Tobago Dive Experience
Tobago Dive Experience
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Speyside, Trinidad and Tobago
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2023
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Tobago Dive Experience
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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5.0
163 reviews
Excellent
150
Very good
4
Average
4
Poor
4
Terrible
1
Jo M
Leeds, UK39 contributions
Mar 2020
I found Tobago Dive Experience on Trip Advisor after having a look around for a Dive Cente in Tobago.
I got in touch with Kat by filling in the contact form on there website, from the first to last email everything went so smoothly, she sorted out my accomodation ( Manta Lodges onsite) and advised on everything I would need to know on my visit to Tobago from my pick up at the airport to sorting out some groceries for when I arrived from the UK.
Sean and his team are FANTASTIC!!!!!!!
They were all so helpful, checking all my gear was taken down to the boat, asking if I needed any help with anything, they are all very knowledgable about the dive sites, especially Sean who knows the sites like the back of his hand, I couldn't have asked for anything better.
I'm an experienced Diver and Traveller and Kat, Sean, Mikey, Ricardo, Marvin, Leppy, Andrea and Davey made it a super special time.
The Dives are anything from a steady slow pootle about to flying over the reef like Superman, I've Dived many places and Speyside has some of the most diverse dive conditions that I have ever experience, and everyone of them was super fun.
Speyside is a very quiet little village with one small store, a veg/fruit stall, Roti and pie shops, with a couple of restaurants with lovely food, all the locals are very friendly and always have a Good Morning for you.
I would highly recommend giving them a visit, especially as a single traveller as they made me feel very welcome and at home.
I got in touch with Kat by filling in the contact form on there website, from the first to last email everything went so smoothly, she sorted out my accomodation ( Manta Lodges onsite) and advised on everything I would need to know on my visit to Tobago from my pick up at the airport to sorting out some groceries for when I arrived from the UK.
Sean and his team are FANTASTIC!!!!!!!
They were all so helpful, checking all my gear was taken down to the boat, asking if I needed any help with anything, they are all very knowledgable about the dive sites, especially Sean who knows the sites like the back of his hand, I couldn't have asked for anything better.
I'm an experienced Diver and Traveller and Kat, Sean, Mikey, Ricardo, Marvin, Leppy, Andrea and Davey made it a super special time.
The Dives are anything from a steady slow pootle about to flying over the reef like Superman, I've Dived many places and Speyside has some of the most diverse dive conditions that I have ever experience, and everyone of them was super fun.
Speyside is a very quiet little village with one small store, a veg/fruit stall, Roti and pie shops, with a couple of restaurants with lovely food, all the locals are very friendly and always have a Good Morning for you.
I would highly recommend giving them a visit, especially as a single traveller as they made me feel very welcome and at home.
Written March 19, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shaun G
Port of Spain, Trinidad24 contributions
Apr 2021
If you are looking for the most experienced destination dive company in Tobago, look no further than Tobago Dive Experience. They have been here for decades and have trained up most of the divers and instructors in Trinidad and Tobago. Sean Robinson is the top of his field and has hosted divers and instructors from all over the World, and they keep coming back for good reason. I have been diving with Sean on and off for nearly 30 years. He never fails to deliver the best. His passion for diving is reflected in everything he does. His staff are all very experienced. His knowledge of every location abounds.
There are too many dive sites to mention, but make sure you dive Coral Garden (with the largest coral head) and Japanese Garden for the ultimate drift dive. You could be here 2 weeks straight and not run out of dives.
Water clarity varies in Tobago depending on the rainy or dry season. Dry season tends to be better but sometimes wet season will surprise you too. Tobago is located with a very unique marine situation as the Guyana current brings lots of nutrients to our reefs and with it, the marine life, corals, coral fish are abundant, as are the big pelagics. Be prepared to see a lot. Bring your cameras. There's lots to see. Sean and the team are big on getting rid of the Lion Fish scourge. Luckily they taste delicious, especially when Kathleen cooks em up.
Sean and his wife Kathleen and awesome hosts. You will leave with lots of memories and hopefully some great photos or video.
There are too many dive sites to mention, but make sure you dive Coral Garden (with the largest coral head) and Japanese Garden for the ultimate drift dive. You could be here 2 weeks straight and not run out of dives.
Water clarity varies in Tobago depending on the rainy or dry season. Dry season tends to be better but sometimes wet season will surprise you too. Tobago is located with a very unique marine situation as the Guyana current brings lots of nutrients to our reefs and with it, the marine life, corals, coral fish are abundant, as are the big pelagics. Be prepared to see a lot. Bring your cameras. There's lots to see. Sean and the team are big on getting rid of the Lion Fish scourge. Luckily they taste delicious, especially when Kathleen cooks em up.
Sean and his wife Kathleen and awesome hosts. You will leave with lots of memories and hopefully some great photos or video.
Written April 13, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gary C
5 contributions
Feb 2020 • Solo
Just back from Speyside and diving with Sean, Mike and their team.
The owners and crew of this outfit are top notch. Very professional and safety conscious. Informative and a pleasure to dive with.
I managed to get in six dives with these guys. The corals here are the healthiest I have seen in the Caribbean with an abundant fish population. Diving this location with this team should be a must do on every divers list.
For me it is now a must do again and again.
Thank you guys for the great experience and laughs along the way.
As an experienced diver diver I can thoroughly recommend this dive shop and location to both newbies and experienced divers alike.
The owners and crew of this outfit are top notch. Very professional and safety conscious. Informative and a pleasure to dive with.
I managed to get in six dives with these guys. The corals here are the healthiest I have seen in the Caribbean with an abundant fish population. Diving this location with this team should be a must do on every divers list.
For me it is now a must do again and again.
Thank you guys for the great experience and laughs along the way.
As an experienced diver diver I can thoroughly recommend this dive shop and location to both newbies and experienced divers alike.
Written February 21, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tony I
1 contribution
Mar 2022
Tobago is a spectacular island and Tobago Dive Experience gave myself and three other divers some fantastic and memorable diving over five days. We took our own equipment and setup was very relaxed and thorough leaving from the jetty in Speyside. The shake down dive was on 'Cathedral', a relaxed 35 min drift dive, just what we needed after the flight from the UK.
We had two morning dives a day and no one missed a dive, we stayed at the Blue Waters Inn and were picked up from the hotel jetty each morning at 08:30, with the kit rinsed and ready to go, between dives we either moored in a lovely bay on Little Tobago or went back to the Speyside Jetty. The weather was fairly windy and most dives were in the lee of Little Tobago and Goat Island all being only 15 minues to the dive site. On the last day we got to 'Book Ends' which is in a more exposed Atlantic location and provided a spectacular last day diving.
The owner Sean Robinson is passionate about diving and Tobago, reminded me of a Clive Cussler character, the dive guides Mikey and Marvin were both great, attentive, very knowledgeable and helpful, the skipper Lappy a great boatman getting us old folk back in the boat safely. Marvin provided home made cake and Lappy home grown fruit during the surface intervals which was much appreciated.
We would like to thank Sean and the team for a great diving experience and hope to return in the not too distant future .
We had two morning dives a day and no one missed a dive, we stayed at the Blue Waters Inn and were picked up from the hotel jetty each morning at 08:30, with the kit rinsed and ready to go, between dives we either moored in a lovely bay on Little Tobago or went back to the Speyside Jetty. The weather was fairly windy and most dives were in the lee of Little Tobago and Goat Island all being only 15 minues to the dive site. On the last day we got to 'Book Ends' which is in a more exposed Atlantic location and provided a spectacular last day diving.
The owner Sean Robinson is passionate about diving and Tobago, reminded me of a Clive Cussler character, the dive guides Mikey and Marvin were both great, attentive, very knowledgeable and helpful, the skipper Lappy a great boatman getting us old folk back in the boat safely. Marvin provided home made cake and Lappy home grown fruit during the surface intervals which was much appreciated.
We would like to thank Sean and the team for a great diving experience and hope to return in the not too distant future .
Written April 15, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dane
3 contributions
Feb 2023
Stayed and dove with Tobago Dive Experience at the end of Feb, and it was a fantastic experience. As my only purpose during this trip was to dive (and read), staying at their place directly above the dive shop was super convenient.
The whole crew (Lappy, Mikey, Marvin plus Fedor and Kiki) were great and one of the best dive crews I've had in a while. They were attentive and responsive. They also let those of us with more dive experience venture further, but were always nearby if needed. Also since Tobago always had currents, there was always a guide in front and behind so no one wanders too far. Very professional.
Kathleen was also great fun to chat with and the food was delicious. Plus, we got an out-of-season manta, so I couldn't ask for more!
The whole crew (Lappy, Mikey, Marvin plus Fedor and Kiki) were great and one of the best dive crews I've had in a while. They were attentive and responsive. They also let those of us with more dive experience venture further, but were always nearby if needed. Also since Tobago always had currents, there was always a guide in front and behind so no one wanders too far. Very professional.
Kathleen was also great fun to chat with and the food was delicious. Plus, we got an out-of-season manta, so I couldn't ask for more!
Written March 10, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helen T
Carlisle, UK12 contributions
Mar 2022 • Friends
Had a great time diving the pristine reefs and drifting around the wonderful dive sites with Sean, Mike, Lappy and Marvin. Five star treatment from beginning to end, even picking us up from the quay at the Blue Waters Inn and giving us fruit and banana loaf during the surface interval. All the dive sites where marvellous especially 'Bookends' and 'Kamakazi Cut'.
Make sure you buy Sean a beer and he will spend an hour telling you fascinating stories of his life in the scuba diving industry. Just a wonderful time in a marvellous place with a great team.
Make sure you buy Sean a beer and he will spend an hour telling you fascinating stories of his life in the scuba diving industry. Just a wonderful time in a marvellous place with a great team.
Written April 16, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Simon
1 contribution
Feb 2023
Just return from a great weeks diving with TDE. What a fantastic location Speyside is with many and varied dive sites just a short boat ride from the dock. We did reefs, drifts, wreck and a night diving during the time I was there. I'm past 20 different types of fish and still counting and the reef is very healthy and active. One highlight was the Lion fish and lobster hunt (and the subsequent eating of) when a large Manta Ray decided to grace us with its presence. The team at TDE are very professional and safety focused and the whole operation is very well run. I chose to stay above the Dive Shop which was spacious and clean, which made rolling out of bed for the first dive of the day perfect. For that laid back, dive focused vacation it will be hard to beat.
Written March 10, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ken Johnson
6 contributions
Jan 2022
I spent five days diving with Sean and his team and enjoyed every dive. Sean is very knowledgeable and if there is a particular fish you're interested in he'll know the best place to find it.
With Covid there have been a lot fewer customers but they dive every day even if there is only one customer (some operators require at least two customers). One day it was just me and Sean.
I stayed a little way from the beach and they picked me up every day promptly and would have taken me back afterwards if I'd wanted (I preferred to have a tasty lunch at Jemma's then walk back).
In summary I enjoyed diving with TDE and recommend them.
With Covid there have been a lot fewer customers but they dive every day even if there is only one customer (some operators require at least two customers). One day it was just me and Sean.
I stayed a little way from the beach and they picked me up every day promptly and would have taken me back afterwards if I'd wanted (I preferred to have a tasty lunch at Jemma's then walk back).
In summary I enjoyed diving with TDE and recommend them.
Written February 4, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helga H
1 contribution
Apr 2023
Staying at and diving with TDE has been for me a perfect way to spend a wanderful week of holidays. I lived, ate and dove there like in a big family. They brought me to beautiful diving sites, gave me during the dive freedom to explore and attention I needed to feel save. A perfect team who love and are proud of their job, managed by Sean and Kathleen who know how to make people feel good.
They ordered me a short fresh up course in the pool as my last dives layed back for many years and I repeated the necessry exercises for those situations you easily could panic. A wise decission. And Jon was the perfect guy to guide an old European lady on her first dive through the tricky currents.
The food was fresh made and delicious. I loved to eat up the lion fish invading the reefs here. And the coffee was tasty!
My apartment was functional and clean and just 5 steps from the pool.
And last but not least Kathleen arranges all additional activities needed or wanted from a pick up from the airport to a professional bird watching guide.
They ordered me a short fresh up course in the pool as my last dives layed back for many years and I repeated the necessry exercises for those situations you easily could panic. A wise decission. And Jon was the perfect guy to guide an old European lady on her first dive through the tricky currents.
The food was fresh made and delicious. I loved to eat up the lion fish invading the reefs here. And the coffee was tasty!
My apartment was functional and clean and just 5 steps from the pool.
And last but not least Kathleen arranges all additional activities needed or wanted from a pick up from the airport to a professional bird watching guide.
Written April 11, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SpaldingUKTraveller
Bourne, UK124 contributions
Jan 2023 • Couples
I cannot rate Sean Robinson and his team highly enough. They make the whole process of Scuba during your vacation, easy, thoroughly professional and great fun. I did 14 dives over the course of 2 weeks most of which were comfortably straightforward dives. Lots of drift diving here but stunning corals and lots of marine life. The staff really look after you, set up your kit, help you in and out of the water etc. Equipment should you rent it is of the highest standard. I also stayed at Manta Suites and arranged car rental through Sean & Kathleen. My partner and I also ate regularly at the Finz by the Sea restaurant less than 50 yds from TDE/Manta Suites. All in all a fabulous experience.
Written January 12, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Scubaguru
Speyside, Tobago7 contributions
HI, we are staying at Blue Waters Inn from 10th to 15th March. Are there any operators who could do us a package? We are fairly experienced PADI divers, i am a 'retired' OWSI but we havent dived in a couple of years.Also, is there any advantage to taking own kit? Cass
Robbie G
64 contributions
i suggest you email them
Sean and team are really professional so you will have a great experience.
i used their rental gear.. no problems at all
Diana G
1 contribution
Hi, what's water temperature and visibility also rainfalls beginning of November or mid-January, please?
Kathleen R
11 contributions
Hi there! Water temp averages in the high 70's to low 80's, most people are find with a shorty which we rent. Visibility is normally fantastic unless we get runoff from the Orinoco which is nutrient rich and attracts lots of bigger critters! Our rainy season is from June to December rarely do we get full n rainy days. More like rain in the night and very early morning and maybe an afternoon shower. Hoe this helps, feel rew to contact us with any further questions.
wydtar
Sudbury, UK3 contributions
Hi,
I am a qualified diver (PADI) but my 10 year old son is not! Is he allowed to give it a go?
Thanks
Duncan.
Kathleen R
11 contributions
Yes! A ten year old could do either a discover scuba or a full junior certification! The discover scuba may be a good way to try it out to see if they like it. It would be Some training in the pool and then a one tank shallow dive. Please let us know if we can help you arrange this amazing experience.
wydtar
Sudbury, UK3 contributions
Hi,
I am a qualified diver (PADI) but my 10 year old son is not! Is he allowed to give it a go?
Thanks
Duncan.
Kathleen R
11 contributions
Yes, a ten year old could do a discover scuba or a full Jr. Certification! Please Ge in touch for details.
Tobago Dive Experience - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Tobago Dive Experience Information
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