Buccoo Reef Mooring Area
Buccoo Reef MPA · Buccoo
11°11.0'N 60°49.9'W
No Anchoring Permitted
NO ANCHORING — Marine Protected Area; anchoring on coral is a criminal offence under T&T law; access via licensed glass-bottom boat tours from Buccoo village only; no fishing in MPA
Depth
2–6m
Bottom
coral
Alarm Radius
50m
Holding
Poor
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
50m
50m minimum radius if on designated mooring buoy. NO ANCHORING PERMITTED anywhere in the Buccoo Reef Marine Protected Area — anchoring on coral causes irreversible damage and is a criminal offence under T&T law.
About This Anchorage
Buccoo Reef is Tobago's most important coral reef ecosystem and one of the Caribbean's significant MPA (Marine Protected Area) reef systems. It lies just offshore from Buccoo village on Tobago's northwest tip and is a strictly controlled no-anchoring zone. All visiting yachts and tourist vessels must use designated mooring buoys (limited in number) or access the reef via licensed glass-bottom boat tours from Buccoo village. Anchoring anywhere on or near the reef is a criminal offence under T&T environmental law. The reef has been under significant pressure from tourist activity and anchoring damage in past decades — the MPA designation is a serious conservation measure. The Nylon Pool (a natural shallow sandbar with waist-deep water in the middle of the reef) is accessible only by glass-bottom boat tour from Buccoo.
Protected From
E · SE
Exposed To
N · W · NW
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Mooring buoys for licensed operators only; glass-bottom boat tours TTD 100–150/person
- Permit required
- Yes
- Permit details
- Licensed glass-bottom boat operators in Buccoo village run daily tours to Buccoo Reef and the Nylon Pool. Booking through Tobago Tourism Agency or directly at Buccoo jetty.
Restrictions: NO ANCHORING — Marine Protected Area; anchoring on coral is a criminal offence under T&T law; access via licensed glass-bottom boat tours from Buccoo village only; no fishing in MPA
Hazards
- !ANCHORING PROHIBITED — criminal offence under T&T environmental law; significant fines and vessel detention
- !Shallow coral reef throughout the area — risk of grounding if approaching independently
- !Strong trade wind acceleration around the northwest tip of Tobago — choppier than forecast
- !Heavy glass-bottom boat traffic throughout daylight hours
Skipper's Tips
- →Book a glass-bottom boat tour from Buccoo village — the Nylon Pool is a unique experience and the reef is spectacular
- →Sunday School (every Sunday evening, Buccoo) is Tobago's famous street party — soca music, street food, and locals — taxi from Crown Point
- →Do NOT attempt to approach the reef independently by dinghy — prosecution under environmental law is taken seriously
- →The reef is best appreciated by snorkelling from the licensed tour boats — full reef circuit plus Nylon Pool typically takes 2 hours
Facilities
Buccoo village has restaurants and bars along the waterfront. Glass-bottom boat tours depart from Buccoo jetty. Sunday School street party in Buccoo every Sunday evening.
Nearest provisions: Buccoo village (0.5nm)
Best Months & Season
Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May
Year-round for glass-bottom boat tours. Do NOT anchor here in any season. Best reef visibility Jan–May dry season.
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 50m
On Tobago's Caribbean coast, north swell can enter exposed bays without warning. Safety Anchor Alarm monitors your GPS position continuously so you can enjoy the beach, the villages, and the turtle watching with confidence.
Download Free for iOS