The Tobago Cays
An independent island atlas for the Tobago Cays: five uninhabited islands, the Marine Park, turtle snorkeling, Horseshoe Reef, Petit Tabac, lobster BBQs in season, yacht moorings, boat trips, and where to stay nearby.
Island Notes
First, know the Cays.
The Tobago Cays are a small group of uninhabited islands in the Southern Grenadines: Petit Rameau, Petit Bateau, Baradal, Jamesby, and Petit Tabac. Four sit behind Horseshoe Reef. Petit Tabac sits just outside the main lagoon to the east.
A quick note on the name: it is written Tobago Cays, not Tobago Keys. A cay is a small low island, often built from sand or coral on a reef, which is exactly why the word fits this Marine Park so well. Some visitors type it as Tobago Keys, Tobego Keys, or Tobiko Keys, but those are mistaken spellings for this place.
Come for clear water, turtle seagrass, reef snorkeling, small beaches, iguanas, birds, sailboats, and the easy feeling that you are very far from busy resort life.
History
A quick bit of history.
The Tobago Cays were designated as a conservation area in 1987. In 1997, St. Vincent and the Grenadines created the Marine Parks Act and declared the Cays a marine park.
The state purchased the Cays in 1999 after years of private ownership, with the condition that they remain a national park. Today the park protects reef, seagrass, turtles, birds, beaches, and one of the best-known anchorages in the Grenadines.
Start Here
Choose what you need.
Use these pages to understand the Marine Park, choose the right day trip, snorkel respectfully, plan a yacht stop, or stay nearby on Union Island.
Marine Park
Fees, rules, protected habitats, the five cays, Horseshoe Reef, and how to visit without damaging the place you came to see.
Swimming With Turtles
What to expect at Baradal, how close is too close, and the etiquette that keeps the turtle sanctuary calm.
Boat Trips
Full-day Tobago Cays excursions, half-day swims, Petit Tabac add-ons, Mayreau stops, snorkeling gear, and private transfers.
Planning Notes
Get the practical details right.
Most Tobago Cays plans come down to three choices: how you reach the park, when conditions are best for your group, and whether the Cays are one stop in a wider Southern Grenadines route.
How to Get There
Union Island, Mayreau, sailing charters, private boat days, water taxis, and why there is no road or regular public ferry into the Marine Park.
Best Time to Visit
Trade winds, sea state, school holidays, lobster season, and how to choose a day that works for snorkeling, turtles, and comfort.
Grenadines Island-Hopping
How Tobago Cays fits with Union Island, Mayreau, Canouan, Palm Island, Petit St. Vincent, and a relaxed island route.
The Signature Experience
Turtle swims are best when they stay relaxed.
The most memorable Tobago Cays moment is often not loud or complicated. You float in clear water near Baradal, watch the seagrass move in the light, and a turtle appears, feeding slowly, surfacing for air, and returning to the bottom.
The best encounters happen when people behave gently: no chasing, no touching, no crowding, no standing on reef, and no trying to create a photo at the animal’s expense.
Union Island Base
Stay on Union Island, visit the Cays by boat.
Union Island is close, practical, and beautiful: a natural base for travelers who want accommodation, private boat transfers, local restaurants, and flexibility rather than sleeping on a yacht.
We can help guests plan accommodation on Union Island, boat transfers, Tobago Cays excursions, turtle snorkeling, local dive shop contacts, and arrival logistics without turning the guide into a hard-sell booking page.
Lunch & Dining in the Cays
Beach BBQ, lobster in season, and time to enjoy it.
Dining in the Tobago Cays is usually part of the boat day: a beach BBQ, picnic, or local vendor lunch. When lobster is legally in season, a lobster BBQ is one of the classic Grenadines experiences.
Marine Park rules say not to buy lobster from May 1 to August 31, so plan lobster as a September through April treat. Contact us before your boat day and we can help reserve a BBQ with a local vendor; Romeo is one of our favorite names to ask about when available.
Snorkel with care while you are there: stay off coral and let your captain choose stops based on light, wind, current, and crowd levels.
Plan the Day
Tell us your dates and what kind of day you want.
Tell us your dates, group size, and preferred pace, and we will suggest the most realistic route, boat style, and timing for the day.
Good to Know
Quick answers.
Where are the Tobago Cays?
The Tobago Cays are in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, in the Southern Grenadines near Union Island and Mayreau.
Can you swim with turtles in the Tobago Cays?
Yes. The Baradal Turtle Sanctuary is one of the best-known places to observe green and hawksbill turtles while snorkeling, but visitors should keep distance and never touch or chase wildlife.
Are the Tobago Cays inhabited?
The five cays are uninhabited. Mayreau nearby is inhabited and Union Island is the main local base for many day trips and private boat transfers.
Can you book a Tobago Cays boat trip from Union Island?
Yes. Private day trips and transfers can be arranged from Union Island, subject to weather, boat availability, park rules, and group size.
Is this the official Tobago Cays Marine Park website?
No. This is an independent visitor guide. Official fees, regulations, and park notices should always be confirmed with the Tobago Cays Marine Park.
Is it Tobago Cays or Tobago Keys?
The official name is Tobago Cays. Tobago Keys is the common mistaken spelling, and travelers also sometimes type Tobego Keys or Tobiko Keys. A cay is a small low island, often formed from sand or coral on a reef, and the word comes through Caribbean and Spanish usage as cayo.