a comfortable overnight stay. Little Tobago seabird sanctuary is visible offshore (1nm east). Currents in the channel between Tobago and Little Tobago can run 1–2kt.
Protected From
W · NW · N
Exposed To
E · SE · NE
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free anchoring
- Permit required
- No
Restrictions: Anchor only in sand — coral patches throughout; dive sites offshore have mooring buoys — use mooring buoys at dive sites rather than anchoring; do not anchor on coral
Hazards
- !Atlantic trade wind swell — anchorage can become uncomfortable quickly; day stop primary; overnight only in settled conditions
- !Coral patches throughout the bay — anchor only in sand; visual inspection essential with good light
- !Currents in the Speyside channel (to Little Tobago) can run 1–2kt — allow for this when diving
- !Atlantic manta rays at dive sites — follow dive operator instructions; do not touch or disturb
Skipper's Tips
- →Book manta ray diving in advance through Aquamarine Dive or local operators — season is Nov–May and demand is high Jan–Mar
- →The manta rays at Kelleston Drain are not guaranteed — but Speyside has the best year-round ray sightings in the Caribbean
- →Japanese Gardens reef is accessible for snorkellers as well as divers — ask the dive operators for the shallower snorkel sites
- →Arrive early morning for best light and calmest conditions — afternoon trades freshen and create more surge
- →The view from Speyside hill over the bay to Little Tobago is spectacular — walk up from the village for the panorama
Facilities
Small local restaurants in Speyside village. Dive operators (Aquamarine Dive, others) arrange dive day trips and transfers. No fuel dock — use Scarborough or Charlotteville.
Nearest provisions: Speyside village (0.2nm)
Best Months & Season
Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May
Year-round (south of hurricane belt). Nov–May for manta ray aggregations. Settled dry season (Jan–May) for best anchorage conditions. Atlantic exposure means this is primarily a dive-trip anchorage rather than a cruising destination.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 85m
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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